The training night, which focused on the extraction of passengers from a bus, involved the Yarrawonga, Benalla, Wangaratta (Yarrawonga South), Rutherglen and Chiltern SES as well as the Wilby and Bundalong CFA.
Yarrawonga SES Unit Controller Jason Forber said training sessions that focussed on specific incidents was always needed so volunteers had the best knowledge to assist in every situation SES and CFA are called out to.
“This is just version one of a multi-agency training day. It is just a chance for all emergency services to come together and to hone in on their skills,” Mr Forber said.
“It puts the wheels in motion and makes sure all the services are familiar with these types of incidents.
“This was all organised around six weeks to two months ago but it is a timely skills maintenance session after two unfortunate bus accidents in the last month.”
Two dummies were placed at the back of Woods Buslines buses for crews to work together to safely extract the patients.
Although organised before any particular incidents, this exercise has come in a timely manner after a school bus rolled in Melbourne a month ago with several school children having to endure amputations before 10 people were sadly killed in the Hunter Valley last week.
The Kendrick Extraction device was utilised to get everyone familiar with what the crews have available and what sometimes has to be used in difficult situations.
“A training night that focuses primarily on one type of incident is not completely new,” Mr Forber said.
“When I was at Myrtleford we did a session over there and everyone was pleased to learn all that they could to ensure they assisted patients in the best way possible.
“We are hoping this becomes an annual event and that the whole region will get involved.
“It’s about the team coming together and sharing their knowledge and skills for the betterment of our communities.”