- Emergency responders from across Indo-Pacfic region complete challenging training course in Perth funded by the European Union
- Global Ports Safety project aims to prepare authorities to respond to crisis incidents at ports across Asia
- Department of Fire and Emergency Services and Australian Defence Force help stage training program
Western Australia has played a central role in a series of international maritime exercises aimed at enhancing the safety of ports throughout the Indo-Pacific region.
Over the past two weeks emergency responders from WA, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Malaysia and Indonesia have undertaken a rigorous training course including a complex vessel rescue and fire suppression.
It's all part of the Global Ports Safety (GPS) project, a European Union-funded initiative that boosts the capabilities in emergency management across ports in the Indo-Pacific region.
The course was staged at HMAS Stirling, Fremantle, Henderson and Jandakot - locations that will become significantly busier as WA gears up for AUKUS.
Australian and Asian ports are critical to world trade, and the GPS project is designed to improve port management's response to incidents that could disrupt the movement of cargo.
The training includes strengthening preparedness and the crisis response for incidents involving dangerous goods and hazardous materials.
French and Australian trainers conducted the course which included fire suppression on board vessels and confined space rescues.
Western Australia's Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) and the Australian Defence Force supported the course logistics as well as having representatives take part in the training.
As stated by Emergency Services Minister Paul Papalia:
"Collaboration is crucial among international emergency services agencies and it is important first responders learn from experts on how they can best protect their communities.
"The Cook Labor Government is proud that WA, through DFES, has been able to support a project that will bring so many benefits in safety to a range of Australian and Asian ports.
"Staging the exercises at HMAS Stirling, Jandakot, Fremantle and Henderson confirms our State's statusas one of the nation's most important maritime bases as we progress towards the creation of Submarine Rotational Force West in 2027.
"We also welcome the decision by the European Union and French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs to stage this training exercise in Perth and look forward to supporting other activities associated with the GPS project."
