Extreme safety training for AQIS officers

The safety issues affecting workers operating in remote areas are unique in that when something goes wrong, the results can be life-threatening. Eight AQIS officers in Far North Queensland recently participated in some extreme safety training to prepare them for a range of emergency situations.

AQIS officers in Far North Queensland have to work in remote and rugged areas that are only accessible by four-wheel drive.

Vehicle accidents and exposure are just two of the safety issues AQIS officers must be prepared to deal with in an emergency. This means that officers have to be properly trained in navigation, survival, four-wheel driving and a host of other skills.

The Far North division of AQIS recently asked the Australian Army's 51st Battalion to provide remote area training to eight of its officers on Queensland's Atherton Tableland.

The training brief included theoretical and practical exercises in orienteering; navigating by global positioning system, the sun and the night sky; four-wheel drive operation and recovery; communications and night vision equipment; bush survival; first aid; and aerial search techniques.

While there are a number of remote area training providers in Australia, AQIS already had a long association with the 51st Battalion, which is located in Cairns. Several AQIS officers are members of the Battalion in Cairns and Torres Strait and AQIS has provided quarantine training to the troops in the past.

The training program covered five gruelling days and nights to accredit the eight as remote area operators.

Team leader for the exercise, AQIS Far North Seaports Supervisor Mick Kelly said: "Much of what we learned is commonsense training and advice on survival, including the important component of maintaining morale. By simulating real-life situations, if we were to find ourselves at risk we'd be better equipped to assess the situation and maximise our chances of survival."

Locating and purifying water and finding bush foods and medicines in harsh environments proved popular with participants, as did - unsurprisingly - a session on attracting the attention of a rescue mission. The effectiveness of the signalling training became evident when the owners of Woodleigh Station, where the training was based, contacted the Army after spotting a signal fire.

According to AQIS Far North regional manager, Gary Maroske: "The Army's training has increased our officers' knowledge and confidence in remote areas. It's not only useful for our staff; there's always the possibility we'll come upon people who need help. We're grateful to the Australian Customs Service for inviting our officers and to the Army trainers for their knowledge and experience."

When they arrived back in Cairns, the officers headed straight for a hot shower and a good night's sleep after several days of wet conditions, high midday temperatures, harsh terrain and wading through creeks.

"We hope the emergency elements of this training will never be put to use, but we're determined to do everything we can to ensure our officers can deal with any emergency," said Maroske.