The First 72 Hours
Emergencies can happen unexpectedly, leaving little time for people to prepare. It is important for every individual to be ready for a minimum of 72 hours to take care of themselves and their family until external help arrives.
Expect the unexpected
Often emergencies will be followed by another risk such as power outages and roadblocks which can often result in assistance delays. Let’s start to think, what if this service stops for 72 hours:
The First 72 Hours
The First 72 Hours supports you to create an Emergency Plan for your household or business. Building a safer and more resilient community is a shared responsibility across everyone in Victoria, not just those in the Emergency Management sector.
1. Make an Emergency Plan
Create an evacuation plan with your family then electronically store this plan. Don’t forget to teach every family member on how to access this plan.
Download the Emergency Plan template(PDF, 97KB) and consider the following when filling out.
- What Emergency event is your plan for, flood, fire, storm?
- Who needs to be considered in your plan, household members, neighbours, immediate family who don't live in the same house as you.
- Who is you Emergency Contact, who can you reach out to in an emergency situation.
- What will you need to do in an Emergency?
- Where will you go if you have to leave home?
- Where do you get your information from?
- How will you evacuate or travel somewhere safer?
It's important to plan for various scenarios:
- If you are home
- If your child is at school
- If you are at work
2. Back Up Information
Taking time to scan and save your document in digital copy will ensure your family and your possessions are protected and in position to recover after a crisis.
Important things to save include:
- Emergency Plans
- Identification
- Important Documents e.g. medical information, finances, insurance
- Home Inventory e.g. photos of possessions, house assets, receipts or warranties
- Contact lists for family members, utility providers, healthcare providers, insurance agents
3. Prepare a Kit
Gather and store items ready to support you and your loved ones for 72 hours.
Consider if your emergency kit will include:
- Water or Food
- Medication
- First Aid
- Radio and Batteries
- Torch
- Toiletries
- Documents
- Clothes
- Money
- Children's Needs
- Pets Needs