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Bass Coast Emergency preparation is first rateBass Coast Shire Council tested its emergency management procedures this week with a field exercise involving more than 60 people. By Bas Coast Shire Council - 5th September 2005 - Back to News VICSES Senior Emergency Management Officer, Laurie Watters said Exercise "PUFFIN" was a first rate approach to preparing for potential crises.
"As far as I am aware, this is the first Council in Gippsland to undertake this very important emergency management preparation exercise at this level.
"The people of Bass Coast should consider themselves very lucky to have a Council so dedicated to the safety of its residents," said Ms Watters.
Exercise "PUFFIN" involved the activation of an emergency relief centre at the Wonthaggi Senior Citizens Centre.
Exercise Director and Council’s Emergency Management Team Leader, Doug Cooney, said the fully functioning relief centre included services from Victoria Police, the SES and Red Cross.
"The scenario proposed a fire at a nearby venue with significant fatalities and injuries and the evacuation of the surrounding area to the Senior Citizens Centre.
"The emergency relief centre was set up to test Council’s recovery management arrangements in terms of the provision of temporary shelter, catering, material needs and emergency health care.
"Over 30 Wonthaggi senior citizens acted as evacuees and utilised problem cards to test more than 10 Council Recovery Team Leaders.
"The day was very successful with all the organisations and staff involved learning some valuable lessons," said Mr Cooney. For further information on Bass Coast Shire Council’s Emergency Management and Recovery procedures you can contact Council on (03) 5671 2211 or (03) 5951 2211.
Source: www.gippsland.com Published by: news@gippsland.com
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