HASTINGS State Emergency Service (SES) joined the Mornington Tourist Railway on 17 November for a large-scale emergency training exercise.
The drill took place on Bungower Rd and involved a simulated emergency stop with 30 volunteers acting as passengers with varied injuries.
About 30 SES members from the Hastings unit attended, along with four members from Cranbourne SES who brought their mass casualty tent.
Four additional SES members from the state region were also present.
Hastings SES section leader Hobley Silvana said the drill simulated an abrupt train stop during a busy tourist period using the historic carriages which date back to 1921.
Hobley described the joint-training exercise as highly successful, providing realistic, hands-on experience for SES and railway volunteers.
She added it also highlighted the importance of coordinated emergency preparedness in the region, ensuring volunteers are ready to respond to potential incidents involving the popular tourist railway.
“This is the first time we’ve actually undertaken such as a drill with the Mornington Tourist Railway and we’re hoping to do more on a regular basis because it’s something that could happen and if it does happen we are going to be well prepared,” she said.
She added that future exercises may include other emergency services such as the CFA and ambulance teams.
“We’re trying to take as much away from this exercise as possible, have a really good evaluation, consider our feedback and make it bigger and better every year so we can assist the community.”
First published in the Western Port News – 26 November 2025
