Emergency response trailer a critical asset

Central Highlands Regional Council received its first of three emergency response trailers to be ready to respond when needed.

The trailers are fitted out with equipment to cover most emergencies and can be transported around the region.

Mayor Kerry Hayes said the trailers are a critical asset to council crews when responding to an incident and emergency.

‘These trailers are an investment that will make a difference in emergency situations all year round,’ he said.

‘Whether it’s a roadside accident, a fire, or a flood the equipment in the trailer ensures crews are properly resourced to deal with most incidents in safely.’

The idea was initially floated by council’s road crews out of necessity.

‘Particularly in a flood situation, crews sometimes have to respond in the early hours of the morning to remove fallen trees or barricade flooded roads,’ Mayor Hayes said.

‘Instead of having to organise and pack equipment in the dark, crews can now get the emergency trailer and have all the essentials ready to go.’

Council’s roadcrew staff and management worked together to build an inventory of emergency equipment required to cover situations such as road side accidents, flooding and fires.

The trailer carries signage, barrier boards and witches’ hats to secure a site and control traffic, brooms and shovels, chainsaws and safety equipment to remove trees and debris and fuels and 12-volt and 240-volt power supply. A five-metre-high inflatable light allows crews to illuminate an area at night.

The trailer was custom-made, and the design adapted to suit the equipment. Maintenance supervisor Anthony Wells was tasked to bring the idea to life.

‘It was a matter of working out what we need and then adapting the design of the trailer so that it fits all the bits and pieces and has easy access,’ Mr Wells said.

‘I’d like to say, I hope that we won’t have to use it too often but, in the event of an emergency, it will make a big difference to staff onsite.’

‘The unit also has spotlights and stop-and-go bats for traffic control and an inflatable light that inflates to five metres in height to illuminate an area at night time.