Flow's Emergency Contact List

Living in regional Australia, we all know the risks - with a chance of bushfires, snake sightings and potential rural crime, isolation can often be an issue.

To help keep you safe and up to date this season, Flow FM has put together a list of all the emergency contacts you might need.

In a life threatening emergency, always dial Triple Zero (000) for police, fire or ambulance.

• Is someone seriously injured or in need of urgent medical help?

• Is your life or property being threatened?

• Have you just witnessed a serious accident or crime?

If you answered YES call Triple Zero (000). Triple Zero calls are free.

When you call Triple Zero (000) remember:

• Do you want Police, Fire or Ambulance?

• Stay calm, don't shout, speak slowly and clearly.

• Tell us exactly where to come. Give an address or location.

For state-specific contacts, the following links and numbers are there to help you:

Vic Emergency and Emergency NSW are important websites to keep you up to date. They both display emergency events such as fires, floods, power outages and more, on a real-time map. Both websites also have an app available, where you can create local watch zones to keep an eye on your region.

• VicEmergency Hotline 1800 226 226

• SA Country Fire Service (CFS) Headquarters 8463 4200

• Vic Country Fire Authority (CFA) Headquarters 03 9262 8444

• NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS) 1800 679 737

• CFS Bushfire Information Line 1300 362 361

• Vic Burn-off notification 1800 668 511

• Crime Stoppers 1800 333 000

• For non-urgent police assistance 131 444

• Vic Police News

• SA Police News

• NSW Police News

• State Emergency Service (SES) 132 500 for help with a damaged roof, rising flood water, trees fallen on buildings or storm damage.

• SA road closures

• Vic road closures

• NSW road closures

• Weather and warnings - Bureau of Meteorology (03) 9669 4000 - also tune into Flow FM for warnings and advice.

• Lifeline available for mental health support 24/7 on 13 11 14

• Beyond Blue 1300 22 4636

• Australian Government health advice 1800 022 222

• National Centre for Farmer Health (03) 5551 8533

• Poisons Information Line 13 11 26

If you are deaf, hard of hearing or speech impaired, you can contact police, fire or ambulance through the National Relay Service:

• If you are a TTY user dial 106.

• Speak and Listen users dial 1800 555 727 then ask for 000.

• Internet Relay users visit the following link www.iprelay.com.au/call/index.aspx and then type in 000.

Dealing with a snake bite:

• For all snake bites, provide emergency care including cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) if needed.

• Call triple zero (000) for an ambulance.

• Apply a pressure immobilisation bandage and keep the person calm and as still as possible until medical help arrives.

• Avoid washing the bite area because any venom left on the skin can help identify the snake.

• DO NOT apply a tourniquet, cut the wound or attempt to suck the venom out.

Tips for preparing for a bush fire:

You have a much better chance of surviving a bushfire if you have:

• a written and practised Bushfire Survival Plan

• a well-maintained home.

You also need to consider physical and emotional effects a bushfire will have on you and your family.

Preparing yourself psychologically or emotionally to cope with a bushfire is as important as preparing your home and surroundings.

Think beforehand about how you, your family and neighbours will react during a bushfire threat.

Then develop your plan after talking with family, neighbours and people whom have experienced a bushfire.

Developing a Bushfire Survival Plan will help you to make the important decision of whether you want to stay and actively defend your home or leave early.

You need to be physically capable to defend your family and home during a bushfire.

Practise your Bushfire Survival Plan and check whether you can:

• lift items such as hoses, knapsack sprayers and furniture that may have to be moved

• get up into the roof space to check for embers

• patrol inside and outside for long periods.

If you have concerns after you have made your assessment, consider whether you could modify your plan to enable you to cope.

For example, you can half fill your knapsack sprayer with water or stand it on a bench when filling it to avoid having to pick it up off the floor.

A good general check is to go for a brisk 30-minute walk. If you are unable to walk briskly for that length of time you should reconsider your plan to stay and defend your property.

If you or a member of your family has a temporary condition such as a broken arm during the fire season, consider how that might affect your Bushfire Survival Plan.

Know and practise your Bushfire Survival Plan so that you and your family can follow it, even when under stress.