By Mitchell Clarke
With a potentially devastating fire season looming, three towns in the north of Bunyip State Park will take part in a mass bushfire evacuation exercise.
Victoria Police will assist the multi-agency scenario exercise which will include the towns of Powelltown, Three Bridges and Gilderoy, which have a population of about 500 people.
Assistant Commissioner Michael Grainger said the exercise will provide an opportunity to test the plans and procedures both emergency services and residents have in place.
“This is a chance for Victoria Police, emergency services and local residents to assess how the area and the people respond to a bushfire threat,” AC Grainger said.
“While Victoria Police is well prepared to undertake an evacuation, the exercise is about testing our preparedness and identifying any opportunities for improvement.”
It’s understood there will additional patrols in the area to engage with the community and assist with the evacuation.
“It’s important to remember that in a real emergency with a fast-moving bushfire, police are not always in a position to provide an evacuation alert so residents should ensure they’re well prepared,” he said.
The evacuation will be held on Saturday 26 October, followed by a community meeting at the Powelltown Football Ground.
