Understanding what to do in an emergency can save lives.
During an emergency
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Listen for instructions by tuning into an emergency services broadcaster such as radio ABC 774 (AM band). Or monitor communications from the relevant emergency agency such as Victoria Police, MFB and CFA. Cooperate fully with the emergency services and authorities involved in responding to the emergency.
If you have a disability, tell the emergency services worker or person who comes to help you about it. If you are calling an emergency service for help, tell the telephone operator about your disability. If you tell those who are going to assist you about your disability they will know the best way to help you.
Sometimes staying inside your home is safer than leaving. Ensure you listen to authorities’ advice.
If you are told to evacuate take your Go Bag and use travel routes specified by the authorities to the designated assembly or relief areas.
Five steps to be prepared
Prepare yourself and your property in five steps. Whether you live in a high-rise, house or a single level dwelling, following these simple steps can prepare you for any event – large or small.
When you’re planning, involve all family and household members. Consider people who come to your home on a regular basis that could offer you support and assistance. Remember to include guide dogs, assistance dogs and pets in your emergency plan.
- Work out the potential emergencies that could impact you and your family.
- Work out what you could do for each type of emergency and consider ways to protect your family and yourself:
- Work out all possible exit routes from each room, the building, and from your surrounding neighbourhood.
- Clear hallways and exits for easy evacuation. Ask for help if you cannot do this on your own.
- Put emergency numbers beside each telephone. You can also program these numbers into the memory on your telephone and keep a list of the memory buttons close by the telephone. If you cannot do this on your own, ask for help.
- Locate the water, electricity, and gas shut off points and learn how to switch them off safely if you can. If you can’t switch them off safely, you’ll be able to tell people who come to help where they are.
- Work out a safe place to go in an emergency and make sure everyone in the household knows that it’s the meeting place. If you live alone, tell a neighbour, friend or relative where you will go if there is an emergency so they know where to find you.
- Make sure you have enough household insurance. For information on how to adequately insure your home and contents visit Insurance Council of AustraliaOpens in new tab or telephone 02 9253 5100.
If you live in a high rise or multi-level building
- Introduce yourself to your neighbours so they know you are there and can check to see if you need help in an emergency.
- Make sure you know where all exit signs, floor plans and evacuation information is placed on notice boards. If you cannot find this information in a way you can easily understand, speak to your body corporate manager or real estate agent. If you cannot do this on your own ask for help.
- Ask the Body Corporate Building Manager to test your Building Plan at least once a year. Check (within your own apartment) your smoke detectors and change the batteries yearly. Schedule to change batteries on the days when clocks are either put forward or put back each year.
- If you are an owner, check with the Body Corporate Manager to ensure the building has adequate building insurance. Ensure you have sufficient contents insurance whether you are an owner occupier or tenant.
- Review and practice your emergency plan.
Keep extra copies of your important documents away from your residence, either with a family member or trusted friend. Consider keeping copies of your documents in a safe, a safety deposit box or a fire resistant tin.
Examples of these documents could include:
- birth certificate
- marriage certificate
- driver licence
- passport
- Social Security, Medicare and Healthcare cards
- will
- prescriptions
- insurance information: car, health, home, etc
- financial information: credit cards, account numbers, financial plans, etc.
It can be difficult to contact everyone you know when you’re in the middle of an emergency. Try to choose somebody who is unlikely to be affected by the same emergency. Give that person the names and contact information of people you would like to keep informed of your welfare in an emergency situation.
Get to know your neighbours, create your own community where you can help each other find out where other buildings in the area intend to evacuate, to avoid people evacuating to the same area.
A Go Bag can be used in the event of an evacuation. It should be easy to carry and have an identity tag.
Make one for your home and consider preparing one for your workplace and vehicle.
What should go in the bag?
Think of what you would need if you suddenly had to evacuate:
a copy of the Essential Household Information document containing your personal details.
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- a bottle of water
- a torch, AM radio and extra batteries (check the batteries’ shelf life)
- walking shoes, a jumper and trousers and a lightweight rain coat
- any other personal items that are critical to you. For example, an extra cane, spare batteries for hearing aid.
- a roll of toilet paper, tissues, a plastic bag, other personal hygiene supplies
- a pen and note pad
- a phone card
- first aid and personal medications
- extra house and car keys
- a mobile phone and charger if you have one.
Remember, in an emergency some ATM machines may not be working and banks could be closed, so consider including a small amount of money in small denominations in the bag. Limit items to essentials only.
Emergency relief centres
During an emergency the City of Melbourne can activate sites to serve as emergency relief centres to support the community.
Listen for details about emergency relief centre locations:
- by tuning into an emergency services broadcaster such as radio ABC 774 (AM) band
- or contact the City of Melbourne on 9658 9658.
