Emergencies can be medical or family violence, natural disasters (such as floods, bushfires or heatwaves), communicable diseases (such as pandemic influenza) or a chemical, biological and radioactive emergency.
In Victoria, the emergency services work together when there is a major emergency and they also work with Councils, government departments and community organisations to provide the help and support needed by people affected by the emergency.
Emergency Agencies include:
• Ambulance Victoria
• Victoria Police
• Metropolitan Fire Brigade
• Country Fire Authority
• State Emergency Services
• Whitehorse City Council
Emergency management agency and Council roles and responsibilities are defined in the Emergency Management Manual Victoria (EMMV).
Depending on the type of emergency and the help needed, more than one emergency service provider may be involved. More information is available at the web sites listed below
Ambulance Victoria
Ambulance Victoria responds to medical emergencies and provides transport to hospital.
Medical emergencies may be as a result of:
- Road, air, rail or water accidents and injuries
- A fire that threatens life or property
- Explosions or bomb incidents
- Trapped person(s)
- Violence (assault/fights/domestic)
- Trauma (injury) including severe pain, bleeding and unconsciousness
- Breathing difficulties - e.g. severe asthma, allergic reactions
- Diabetic low (fainting/disorientated/acting strangely)
- Drug overdoses
- Drowning
- Electric shocks/burns/industrial accidents
- Heart attacks or suspected heart attack
- Stroke or suspected stroke
For emergency assistance from Ambulance Victoria call Triple Zero (000).
Ambulance Victoria have specialised teams that responds major emergencies such as fire, floods and heatwaves.
If your medical condition is not urgent you should see your Doctor instead.
Note: Emergency medical transport services are not free and are not covered by Medicare.
You can become an Ambulance Victoria member and be protected against the cost of transport and treatment by paramedics.
Victoria Police
Victoria Police upholds the law to promote a safe, secure and orderly society. Victoria Police does this by:
• Preserving the peace
• Protecting life and property
• Preventing offences
• Detecting and apprehending offenders
• Helping those in need of assistance
For emergency assistance from the police call Triple Zero (000).
If you require police assistance but it is not an emergency you can contact or visit your local police station.
Police Station
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Address
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Phone
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Hours of Operation
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Box Hill
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1 Kangerong Road Box Hill VIC 3128
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8892 3200
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24/7
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Forest Hill
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469 Springvale Road Vermont South VIC 3131
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8847 3600
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24/7
|
|
Burwood
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3 Scott Grove Burwood VIC 3125
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9888 8377
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Non-24 hours
|
Fire Services
In Victoria there are two fire services including:
In Whitehorse, the MFB will respond to a fire.
Both fire organisations provide fire and emergency management services as detailed below.
Prevention
- Information and education to people in the community, organisations and businesses about preventing fires
- The CFA conduct controlled burns – planned fires by the fire service to reduce the danger of large fires
Preparedness
- Information to help people to plan what they will do if there is an emergency at their home or workplace
- Working with other organisations to plan what will happen if there is a large emergency
Response
Fire services respond to:
- fires and explosions
- hazardous incidents including spills and gas leaks
- people trapped in buildings and structures
- automatic alarms
- road accidents
- search and rescue
- marine incidents
- medical emergencies
Recovery
- The fire brigade work with other organisations to make sure people affected by the emergency receive services and supports.
For emergency assistance for fires call Triple Zero (000).
State Emergency Services (VICSES)
VICSES is a volunteer-based organisation that provides emergency help in extreme weather conditions such as floods or storms.
VICSES volunteers provide temporary repairs by cutting tree branches that have fallen on homes and covering damage to roofs.
VICSES work with Victoria Police, Ambulance Victoria, Fire Services and government departments during fire and other emergency situations. They also assist Victoria Police in search and rescue situations. For emergency assistance from VICSES call 132 500.
If a person's life is in danger call 000.
Please remember the work undertaken by VICSES will make things safe but it is temporary and you should ring your insurer or tradespeople to make the permanent repairs.
VICSES Volunteers are clearly identified by their orange uniforms with VICSES logo.
Whitehorse City Council
Under the Local Government Act 1989 and the Emergency Management Act 2013, Councils play a critical role in Victoria's emergency management.
Council is not an emergency response agency, however, Council works closely with Ambulance Victoria, the MFB, VICSES, Victoria Police and the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) to develop the City of Whitehorse Emergency Management Plan ( PDF 2.11MB) to prepare for and help the community during an emergency.
Council provides support to the MFB, VICSES and Victoria Police during emergencies when requested, by coordinating resources and establishing a Municipal Emergency Coordination Centre (MECC) if required.
Council’s largest role is to provide relief services such as establishing an Emergency Relief Centre and coordinate community recovery after an emergency.
Council also raises funds for fire services such as the MFB through the Fire Services Property Levy. This levy is specified on your rates notice.
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