A radioactive material detected by police onboard a vehicle at the border control checkpoint near Bordertown Wednesday night led to an urgent Hazmat response by volunteer firefighters.
A vehicle was stopped at the Dukes Highway checkpoint at Pine Hill by police at around 7.45pm under standard border control protocols.
Upon inspection of the vehicle’s load, police discovered five unsecured drums carrying an unknown material.
The drums each had stickers warning of radioactive material, which led to officers immediately notifying the Country Fire Service (CFS) which deployed a Hazmat team.
“There were a number of containers marked with radioactive signage and due to the instability of the load police were concerned,” Limestone Coast Police officer in charge Superintendent Phil Hoff said.
“The CFS was requested to attend the site in response to a potential hazardous material incident.”
Three CFS crews attended along with regional duty commander Jason Drewitt and a hazardous materials expert from Adelaide.
Upon arrival the crews set up a 30-metre exclusion zone and began intelligence gathering to determine how they would handle the matter.
“Hazmat incidents are few and far between, in my 11 years with the CFS this is only the second I have had to attend with the other involving an x-ray machine in a paddock,” Mr Drewitt said.
“The best course of action is to set up an exclusion zone and then intelligence gathering becomes the most critical part to determine the facts of what we are dealing with.”
Crews used their good training and equipment to determine the drums contained radioactive material, but there was no breach.
“Readings were taken in the area and there did not appear to be any escape of the radioactive material,” Supt Hoff said.
“The scene was declared safe and arrangements were made for the freight to be properly secured and transported to its destination.”
Mr Drewitt praised the volunteers who attended the incident, who gave up their own time to ensure the safety of the community.
“Their willingness to assist free of charge continues to amaze me and fills me with immense pride,” Mr Drewitt said.
“Since September last year we have had volunteers from Region 5 attend fires and incidents all over the country and no matter how busy it was they always rose to the occasion.”
