RURAL Fire Service Queensland (RFSQ) staff have joined with volunteers and Emergency Response Force soldiers from the 4th Regiment RAA to take part in a large-scale cyclone preparedness operation ahead of the cyclone season this week.
The training exercise coined ‘Exercise Crater Hill’ is taking place at the ‘Jump Up’ at the end of Mill Road, Yabulu, in Townsville.
The operation is being held to simulate the deployment of crews to a north Queensland location devastated by a fictional cyclone and to gauge the RFSQ and Emergency Response Force’s response and recovery capabilities.
Today and Friday the week-long exercise comes to a close with rural fire volunteers and soldiers working together to clear ‘cyclone debris’ and damaged vegetation along the Greenvale train line break using chainsaws and other light tools, aboard fire appliances, Mack trucks and Bushmaster vehicles.
Rangewood Rural Fire Brigade First Officer Jim Besgrove said the aim is to clear 7km area of heavily overgrown terrain as quickly and efficiently as possible.
“The area was chosen to reflect the kind of terrain that may have to be cleared during the cyclone season to make an access route for a rural community if the roads are cut,” Mr Besgrove said.
He said after TC Yasi the Defence provided the Queensland Fire Service (QFS) with much needed manpower and equipment to help clean-up.
“It’s wonderful having the support of the Army when these situation arise, the resources they provide make the job that much quicker to organise, carry-out and complete,” he said.
“Operations like this are a great test of our mapping capabilities and our ability to effectively co-ordinate joint tasks.”
4th Regiment RAA Captain Niel Gould said the week-long operation has provided army personal with invaluable emergency relief information and also helped the men hone their skills with the equipment they’ll be required to operate when an emergency relief situation strikes.
“We’ve really learnt a lot about fire awareness especially many of the hazards we could potentially face if a real life situation,” he said.
“The clearing work has been slow-going as the foliage is at head height and we’re trying to get it to below knee-level, but we’re getting through it.”
He said the combined force was attempting to clear about the area in two days or less, which was the kind of pace that they’d need to be working at if a real life situation arose.
Mr Besgrove said the Australian tropical cyclone season runs from November 1 to April 30 and all households should now have prepared or be preparing an emergency kit.
“The season is upon us, be prepared and know the safety procedures,” he said.
Click the link below for cyclone season safety advice: http://www.emergency.qld.gov.au/emq/css/beprepared.asp