WITH floods and gales tormenting Monash residents and emergency services in recent months, you'd think we'd had our fair share of emergency situations.
But this month, emergency crews were again put to the test with a mock-up chemical spill exercise in Mulgrave.
The scenario involved an eight-tonne truck overturning at the corner of Jacksons and Wellington roads at 9.20am on Tuesday week. The truck's hazardous load caught fire, letting off chlorine gas and posing the risk of a low-level explosion - a situation warranting a public evacuation.
The exercise was a rehearsal for Monash Council's municipal emergency management plan.
About 180 people took part, including police, fire, ambulance, StJohn Ambulance and SES units.
Wellington Secondary College students role-played members of the community who presented probable needs and concerns arising in an emergency. The students were 'counselled' for their problems by Monash Council, Department of Human Services, Council of Churches, and Tzu Chi Foundation staff and members.
Monash Mayor Paul Klisaris said the exercise tested the council's emergency procedures during a major incident.
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