First responders have taken local disaster readiness to the next level by spending the day responding to a simulated multi victim car and pedestrian crash at the Bundaberg Showgrounds.
The multi-agency exercise imitated a large-scale disaster with mass injuries and looked to test emergency procedures and response capabilities in a realistic scenario.
LifeFlight Rescue coordinated the exercise in conjunction with Wide Bay Hospital and Health Service.
Participants included Bundaberg Hospital’s Emergency Department and Critical Care team, Queensland Ambulance Service, Queensland Fire and Emergency Service (QFES) and Queensland Police Service (QPS), University of Queensland, Royal Flying Doctor Service.
LifeFlight Doctor Yulia Sugeng said in Queensland, responding to a Mass Casualty Incident involves a coordinated effort among multiple agencies, each with distinct roles.
The Queensland Ambulance Service leads the triage, treatment and transport of casualties, prioritizing patients based on the severity of their injuries.
Queensland Fire and Emergency Services are responsible for scene safety, including fire suppression, rescue operations, and hazardous materials management.
Queensland Police Service secures the area, manages traffic and crowd control and supports investigations and communication.
Queensland Health provides ongoing medical treatment, coordinates hospital capacity and supports public health responses.
LifeFlight and RFDS play an important role in aeromedical response, however LifeFlight Medical Officers also work alongside QAS Flight Paramedic to provide critical care on local road response.
Additionally, the State Emergency Service offers logistical and operational support.
Queensland Police Service Wide Bay Burnett District Officer Superintendent Anne Vogler said the exercise will test plans and the way agencies work together in an emergency to keep our communities safe.
“Throughout the exercise, we’ll be focusing on our coordination, communication and readiness for real emergencies,” Superintendent Vogler said.
“Though we’re confident in our current standard of response, these exercises are vital in ensuring we’re continuously improving, both internally and in partnership with each other.”
Queensland Fire and Rescue Service Bundaberg Area Commander Trevor Duncan said the joint exercise provided an excellent opportunity for firefighters to practice casualty management procedures.
“What is important about this exercise from a Fire and Rescue perspective is that it tests those communication lines and the collaboration that we have across the different agencies,” he said.
Wide Bay Hospital and Health Service Emergency Department Nurse said the exercise brought together multiple stakeholders and emergency response agencies including university students.
“This is the largest exercise of this kind to be done in the Wide Bay region over the last decade,” she said.
“It is a great opportunity not just for the professionals to practice together but also demonstrate to the students what their future professional lives could involve.”