On Thursday 8 May 2025, the Northern Territory Police Force in partnership with the Northern Territory Fire and Rescue Service, conducted a large-scale training exercise at the Darwin Convention Centre.
The purpose of the exercise was to test the response to a large-scale critical incident from the operational to executive level, as part of the Australia-New Zealand Counter-Terrorism Committee obligations. The exercise focused on a HAZMAT and mass casualty incident and involved more than 120 role players, with 100 emergency services personal responding. Simulated chemical incidents and gunfire were used throughout the venue and role players had special effects make-up applied to simulate realistic injuries, significantly enhancing training outcomes. Both General Duties Police and Specialist Police were deployed to the Convention Centre to safely resolve the situation.
The NT Police Force and NT Fire and Rescue Service would like to thank the following key stakeholder's assistance was invaluable to the execution of this training exercise:
- The Darwin Convention Centre and staff
- The National Critical Care and Trauma Response Centre and staff
- The United States of America Marines from the Marine Rotational Force – Darwin
- The Northern Territory Department of the Chief Minister and Cabinet staff
- Soldiers from The 5th/7th Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment
- Soldiers from The 8th/12th Regiment, Royal Australian Artillery
- Soldiers from The North-West Mobile Force (NORFORCE)
- Northern Territory Government Department of Health
- St John Ambulance Northern Territory
- Northern Territory Junior Police Rangers and families
Exercise Directing Staff, Acting Commander Jakson Evans said, “The exercise was an outstanding success. This rare training opportunity tested current practices and provided significant lessons for both agencies.
“This ensures the agencies are appropriately prepared to serve and protect the people of the Northern Territory and effectively respond to this type of incident.”
