Last Wednesday, emergency services were put through their paces in a meticulously planned simulated plane crash at Bankstown Airport. The exercise, which involved Fire and Rescue NSW, NSW Police, NSW Ambulance, and Sydney Metro Airports, simulated a scenario where a large aircraft experienced engine failure shortly after takeoff, resulting in a devastating crash.
During the half-day event, responders faced multiple casualties with varying degrees of injuries, adding complexity to the already challenging situation. Additionally, the exercise included a simulated COVID-19 scare, further testing the agencies’ ability to manage crises effectively.
FRNSW Inner West Zone Commander, Superintendent Craig Wright, emphasized the importance of such training exercises in honing the skills of emergency personnel. “This was a great opportunity for them to put their skills to the test in such a realistic scenario,” he stated. “These types of exercises allow all emergency services personnel to gain a greater understanding of how each agency interacts and works together at incidents so they can be better prepared if and when they do occur.”
Sydney Metro Airports CEO, Daniel Jarosch, underscored the significance of the drill in assessing the operational readiness of Bankstown Airport in the face of a significant air-side and land-side incident. “It will enable us to assess the effectiveness of response procedures and resources,” he explained. “Bankstown Airport is the second busiest airport in Australia and operates 24/7. It’s critical that we have in place appropriate and dynamic emergency procedures to manage the range of potential incidents and emergencies that can occur.”
Following the drill, emergency services will convene again in the coming weeks to evaluate the exercise comprehensively. Such debriefings are crucial in identifying strengths, areas for improvement, and refining response protocols to ensure the highest level of preparedness in the event of a real emergency.
