State Emergency Service (SES) members from across Queensland assembled in Emerald last weekend for the annual ‘Water Rats’ training weekend.
The event, now in its 11th year, was hosted by the Emerald SES and held at the Camp Fairbairn Outdoor Educational Centre.
Eighty-eight SES members attended the training, including Queensland Fire and Emergency Services training officers and the area director from the Rockhampton regional SES office.
There were also representatives from the QFES Wireless Network Unit, Gladstone Water Police, Emerald Police and Maritime Safety Queensland.
Sponsored by the Central Highlands Regional Council, the weekend aims to ensure qualified floodboat operators are able to complete their annual competency maintenance updates.
‘The weekend is also an opportunity for members to participate in practical floodboat drills to increase their operational capabilities,’ council’s Coordinator Emergency Services Glenn Bell said.
‘This ensures that SES members are fully trained and prepared for any search and rescue scenario they may be called upon to assist with.’
Some of the training scenarios completed this year were GPS training and tracking, maritime safety vessel compliance checks and information sessions, towing vessels through an obstacle course and full search and rescue training.
The QFES Wireless Network Unit also set up a digital radio network for the members to use throughout the weekend.
‘The most popular event of the weekend was definitely the flare demonstration given by Water Police on Saturday night,’ Mr Bell said.
‘Approvals were received from AMSA to complete a live flare demonstration on the night, which allowed the SES members to gain valuable experience in the safe use of hand-held flares.’
Mr Bell said next year’s date had been set and SES members and guests were already putting their names down.
‘Hopefully it will be even bigger and better again,’ he said.