Multi agency exercise led by NSW Ambulance strengthens major incident readiness

22 May 2026

NSW Ambulance has led a large-scale, multi agency emergency exercise focused on strengthening inter agency coordination and preparedness for major incidents.

The exercise brought together NSW Ambulance, NSW Police Force, Fire and Rescue NSW, NSW Rural Fire Service, NSW State Emergency Service and St John Ambulance Australia to test emergency response arrangements in a realistic, simulated environment at the School of Artillery at North Head in Manly.

The scenario was designed to test emergency service interoperability and clinical response in a challenging, high pressure environment involving multiple simulated patients.

The exercise was conducted twice throughout the day yesterday, with morning and afternoon sessions allowing participating agencies to rotate staff and apply immediate learnings from the earlier scenario.

NSW Ambulance paramedics and partner agencies operated as they would during a real emergency, following standard protocols and procedures, with volunteer patients helping to create a realistic and dynamic training environment.

NSW Ambulance regularly conducts training with its partner emergency service and health agencies to remain ready to respond effectively to complex situations.

The Minns Labor Government is strengthening NSW Ambulance services and rebuilding the paramedic workforce. Since being elected in 2023, we have:

  • recruited more than 740 paramedics, with around 400 working in regional NSW. 
  • delivered paramedics a historic pay rise and abolished the wages cap

Quotes attributable to Minister for Health, Ryan Park:

“We have some of the best paramedics and first-responders in the world, this level of rigorous training ensures they are ready for all scenarios.”

“Large scale, joint training exercises are essential to making sure our emergency services can work seamlessly together when it matters most.

“This exercise provided an important opportunity for NSW Ambulance and other emergency service agencies to test their systems, strengthen communication and refine their response in a highly realistic setting, all with the shared goal of delivering the safest possible outcomes for the community.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Police and Counter-terrorism, Yasmin Catley:

“Exercises like this are exactly why NSW Police are some of the best trained officers in the country.

“Our police don’t sit around waiting for a callout. They are out there day after day training, responding and working alongside other frontline agencies so they are ready when the community needs them most.

“This is about making sure our frontline responders are constantly sharpening their skills so when the worst happens, the community can have confidence they are getting the very best response possible.”

Quotes attributable to NSW Ambulance Interim Chief Executive, Clare Beech:

“Our clinicians regularly train for complex, real life scenarios, and exercises like this allow us to do that alongside partner agencies we rely on every day.

“Training together builds strong working relationships, sharpens our response and ensures that, should a major incident ever occur, our teams are ready to provide high quality care under pressure.

“By using realistic scenarios and simulated patients, crews were able to treat injuries exactly as they would in a real emergency, which ultimately leads to better and safer outcomes for patients.”
Current as at: Friday 22 May 2026