Emergency Information and Resources

Clear and accessible emergency information shared through trusted channels.

BRMC supports people from diverse cultural backgrounds to access timely and reliable emergency information, including in languages they understand.

Information may be shared in English, translated formats, or through other accessible approaches such as audio, video, or community messaging.

BRMC maintains regular communication with communities during emergency periods, including sharing information through social media, community networks, and digital platforms such as WhatsApp and WeChat. BRMC also works with emergency services and government partners to improve how emergency information is developed and shared with diverse communities.

Activities

Development and sharing of clear emergency information, including multilingual and accessible formats
Community messaging via social media and digital platforms
Audio, video, or in-language messages developed with community input
Supporting services to communicate effectively with diverse communities

Important numbers

Tap a number to call on your phone.

000Life in danger. Police, Fire, Ambulance.
Need an interpreter? Say your language and they will connect you to TIS.

132 500SES. Help with flood and storm damage.

131 450TIS. Free interpreter.

1800 226 226VicEmergency Hotline. Information during emergencies.

1800 560 760Emergency Recovery Hotline. Need an interpreter? Call TIS first.

13 11 14Lifeline. Someone to talk to.

Ambulance

When to call 000, and how to make sure you are covered.

Need an ambulance? Call Triple Zero (000)Say “Ambulance”. Not sure if it is an emergency? Call anyway. The call is free.

Call 000

Call 000 straight away if someone has:

Chest pain or tightnessTrouble breathingPassed out or will not wake upBad bleeding that will not stopSudden numb or weak face, arm or legA serious accident or large burns

When you call, tell them:Where you are, what happened, and if the person is awake and breathing. Stay on the phone until they tell you to hang up.Need an interpreter? Say your language and they will connect you. Deaf, hard of hearing or can’t speak? Call 106 on a TTY or use the National Relay Service app.

Get ambulance coverMedicare does not pay for ambulances. Without cover, one trip can cost about $1,400 in Melbourne and over $2,000 in country areas.

Single$56.47a yearFamily$112.95a year

You may already be covered for free if you have a Pensioner Concession Card or a Health Care Card. Some private health insurance also covers ambulance. Check your policy.

Join or check your cover →Call 1300 366 141

Prices from Ambulance Victoria and may change.

Not an emergency, but need help now?

Virtual Emergency DepartmentFree video call with a doctor or nurse, 24/7. Free interpreters.Start a video call →Nurse-On-CallFree health advice from a nurse, 24/7.Call 1300 60 60 24 →Urgent Care ClinicsFree. No appointment or Medicare card needed.Find a clinic →Who to call, in your languageKaren, Dari, Hazaragi, Swahili, Arabic and more.Open guides →

Stay informed

Get warnings from official sources. Do not rely on social media posts or messages passed around.

VicEmergency app

Free to download. Add your home, work and school as "watch zones" to get alerts.

App Store →Google Play →

VicEmergency website

emergency.vic.gov.au →

In your language

Call TIS on 131 450 and ask them to call the VicEmergency Hotline. It is free.

A phone screen showing an AusAlert emergency message

NEW

AusAlert phone alerts

Since 1 October 2026, AusAlert sends emergency messages straight to your phone. Critical alerts make a loud siren sound, even when your phone is on silent.

The message is real. It is not spam. Read it and do what it says.

The three warning levels

Warnings get stronger as the danger grows.

Advice warning icon

Level 1Advice

Something is happening. Stay up to date.

Watch and Act warning icon

Level 2Watch and Act

Things are changing. Get ready to act now.

Emergency Warning warning icon

Level 3Emergency Warning

You are in danger. Act now.

Get ready

A family sorting emergency supplies together at home

Make a plan

Where will you go if you need to leave?
Where will you meet your family?
Who will you call?
Who will pick up the children?
Who needs extra help, like older people, children, people with disability and pets?

Write it down and keep it on the fridge.

Make a plan with Red Cross RediPlan

Get Prepared app: iPhone · Android

A family packing Go Bags with emergency items

Pack a Go Bag

Medicines and scripts
Copies of passports, visas and ID
Phone charger and power bank
Water and snacks
A first aid kit
A torch, battery radio and some cash
Spare keys for your home and car
Warm clothes
Important phone numbers on paper

Stay safe

Bushfire burning on a hillside

Fire

Leave early. Do not wait for a warning. Check the Fire Danger Rating every day in summer.

In your language →

A flooded road with a warning sign under water

Flood

Never drive, walk or swim in floodwater.

In your language →

Weather map showing very high temperatures across Australia

Extreme heat

Drink water often. Stay somewhere cool. Never leave children or pets in a car. Check on older neighbours.

In your language →

Red and yellow flags on a beach

Water

Always watch children near water, including pools, dams and rivers. At the beach, swim between the red and yellow flags.

In your language →Beachsafe app →

After an emergency

Community members at a BRMC information session

Only go home when emergency services say it is safe.

Feeling worried or upset is normal, so talk to someone you trust.

Not sure where to get help? Contact BRMC and we will help you find the right support.

Contact BRMC

Information in your language

Choose your language to see trusted information from Victorian emergency services and government. Tap a language to open it.

العربيةArabic · 6 resources

Floods and storms (SES)

Fire safety (CFA)

VicEmergency app and warnings

Extreme heat

Water safety

Help after a disaster

မြန်မာဘာသာBurmese · 3 resources

Floods and storms (SES)

Fire safety (CFA)

Help after a disaster

简体中文Chinese (Mandarin) · 6 resources

Floods and storms (SES)

Fire safety (CFA)

VicEmergency app and warnings

Extreme heat

Water safety

Help after a disaster

دریDari · 4 resources

Floods and storms (SES)

Fire safety (CFA)

VicEmergency app and warnings

Help after a disaster

ThuɔŋjäŋDinka · 2 resources

Floods and storms (SES)

Fire safety (CFA)

FilipinoFilipino · 2 resources

Floods and storms (SES)

Water safety

هزارگیHazaragi · 3 resources

Floods and storms (SES)

Fire safety (CFA)

Extreme heat

हिन्दीHindi · 4 resources

Floods and storms (SES)

Fire safety (CFA)

VicEmergency app and warnings

Water safety

ကညီKaren · 3 resources

Floods and storms (SES)

Fire safety (CFA)

Help after a disaster

नेपालीNepali · 1 resource

Fire safety (CFA)

Thok NathNuer · 1 resource

Floods and storms (SES)

فارسیPersian (Farsi) · 3 resources

Floods and storms (SES)

Fire safety (CFA)

Help after a disaster

ਪੰਜਾਬੀPunjabi · 5 resources

Floods and storms (SES)

Fire safety (CFA)

VicEmergency app and warnings

Extreme heat

Water safety

KiswahiliSwahili · 1 resource

Floods and storms (SES)

Tiếng ViệtVietnamese · 6 resources

Floods and storms (SES)

Fire safety (CFA)

VicEmergency app and warnings

Extreme heat

Water safety

Help after a disaster

Other languages40+ languages

VICSES: about 40 languages

CFA: 41 languages and Auslan

VicEmergency app and warnings

Extreme heat (Health Translations)

Water safety: 8 languages

Help after a disaster: 15 languages

Fire safety (CFA)

Can't find your language? Call TIS on 131 450 for a free interpreter, or contact us. We can help you find information or connect you with someone who speaks your language.