Toowoomba City Aerodrome exercise a valuable training day

It might have been a simulated emergency, but today’s Toowoomba City Aerodrome training exercise was treated as if it were a real incident.

A simulated aircraft refuelling fire unfolded for the Joint Emergency Services Training Exercise (JESTEX) 2019 on the Aerodrome’s refuelling apron.

Toowoomba Regional Council Infrastructure Services portfolio leader Cr James O’Shea said Council was required to stage regular emergency exercises to comply with Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) regulations.

Cr O’Shea said the aim of the day was to practise the implementation of the Toowoomba City Aerodrome Emergency Plan.

Cr O’Shea said Council was the owner and operator of the Aerodrome and had a responsibility to stage a training exercise to check regulatory procedures.

“An important aspect of today’s training exercise was the chance for all emergency services and other agencies to be involved in a full field exercise,” Cr O’Shea said.

“The exercise offers invaluable training for all support services to practise and later evaluate the effectiveness of the inter-agency response, coordination and communication on the day.

“While this is a training exercise, the Aerodrome was operating as normal. It is a busy regional Aerodrome within a built-up area and Council has to ensure all our procedures are in place in the event of a real emergency.

“The training day underlined the importance of clear lines of communication and showed the value of teamwork between all parties.”

Inspector Stephen Angus (City Patrol Group, Toowoomba, Queensland Police Service) said the exercise was an opportunity for emergency services to work collaboratively in a training based scenario to enhance skills and promote public safety.

Inspector Peter Bradow, Toowoomba Area Commander (South West Region, Queensland Fire and Emergency Services) said the exercise tested procedures from the initial callout to every aspect of dealing with a simulated refuelling incident.

Observers from respective agencies attended the exercise to check the co-ordination and effectiveness of the response.

Council appreciates Darling Downs Aero Club providing a Cessna 172 that was used during the exercise.

Caption: Queensland Fire and Emergency Services officers practise procedures at the simulated refuelling fire at the Joint Emergency Services Training Exercise 2019 at Toowoomba City Aerodrome.