Emergency Management

Building Resilience in the Community
Community resilience is greatly enhanced by fostering strong social connections, supporting the well-being of individuals, and promoting preparedness across all levels. When communities collaborate, share resources, and support each other, they create a foundation of trust and collective strength, which is crucial during times of crisis.
A key element of building resilience is ensuring that families are prepared for emergencies. Having a written and practiced emergency plan for your family not only helps in reducing panic during a disaster but also ensures that everyone knows their role and the steps to take. A well-structured plan can include evacuation routes, communication protocols, emergency contacts, and a basic kit with essential supplies like food, water, and first aid items.
By regularly reviewing and practicing this plan, families can feel more confident in their ability to respond to unexpected situations, thus enhancing their resilience. Furthermore, when families are prepared, they contribute to the overall resilience of the larger community by reducing the burden on emergency services and allowing for quicker recovery.
To Report an emergency please call 000
This project has been supported by the Local Government Research and Development Scheme administered by the Local Government Association of SA.
Who do I contact?
For emergency or life-threatening situations - Call 000 (triple zero)
Non-emergency medical assistance - Health Direct Australia 1800 022 222
For Mental Health Triage - Call 134 565
For emergency assistance and rescue service - Call SES on 132 500
Website - www.ses.sa.gov.au
Non-English speaking assistance -
For Emergency information and resources for Culturally and Linguistically Diverse groups (CALD), please access the Translation link to assist with emergency information.
Click here for translation - SASES - Translated Resources
Easy English resources and fact sheets available here -
Essentials Services Disruption
SA Water -
Burst Mains Water and sewage Call 1300 729 283
South Australian Power Network (SAPN) –
General Enquiries - P: 13 12 61 (Monday - Friday from 9am - 5pm)
Outages and Hazards – P: 13 13 66 (24/7)
To report an outage click here
Sign up for online outage alerts here
First Aid
Providing First Aid - First Aid Essential Guide
Emergency plans and property management
Disaster resilience relies on everyone doing their part to reduce risk.
Residents and business owners can support our communities disaster resilience by taking specific actions including -
- Having a written and practiced emergency plan
Red Cross rediplan disaster preparedness guide
Before a fire - be prepared - CFS
Bushfire Survival Plan - CFS - Psychological preparedness
How to prepare psychologically for a natural disaster - Preparing for Natural Disasters - Planning for pets and livestock
- Preparing your property
Ensure that your house, garden, and property are adequately prepared, such as removing flammable materials, clearing gutters, and trimming overgrown vegetation, this will significantly help our communities resilience.
Preparing your home & property - CFS
Every step you take helps everyone. Together, we can positively impact our landscape.
Telecross REDi Service
This service supports registered people by calling them during extreme heat events to check on their wellbeing.
Call the Red Cross to register yourself or someone you look after on 1800 188 071 or 8100 4510 or email SACLientService@redcross.org.au
During extreme heat events -
- Drink plenty of fluids
- Replace salt and minerals
- Wear appropriate clothing and sunscreen
- Stay cool indoors and schedule outdoor activities carefully
- Do not leave children or pets in cars
- If working use a buddy system to check on your teammates
- Plan your day around the heat.
Preparations for people with Disabilities
Preparing for a disaster when you are living with a disability can often require additional planning and assistance when a disaster strikes. The Person-Centred Emergency Preparedness (P-CEP) Resource Package was Co-designed and tested with people with disability, it enables people to self assess their preparedness, capabilities, support needs and develop a personal emergency plan.
Person-Centred Emergency Preparedness (P-CEP) Resource Package
If you are living with a disability -
- Plan for having meeting points with carers.
- Keep copies of important documents (insurance, IDs, Medical records) in a safe, portable location or electronically in the cloud.
- Develop strategies for managing stress and anxiety during emergencies (e.g. Mindfulness techniques).
- Identify your strengths and supports in everyday life.
- Create an emergency bag with medications and written emergency numbers should technology fail or we have a power outage.
Vulnerable people
Monitor those at high risk -
- Infants and children up to four years of age
- People 65 years of age or
- People who overexert during work or exercise
- People who are physically ill, especially with heart disease or high blood pressure
Community Emergency Management Plan - click here
Emergencies can happen at any time without warning. The Australian Red Cross has an emergency REDiPlan, which you can download and fill out, or download their Get Prepared app. It outlines 4 steps to prepare your household for an emergency such as a natural disaster:
Step 1: Get in the know —
Know the dangers you are likely to face in your area and how to manage your stress. Find out who can help and know where to get information in an emergency. The official emergency broadcaster is the ABC. You can find your radio frequency at ABC Local Radio.
Step 2: Get connected —
Decide on a meeting place with all members of your household, including children, and connect with people in your community who could help you in an emergency. Write a list of phone numbers of people you can talk to and who can help you in an emergency, and keep it handy.
Step 3: Get organised —
Get or update your insurance, store important documents somewhere safe, and keep copies in a safe place other than your home. Plan what to do with pets or livestock.
Step 4: Get packing —
Before an emergency or natural disaster think about and pack things that you might need to help you get through the first difficult days outside of home.
The Red Cross suggests you should pack:
- Important documents such as passports, wills, land titles, mortgage or insurance papers
- Food, water and some cash
- warm, waterproof clothing and comfortable shoes
- Torch and batteries
- Radio and batteries, mobile phone and device chargers
- First aid kit, your medicines and prescriptions
- Pet essentials
Understand your level of bushfire risk so you can prepare your property and protect your health.
State Emergency Services (SES) - 132 500
SES can supply a limited number of sandbags if you have warning prior to an event
For Fact Sheet - How to sand bag your home click here
For Emergency Kit Checklist click here
Crisis helplines and support
Crisis helplines for topics including abuse, children, disability, domestic violence, gambling, homelessness, legal, seniors and victim support click here
Sleeping Rough in Mid Murray
- Homeless Connect - 1800 003 308
- SA Housing Authority - 131 299
- accare 29 Bridge Street, Murray Bridge - 08 8531 4900
- Bolto Reserve Campground – $10 per night - 8569 1402
- Palmer Cricket Ground – camping toilets / BBQ area - 8569 4026
- Walker Flat – Swap Hen Reserve – Free Toilet/ BBQ
- Walker Flat – Hettner Landing – Free toilets / BBQ / Angus Valley road
Needing Food Support in Mid Murray
- ADRA Community pantry, Wednesday 2 - 4pm ,17-19 King George street Mannum
- accare – Murray Bridge, 29 Bridge Street, Murray Bridge - 08 8531 4900
- accare – Riverland, 5 Kealley street, Berri - 08 8580 5300
- Meals on Wheels SA Morgan - 1800 854 453
- Meals on Wheels Mannum - 1800 854 453
- iREACH Rural Health – Mental Health care plan from GP - P: 08 8531 1303 W: www.ireach.org.au
- Mental Health Triage 24/7 - P: 131 465
- Life line - P: 131 114 or text 0477 131 114 W: lifeline.org.au
- Kids Helpline (5-25 years old) - P: 1800 551 800
- Beyond Blue - P: 1300 224 636 W: beyondblue.org.au
- Suicide Prevention Australia - P: 1300 659 467 W: suicidepreventionaus.org
- Regional Access Program - P: 1300 032 186
Free Legal Help - P: 1300 850 650
Legal Services - Commission South Australia - Free Legal Advice
In an emergency, local councils in South Australia work closely with various stakeholders such as government organizations, businesses, and the community to manage the situation and ensure a coordinated response. Here is a summary of the key responsibilities and processes involved:
- Collaboration with Key Agencies:
- South Australian Police, State Government, and Emergency Services play vital roles in coordinating the response to emergencies.
- Councils work with these agencies to ensure the emergency is managed effectively at all levels.
- Council's Role in Response and Recovery:
- Emergency Response: Councils assist in removing public infrastructure, managing traffic, and clearing roads. They also coordinate the closure of roads if needed, ensuring that the public is kept safe.
- Community Communication: Councils are responsible for informing communities about local impacts, such as road closures or service disruptions, to ensure people are kept up to date.
- Staff Coordination: Local councils also manage their staff to ensure that personnel are deployed to where they are needed, providing vital support to emergency services.
- Resource Provision: Councils supply equipment and manpower to assist emergency services in managing the disaster.
- Recovery and Rebuilding: Once the immediate danger has passed, councils prepare for recovery, including advocating for disaster relief for affected communities and supporting the rebuilding of public infrastructure.
- Guidance and Framework:
- Councils follow the State Emergency Management Plan and the Local Government Emergency Management Framework, which outline the roles and responsibilities of local governments in emergencies.
- These frameworks ensure that all sectors, including local councils, understand their duties and collaborate effectively.
- Risk Management and Preparedness:
- Mid Murray Council is part of the Murray and Mallee Zone in South Australia, which is one of 11 Emergency Management Zones. Each zone has specific plans to address local risks, and councils work in line with these zone-specific strategies.
- Councils also use the SASES Zone Emergency Management Plans to understand and manage natural disaster risks specific to their region.
- National Strategy for Disaster Resilience:
- Disaster resilience is a collective responsibility. It involves all sectors—government, business, non-government organizations, and communities—working together.
- Active planning and preparation are key in increasing resilience to disasters, particularly in protecting life and property based on the unique risks of the locality.
Through proactive planning, coordination with key agencies, and a shared responsibility for resilience, local councils help to ensure the safety and recovery of communities affected by disasters in South Australia. Below is some of the natural disasters you may experience in Mid Murray:
Floods - Floods can occur suddenly or gradually, and they vary in size and severity. Flooding can lead to significant damage to property, infrastructure, and the environment, as well as pose risks to human health and safety. It is often classified into different types, such as river floods, coastal floods, flash floods, and urban floods, depending on the cause and location of the event.
Bushfires - A bushfire (also known as a wildfire or forest fire) is an uncontrolled fire that spreads rapidly through vegetation, such as grass, shrubs, trees, and forest areas, typically in rural or wilderness environments. Bushfires are most common in regions with hot, dry climates and can be caused by a variety of factors, including lightning strikes, human activities (such as campfires or discarded cigarettes), and arson. Bushfires can spread quickly due to dry conditions, strong winds, and the availability of flammable vegetation, posing significant risks to human life, wildlife, and property.
Extreme Weather events (Heat & Storm) - An extreme weather event refers to any weather phenomenon that significantly deviates from the usual or expected patterns, often causing substantial damage or disruption. These events are typically rare and can include conditions that are unusually intense, severe, or prolonged. Extreme weather events are often linked to climate change, which is increasing the frequency and intensity of some of these occurrences.
Hazardous material leakages or escapes - Refers to the accidental release or spilling of substances that pose a threat to human health, safety, property, or the environment. These materials can include chemicals, radioactive substances, flammable liquids, gases, or other toxic or corrosive substances. The leakage can occur in various settings, such as industrial plants, laboratories, transportation routes, or storage facilities.
Earthquakes - Is a sudden and violent shaking of the ground, caused by the movement of tectonic plates beneath the Earth's surface. These movements occur when stress from built-up energy causes the Earth's crust to break or slip along faults, leading to seismic waves that propagate through the Earth. Earthquakes can vary in size, from small tremors to massive quakes that cause widespread damage.
In fast moving emergencies you may not receive a warning or a recommendation to evacuate. If you do, you may receive an emergency warning from a number of sources such as:
· Telephone emergency alert (fixed line and SMS)
· Emergency broadcasters (radio and television)
· Emergency service websites or apps
· Door Knocking
· Police vehicle loudspeaker
What do I do when I am advised to evacuate?
Follow ALL directions and instructions from emergency services. If time permits, secure your premises and collect any valuables, including your emergency kit.
What do I do about my animals?
You need to pre-plan for pets and livestock in the event of an emergency. Leave early with your pet emergency kit and your emergency kit.
What if I require assistance to evacuate?
If you require assistance to evacuate, take this into account as part of your Emergency Plan. If you do not have transport to leave the area, have an alternative plan in place. This could be leaving with a neighbour or arranging for family to help you.
Where should I go?
You should go to the safe location advised in the warning. Once you have evacuated to the safe location, advise people so they know where you are and that you are safe.
DO NOT RETURN UNTIL YOU ARE ADVISED THAT IT IS SAFE TO DO SO
Not every town has a Last Refuge or a Safe Place to evacuate to. Please find an Emergency Management Plan for each town that has a designated area:
For contacts in the community you live in refer to Councils Community Directory
Mental health can be significantly impacted during crises and uncertain times, such as when facing a global pandemic, economic hardship, or personal challenges. These events can trigger anxiety, stress, and a sense of helplessness. However, taking proactive steps to manage emotional health is crucial for both individual well-being and the well-being of the family unit.
Here are a few strategies that can help promote mental health during difficult times:
1) Open Communication
Keeping lines of communication open with family members is vital. Sharing your thoughts and feelings can help everyone process emotions and feel supported. Encourage regular check-ins, whether it's a family meeting or casual conversations, so that each person feels heard and understood.
2) Routine and Structure
In times of uncertainty, having a predictable routine can bring a sense of stability. Establishing daily routines helps reduce anxiety and adds a sense of control. This can include setting regular times for meals, work or school, physical activity, and relaxation.
3) Physical Activity and Rest
Exercise is not just good for the body, but also for the mind. It helps reduce stress and release endorphins, which are natural mood boosters. At the same time, ensuring that everyone gets enough sleep is crucial. Lack of rest can exacerbate stress and emotional strain.
4) Mindfulness and Stress Management
Techniques like deep breathing, meditation, or mindfulness can help calm the mind and lower stress. Practices such as yoga or journaling can also provide an outlet for difficult emotions, improving overall mental clarity and well-being.
5) Limit Exposure to Distressing News
While staying informed is important, constantly consuming negative news can increase anxiety. It’s okay to set boundaries around news consumption and take breaks from media when needed. Stay informed, but also make time for activities that promote relaxation and joy.
6) Seek Support When Needed
Sometimes, it’s okay not to be okay. If you or a family member are feeling overwhelmed, seeking support from a mental health professional can be incredibly helpful. Therapists, counsellors, or support groups can offer guidance and coping strategies tailored to the specific challenges you're facing.
7) Practice Compassion
During times of crisis, it's essential to practice self-compassion and extend that compassion to others in your family. It's normal to have ups and downs, and offering understanding instead of judgment can create a more supportive and nurturing environment.
8) Engage in Meaningful Activities
Whether it’s pursuing hobbies, connecting with nature, or volunteering, engaging in activities that align with personal values and bring joy can provide a sense of purpose and help create positive distractions from stress.
By taking these steps, individuals and families can strengthen their resilience, manage emotional distress, and improve their overall mental well-being. Even in challenging times, these strategies can help maintain balance and foster emotional health.
Please click on pictures below to access resources , tools and strategies for building resilience, mental wellbeing, mindfulness and steps to look after yourself.