Key players in developing the Casey Alert Location Manager system, from left, Acting Inspector Casey Police Service Area Bruce Kitchener, City of Casey team leader community safety Jem Belcher, Holt MP and Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister Anthony Byrne and City of Casey mayor Janet Halsall.By Glen Atwell
A REVOLUTIONARY geographical mapping system will ensure Casey residents remain ‘calm’ in a crisis.
Holt MP Anthony Byrne and Casey mayor Janet Halsall in Narre Warren officially launch the Casey Alert Location Manager (CALM) on Friday.
CALM is a geographical information system which enables the details of groups such as children, the frail aged and disabled to be overlayed on a geographical view of an incident, allowing information to be quickly provided to response agencies.
The $38,500 system, wholly funded by Emergency Management Australia, was put through its paces in a demonstration by Jem Belcher, the team leader of community safety at the City of Casey.
“When a crisis occurs in Casey, CALM will be a vital tool, capable of saving lives and assets,” he said.
“It will tell the relevant authorities everything they need to know about the geographical location of the incident.”
If a gas explosion occurred in a residential area, for example, CALM could locate any of the community groups in the vicinity that needed to be evacuated, such as preschools and primary schools.
It would also point out the nearest emergency services team, or the closest evacuation hall.
Mr Byrne said CALM would be a valuable resource for the City of Casey’s local emergency management agencies.
“The information obtained through this system can identify groups such as children, the frail aged and disabled so emergency response can appropriately cater for their needs,” he said.
Cr Halsall said in the instance of a natural disaster, CALM would improve communication and efficiency.
“When a crisis such as a flood occurs, CALM will enable us to quickly identify who or what is likely to be affected in the danger zone, and who needs assistance by relevant authorities,” she said.
Despite being officially launched last week, CALM has already proved valuable in real-world situations.
Just before Christmas there was a gas cylinder explosion in Vesper Drive, Narre Warren.
Using CALM, the City of Casey was able to immediately identify the childcare centre in the area, bring up its contact details, contact the centre and advise staff to bring children inside as a precaution.
