Project Spotlight:

Emergency Preparedness and Risk Management at Murrin Murrin Operations Aerodrome

The Murrin Murrin Operations Aerodrome (MMO) in the centre of Western Australia is an essential facility servicing Glencore’s mining site, the surrounding cattle station, and providing locals with vital links to Perth. With the aerodrome’s traffic exceeding 350,000 passengers per annum, it falls under the scope of CASR MOS139 Aerodromes which mandates an Emergency Response Plan (ERP) and regular testing of the emergency processes.

Client: Glencore – Murrin Murrin Operations
Project Duration: 2023 – Ongoing
Southpac Team: Alfonso Noutso, Gareth Coe, Graham Eather

Project Overview

In 2023, Southpac Aerospace was appointed to conduct a tabletop emergency exercise to test the readiness of the MMO team. Following the successful implementation and feedback from this initial phase, our team returned to oversee the full-scale emergency exercise in 2024.

Objectives

To review and enhance the existing ERP, ensuring a realistic and manageable response capability.
To conduct a full-scale emergency exercise simulating potential real-life scenarios.
To engage onsite and remote teams effectively, testing the coordination between Glencore, National Jet Express (NJE), and local emergency services.

Execution

The project kicked off with Alfonso Noutso and Gareth Coe from Southpac Aerospace supporting a comprehensive tabletop exercise to assess the aerodrome’s existing aviation risk profile and emergency response readiness. This initial phase helped identify key areas for improvement and set the groundwork for the subsequent full-scale exercise.

In 2024, Southpac’s Graham Eather led the execution of the physical exercise, designed to mirror the scenarios discussed during the tabletop phase. The scenario crafted was proportionate to the aerodrome’s operations, avoiding the common pitfall of overly complex and unmanageable situations. This practical and measured approach ensured that the drill was both effective and actionable.

Key Components

Scenario Planning: Focused on realistic emergencies pertinent to the aerodrome’s operations without overwhelming the local capabilities.
Stakeholder Engagement: Coordination with NJE, local police, and medical services to ensure a comprehensive response.
Real-Time Monitoring: Southpac’s onsite presence to activate and monitor the scenario, logging responses for evaluation and reporting to CASA.

Impact and Outcomes

The exercises not only tested but significantly strengthened the emergency preparedness of the MMO team. The drills provided invaluable insights into the response capabilities and highlighted the importance of leadership and coordination in crisis management. Our reports, submitted to CASA, have set a new benchmark in emergency readiness for aerodromes in remote locations.

Southpac Aerospace’s involvement in the emergency preparedness and risk management at Murrin Murrin Operations Aerodrome brings together our experience in both enhancing aviation safety and operational readiness. Through careful planning and execution, we helped ensure the aerodrome operation is not only compliant with regulatory requirements but is also equipped to handle emergencies effectively.