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                    Emergency management

                    Whether you work or live in the municipality, ensuring you develop emergency plans will keep you and your family safe and ready for an emergency.

                    The City of Melbourne has plans and strategies that outline how we manage emergencies.

                    • Heatwaves

                      During the warmer months, Melbourne can experience heatwaves and days of extreme heat. Being prepared for and informed about extreme weather conditions can reduce heat-related illnesses.
                    • Personal emergency plans

                      It’s important to prepare yourself and your property as emergencies can happen without warning and with devastating effect.
                    • Floods and storms

                      Extreme weather events can happen anywhere and at any time of the year, posing safety risks to people, animals, households and businesses. Storms can bring torrential rain, strong winds, hail and lightning that cause flash flooding, un-roofed buildings, and damaged trees and powerlines.
                    • Influenza

                      City of Melbourne has an influenza pandemic plan to assist with minimising the impact of an outbreak and managing essential services to our business and residential community. Getting immunised will reduce your chances of contracting influenza and my help prevent pandemics.
                    • Digital emergency tools

                      There are websites and apps that provide real-time information about storms, fires, floods and other emergency incidents.
                    • Municipal Emergency Management Plan

                      In 2020, the 'Emergency Management Legislation Amendment Act 2018' amended the 'Emergency Management Act 2013' (EM Act 2013) to provide for new integrated arrangements for emergency management planning in Victoria at the State, Regional and Municipal levels.
                    • Refill at a hydration station

                      There’s no reason to be thirsty in Melbourne this summer with more than 60 water fountains now installed across the city as part of a joint initiative between VicHealth and the City of Melbourne.

                    Emergency markers

                    The City of Melbourne has installed emergency markers to enable emergency services to pinpoint the location of the emergency and the quickest route to get there. There are emergency markers around:

                    • the Tan track
                    • Birrarung Marr
                    • Alexandra Gardens
                    • Victoria Harbour
                    • Waterfront City
                    • Yarra’s Edge.

                    What are emergency markers?

                    Emergency markers look like street signs and help the Emergency Services Telecommunications Authority (ESTA) clearly identify the location of emergency callers.

                    The markers have a six figure alphanumeric reference (three letters and three numbers) that triple zero (000) callers can quote when stating their location.

                    How do emergency markers work?

                    The two most important pieces of information required when calling 000 are the location of the emergency (where is it?) and the nature of the emergency (what is it?).

                    When an emergency marker is quoted, an ESTA dispatcher can provide specific directional information to the responding emergency services.

                    Emergency markers are more than just signs. They are supported by GPS co-ordinates and directional instructions that ESTA operators can provide to police, fire, ambulance and the State Emergency Service. This includes advising them of obstructions such as locked gates, road closures and quickest access points.

                    The Emergency Services Telecommunications Authority manages 000 calls throughout Victoria for Victoria Police, CFA, MFB and the Metropolitan Ambulance Service.

                    More information

                    Victori​a Police breaking news​ - information on current emergencies and events.
                    Follow on Twitter @victoriapolice

                    Red Cross REDIPlan - advice and guidelines on preparing for emergencies.
                    Follow on Twitter @redcrossau

                    Victoria State Emergency Service - flood or storm assistance.
                    Phone 1300 842 727

                    Metropolitan Fire Brigade - fire and medical assistance.

                    Department of Human Services, Emergency Management - community Support, relief and recovery.
                    Follow on Twitter @VicGovDHS

                    Department of Health Victoria - heatwaves and influenza pandemics.
                    Follow on Twitter @vicgovhealth

                    Ambulance Victoria - emergency medical care and transport.
                    Follow on Twitter @AmbulanceVic

                    Public Transport Victoria - guide to public transport in Melbourne including any disruptions or delays.
                    Follow on Twitter @MetroTrains

                    Bureau of Meteorology - information on Victorian weather forecasts and warnings.

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