Supplied by Werribee Fire Brigade
In their ninth year of collaboration, Werribee Fire Brigade has once again teamed up with Ambulance Victoria and Victoria Police to train and enhance road crash rescue capabilities.
The interagency training took place at Werribee Fire Station on Thursday (18 June), where 25 CFA volunteers hosted 24 paramedics, guiding them through two road crash rescue training scenarios.
Werribee Fire Brigade Training Coordinator and 2nd Lieutenant Rohan Rizzoli said multi-agency training nights are incredibly important in improving outcomes for the community and for any patients involved in road crash incidents.
“These practical exercises are designed to familiarise paramedics with road crash rescue operations, strengthen interagency coordination, and improve the way emergency services work together at car crashes and high-trauma incidents,” Rohan said.
“It was great to have Victoria Police in attendance too, to assist in creating a realistic simulation for what we experience out on the road – their involvement is invaluable.”
Werribee Fire Brigade’s Rescue Team Leader Daniel May said this year’s exercise was the biggest in terms of the scenario, but also in attendance.
“We had a record number of paramedics and firefighters attend, alongside Victoria Police, with brigade members from Epping joining us too,” Daniel said.
“Overall, the night went really well and there was some great feedback off the back of it too. The scenarios involved a front underrun and the requirement to lift a bus off the front of a car. It had a degree of technical difficult about it.
“Typically, we have had a couple of cars, but we introduced a heavy vehicle this year with a mass casualty complexity with a large number patients requiring immediate care.
“Half the group completed a theory workshop inside, understanding each other’s roles, then swapped with the group outside to partake in the practical exercise.”
Daniel said the exercise has been instrumental in strengthening interagency connection.
“There is huge collaboration between all three agencies, not only on the night, but during the year as well and it’s a great networking opportunity,” Daniel said.
“That then spills out onto the road too when we’re out on jobs, as we can put a face to a name and get to know who is who. It helps enhance working relationships and cross-agency exposure.
“It gives them an understanding of what we’re capable of doing, and what we can do as a rescue provider, but also allows us to understand their needs and what their requirements are.
“We’re all there for the patient, and these training exercises we’re working hard to get better patient outcomes, quicker extrication times and better working relationships at time-critical events.”
