Signallers prepare for the worst

Signallers in South Australia have ensured communications and information services are ready for the high-risk weather season.

CAPTION: State Emergency Services brief Australian Army soldiers of 144th Signal Squadron during Exercise Mercury Scatter in Yankallila, South Australia. Story by Captain Peter March. Photo by Sergeant Adam Barlow.

144th Signal Squadron visited seaside towns on the Fleurieu Peninsula for Exercise Mercury Scatter, where detachments conducted tasks with local Country Fire Service (CFS) and State Emergency Service (SES) volunteers.

The activity provided personnel with challenging, realistic training, which Officer Commanding 144th Signal Squadron Major Deb Elmy said was an opportunity for unit members to refine their preparedness.

“My expectations were for unit members to be exposed to the SES and CFS facilities and gain an understanding of their capabilities in the event we are required to serve together as part of a response to an emergency event,” Major Elmy said.

The activity involved establishing a command post within the town of Yankalilla, and completing tasks in surrounding areas.

Signaller Nicholas Rudgley said the training enabled teams to test their ability to deploy in response to an emergency event and integrate with emergency services in real time, using data and voice communications in a suburban area.

One of the additional benefits of the exercise was the relationships built between Army personnel and the local population.

“We received a warm welcome from the community. There was a lot of interest in what we were doing and a desire to help if required,” Major Elmy said.

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