South Australia Police, SA Ambulance Service (SAAS), South Australia Metropolitan Fire Service (MFS) and SA Health today conducted a deployment exercise on North Terrace and at the Adelaide Convention Centre.
Deputy Commissioner of Police, Linda Williams said the exercise involved a series of simulated emergency scenarios designed to test agency coordination and response.
"Today's exercise began with a car crash on North Terrace followed by a simulated explosion," Deputy Commissioner Williams said.
"Police also practiced their response to an active armed offender and hostage scenario, while MFS, SAAS and SA Health practiced their responses to these scenarios as well.
"These exercises give emergency services the opportunity to practice their skills and procedures in a safe environment.
"Any lessons will be shared around the country to ensure law enforcement agencies can utilise them prior to responding to a real-life incident."
MFS Chief Officer Jeff Swann also attended the exercise.
"Participation in a controlled multi‑agency exercise of this scale strengthens collaboration between emergency services, improving clarity of command and the timely flow of information. All agencies involved share a common objective, to achieve the best possible outcome for the community," Mr Swann said.
"The exercise also provides MFS personnel with the opportunity to assess risk, prioritise actions and adapt effectively as incidents escalate or change, ensuring coordinated and reliable support to the relevant control agencies during complex emergency situations."
SAAS Chief Executive Officer Rob Elliott said that multi-agency exercises provide vital opportunities for emergency services to test both their emergency response capabilities in real time scenarios and their abilities to work together seamlessly.
"Multi-agency and mass-casualty event training are core components of much of our work as an ambulance service," Mr Elliott said.
"Many of the incidents that SAAS paramedics, doctors and nurses attend involve a multi-agency response. When working in a time-critical emergency situations, it is essential that our emergency services know their roles and how they complement each other."
SAPOL capabilities participating in today's exercise include Bomb Response, STAR, SRS, Forensics, Disaster Victim Identification, negotiators, intelligence and public information.
This exercise was funded by the Australia New Zealand Counter Terrorism Committee. Lessons identified will be shared nationally to support continuous improvement across law enforcement agencies.
SAPOL thanks the community for their patience with road closures and any inconvenience caused. Thank you also to the Adelaide Convention Centre for working closely with SAPOL in the planning and conduct of this exercise.
