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:

• 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 and, for properties with long driveways, make sure your driveway is accessible for emergency service vehicles. They need at least a 4 metre wide driveway with at least a 4 metre height clearance.
• Write an emergency plan using the following templates:
  • www.redcross.org.au/prepare
  • www.cfa.vic.gov.au/plan-prepare/your-bushfire-plan
  • www.ses.vic.gov.au/get-ready/at-home
  • The VicEmergency Hotline (1800 226 226) also provides information on emergency preparation and planning.
• If you have animals, make sure they are part of your emergency plan and consider where you can keep them if you have to leave your home suddenly.
• Practice your emergency plan with the whole family, pets included.
• Make copies of important documents such as passports, insurance papers and medical scripts. Save these electronically and ensure you back them up.
• Get insurance and review what it covers. Consider household, business and income protection insurance.
• Pack an emergency kit and keep it somewhere easily accessible.
• Build connections in your local community. Talk to your neighbours about your emergency plans and see if there are ways you can assist each other. Look for local volunteering opportunities or other community groups you can get involved in.
• Practice packing your car so you know how long it will take you in an actual emergency.

Visit the Are you prepared for an emergency? website for quizzes, games and more information to help you prepare for different types of emergencies including heatwaves, fires, floods and storms.

Local businesses should also prepare a business emergency plan.

Get 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 damaged and may give you temporary accommodation until you can find a new rental.

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.

Visit the Insure it. It’s worth it website for more information.

Stay informed

If you need the emergency services (Police, Fire or Ambulance) telephone Triple Zero (000) for the following:

• someone is seriously injured or needs urgent medical help
• your life or property is being threatened
• you have just seen a serious accident or crime

In a flood or storm emergency where life is not in immediate danger telephone the Victoria State Emergency Service (SES) on 132 500.

To find out more information about how and when you should call Triple Zero (000) visit www.triplezero.gov.au

It is also important to stay informed with warnings and advice during an emergency. Below is a list of organisations and government authorities who provide emergency information.