On Saturday, 24 State Emergency Service (SES) volunteers from Orange and Molong took part in a one-day training scenario at Bathurst Showground call ‘Exercise Kaos’.

Crews were provided no information prior to the day so that the scenarios could be as realistic as possible.

The skills of SES crews were put to the test in fields like land search, industrial and domestic rescue, storm and water damage, water rescue, mapping and navigation exercises.

SES regional learning and development officer Stanley Williams said multiple teams were tasked to respond to challenging scenarios across the region, with all jobs being simulations of real-life incidents that had previously occurred.

“The volunteers haven’t been given details of the incidents that they will be responding to,” he said.

SES Central West media liaison officer Joel Ogston said on a real call-out volunteers usually received only a brief description of the job they had been tasked to attend and that was why Saturday’s training participants were given no information before they received the call to respond.

“Being sent in blind really does leave everyone thinking critically. It really gave everyone the opportunity to think outside the box,” he said. 

Mr Ogston said it was a very successful day, with each team participating in three scenarios.

“Something on this scale hasn’t been done in quite a few years,” he said.

Mr Ogson said it was also a benefit for SES units to work together and learn from each other.

SES region controller Craig Ronan said Exercise Kaos tested the Central West region’s capability to organise and respond to multiple requests for help in a short period of time.

Mr Ronan said because the scenarios were conducted in public locations, the exercise gave the public an opportunity to witness the varied roles that volunteers undertake.

“Volunteers can learn a large range of valuable skills that can really help them to engage with the community and help the community,” he said.

To find out more about volunteering with the NSW SES visit www.ses.nsw.gov.au.