General News
20 June, 2025
Training prepares Malanda for gas leak
THE Bega-Malanda Milk factory was the scene of a multi-agency training exercise earlier this month, with fire crews from Malanda, Yungaburra, Atherton, Mareeba and Innisfail on hand to respond to a simulated a forklift accident and the leak of an unknown quantity of liquid Anhydrous Ammonia.
Police officers from Malanda worked with the Queensland Fire Department (QFD) to set up the exercise, aimed to benefit both factory staff and emergency services.
“It was a great opportunity for officers to practice procedures for the completion of PSPA declarations, and the evacuation of residents, schools and businesses,” a spokesperson said.
“While no persons were actually evacuated, Malanda Primary School took the opportunity to conduct a lockdown with students.”
The fire crews helped factory staff evacuate the premises before they rescued two “injured” casualties in the factory.
“Testing” was conducted on the atmospheric conditions before QFD staff liaised with the scientific unit in Brisbane and then undertook emergency patching of the “leaking pipe”.
“The exercise was a great opportunity for all agencies, including Queensland Ambulance Service and members of the Tablelands Regional Council Disaster Management unit, to work together to improve their operational skills and inter-agency procedures,” the spokesperson said.
