Keeping you safe - before, during and after emergencies

We recommend downloading the following two apps to your smartphone to help you stay informed and prepare for emergencies. Both are available for iOS and Android devices.

Get Prepared

The Get Prepared app helps you to create a personal emergency plan to help you take care of yourself, loved ones and what's important to you. Created by Australian Red Cross and NRMA Insurance, you can download the app for iOS and android devices. To learn more or download the app, visit the Australian Red Cross website. 

VicEmergency

The VicEmergency app aligns with the VicEmergency website so there is one place online for everyone across Victoria to access the latest emergency information and warnings. For further information and to download the app, visitthe Vic Emergency website.

Every household should have a home emergency kit that contains items that you will need, should you have to leave your home. Remember that each household has slightly different needs and the more people you have in your family, the more supplies you will need.

View the home emergency kit checklist(PDF, 996KB)

We recommend that your household follows these preparation tips:

• Review the contents of your kit every few months to ensure medications and food are in date, clothing fits the children, batteries are charged, information on USB sticks are current.
• Ensure that everyone in your house knows where your emergency kit is.
• Keep a list of all the items in your kit, including expiration dates.
• Store important items, like sleeping bags, air mattress, valuables and photos near your emergency kit for quick and easy access.
• Write a list of any additional or oversize items that you may want.
• There may be some items that won’t fit in your kit or that you may not want to store in your kit. Instead, put your absolute essentials in your kit and keep a list of items that you would also want to take in the case of an evacuation, if you have time.

Emergencies put us, our loved ones and our communities at risk and it is important to be prepared and know what to do.

Risks can be different based on where you live.

Watch the following video to understand your emergency risks and how to prepare.

Technology can help you to prepare and stay safe in the event of an emergency.

Watch the following video to understand what applications you should download to help you prepare and stay informed, before, during and after emergencies.

Fires can happen inside and outside the home and it is important to know how to prepare.

Watch the following video to understand how to prepare for grassfires, bushfires and house fires and what to do during a fire.

Storms and floods can happen.

Watch the following video to understand how to prepare for storms and floods and what to do during a storm or flood.

You can also find out if the location of your home is at risk of overland floods by visiting the State Emergency Service (SES) website.

On apps, signage and official websites you might see the following emergency symbols or icons.

Each icon has a different meaning. 

It's important that you understand what each one means.

 Advice

An incident is occurring or has occurred in the area. Access information and monitor conditions.

 Watch and act

An emergency is developing nearby. You need to take action now to protect yourself and others.

 Emergency warning

You are in imminent danger and need to take action immediately. You will be impacted.

 Prepare to evacuate / Evacuate now

An evacuation is recommended, or procedures are in place to evacuate.

 Community information

Updates for communities affected by an emergency. Can also be used as notification that an incident has occurred but there is no threat to community. 

If you have pets, it's also important to plan for how to manage them during emergencies.

Visit the Agriculture Victoria website for guidance on planning for pets in emergencies.

Extreme heat and heatwaves can cause people to become ill from heat-stress or heatstroke, which can be fatal. 

Those at most risk are older people, babies and young children and people with a medical condition.

Find out information on what to do in a heat wave by visiting the Health Victoria website. 

Fire restrictions vary throughout the year depending on whether it is a declared fire season or a total fire ban day.

Total fire bans are declared by the Country Fire Authority (CFA) on days where the fire danger is heightened to reduce risk of a fire starting. 

To learn more about total fire ban days, visit the Country Fire Authority (CFA) website. 

Australia's fire danger rating system has been improved and simplified to make it easier for you to make decisions to stay safe on days of fire danger risk. 

Across the country, fire and emergency services apply nationally consistent colours, signs and terminology. 

This means that wherever you go in Australia, and whatever the season or bushfire fuels you're surrounded by, you can understand the level of threat and what you need to do to stay safe. 

For more information visit the Australian fire danger rating website. 

The Country Fire Authority (CFA) have created a fire danger guide, which shows the different districts across the state of Victoria.

This guide also explains what each colour on the fire danger rating chart means and what to do.

View the know your district guide(PDF, 215KB)

A 'Neighbourhood Safer Place' (NSP), also known as a 'Bushfire Place Last Resort' (BPLR) is a place of last resort when all other bushfire plans have failed.

Find out more information on the Country Fire Authority (CFA) website.

In an emergency dial Triple Zero 000.

For flood and storm emergencies call the SES on 132 500.

In an emergency where this is immediate risk of harm to yourself or someone else, call Triple Zero 000.

For situations not needing an ambulance immediately:

• Northern Hospital Virtual Emergency Department website 

• Department of Health website

• Emergency Nurse on Call 1300 60 60 24

• Health Direct 1800 022 222.

In an emergency where this is immediate risk of harm to yourself or someone else, call Triple Zero 000.

• Beyond Blue 1300 22 4636
• Lifeline 13 11 14
• Suicide Call Back Service 1300 659 467
• Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800

• Mental Health and Wellbeing Hubs 1300 375 330.

In an emergency where this is immediate risk of harm to yourself or someone else, call Triple Zero 000.

• The Orange Door - free service with no referral needed, visit The Orange Door website
• Safe Steps 1800 015 188 or visit the Safe Steps website
• 1800 Respect 1800 737 732 or visit the 1800 Respect website.

For more information visit our family violence support service information page. 

In an emergency requiring Police support, dial Triple Zero 000.

For non-urgent matters including general assistance and reporting minor crime, call the Police Assistance Line 131 444.

Report a non urgent crime or event online by visiting the Victoria Police website.

Native animals

Report any sick or injured native animals to Wildlife Victoria.

Phone 03 8400 7300 or visit the Wildlife Victoria website.

Domestic animals and livestock

Report animal cruelty to Animal Welfare Victoria, by visiting the Agriculture Victoria website.