Emergency drills in Sydney test multi-agency response to high-risk infectious disease
In a coordinated exercise that mirrors real-world urgency, staff at Concord Hospital in Sydney’s inner west conducted a high-stakes drill to test emergency response plans for a suspected Ebola case. A returned traveller displaying symptoms was strapped into a bio-containment bubble on a stretcher, as specialist paramedics and doctors prepared for transport to a dedicated infectious disease facility at Westmead Hospital.
A multi-agency exercise aimed at readiness, not punishment
According to Caren Friend, disaster manager for Sydney Local Health District, the exercise involved multiple agencies and was designed to assess how well the system would respond under pressure.
“Firstly, to make sure we’re prepared … and our staff are current in their knowledge,” she said. “But also to make sure we’re doing the right thing — it gives us a little bit of peace of mind as well.”
The trigger: a potential Ebola case at the door
The drill began when a patient walked into Concord Hospital’s emergency room with fever, aches and bleeding gums. The nurse on duty noted recent travel to Sierra Leone, a country with a current Ebola outbreak, triggering the hospital’s high-risk emergency response plan. Protective measures were immediately activated, including full PPE for staff and the decision to move the patient to a quarantine environment.
Containment, monitoring and safe transport
Before the lid of the bio-containment unit was sealed, specialist teams confirmed oxygen and hydration supplies, and safety protocols for handling bodily fluids were reiterated. The patient’s heart rate and temperature were monitored as the team coordinated a rapid transfer to the NSW Biocontainment Unit at Westmead Hospital for care suited to a high-risk infectious disease.
The exercise also tested the hospital’s cleanup and decontamination procedures after an isolation incident, underscoring the importance of hygiene and safety in preventing secondary transmission.
Why drills matter: learning under pressure
Ms Friend emphasised that such exercises are not about testing individual performance alone, but about validating the effectiveness of response plans and the clarity of communication. A well-run drill helps identify gaps in procedure, equipment availability or decision-making, before a real outbreak occurs. In this case, the exercise highlighted how timely information flow between hospital incident control rooms and government agencies can shape patient care and containment measures.
Communication is a cornerstone of crisis management
In the incident control room, decision-makers held real-time talks with several government partners to plan the next steps. Timothy Gray of Concord Hospital’s Infectious Diseases Department described patient symptoms and travel history to the paramedics and to staff at the Westmead Biocontainment Unit. The plan: secure transport, ensure patient safety, and begin treatment at the appropriate facility. As Dr. Gray noted, while Australia has not had imported Ebola cases, the global nature of the threat means vigilance is essential.
Broader rollout and ongoing readiness
Similar drills were conducted this week at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Canterbury Hospital and Balmain, illustrating a statewide commitment to maintain a high level of preparedness. By practising in multiple settings, health districts can refine their standard operating procedures, ensure consistent training, and improve inter-agency coordination for any potential high-risk scenario.
Conclusion: preparedness protects communities
The Concord Hospital exercise demonstrates how health systems in Sydney use realistic simulations to validate emergency response plans, reinforce staff readiness and reassure the public that hospitals are prepared to manage dangerous infectious diseases with speed, safety and professionalism.
