Victoria Police will be better equipped to respond to emergencies with a new operations centre opening its doors in East Gippsland.
The Bairnsdale Incident Police Operations Centre (IPOC) will be used to coordinate Victoria Police's response to major emergencies across the East Gippsland region such as bushfires and floods, as well as large-scale searches and critical incidents.
The brand new, purpose-built facility has been constructed next to the Bairnsdale Police Station so local police can quickly respond to major unfolding incidents.
In the space, police will be making critical decisions around emergencies such as evacuation plans and staging of traffic management points.
Police will also be able to livestream CCTV networks and helicopter vision which means police can be rapidly deployed to where they are needed most.
The centre, which can house up to 60 police, has six breakout rooms for working teams, a meeting room and large-scale conference room.
It also has space to accommodate other emergency services to allow for a coordinated response to multi-agency incidents.
The centre was built to service the East Gippsland region which is high-risk for bushfires and home to vast stretches of coastline, alpine areas, lakes, and river systems.
During the 2019/2020 bushfires, which saw more than 1.2 million hectares scorched by fire, local police operated out of a meeting room at the police station.
The IPOC will officially open today, with senior leaders from Victoria Police and partner agencies attending for an opening ceremony.
The service will include a nod to late police veteran and Bairnsdale stalwart Ian "Salty" Gilmore, with the centre named in his honour.
Quotes attributable to Deputy Commissioner Bob Hill, Regional Operations:
"Victoria Police plays a critical role in keeping people safe during emergencies and to do that our police need the best infrastructure possible.
"Responding to emergencies is a significant logistical exercise which often requires the movement of hundreds of police in a short period of time.
"This new centre will act as the nerve centre for our emergency response across Gippsland - ensuring quick decisions are made that keep our community out of harm's way.
"Police now have the space, facilities and technology to ensure their response is the best it can be when every minute counts."
Quotes attributable to Superintendent Mark Edwards, East Gippsland Divisional Commander:
"This new centre is a game changer for police in East Gippsland who are often on the frontline of the state's most critical emergencies.
"We know these emergencies - particularly bushfires - have an enormous and long-lasting impact on our community.
"Residents can be assured we are now in the best position possible to respond, coordinate and keep them safe."
