Navy personnel on Operation RENDER SAFE, the ADF-led explosive ordnance disposal mission in the Solomon Islands, have conducted a medical training session with Royal Solomon Islands Police Force explosive ordnance disposal staff.
The session took place on 1 December at the Hells Point Explosive Ordinance Disposal facility and involved the RENDER SAFE medical staff, many of whom have served in Afghanistan. They conducted basic first aid and emergency care training with the Solomon Islands Police Force.
Combined Joint Task Force Commander Doug Griffiths, said the Operation had achieved its three key outcomes as he looked towards the final day of the operation.
“Over the course of Operation RENDER SAFE we will have removed a significant number of explosive remnants of World War II, we will have made a significant contribution to the communities we have worked with by rebuilding schools and other community facilities and we will have shared a significant number of new skills,” he said.
“In terms of explosive ordinance disposal skills we will have learnt as much from the Solomon Islands Police Force as they have from us. The session our medical team ran today was equally as important as explosive ordnance disposal skills, as the emergency care training the Solomon Islands Police Force were receiving could save a life one day.
“Emergency care skills can be just as important in a road accident as they would be after an uncontrolled explosion so we know that the skills we are teaching today will have much wider application.” concluded Commander Griffiths.
Issued by Ministerial and Executive Coordination and Communication,
Department of Defence,
Canberra, ACT
Phone: 02 6127 1999 Fax: 02 6265 6946
