NSW Ports and Fire and Rescue NSW have been put through their paces as part of an emergency exercise at Sydney’s Port Botany.
Crews and workers tested their protocols and equipment in response to a simulated gas leak at the Bulk Liquids Berth (BLB) on Friday (31 March, 2023), which handles 98 per cent of the state’s LPG imports as well as other fuels and chemicals.
NSW Ports General Manager of Operations Jonathan Lafforgue said these drills were a critical part of ensuring response mechanisms and emergency procedures remained fit-for-purpose.
“Port Botany’s BLB is a significant asset for NSW. It’s the primary bulk liquid and gas port in the State and the country’s largest dedicated common-user bulk facility,” Mr Lafforgue said.
“Maintaining these facilities as well as our broader container trade operations and making sure that all our port workers can go about their jobs in a safe and secure environment is vital.
“Ensuring our emergency procedures remain current and that key response agencies and workers test these critical mechanisms regularly is therefore a top priority for NSW Ports in managing the precinct’s 24/7 operations.”
Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) Acting Zone Commander, Brad Smith, has welcomed the opportunity for firefighters to hone their specialist skills in a realistic environment.
“We pride ourselves at being ‘Prepared for Anything’ and exercises like these allow our people to remain at the top of their game,” Acting Superintendent Smith said.
The staged scenario involved an LPG leak from the BLB’s pipeline manifold, creating a vapour cloud in the air. The subsequent drill included: evacuating the wharf; issuing emergency warnings; containing the leak; and testing firefighting equipment and resources.
Once the live exercise was complete, organisations also conducted a thorough debrief to adopt any improvements to their associated emergency procedures and related policies.
Port Botany contributes $10.7 billion to the NSW economy each year and supports about 52,000 jobs. Learn more about the port’s key trades by visiting: https://www.nswports.com.au/port-botany.
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Brooke.Eggleton@nswports.com.au | 0419 684 953