Over four days in September 2010 130 people came together to compete in the Northern Australian Emergency Response Competition. The inaugural event was an opportunity for emergency response personnel to be involved in a friendly competition while using the event as a training exercise to refresh their proficiency.
A range of scenarios and venues
The competition events were held at a range of venues in and near Darwin. The first event was a two hour underground rescue challenge held at Crocodile Gold Australia's Toms Gully Mine Site about 90 kilometres south-east of Darwin.
The main emergency challenge site was located at Darwin's Hidden Vally Raceway. Over three days, the teams rescued casualties from great heights, treated accident victims, fought fires, confronted car accidents and dealt with hazardous materials. Each team had their own pit area with a communal gathering spot nicknamed "The Lounge" providing a great location for teams to mingle and network.
Disaster management response
Darwin has frequently played a key role in disaster management and provides a central hub for emergency response in the northern part of Australia. With considerable depth of local expertise and with NT also playing a strong role in the resources sector where efficient emergency response is critically important, it was a logical choice for this inaugural event.
Darwin is again hosting the 2011 event which will be held from 17 - 21 August 2011.
What they say
"As the organiser of the Northern Australian Emergency Response Competition, I was honoured and privileged to put on this inaugural event and get the opportunity to work with all the wonderful people involved in this industry. We look forward to the event being held again next year and to seeing not only the event grow but also national awareness regarding the importance of the emergency service response sector."
Linda Young
Director, Darwin Coordinators