SES conducts flood rescue training on Broughton Creek

The NSW State Emergency Service (SES) conducted a flood rescue training exercise, known as Operation Mopoke, on Broughton Creek near Berry. More than 20 personnel from the Nowra, Kiama, and Shellharbour units participated in the drill.

The simulation involved searching a 10-kilometre section of the creek for six life-size mannequins, mimicking a scenario where individuals were washed away from a wharf at the Berry Sport and Recreation camp. Conducted at night without moonlight, the exercise required crews to navigate low-light conditions, search side creeks, and practice launching and retrieving rescue boats.

During the drill, some mannequins were treated as deceased or in cardiac arrest, requiring personnel to perform CPR and first aid on rescue boats. SES Southern Illawarra commander Chief Inspector John Wall used the exercise to issue a safety warning, urging the public to ‘don’t enter floodwater’ due to the lethal realities of such situations.