ONLINE interactive maps to assist Victorians during times of emergencies have been launched by the state government ahead of the summer fire season. The maps are designed to assist residents find out locations of roads closed due to floods, fires, major crashes or road damage. Roads Minister Terry Mulder said the new VicRoads Closures and Traffic Alerts website would be the state’s official source for road closure information during emergencies. “Natural disasters have presented many challenges across Victoria and Australia over the past 12 months. It is critical that the community receives accurate and timely information about road closures,” Mr Mulder said. Mr Mulder said VicRoads had reviewed its response and recovery procedures, including providing information during emergencies, and spent $924,000 on the new real-time website. The authority will update the maps with information received from its own staff and agencies including Victoria Police, Country Fire Authority or local governments. A special smart phone application will also be available. Ballarat East MP Geoff Howard this week criticised the government’s fire preparedness and called for confirmation of a firefighting helicopter for Ballarat this summer.Yesterday, Emergency Services Minister Peter Ryan said one of the Erickson air-cranes known as Elvis would be based at Ballarat Airport. “Department of Sustainability and Environment’s Chief Officer Euan Waller said in November that Ballarat would receive the second air-crane, which is scheduled to arrive in Ballarat this month. Victoria’s fire agencies make decisions about aircraft fleet capability based on risk, preparedness and operational need,” Mr Ryan said.