Warnings and information - VicEmergency website
The VicEmergency website provides emergency warnings and information for all hazards. VICSES warnings and information regarding flood, storm, earthquake and tsunami warnings are issued via VicEmergency.
VicEmergency smartphone app
The new VicEmergency app replaces the FireReady app, and includes VICSES-issued warnings for flood, storm, earthquake and tsunami.
The VicEmergency app brings VICSES warnings together with emergency information and warnings from agencies including:
• Country Fire Authority
• Department of Economic Development and Transport and Resources
• Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning
• Department of Health and Human Services
• Life Saving Victoria
• Metropolitan Fire Brigade
For existing FireReady users, the new app will be available from November 2016 to Apple and Android customers as an update.
You can download VicEmergency from the App Store or Google Play.
Types of warnings
Detailed information regarding the types of warnings and notifications issued for each emergency event can be found on the following pages:
Emergency Alert
During times of emergencies such as extreme weather events, your landline or mobile phone may be used to deliver a critical warning. This 'Emergency Alert' phone or text message is another way for authorities to inform you on what you may need to do. If you do not understand the message, ask a family member, friend or neighbour for assistance.
Visit emergencyalert.gov.au for further information.
Standard Emergency Warning Signal
The Standard Emergency Warning Signal (SEWS) is a distinctive "wailing" siren which may be broadcast on radio, television, or public areas such as shopping centres or sports grounds. The use of SEWS is intended to attract the listener’s attention prior to the broadcast of an important safety message.
Visit police.vic.gov.au for further information.
Community Sirens
Community sirens, including existing CFA Brigade sirens, are now being used as part of Victoria’s warning system for all hazards – including flood, fire and storm.
A prolonged, five-minute signal will indicate that a current emergency has been identified in the local area and people should seek further information from sources such as Victoria’s emergency broadcasters, websites, flood and fire information lines and social media.
Sirens are an additional tool for the emergency services to communicate with the community and are not a stand-alone warning system.
Visit emv.vic.gov.au for further information.
VicEmergency Hotline
- Call 1800 226 226
- The VicEmergency Hotline provides information during and after major incidents in Victoria. It also offers information to help householders, landowners and small businesses plan for and recover from emergencies.
- If you are deaf, hard of hearing or have a speech impairment, contact the VicEmergency Hotline through the National Relay Service:
- TTY users phone 1800 555 677 then ask for 1800 226 226
- Speak and Listen users phone 1800 555 727 then ask for 1800 226 226
- Internet relay users connect to the NRS then ask for 1800 226 226