Imagine that you have less than two hours to evacuate your home? That is the scenario being tested in 'Exercise Mist,' a simulated training exercise run by the NSW State Emergency Service Wagga Wagga Unit and the Uranquinty Community Safety Group this Saturday.
The exercise, based on the Uranquinty floods of 2010 and 2012, will test warning and evacuation plans to ensure that the community is prepared for an emergency.
Minister for Emergency Services David Elliot says that in the event of a flood, residents should listen to advice from emergency services.
"It is important that members of the community understand their risk and what they should do in the event of a flood," says Mr Elliot.
The exercise will include setting up a command point, relocation shelter and distributing warnings to the public. Information collected from the exercise will be turned into an online learning module for all NSW State Emergency Service volunteers.
"Not only has Uranquinty flooded twice in recent years, but at least four other times in the last century as well," says NSW SES Acting Commissioner Fatima Abbas.
"Exercises like these help to keep our skills sharp."
