Prepare your Emergency Plan
Print out copies of the Household Emergency Plan checklist and wallet emergency cards
It’s important to plan ahead and be prepared so that during an emergency you and your household know what to do, where to go, how to keep in touch with each other and how to contact emergency services as required.
Develop your emergency plan with as many household members as possible, to ensure everyone understands the risks and appropriate actions to take in an emergency.
Print a copy of the Household Emergency Plan to record your agreed plans and strategies for each of these issues.
Once completed, make extra copies of your Emergency Plan for:
- Your household members
- Your family, friends and neighbours
- Display on the fridge or notice board
- Your Emergency Kit.
Here are four steps to assist you in preparing your Emergency Plan. Click on each step for further information.
1. Research hazards and disaster management arrangements in your community
- What potential natural hazards could impact your community? Check with your local library, local council and ask long-term local neighbours and friends about the natural disasters they’ve experienced.
- Below is a list of some of the natural hazards faced in Queensland, along with specific tips on how you can prepare and react:
- Is there any local information and Disaster Management Plans for these hazards that you can access?
- Check with your local library and local council;
- Is there any information on local warning systems, evacuation processes and nominated evacuation routes;
- Ask about the details of emergency and evacuation plans at your workplace, school, daycare and other places frequented by household members; and
- Find out if your workplace, school, daycare agency etc. need details of your emergency contacts.
- What local support is available to you and your household in case of an emergency?
- Ask for the contact details of local support agencies and record them on your Household Emergency Plan
- Find out if there is special assistance available in case you need to evacuate or your household includes members with special needs.
- Become familiar with weather warnings issued by the Bureau of Meteorology
- Do you know the difference between a ‘cyclone watch’ and a ‘cyclone warning’?
- What actions do you need to take when a ‘cyclone warning’ or a ‘flood warning’ is issued?
2. Discuss possible scenarios and responses with your family / household
- Discuss with your household the various natural hazards and potential scenarios.
- What would you do in the event of each emergency?
- Where might you be when an emergency occurs?
- Depending on the type of emergency, decide how you would keep in touch with each other and where you would meet.
- Does everyone know the Standard Emergency Warning Signal (SEWS) and what to do when this warning is issued? To learn more about SEWS, click here.
- Does everyone know to tune into the local ABC radio station to hear updates and warnings?
- You may also need to Prepare for Evacuation. Discuss where to go if you weren’t able to return home, or if you have to leave your home.
- Nominate two meeting places in case of an emergency, one near your home and another outside your neighbourhood that everyone can easily get to.
- Nominate two family members or friends who do not live with you (one local and one interstate) to be household emergency contacts in case you and your family become separated. Ensure all household members know how to contact these people.
- Discuss medical conditions of household members. Include essential medications and dosages in your Emergency Kit.
- Discuss what preparation needs to be done for your pets.
3. Record important details on your Household Emergency Plan
Print out a copy of the Household Emergency Plan to record the following details:
- Emergency and related phone numbers: Triple Zero (000); 132 500 (SES); medical services; local council; electricity and other service providers; insurance providers; relatives and friends in your Emergency Plan.
- All householder mobile phones, other phone numbers such as work, school, childcare providers, friends, neighbours and your household emergency contacts.
- Details of the two meeting places you have nominated.
- Any specific medical conditions, essential medications and dosage.
- Details for your pets - description, photo, veterinarian contact details, medication.
- Radio frequency of your local ABC radio station, Bureau of Meteorology website and telephone weather services for local warnings.
4. Ensure everyone in your household is prepared for emergencies
- Prepare an Emergency Kit and store in a safe, accessible place.
- Review and practise your Emergency Plan regularly (three times per year).
- Teach children how and when to call Triple Zero (000) in an emergency (use 112 from mobile phones). Only call Triple Zero (000) if you believe the emergency is life threatening, critical or serious.
- Ensure householders have current First Aid certification. Include a fully stocked First Aid Kit in your Emergency Kit. First aid training and equipment is provided by the Queensland Ambulance Service.
- Create wallet emergency cards for all household members to refer to when activating your Emergency Plan.
- Ensure everyone knows where, how and when to turn off the main power, water and gas supply in case of evacuation.
- Display your Emergency Plan on the fridge or household notice board, provide copies to household members, relevant friends, family and neighbours and keep a copy in your Emergency Kit.
- Consider joining a community emergency service organisation such as the State Emergency Service (SES) to learn more and to help your community prepare for and respond to natural disasters.
Print out Household Emergency Plan and wallet emergency cards
PDF – Household Emergency Plan Template
PDF – Wallet Emergency Cards
Last updated 12 Jan 2009
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