Please note: this is an archived news article release

This article was published on Friday, 23 December, 2016. The information contained within may be out of date or inaccurate. News articles and media releases older than 60 days are archived for future reference.

New App To Put People First During Emergencies

Posted on Friday 23rd of December, 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.

VicEmergency app and new VicEmergency Hotline – 1800 226 226.

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.

Victorians can download the free app from their mobile phone app store or at www.emv.vic.gov.au. For existing FireReady users, the new VicEmergency app is available as an update.

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.