Premier

New App To Put People First During Emergencies

15 November 2016

Whether it’s a flood, fire, storm, earthquake, tsunami or shark sighting, Victorians can now receive warnings for all emergencies through a single mobile phone app and phone number.

Minister for Emergency Services James Merlino today launched the new VicEmergency app and new VicEmergency Hotline – 1800 226 226 – at Elwood Surf Life Saving Club.

Both the app and the hotline provide a one-stop shop for Victorians to access information about emergencies and natural disasters.

The new VicEmergency Hotline 1800 226 226 brings together all emergency numbers, including the Victorian Bushfire Information Line, the Victorian Relief and Recovery Information Line and the VICSES Flood and Storm Information Line.

The VicEmergency app replaces the existing FireReady app and provides warning and incident notifications for a variety of emergencies, including storms and beach closures, not just fires.

It can send 1.2 million notifications per minute and has undergone extensive performance testing to make sure it can manage peak periods and critical incidents.

It is monitored 24-hours a day, seven days a week, and has disaster recovery capability set up within Australia and overseas.

It features improved watch zones, which allow users to target the locations and incidents that are relevant to them.

For more information before or during an emergency, phone the VicEmergency hotline 1800 226 226, visit emergency.vic.gov.au and stay tuned to your local radio.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Emergency Services James Merlino

“Whether it’s a fire, flood, beach closure, storm or earthquake – VicEmergency gives Victorians warnings from all of our emergency service agencies from a single app and phone number.”

“We’re putting people first with a one stop shop for emergency warnings that will help keep Victorians safe during emergencies and natural disasters.”

“The FireReady app will stop sending warning notifications from today so it’s important that Victorians download or update to the new VicEmergency app.”

Reviewed 19 August 2020

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