The best way to stay safe in an emergency is to be informed by tuning into local radio and tv stations, monitor VicEmergency or download the app and ensure you’re monitoring for updates.  

Emergency alerts are sent by emergency services to landline telephones and mobile phones, based on the location of the handset. In the event of an emergency, you may receive a voice message on your landline or a text message to your mobile phone. It is important that you follow what action you may need to take.

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Sometimes mobile phone service may not be available due to network overload. If phone networks are working:

• send out a text message or call close family members and friends to check they are safe and let them know you are safe
• notify Police immediately if family, friends or neighbours are missing
• use social media to share emergency warnings.

If you are leaving early in an emergency and you would like to register your whereabouts with us, please complete the Community Leave Early Form‍

This form is intended to be for advice of emergency agencies only. It is not intended to replace the Personal Identification Form (PIF). Person's attending a relief centre may still be required to complete a PIF form to ensure they will be listed on the Red Cross "Register, Find, Reunite" database.

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During an emergency, it is important to be aware of the dangers and risks to your health and safety and when it is likely to have an impact on you. When deciding whether to stay or evacuate, you need to be aware of and follow any emergency warnings and should not leave evacuation until the last moment.

You may receive evacuation warnings or orders:

• from Victoria Police or other emergency agencies  
• through media or official emergency service websites
• through a government issued emergency alert to your phone.

If you receive an evacuation order, it is important that you follow the instructions. You should have an emergency plan, and an emergency kit should you need to evacuate.

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If you need to evacuate or cannot return to your home during an emergency, you need to have a plan to visit friends or family who live away from the emergency until it’s safe to return.

If you plan to leave early, the safest option is to leave very early in the morning on days that are declared Severe or Extreme Fire Danger. On a Code Red (Catastrophic) rated fire danger day, the safest option is to leave the night before, or early in the morning.

There are Neighbourhood Safer Places (NSPs) as a very last resort when all other bushfire plans have failed. They are locations that may provide some protection from direct flame and radiant heat, but they do not guarantee safety. They are not an alternative to planning to leave early or to stay and defend your property; they are a place of last resort if all other fire plans have failed.  

For more information about Neighbourhood Safer Places, visit CFA.

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For all emergencies dial 000

• Police / Fire / Ambulance - 000‍

• Victorian Bushfire Information Line - 1800 240 667. Callers with hearing or speech difficulties can use textphone / telewriter (TTY) on 1800 555 677.

• SES - 132 500‍

• SES Flood and Storm Information Line - 1300 VICSES (1300 842 737)‍

• East Gippsland Shire Council - 5153 9500

• ‍East Gippsland Water - 1300 134 202‍

• Electricity - AusNet Services: Powerlines - 131 799, Transmission Network - 1800 111 164‍

• Gas Emergencies - 136 707‍

• Hospital (Bairnsdale) - 5150 3333‍

• Lifeline - 131 114‍

• Poison Information - 131 126‍

• RACV - 131 111‍

• Traffic information and road closures - 131 170‍

• Wildlife injuries - 1300 094 535

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