23 May 2023
MEDIA RELEASE
Collaboration is key during Sunshine Coast Airport’s emergency exercise
Sunshine Coast Airport coordinated a multi-agency emergency field exercise today as part of the Airport’s on-going commitment to safety and emergency management preparation.
The multi-agency exercise simulated a large fuel spill causing multiple injuries near the main Terminal building and looked to test emergency procedures and response capabilities in a realistic scenario.
Sunshine Coast Airport General Manager Operations Kate McCreery-Carr said the exercise brought together multiple stakeholders and emergency response agencies, providing airport staff with an invaluable opportunity to test communications, incident assessment, decision making and resource deployment.
“Simulated emergency exercises are extremely important and one of the best ways for us to prepare. It gives us the opportunity to work through our processes with key stakeholders so, in the unlikely event of an emergency incident, we are ready to respond as quickly and efficiently as possible,” Ms McCreery-Carr said.
“We have a comprehensive Airport Emergency Plan that details our process and how we work with emergency services during an incident, and today’s exercise gives us the perfect opportunity to test how we collaborate and work together.
“Safety is our number one priority, and we pride ourselves on having an excellent track record, however we have to be prepared for the worst and today’s exercise forms the foundation for us to build on.”
Ms McCreery-Carr said the exercise was not only a requirement under Civil Aviation Safety Regulations but the perfect prelude to Sunshine Coast Airport Safety Week starting on 29 May.
“Today’s exercise forms part of our overarching emergency management preparation with a requirement to activate and test the Airport Emergency Plan on a bi-annual basis,” she said.
“It’s also the perfect transition into our own Airport Safety Week that kicks-off next week focusing on ‘safety through transition’.
“Sunshine Coast Airport is embarking on a significant period of growth and change, and it’s important we come together and look at how we can build awareness and maintain safety standards as we grow.
“Safety week involves staff taking part in daily workshops, meetings, walkthroughs and other activities and is just one of the ways we educate and empower our people when it comes to safety.”
Today’s exercise involved Queensland Police Service (QPS), Queensland Fire and Emergency Services (QFES), Airservices Australia’s Aviation Rescue Fire Fighting Service, Queensland Ambulance Service (QAS), Viva Australia (Refuelling) and Sunshine Coast Hospital and Health Service (SCHHS).
ENDS
For further information:
Contact: Sunshine Coast Airport Corporate Communications
(07) 5373 1901
