MCG hosts emergency exercise

HUNDREDS of people will take part in an emergency response exercise today at the MCG.

Organisations such as Victoria Police, state health authorities and the City of Melbourne will react to a simulated extreme heat event.

However, the emergency management plan could as easily apply to a situation in which part of the city is shut down by a terrorist incident.

Lord Mayor Robert Doyle said the exercise had been planned since last year and was not triggered by this week’s terrorist attack in Manchester.

“Melbourne enjoys a reputation as one of the safest and most liveable cities in the world, and it is critical that we test our ability to respond efficiently and calmly to any situation where people could be at risk,” Cr Doyle said.

But Chief Commissioner Graham Ashton has ruled out a separate call by the mayor for Victoria Police to consider issuing officers with assault rifles on routine patrols.

Dubbed Exercise Off the Grid, today’s event will involve 350 people including volunteer “victims” seeking refuge and assistance at a relief centre set up at the MCG after a partial power and public transport shutdown in the CBD.

Emergency Management Commissioner Craig Lapsley said authorities and other groups would test Victoria’s capability to respond to a major emergency in the CBD.

“Focusing on the relief and recovery needs of our communities and how we support them through an emergency is vital to ensure their safety,” Mr Lapsley said.

Exercise Off the Grid is the first scenario to assess the city’s relief centre capabilities, and follows annual emergency drills over the past three years.

Also involved in the exercise is the state Health Department, Red Cross and 13 metro councils.