Rapid Response Team (RRT)

The RRT was developed and trialled throughout the 2003/04 financial year, and during this time it was identified as a significant incident response asset that could be used in all states and territories, should the need arise.

The rapid response team can therefore be seen as the specially trained personnel operating in the establishment of a Local Control Centre in the early stages of a response to an EAD.

Animal Health Australia has responsibility for the management of the RRT, except during EAD response activities where the RRT is called out by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry.

Membership of the RRT

RRT members are employees of government primary industry/agriculture departments and are nominated by their Chief Veterinary Officer. Collectively, they have expertise in establishing the key components of  local and state control centres in a recipient jurisdiction.

RRT members are sponsored to participate in annual training exercises and induction as well as RRT-specific workshops.

Maintaining the vibrancy of the RRT is an important consideration and Animal Health Australia seeks nominations from the jurisdictions of new personnel on an annual basis.

Training

RRT members are encouraged to participate in a range of training and professional development activities each year. These include induction for new members, professional development training and workshops and an annual RRT exercise held in conjunction with one of the states and territories.

Some recent exercises include Exercise Wild Boar (2008), Exercise Diva (2009) and Exercise Red Feather (2010).

Exercise Wild Boar simulated an outbreak of classical swine fever. Its aim was to evaluate the Department of Department of Primary Industry, Fisheries and Mines’ arrangements for managing an emergency animal disease response in the Northern Territory.

Exercise Diva was a series of five exercises and workshops designed to test Victoria’s capability to deal with a hypothetical outbreak of foot and mouth disease.

Exercise Red Feather was a group of three workshops designed to review, develop and refine Queensland’s existing policy frameworks and preparedness for an outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza.

In May 2011, the RRT will participate in a training exercise in South Australia, focussing on the challenges of responding to an outbreak of an exotic disease in a remote location.

Further Information

For further information about the RRT please contact:

Kathy Gibson
Manager, Training Services
Animal Health Australia

Email: kgibson@animalhealthaustralia.com.au

Page Updated: 21 April 2011