VICROADS’ depot in Ballarat is the first in the state to install flexible wire safety barriers as a training tool for emergency services.
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VicRoads, CFA, SES, ambulance and police joined forces yesterday to put the new training centre to the test for the first time.
Two stretches of flexible barriers have been installed on site and are available to the region’s emergency services to learn how to lay them down, cut them and remove the posts if necessary in an emergency situation.
The training facility has been opened as part of the state government commitment to install 2000km of wire safety barriers around the state including along the Western Freeway and Creswick Road between Ballarat and Creswick.
VicRoads deputy chief executive Robyn Seymour the training facility would allow all emergency services to understand how they can be removed in the case of a serious incidents like car accidents or fires.
“This new facility is part of our commitment to ensure emergency services have the resources and training they need to continue safely responding to emergencies on roads with new barriers,” Ms Seymour said.
Ballarat Police Acting Superintendent Trevor Cornwill said the first demonstration on Thursday morning was impressive.
“I look forward to further demonstrations which will allow our members to be trained in how our the barriers work,” Acting Superintendent Cornwill said.
“Obviously road safety in this state is changing and this is a great initiative. Our members are noticing the difference when they are responding to vehicle collisions on the highway.
“We’ve seen these work across the state where collisions might have been serious injuries and possibly fatalities previously.
“It will certainly be beneficial for members such as Highway Patrol to come and have a look at this and for the police members for their own safety to know how to do this will be very important.”
Last year, there were more than 1700 occasions when barriers were hit around Victoria. The Western Freeway saw 80 such collisions up until April this year.
SES Regional Operations manager Belinda Marchant said the training centre will allow SES crews to be equipped with all the latest techniques to handle rescue operations.
“The facility means that our members are able to gain the knowledge and skills in order to ensure that we can ultimately save lives on the roads,” Ms Machant said.
“We would encourage VicRoads to ensure we continue the collaborative response across the state.
“Hopefully add more training facilities like we have here as part of that process,” she said.
