Exercise APOLLO was a livestock disease-based scenario which built on the extensive training program currently underway with DAFWA staff to equip them with the necessary skills to respond effectively in an emergency.
The exercise built on the work already undertaken as part of Exercise ODYSSEUS – the National Livestock Standstill exercise held in 2014 across Australia.
Preparation work for Exercise APOLLO ran for 12 months to ensure its success.
The planning team included representatives from DAFWA, Animal Health Australia, the Federal Department of Agriculture and Water Resources and representatives from agriculture departments in other States.
More than 100 DAFWA staff have undertaken accredited emergency management training, and Exercise APOLLO enabled them to practice their new skillset in a realistic environment.
There was significant engagement with the local livestock industry, and several representatives from relevant livestock bodies including, WAFarmers and Pastoralists and Graziers Association of Western Australia, took part in the exercise in specialist adviser and industry liaison officer roles.
Over 150 participants worked on a simulated emergency animal disease outbreak, with the exercise commencing on day six of the simulated response.
State and Local Co-ordination Centres were activated. An Exercise Co-ordination Control Centre was established to facilitate and evaluate the exercise, which does not occur in a real-time emergency response.
To learn more about the exercise, please refer to the frequently asked questions and Exercise APOLLO factsheet located at the right hand side of this page.
Exercise APOLLO was part of DAFWA’s $20 million Boosting Biosecurity Defences project funded by the State Government’s Royalties for Regions program.