Emergency service personnel from across the country are testing their flood rescue skills in a mass-casualty exercise as part of the National Flood Rescue Symposium this weekend.

More than 200 personnel from 17 agencies are attending the symposium at Penrith Whitewater Stadium, led by the NSW State Emergency Service (SES), which will also showcase innovative flood rescue assets currently being trialled. 

From drones to amphibious vehicles, the assets are designed to improve response times to remote locations while enhancing the safety of personnel.

The SES is also testing e-bikes and trail bikes for fast deployment to searches and access to remote areas, enhanced flood barriers as a potential replacement to single-use sandbags to block or divert flood waters, and unmanned surface vessels to reduce risks around flood rescues for both casualties and operators.

Held over three days, the Flood Symposium hosts representatives from NSW Police, NSW Ambulance, Fire and Rescue NSW, NSW Rural Fire Service, VRA Rescue NSW, Surf Life Saving NSW, and Marine Rescue NSW, as well as interstate and even international attendees.

The event is an opportunity for flood rescue experts to share, learn and take best-practice flood rescue skills back to their broader teams, with flow-on benefits for their respective communities. 

Minister for Emergency Services Jihad Dib said, “The National Flood Symposium is a great example of how our emergency service agencies are working together, as weather-driven disasters become more frequent, and multi-agency cooperation becomes increasingly important in keeping communities safe.  

“Multi-agency training and emergency simulation is making our state’s flood response capabilities even stronger, and I am proud that we’re a leader when it comes to finding innovative ways to improve our preparedness and response. 

“The SES is embracing opportunities to refine flood rescue capability, which not only includes training and interoperability but also trialling new tools and assets that can make flood rescues even quicker and safer.”

Assistant Commissioner of the NSW SES Dean Storey said:

“The Flood Symposium brings together experts to hone skills and share lessons and insights. As the lead agency for flood rescue, it’s part of our commitment to the people of New South Wales to maximise our preparedness for future flood events.

“That’s also why we’re innovating the tools we use to respond to future emergencies by introducing new assets as part of a trial to see what is efficient and effective in completing operational tasks and improving the safety of our volunteers and the public.

“The trial will thoroughly evaluate the feasibility of new technologies, assets and processes to improve operations and support local and interstate response.

“Equipment such as drones and unmanned surface vessels could result in flood rescues and intelligence gathering without the need for personnel to enter dangerous flood waters, which could enhance volunteer safety and improve response times and access to remote locations.”