Training for the real thing

NARRE Warren SES volunteers recently completed an Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) training course where they learnt how to respond to an emergency involving a collapsed building.
The 11 volunteers were part of a two-day multi-agency training exercise involving more than 200 SES volunteers from across Victoria, as well as CFA members.
The volunteers were put to the test on a specially prepared training site that was designed to represent a collapsed 10-storey concrete building.
They were required to establish control at the scene, communicate with survivors, assess hazards and identify likely survival points.
After conducting a detailed assessment of the incident scene, participants were required to search for and rescue trapped victims by removing rubble and placing survivors in stretchers.
Other skills tested during the course included responding to warning signals and searching for victims trapped below the surface.
Structure collapse may occur due to fire, flood, storm, earthquake, cyclones, acts of terrorism or a tsunami. Although Australia has been subjected to several collapsed-structure incidents, they have been relatively minor compared to incidents that have occurred elsewhere in the world.
SES spokesman Peter Cocks said the focus of the USAR training was a multi-agency response that provided the best mix of skills, expertise and specialist resources.
“In the event of a major building collapse, it is likely all emergency services will be involved and this training is an important extension of the preparedness of SES volunteers to help in such situations.
“The commitment of these volunteers should be applauded as they improve their rescue skills so they are better prepared to assist their communities in their time of need,” he said.