Emergencies can happen at any time, anywhere, affecting your life in ways you do not expect.
The better prepared you are for an emergency before it happens, the easier it will be for you and your loved ones to recover afterwards. The person most responsible for your wellbeing before, during and after an emergency is you.
When major emergencies happen, emergency services must prioritise those in greatest need, especially where life is in danger. During an emergency the assistance you need may not be available straight away and you may need to rely on your own resources to ensure you and your loved ones are safe.
To get prepared for an emergency you should:
- Write your emergency plan and practice this with your whole family (including your pets).
- Talk to your neighbours about your emergency plans and see if there are ways you can assist each other.
- Download the VicEmergency App on your smart phone and electronic devices.
- Save important contact numbers into your phone such as family and friends and the VicEmergency Hotline 1800 226 226.
- Make sure your house number is clearly visible from the roadside.
- Make copies of important documents such as passports, insurance papers and medical scripts.
- Get home and contents insurance and regularly review what it covers.
- Pack and Emergency kit and keep it somewhere easily accessible.
Insurance
Emergencies like fires, storms and floods can cause damage to our homes, businesses and the possessions inside. If you and your family were affected by an emergency, could you repair, replace or rebuild your most valued possessions?
Having the right amount of insurance coverage is important to help you bounce back financially after an emergency. Some insurers also provide temporary emergency accommodation in their cover which may give you somewhere to stay if your home is damaged or destroyed.
Even if you rent and don’t own the home you live in, having insurance can help you to replace any items that may be damaged in an emergency.
Although in some large emergencies grants and donations may be available to those in most need, it will still never be enough to fully rebuild and replace everything lost.
For more information on why insurance is so important and how you can prepare your finances for emergencies, visit:
Department of Families Fairness and Housing Victoria | Insure it. It's worth it. (dffh.vic.gov.au)
Insure It, It's Worth It Guide – Good Shepherd
Pack an Emergency Kit
Have an emergency kit and keep it somewhere to easy to reach. Your kit will help you be prepared if the power goes out or you need to leave your home. This may include a radio with batteries to keep informed via local ABC radio 774am. https://emergencyprepare.com.au/kit/
Templates for Emergency Plans
Local businesses should also prepare a business emergency plan. For more information on how to create an emergency plan for your business, visit Disaster resilience for business toolkit | Business Victoria and Prepare your business for an emergency | business.gov.au
Home Emergency Plan Templates are available at the following websites:
Emergency preparedness guide | Australian Red Cross
Your Bushfire Plan | CFA (Country Fire Authority)
Plan for emergencies at home (ses.vic.gov.au)
For more information visit the Emergency Prepare website