Emergency services showcase their search-and-rescue readiness during exercise
According to Colonel Shanice Karryn Rademeyer, the exercise was aimed at testing all the skills required during a real-life search-and-rescue operation.
Gauteng police, in collaboration with other emergency role-players showcased their readiness for any situation during a search-and-rescue operation exercise at the Bon Accord Dam, Tshwane, on Wednesday, November 17.
The exercise involved SAPS K9 search-and-rescue; water wing; air wing; Gauteng emergency services; Tshwane fire department; Netcare emergency services; mountain search-and-rescue; search-and-rescue South Africa; urban search-and-rescue; South African Air Force; Aeronautical rescue co-ordinating centre; and Bidvest Protea Coin security services.
According to Colonel Shanice Karryn Rademeyer, the exercise was aimed at testing all the skills required during a real-life search-and-rescue operation.
“Various scenarios were simulated,” she said.
“One of them included an aircraft experiencing technical problems during take-off. Others were skydivers who have gone missing; an area search-and-recovery; a victim that has drowned and the body being recovered by divers and extracted by a high angle rope system.”
Last year, a combined search-and-rescue operation, Cormorant1, took place at the Waterkloof Marina.
“Due to the success of last year’s event, we received many inquiries as to whether we could host a similar event,” said Rademeyer.
“The whole exercise was also aimed to create awareness of water safety, especially with the festive season ahead.
“Don’t swim in the dark in waters you are not familiar with. Parents should not allow their children to run around the pool and leave their children unattended.”
The simulation exercise entailed an aircraft that departed from the Wonderboom national airport with a flight plan to airdrop skydivers.
After departure, the aircraft experienced “engine failure” and headed back to the airport for an emergency landing. The aircraft was unable to reach the airport and radar contact was lost over Bon Accord Dam.
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Eyewitnesses reported seeing skydivers jump from the aircraft at a low altitude followed by the aircraft “crashing” into Bon Accord Dam.
Gauteng EMS spokesperson JP von Benecke said that services were activated from a staging area and proceeded to the scene in real-world conditions.
“The simulation commenced just after 07:00. All 10 persons were located, recovered and delivered to a field hospital at 13:00.
“The goal of the simulation exercise was for different agencies to come together and work as one team, challenging rescue and medical abilities.
“We would like to thank everyone who made the day possible as well as all agencies involved,” he said.
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