About this site

Welcome to VicEmergency, a centralised website for Victorians to find emergency information and warnings. You can also access planning, preparedness and recovery information related to emergencies.

VicEmergency has a real-time Google Map display with incidents across the state including fires, floods, storms, earthquakes, tsunamis, hazardous material and traffic accidents.

Remember, always access more than one source for emergency information and warnings.

You can get information by tuning in to ABC local radio, or other emergency broadcasters including radio or SKY TV, by downloading the FireReady app, phoning the Victorian Bushfire Information Line on 1800 240 667 or following the VicEmergency Facebook and Twitter accounts.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why was the VicEmergency website built?

A single, all-emergencies website was recommended by the Victorian Emergency Management Reform White Paper and the 2011 Victorian Flood Review into community information and warnings.

A centralised emergencies website makes it easier for the community to source emergency information and warnings.

VicEmergency reflects the role of emergency management in Victoria to work together with communities, government, agencies and business to strengthen their capacity to withstand, plan for, respond to and recover from emergencies.

What information is included on the VicEmergency website?

The website uses emergency incident information and warnings data from agencies including Bureau of Meteorology, CFA, DELWP, Department of Health and Human Services, Life Saving Victoria and SES, to display emergency incidents in real time, on a Google map display.

Development of the website is ongoing, with a focus to include additional content from other emergency management agencies and departments in the future.

What are the features of the VicEmergency website?

The VicEmergency homepage shows emergency events in real time, on a Google Maps display. This includes a list of warnings and incidents from across the state, with an option to display the information on a map, as text or a combination of both.

The website uses emergency incident information and warnings data from agencies including Bureau of Meteorology, CFA, DELWP, Department of Health and Human Services, Life Saving Victoria and SES.

You can customise what you see on the VicEmergency website by using the filtering function to view incidents by emergency type, for example, fire, or you can select to view information related to multiple emergencies, for example, fires and floods.

You can also access planning, preparedness and recovery information related to emergencies.

Can I access the VicEmergency website on my smartphone or tablet?

Yes. The website is also now quicker and easier to use across all devices – desktop, mobile and tablet. VicEmergency is fully mobile responsive and has been tested by Vision Australia to meet online accessibility standards.

Apple and Android mobile phone users can also download the FireReady app to access emergency information and warnings.

Do I need to access emergency information from other sources?

Yes. It is important to stay alert to the conditions around you, and use more than one source for information and warnings.

You can get information by tuning in to ABC local radio, or other emergency broadcasters including commercial and community radio or SKY TV, by downloading the FireReady app, phoning the Victorian Bushfire Information Line on 1800 240 667 or following the VicEmergency Facebook and Twitter accounts.

There are a range of reasons why technology might fail, so as part of your emergency plan, it is important to know where you can get emergency information and warnings, including alternative sources if you don’t have access to internet or mobile phone coverage.

What emergency information is not included on the VicEmergency website?

Information from Ambulance Victoria and Victoria Police is not currently included on the VicEmergency website.

Development of the website is ongoing, with a focus to include additional content from other emergency management agencies and departments in the future.

Who is responsible for the VicEmergency website?

Emergency Management Victoria manages the VicEmergency website in partnership with emergency management agencies and departments whose information and warnings are provided on the site.

What is different?

The VicEmergency website has been updated to make it quicker and easier for the community to access emergency information and warnings.

These updates are in line with community feedback and input from emergency management agencies and partners.

The website is now quicker and easier to use across all devices – desktop, mobile and tablet. VicEmergency is fully mobile responsive and has been tested by Vision Australia to meet online accessibility standards.

Based on the community’s advice, some information such as power outages, river monitoring and traffic conditions have been removed from the homepage map and incident list. Feedback from the community was that non-emergency information such as this cluttered the site and made it difficult to navigate.

The CFA and SES warnings pages now redirect to the VicEmergency website, providing one location to access information before, during and after an emergency.

Agency websites will continue to provide information on how to plan and prepare for emergencies.

Will the website keep changing?

Yes. The website and other emergency warnings and information channels need to keep up with new technologies and the community’s needs.

Recent updates have been made through extensive community feedback and input from emergency management agencies and partners, to make sure the website is easy to use and navigate.

Development of the website is ongoing, with a focus to include additional content from other emergency management agencies and departments in the future.

Will the website keep up with high volumes of visitors during peak periods?

The VicEmergency website has undergone extensive, independent testing to ensure the site can manage peak periods during summer and large-scale emergencies.

There are backup systems in place, including automated cloud based scalability for hosting, which means the capacity for usage can increase, in sync with the increase of visitors to the site. The website also includes 24/7 monitoring and support.

Back-up systems are based on numbers of people visiting the site that exceed numbers seen even in Victoria’s worst emergencies.

Victoria has an integrated warnings system, which means emergency information is available from a variety of channels. You can get information by tuning in to ABC local radio, or other emergency broadcasters including radio or SKY TV, by downloading the FireReady app, phoning the Victorian Bushfire Information Line on 1800 240 667 or following the VicEmergency Facebook and Twitter accounts.

Why do some icons take time to appear on the map?

Some warnings for floods, storms, earthquakes and tsunamis do not come with an immediate geo-referenced location, so they may take several minutes to appear on the map view. All new warnings will always appear in the list so for the most current warnings please check the list view.

Acknowledgements

Information displayed on this site has been sourced from the following agencies.

Bureau of Meteorology (BoM)
Citipower
Country Fire Authority (CFA)
Department of Education and Early Childhood Development (DEECD)
Department of Environment, Land, Water & Planning (DELWP)
Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS)
Geoscience Australia
Jemena
Joint Australian Tsunami Warning Centre (JATWC)
Life Saving Victoria (LSV)
Metropolitan Fire Brigade (MFB)
New South Wales Rural Fire Service (RFS)
PowerCor Australia
South Australian Country Fire Service (CFS)
SP AusNet
United Energy
VicRoads
Victoria State Emergency Service (SES)

	Evacuation An evacuation is recommended or procedures are in place to evacuate.
	Emergency Warning You are in imminent danger and need to take action now. You will be impacted.
	Watch and Act / Warning An emergency is heading toward you. Conditions are changing and you need to take action now to protect yourself and your family.
	Advice An incident is occurring or has occurred in the area. Access information and monitor conditions.
	All Clear Emergency activity in the area has subsided and is no longer a danger to you.
	Community Update Specific information and updates for affected communities regarding a particular event or incident.
	Warning Area Colour area shows the predicted warning area at the time of issue. This colour can be yellow (Advice), orange (Watch & Act / Warning), red (Emergency Warning) or red line with a grey fill (Recommendation to Evacuate)

	Fire - Not Yet Under Control The reported location of a fire. This may be a bushfire, grassfire, building fire, fire alarm or non-building fire. The location of the icon shows where the fire has started but does not show how far it has spread.
	Fire - Contained, Under Control, or Safe The reported location of a fire. This may be a bushfire, grassfire, building fire, fire alarm or non-building fire. The location of the icon shows where the fire has started but does not show how far it has spread.
	Planned Burn The general location of a planned burn that is currently underway on public land. Firefighters are managing the burn but flames and smoke may be visible. Read More (external link opens in new window) Note: In most cases, the location of the icon shows the starting point of the planned burn.
	Flood Indicates the location of reported flooding that may be impacting on houses, roads, property and other infrastructure. Flooding may be caused by rain, river overflow, tidal surges, or dam failure. The depiction of an area communicated in a Bureau of Meteorology (external link opens in new window) warning including Flood Watch, Minor Flood, Moderate Flood and Major Flood.
	Vehicle Accident The reported location of an accident or incident involving a car or other motor vehicle and wash aways.
	Aircraft Accident The reported location of an accident or incident involving a plane, helicopter or other aircraft.
	Rail Accident The reported location of an accident or incident involving a train or tram.
	Marine Accident The reported location of an accident or incident involving a ship, boat or other watercraft.
	Rescue The reported location of a person trapped as a result of a industrial or recreational accident, trench or structure collapse, or a similar incident.
	Hazardous Material The reported location of a spill or leak of a hazardous liquid, gas or solid. This could include chemical, radiological, biological materials, a petrol or oil spill, a ruptured gas main or an industrial leak. Note: In most cases, the location of the icon depicts where the hazardous material is reported to be located and may not show how far it has spread.
	Earthquake An earthquake or other land-based seismic event has been recorded and reported by Geoscience Australia (external link opens in new window)
	Tsunami A Bureau of Meteorology (external link opens in new window) warning has been issued for a Tsunami in the area.
	Landslide The location of a reported landslide event.
	Storm A Bureau of Meteorology (external link opens in new window) warning has been issued for thunderstorms, hail and/or blizzards in this area.
	Tornado/Cyclone A Bureau of Meteorology (external link opens in new window) warning has been issued for a tornado or cyclone in the area.
	Damaging Winds A Bureau of Meteorology (external link opens in new window) warning has been issued for strong or damaging winds in the area.
	Building Damage A request has been made for assistance to help make a damaged building or structure safe.
	Tree Down (traffic hazard) A request has been made for assistance to remove a tree or branch that has fallen in the area – it may be blocking or impacting a path, track or roadway.
	Fallen Power Lines A request has been made for assistance to remove a fallen power pole or power lines in the area.
	Medical / Human Health The reported location of a human health incident or a request for medical assistance.
	Animal Health The reported location of an animal health incident or a request for animal rescue.
	Oiled Wildlife The reported location of Oiled Wildlife or a request for animal rescue (Oiled).
	Animal Plague Reported location of vertebrate pest plague such as rats, rabbits. Read more (external link opens in new window)
	Insect Plague Reported location of an insect plague such as locusts. Read more (external link opens in new window)
	Dam Failure The reported location of a dam failure.
	Shark Sighting Reported location of a shark sighting. This is likely to result in a beach closure by Life Saving Victoria
	Water Pollution The reported location of polluted waterways either inland or marine.
	Plant Health The reported location of a significant plant health or disease incident.
	Other This could be an equipment fault, inspection, trivial call, or an operation to assist another agency.

	Total Fire Ban A Total Fire Ban is currently in force for this area. Read more (external link opens in new window) .
	Road Closed / Affected There is a partial or full road closure at this location. Note: Not all road issues are reported on this site. Further information may be available from VicRoads (external link opens in new window) .
	Rail Disruption Rail services have been affected. This may result in cancellations or delays. Further information may be available from Public Transport Victoria (external link opens in new window) .
	Airport / Airspace Restrictions Air services have been affected. This may result in cancellations, delays or closure of airspace.
	Port Closure / Waterway Restrictions Services or access have been affected. This may have resulted in a partial or full closure and may cause cancellations or delays. Further information may be available from the Port of Melbourne (external link opens in new window) .
	Power Outage A power outage has occurred in this area. Further information may be available from the relevant power company. Read more (external link opens in new window) .
	Gas Outage A gas outage has occurred in this area. Further information may be available from the relevant gas company. Read more (external link opens in new window) .
	Water Outage / Affected Water has been affect or is unavailable in this area. Further information may be available from the relevant water provider. Read more (external link opens in new window) .
	Park / Forest Closure There is a full or partial park closure at this location. Further information may be available from Parks Victoria (external link opens in new window) .
	Beach Closure The beach has been closed in this location. Closures could be in relation to weather, dangerous conditions or shark sightings.
	School Closure Services at an education facility have been affected. This may have resulted in a partial or full facility closure. Further information may be available from the particular education facility or Department of Education and Training (external link opens in new window) .
	Other - Closed / Restricted Access There is a partial or full closure at this location. This could be affecting a public space, sporting facility or commercial space.

	Community Meeting / Information Point Shows the location of community meetings or information points to help keep the public informed during emergencies. Read more (external link opens in new window) .
	Refuge / Relief Centre The location of an established Community Fire Refuge or Relief Centre to assist people impacted by an emergency.
	Neighbourhood Safer Place Location of a designated Neighbourhood Safer Place. This is a place of last resort when all other fire plans have failed. Read more (external link opens in new window) .
	Community Document Planning and preparation information, such as Community Information Guide (CIG) or Local Flood Guides. These guides are a key source of emergency information for the community. Read more (external link opens in new window) .

	Cluster Icon There are multiple warnings or incidents in this location and you will need to select the icon or zoom in to display them all.
	Incident Area Depicts the extent of an area impacted by an incident at a point in time. While this information will be updated regularly it may not represent the current extent of the impact.
	Fire Danger Ratings Displays the forecast Fire Danger Rating. Read more (external link opens in new window) .
	Rain Radar The radar map overlay shows the location of rain using different colours to depict rainfall intensity. Read more (external link opens in new window) .
	Wind Direction Shows the location's current wind direction and speed. Read more (external link opens in new window) .
	Thunderstorm Tracker The Thunderstorm Tracker (external link opens in new window) map overlay shows the location of storm cells using different colours to depict rainfall intensity.

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