Interagency emergency responses tested at Fleet Base East

Interagency responses were tested at Fleet Base East, as Navy teamed up with emergency services for a joint exercise on October 21.

CAPTION: HMAS Brisbane crew, Fire and Rescue NSW and exercise observers gather in the Damage Control Centre on board Brisbane during Exercise Vulcan Phoenix at Fleet Base East, Sydney. Story by Lieutenant Nancy Cotton. Photo by Able Seaman Benjamin Ricketts.

NSW Ambulance, Fire and Rescue NSW, NSW Police and the NSW Port Authority joined Navy for Exercise Vulcan Phoenix, which tested interagency responses to a critical incident on board a Navy ship.

Captain Michael Oborn, Exercise Director and Commander Shore Force, said the safety of Navy’s people and the community was front of mind.

“During the exercise, a scenario was rolled out testing the responses of Navy and participating agencies in real time,” Captain Oborn said.

CAPTION: HMAS Brisbane crew and Fire and Rescue NSW discuss the current situation as part of Exercise Vulcan Phoniex held onboard HMAS Brisbane at Fleet Base East, Sydney. Photo by Able Seaman Benjamin Ricketts.

“This allowed us to validate our emergency-management procedures and spotlight areas that need work.

“Our goal was to ensure that our people are prepared and able to react quickly and effectively.

“Navy trains our people to respond to all types of situations at sea, but this ashore scenario ensured that Navy and State agencies can come together and operate as one team, should a situation require it.”

Exercise Vulcan Phoenix is an annual training activity, with each iteration further developing interagency interoperability.

CAPTION: A NSW Port Services tug boat provides firefighting capability to HMAS Brisbane in Sydney Harbour. Photo by Able Seaman Benjamin Ricketts.

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