Pingelly preparing to host simulated mass casualty event

Gosnells SES members Cherise Green, Joe Taylor and Graham Fixter were in Pingelly on April 13 to meet with SES Volunteer Association’s Kerry Keys in preparation for the April 29-30 SES training weekend.

The event will bring about 70 emergency services personnel from the South West, Upper Great Southern and Metro regions to Pingelly to engage in a range of simulated training exercises.

Emergency Services Minister Stephen Dawson, shadow emergency services minister Martin Aldridge and DFES commissioner Darren Klemm are also attending the event on Saturday.

“We’ve got a weekend planned that will involve multiple stands providing training and skills,” Ms Green said.

“Real-life training is important, it is important to always be prepared and to build relationships between volunteers.”

Training scenarios will take place in several Pingelly townsite locations and the Pingelly community is welcome to observe.

“It gives the general public a good idea of what we do,” Mr Taylor said.

“We encourage the public to come and take a look.”

One of the features of Saturday will be a climbing display from the Gosnells Vertical Rescue Team.

Ms Green said the weekend would culminate in a simulated mass casualty event.

“On the Sunday, we’re doing a mass casualty exercise,” she said.

“For the volunteers that are attending, the nature of the mass casualty event won’t be revealed until the exercise begins.”

Pingelly SES is seeking 38 volunteers to play the part of mass casualty victims, an opportunity that requires minimal acting talent and a willingness to don fake blood.

Lunch and refreshments will be provided.

To volunteer call Ms Keys at the Pingelly Post Office on 9887 1449.