New emergency app available for Victoria

Victorians can now download the new VicEmergency app, providing them with information and warnings for incidents such as fires, floods and storms.

Additionally, the VicEmergency website has been updated and a new hotline established for the provision of timely emergency information.

“The VicEmergency app, hotline and website will come together this summer to provide the community with the best information so they can make the critical decisions about their own safety,” said Emergency Management Commissioner Craig Lapsley.

“Download the VicEmergency app now so you know how it works well before you need to use it.”

The app provides an improved user experience with a range of new features, capabilities and design improvements. It has undergone significant performance testing using a number of critical scenarios and can send 1.2 million notifications per minute. It is also monitored 24/7 and has disaster recovery capability set up within Australia and overseas.

Users can create a profile enabling them to access watch zones across multiple devices, including mobile phones, tablets and the VicEmergency website. For the first time, users can also register to receive warnings and notifications via email. Additionally, the app and website can create up to 20 tailored watch zones that are unique to an individual’s needs.

“What this means is that users can set up watch zones for the area where they live, go on holiday or to monitor what is happening where friends and family are located,” said Lapsley.

“Setting up watch zones needs to become part of your summer preparedness planning. Watch zones enable users to target the areas that are relevant to them, so they can receive the critical emergency information that affects them.”

The VicEmergency website, app and hotline bring together 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 and Victoria State Emergency Service.

As well as this, the hotline 1800 226 226 will bring together all emergency numbers including the Victorian Bushfire Information Line, the Victorian Emergency Relief Information Line and the VICSES Flood and Storm Information Line.

“The VicEmergency website, app and hotline will provide a joined-up approach for Victorians to access timely information for a number of emergencies across multiple channels,” Lapsley said.

“Through having access to better information, we can make better decisions that result in better outcomes and a safer community.”

The VicEmergency app replaces the FireReady app and is now available to download from the App Store or Google Play.

For answers to common questions and app support, visit support.emergency.vic.gov.au.

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