Naturally occurring hazards such as bushfires, heat, floods and storms can and do happen in Victoria.
We have developed a series of resources and information to support residential aged care providers in planning and preparedness for natural hazards such as bushfires, heatwaves, floods, storms and earthquakes.
In an emergency
When a residential aged care service in Victoria requires an immediate response from police, fire or ambulance the number to call is triple zero (000).
When a residential aged care service provider makes any decision to relocate residents or shelter in place in an emergency situation, they need to notify the Australian Department of Health - Victorian office, when it is safe to do so by emailing emergency.victas@health.gov.au.
The Department of Health also provides a question and answer on risk management for emergency events in residential aged care.
Emergency preparedness and emergency management planning resources
The department's goal is for all organisations that deliver services within the health and human services sector, including residential aged care services to be well prepared for all emergencies and have emergency management plans appropriate for their clients, staff and communities.
The department's Emergency preparedness have been developed to provide information and advice to services about emergency management planning and preparedness activities.
Extreme heat and heatwave
The department developed the Residential aged care services heatwave ready resource to help Victorian residential aged care services (RACS) plan and prepare for heatwaves.
The resource provides information on heat health and older people. All residents in RACS are potentially at risk of heat-related health problems because they are usually over 65 years of age and are likely to have a complicating condition (such as a medical condition, a disability, poor mobility or dementia).
Heatwave preparations should consider planned responses for:
- minimising any avoidable adverse health effects of extreme heat and heatwave to residents, staff and visitors
- managing a disruption to essential services, such as power, which can affect resident care if prolonged.
The resource advises RACS have strict protocols to manage residents entering and exiting facilities, to prevent unsupervised egress during extreme heat and heatwave events.
Heatwave checklist
Use the heatwave checklist to prepare for hot summers. It covers:
- policies, procedures and protocols
- resident care needs
- staffing
- environment
- equipment, services and supplies.
Natural hazards
The department developed the Residential aged care services natural hazards ready resource to help Victorian residential aged care services (RACS) plan and prepare for natural hazards including bushfires, heat, floods and storms.
RACS must consider several factors when planning and preparing for natural hazards, including residents’ care needs, alternative accommodation, transportation, supplies, equipment and services, staffing, and the physical environment. Services must also consider being a host service and returning home.
Resources for specific threats
The department also prepared summaries for specific threats:
- heat – the heat page has more information
- flood
- storms
- earthquakes
- tsunamis.
The resource also contains:
- suggested contents for evacuation kits
- Ambulance Victoria evacuation template
- Commonwealth Department of Health resident relocation template.
See also the department’s emergency preparedness policy for health and aged care and guidance note.
Emergency Management Victoria provides more information about how to plan for natural disasters.
Emergency contact
RACS must notify the Victorian office of the Commonwealth Department of Health about decisions to relocate residents or shelter in place in an emergency situation. Please email emergencyvic@health.gov.au, when safe to do so.
Reviewed 17 December 2024