During emergencies

Overview

In the event of an emergency, always dial Triple Zero (000).
For storm and flood assistance only, call SES on 132 500.
Put your plan into place – if you plan to leave, leave early.

Put your emergency plan into action

Once you have completed your emergency plan and have taken the steps to get prepared for an emergency, you need to understand how to put your plan into action.

Residents are encouraged to leave the night before, or early in the morning on a day where dangerous conditions are expected.

  • If you have made a plan: Get your plan out and start to follow it. You have put a great deal of effort into creating this plan, and you most likely created your plan when you were calm and could think clearly. In the panic of an emergency, don’t second guess yourself - stick to your plan.
  • If you haven’t made a plan: You need to act immediately to protect yourself and your family. Ensure you have the Vic Emergency App that will give you information and speak to your neighbours so you can work together.

 

Stay informed during an emergency

In an emergency it is important to stay aware and keep informed and up to date.

VicEmergency is the central place for warnings and information on all hazards. Download the VicEmergency app to your phone or tablet today from the App Store or Google Play.

See our Stay informed page for information about where to find information from a variety of sources.

Resources

The following resources have information about what to do during a particular type of emergency:

 

Neighbourhood Safer Places

 

A 'Neighbourhood Safer Place' is also known as a 'Bushfire Place of Last Resort'. There are seven Neighbourhood Safer Places in Nillumbik.

What you should know about Neighbourhood Safer Places:

  • These locations do not guarantee your safety, and it’s unlikely that emergency service personnel will be present
  • These locations are places of last resort when all other bushfire plans have failed.
  • Your safety or survival at one of these locations is not guaranteed - it may be that your home or one of your neighbours' homes offers better protection than a Neighbourhood Safer Place.
  • These locations may provide some protection from direct flame and heat from a fire, but they do not guarantee safety or protection from smoke or embers
  • Travelling to a Neighbourhood Safer Place if your bushfire plans have failed can be extremely dangerous if it is more than a few minutes away.
  • There are no guarantees of assistance and no facilities available for people with special needs, including those requiring medical attention.

There may be a Neighbourhood Safer Place closer to you in a neighbouring council area, such as:

 

Locations of Neighbourhood Safer Places in Nillumbik

These designated locations have limited capacity. They have been assessed by the CFA and meet Neighbourhood Safer Place guidelines.

 

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To view a map of all Neighbourhood Safer Places across Victoria and find your nearest location, visit the CFA website.

 

What Council does during emergencies

Council’s role in an emergency is to coordinate relief and recovery activities in partnership with agencies such as the Red Cross, Department of Health and Human Services, The Salvation Army and local community organisations.

Council Emergency Operations Centre (CEOC)

Once an emergency is identified, Council may activate a Council Emergency Operations Centre (CEOC). 

The CEOC is where Council runs emergency management activities and is usually based in the main Council office in Greensborough.

Activities could include coordination of tree crews to clear debris and fallen trees, building surveyors to inspect damaged homes and buildings, resourcing Emergency Relief Centres and communications with key agencies.

Please note no relief and support is offered at the CEOC – it is an operational site only.

Emergency Relief Centre (ERC)

If the emergency leads to a significant number of people having to unexpectedly leave their homes, then an ERC may be set up.

The location of the ERC will be determined at the time of the need, as it will need to be located away from the immediate threat.

This is a place where affected community members can come for a range of support including:

  • Community information (public meetings, newsletters, advertising etc)
  • Emergency shelter (including at the relief centre or other accommodation)
  • Food and water
  • Psychosocial support
  • Basic material aid (non-food items)
  • Reconnecting family and friends
  • Health care and first aid
  • Emergency financial assistance
  • Support for displaced animals

If an ERC is established, the location will be advertised through various channels such as radio, the VicEmergency app and social media.

 

Volunteering during an emergency

If you would like to assist during an emergency, the best thing you can do is to get involved and receive proper training before an emergency event occurs.

There are many organisations and groups that would love your volunteering support.

View our Volunteering resources page or visit the emergency volunteers list at Volunteer Victoria to see if there's any you would like to get involved with.

 

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