REGIONAL fire crews took part in a large-scale hazardous chemical spill training session in Bendigo.
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About 60 career and volunteer firefighters from 10 brigades donned protective gear, including breathing apparatus and fully encapsulated gas suits to clear a simulated chemical spill.
Golden Square Fire Brigade captain Tim McNeilly, who organised the hazmat training with Eaglehawk captain Hayden Allan, said the session was vital for firefighters to build on existing skill levels. The specialist training was undertaken at least once a year and took months to plan. The simulated exercise involved a ‘spill’ of an insecticide and a herbicide. While water was used the two chemicals were identified as being potential real hazards in a regional farming area.
“It was a realistic as possible, with two separate chemical spills - both extremely toxic, with one deadly if breathed in,” Mr McNeilly said. “So the firies had to wear face masks with air cylinders on their backs so they could breathe good air and were wrapped up in a fully sealed PVC-type suit to protect their skin.
“Once they had done the job they then had to go through a wash down, to make sure there was no chemicals left on their suits.”
Specialist Hazmat Firefighters from Shepparton and career firefighters from Bendigo Fire Station lent their expertise to the training, with volunteers from Golden Square, Eaglehawk, Kangaroo Flat, Bendigo, Maiden Gully, Lockwood, Strathfieldsaye and Marong having to assess and clear the area of hazardous materials.
“The training was conducted to provide all local fire brigades with the opportunity to practise and maintain skills in dealing with a large-scale hazardous materials incident,” Mr McNeilly said. “The training was also conducted to test and demonstrate to all firefighters the specialist response equipment that is available locally to be used at these types of incidents.”
Completing tasks while wearing fully protective suits gave added difficulty to the training, he said. “The suits do limit your visibility and ability to move as freely. So while they were kitted up they practised other scenarios so they could experience what it was like to work in the gear during a simulated life-threatening incident.”