Chemical spill drill a skills test for firefighters

Emergency personnel from as far away as Whanga¯ rei descended on Waipapa on Monday night after a spill of a highly toxic chemical left store workers dead and injured.

While the scene may have looked alarming to anyone passing by, it was, fortunately, an exercise designed to test the skills of firefighters and medics in case they ever need to respond to the real thing.

It also aimed to hone co-operation between the services with Fire and Emergency NZ, St John Ambulance, police and the Far North District Council taking part.

The exercise was organised by Kerikeri Fire Brigade and held at Mitre 10 Kerikeri, with store staff volunteering to play the part of chemical poisoning victims — a brave role, because for most it involved decontamination under a fire hose after being dragged out of the building by volunteer firefighters clad in chemical splash suits.

About 40 firefighters took part from Kerikeri, Paihia, Kaikohe, Kawakawa and Whanga¯ rei, along with at least six St John responders. A hazmat mobile command unit was also dispatched from Whanga¯ rei.

The Kerikeri-based Rapid Relief Team, a volunteer group that provides food for emergency services personnel at major incidents, made sure no one went home hungry afterwards.