An emergency plan should include where you, your family and your pets will go in case of emergency.
Ideally you should have multiple options in different directions as you never know where the emergency will be coming from. It's important that this place can accommodate you for at least 72 hours. You should also consider your mental wellbeing and that of your dependants, as emergencies can be frightening and it’s important to be in a location you feel safe and welcomed in. It is worth considering that you may need to be there for an extended period under stressful conditions.
If relevant, you should also have a location for horses and livestock, this may be a safe place on your property, or they may need to be relocated. It is the responsibility of animal owners to have a plan in place for their animals.
The location may be:
It is important to note that a relief centre should not be a location when planning to leave early.
When relocating you should take the time to register you and your family’s details on Australian Red Cross 'Register Find Reunite (RFR). By registering on RFR your family and close friends will be able to find out basic information about your safety and whereabouts if they cannot contact you directly.
In an emergency, phone and internet service is likely to be impacted as is road access. It is important to have a number of routes planned to leave in an emergency situation and to have practiced these prior to the emergency. Do not rely on online maps being available.
Leaving early to avoid road congestion or blocked roads is critically important. Many people have died in emergencies by leaving too late.
In the event of an emergency that significantly impacts the community, an Emergency Relief Centre (ERC) is often established.
An emergency relief centre is:
where you can access relief support services to assist with your immediate needs (you should plan to bring enough food, water and bedding for the first 72 hours if possible)
An emergency relief centre is not:
A place of last resort