City of Newcastle facilitates vital emergency response training

Newcastle's Local Emergency Management Committee (LEMC) has tested the city's preparedness for a major emergency while also familiarising themselves with City of Newcastle's purpose-built emergency operations centre (EOC).

Conducted by NSW Police, the annual LEMC training simulation was attended by a variety of emergency service organisations including the SES, Fire and Rescue and NSW Ambulance, as well as utility providers such as Hunter Water, Telstra and Ausgrid.

Lake Macquarie Police Acting Superintendent Lisa Jones, City of Newcastle Executive Director Corporate Services David Clarke, Fire and Rescue Superintendent Garry Tye, Newcastle Police Superintendent Kylie Endemi and NSW SES Superintendent Ian Robinson attend the annual Local Emergency Management Committee training simulation at City of Newcastle's purpose-built emergency operations centre.Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said it was vital for the city to be ready for any natural disaster or major hazard that can impact our community.

"Newcastle is no stranger to natural disasters having experienced the 1989 earthquake and the Pasha Bulker storm in 2007, so it's important to be prepared for any emergency scenario," Cr Nelmes said.

"We're committed to working with emergency services to ensure an integrated and coordinated approach in order to provide the best support to our community in an emergency."

CEO Jeremy Bath said creating the EOC was an important part of City of Newcastle's move to the Administration Centre on Stewart Avenue in Newcastle West in 2020.

"Our emergency operations centre is the perfect place to conduct these simulations as it provides a fully equipped space for emergency services and welfare agency personnel to manage responses to natural disasters," Mr Bath said.

"The EOC features screens with live-stream capabilities, a 32-seat room and a commercial kitchen capable of providing meals, all in a central location with access to backup power on site via diesel-powered generators.

"This ensures CN is able to deliver critical business functions if a major incident causes disruption in Newcastle."

Police Superintendent Kylie Endemi said these types of training exercises are vital to ensuring agencies are always prepared.

"We conduct emergency operations training annually, covering a different crisis each year, from earthquakes to floods and tsunamis," Supt Endemi said.

"In the face of overwhelming pressure, it's important for every agency and utility provider to know what resources they have, what they might need and how they can best work within a coordinated response."

It's a busy time for the local SES as it prepares to move from its current base at Tighes Hill to a new home at the Steel River Industrial Estate at Mayfield West.

The new premises have been facilitated by CN under the State Emergency Service (SES) Act 1989, which requires Councils to provide accommodation for the SES in its local government area, including suitable training facilities, storage and office accommodation.