CAER holds planned simulation exercise in Evander

EVANDER – A planned simulation exercise took place on Thursday, October 27, at the corner of Braam Fisher Drive and Canterbury Road in Evander.

Evander Hospital in collaboration with CAER role players participated in a simulation exercise set up as an accident scene involving a bus and taxi with injured passengers. CAER is an abbreviation for Community Awareness Emergency Response.

The simulation exercise is in line with the prevailing Disaster Management Plan. An emergency exercise will be conducted in Secunda on Wednesday, November 16.

This exercise is scheduled for around noon and should not exceed an anticipated two hours.

This exercise will be a joint effort involving, among others, the following members of CAER: Sasol, Govan Mbeki Municipality and the ambulance services.

ALSO READ: Delmas VLU-tak plant ’n geelhoutboom vir die toekoms

The exercise simulates that the Sasol factory, the area around the gate one complex, and the Secunda airfield will be affected.

The purpose of the exercise is to give the effect to Major Hazardous Installation Regulations. In the process, Sasol will be testing their on-site emergency plans.

It includes the response capability of their emergency services within the boundaries of Sasol.

GMM fire service and other support structures will evaluate their capabilities to respond to a simulated off-site emergency incident.

Part of the exercise is the activation of emergency warning alarms for the towns of Secunda, Trichardt and the Sasol site.

ALSO READ: Tutuka Power Station near Standerton staggers under sabotage and theft

All residents are requested to go about their normal activities on the day of the exercise, except those who have been identified and will partake in the exercise.

The alarms within the factory are managed and activated from the factory. Alarms in town are managed and activated by the GMM fire services. History of the alarms in Secunda, Trichardt and eMbalenhle

Alarms in Secunda and Trichardt were installed to inform the community of any potential threat to their safety from an incident originating from the Sasol factory but could also be activated when a similar threat exists due to a road tanker accident in town etc.

When residents hear the alarm outside the testing period, residents should follow the principle of “Go in, stay in and wait for the all clear”.

The following action is required from the residents of the two towns:
• Go in – Go into their houses and places of work (indoors). Close all open doors and windows.
• Stay in – Remain indoors
• Wait for the all-clear – The all-clear alarm is activated after which all buildings should be ventilated and people may leave the buildings and proceed with their normal activities.

Residents in eMbalenhle are also requested to take note that one alarm was installed near the river.

The purpose of this alarm is to inform the community in the low-lying areas of the river and its potential flood.

When hearing this alarm, people should move away from the river and low-lying areas around the river and move to higher ground.