Preparing for an emergency
Preparing for an emergency is a shared responsibility with everyone playing a role. While Council and emergency services work together to prevent and prepare for emergencies, it is important that the community takes responsibility for their family, pets, business and property.
A major emergency requires significant resources so it is unlikely that emergency services will be available to assist all affected persons during the emergency. If you are prepared for an emergency, you will be less reliant on these services in the short term.
Emergencies can occur at any time and are often unexpected. There are things you can do to reduce the unexpected severely impacting on you and your family. We recommend that you consider the following information in prevention, preparedness, response and recovery.
To assist you in preparing yourself and your family for an emergency, the "Preparing for the Unexpected - Fifth Edition" provides guidance that will assist you to improve your resilience to emergencies and aid recovery in the event of an emergency.
Developing your personal emergency plan
Every household should have an emergency plan. Having a written plan could save your live and the lives of your loved ones.
Australian Red Cross has developed a brochure "Emergency REDIPlan - Four steps to prepare your household". This brochure will assist you and your family prepare an emergency plan.
Practice your emergency plan
It is important to practice your emergency plan. This will reduce the amount of stress and panic you may experience in an emergency and you can make changes before the emergency.
Standard Emergency Warning Signal (SEWS)
The Standard Emergency Warning Signal is a siren played for a few seconds at the beginning of a critical emergency warning message on radio or television, to warn the public in the event of major emergencies, including serious bushfires. If you hear the Standard Emergency Warning Signal, pay attention to the emergency warning that follows. If it applies to you, act on the warning - it could save your life.
Emergency Alert
Emergency Alerts are sent by emergency services to landline telephones based on the location of the handset, and to mobile phones, based on the billing address. In the case of an emergency, you may receive a voice message on your landline or a text message on your mobile phone. If you receive an Emergency Alert and want more information, follow the instructions in the message or find your local emergency service on this website.
For further information go to Emergency Alert
