Info about Emergency Warnings

KNOW THE SIGNS: NATIONAL CAMPAIGN TO HELP PEOPLE IN NEW ENGLAND TO BETTER UNDERSTAND EMERGENCY WARNINGS

The Australian Government has launched a $2 million national campaign to ensure Australians impacted by bushfires and other natural hazards better understand what to do when they receive a warning message.

The education campaign will initially appear on social and digital channels, with local agencies targeting key audiences, providing information on the three levels of warnings and the high-level actions the public need to take to stay safe.

The three warning categories are:

• Advice: An incident has started. There is no immediate danger. Stay up to date in case the situation changes.
• Watch and Act: There is a heightened level of threat. Conditions are changing and you need to start taking action now to protect you and your family.
• Emergency Warning: An Emergency Warning is the highest level of warning. You may be in danger and need to take action immediately. Any delay now puts your life at risk.

Deputy Prime Minister and Member for New England, Barnaby Joyce said the Australian Warning System is now in place to alert the local community of bushfires.

“It will extend over time to include floods, storms, cyclones, extreme heat and severe weather events,” the Deputy Prime Minister said. “The campaign will ensure that we all have a clear understanding of what we need to do when we see an emergency warning message, regardless of where we’re living, working or holidaying. This will potentially save lives. I commend our local firies and emergency service agencies who have worked with their counterparts in other jurisdictions to make this life-saving initiative happen.”