The City of Melbourne has plans and strategies that outline how we manage emergencies.
Emergency plans
VicEmergency is Victoria's combined source of emergency information and warnings, helping the community to prepare for, respond to and recover from emergencies across the state.
To stay informed during emergencies, visit VicEmergencyOpens in new tab, the main website for incident updates and warnings in Victoria. You can also access information by listening to ABC local radio (774) or other emergency broadcasters. Download the VicEmergency appOpens in new tab, call the VicEmergency hotline at 1800 226 226, or follow VicEmergency on FacebookOpens in new tab and XOpens in new tab.
For more information on where to get information during an emergency, visit this webpageOpens in new tab.
Make sure you understand the three levels of warnings: Advice, Watch & Act, and Emergency Warning. This knowledge is crucial for your safety. For more details, visit VicEmergency's page on Understanding WarningsOpens in new tab.
Personal emergency plans are important. Prepare yourself and your property as emergencies can happen without warning and with devastating effect.
City of Melbourne has an pandemic action 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.
The Municipal Emergency Management Plan is a multi-agency guiding document of agreed arrangements for the mitigation of, the response to, and the recovery from emergencies that could occur in the City of Melbourne as identified in the Emergency Management Act 2013.
Key information for emergencies
Emergency markers are designed to pinpoint your exact location in public open spaces or a hard to define locality during an emergency. They are also located in public areas such as national parks, cycling tracks, river trails, reserves and public gardens. The reference number on each sign is linked to 000’s computer aided dispatch system and specifies the relevant location, GPS coordinates and road access information for emergency services who are responding to the call for assistance.
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.
You can prepare by:
• developing a home or business emergency plan
• assembling an emergency kit
• cleaning your gutters, downpipes and drains
• trimming over-hanging branches
• making sure your roof is in good repair
• clearing or securing items around your premises so they don’t become missiles in high winds.
In an emergency
In a flood or storm emergency, call Victoria State Emergency Service on 132 500 for 24-hour assistance. It's the same cost as a local call (outside Victoria and mobiles may be higher).
Local flood guides
Local flood guides for Melbourne CBD, Southbank, Kensington and North Melbourne are available to download from the Victoria State Emergency ServiceOpens in new tab.
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 – visit our heatwaves webpage to find out more.
