The NT Fire and Rescue Service's (NTFRS) Special Operations Command is conducting a critical exercise in preparation for the wet season.
As part of the Northern Territory Government's response to floods and cyclones, NTFRS supports the NT Emergency Service (NTES), and members are often deployed to assess the condition of buildings and utilities on the ground for recovery and clean-up operations. The Service's Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) technology - commonly referred to as drones - is also used to survey disaster zones and thermal imaging can help locate survivors in debris, vegetation and floodwaters.
The exercise, which is running over the next two weeks, involves installing large, rapid deployment shelters in preparation for use in regional areas of the Northern Territory.
Measuring 7m by 7m, the shelters can fit up to 14 deployees, and are used to establish:
Incident Management Teams (IMT)AccommodationMedical triage stationsLogistical stationsCommunity support hubs.
The shelters also offer multiple power supply options, allowing computers, TVs and communications systems to effectively operate in the field and support RPAS technology, which provides real-time mapping of disaster zones, allowing Government agencies to prioritise response efforts and allocate resources effectively.
During the exercise, the shelters and relevant equipment will be checked and tested. Crews, including volunteer firefighters, will be rotated through to familiarise themselves with the shelters, and to practice collapsing and re-establishing them.
Quotes attributed to NTFRS Deputy Chief Fire Officer - Strategy and Capability, Stephen Hunter:
"This exercise is a critical part of the Northern Territory Government's preparation for the wet season, and I'd like to thank the National Critical Care and Trauma Response Centre, which has been instrumental in helping expand this capability.
"When the Territory is challenged by floods and cyclones, the NTFRS supports the NT Emergency Service, NT Police and other Government agencies, as well as volunteers and community members on the ground during response and clean-up operations. These shelters allow us to mobilise quickly when we arrive in a disaster zone.
"The RPAS technology also allows us to detect survivors, structural damage, flood zones and blocked roads, and this information allows us to prioritise Government resources urgently and effectively.
"By running this exercise, the NTFRS is in a better position to respond and support our colleagues in other agencies when we get the callup to support Territory communities."
