BRIGADES from across South Gippsland converged at the Barry Beach Marine Terminal for their South Gippsland Group exercise training recently, where members worked through a few scenarios to fully train and practice their skills in an unusual environment.

“We chose to engage with Qube Energy as the Barry Beach Martine Terminal is a major piece of infrastructure in the region,” Deputy Group Officer Training Ray Argento said.

“We’re also expecting the number of people onsite at Barry Beach to grow significantly over the coming years with the proposed offshore rig decommissioning activities and the development of the Gippsland offshore wind zone.”

The key was for members to practice their skills, and the site at Barry Beach was chosen to provide a foundation for collaboration.

Active members from Welshpool, Toora, Foster, Meeniyan-Stony Creek, Inverloch, Tarwin Lower & District, Fish Creek & District, Pound Creek and Dumbalk participated in a complex search and rescue in a smoke-filled building, communications on new CFA radios, and a HAZMAT scenario where a forklift was involved in an unknown chemical spill.

Ambulance Victoria members were also ‘on scene’ to provide support and expertise in patient lift and extraction techniques.

“I think the exercises challenged brigades and members,” Mr Argento continued. “They were able to call on the experiences of others and their training to consider the best way to deal with each of the scenarios they were presented with.

“We sincerely thank Qube Energy for the opportunity to use their site, their willingness to be so involved in the process and particularly for supporting volunteers to learn vital skills.”