Knowing what to do in an emergency can help protect you, your family and colleagues
Most importantly, if you are ever in an emergency situation or you witness a terrorist attack occurring, or suspect an immediate danger, contact Triple Zero (000).
Living or working in Sydney or regional central business districts
If you live or work in the Sydney central business district, North Sydney central business district or other main regional centres, you are encouraged to familiarise yourself with the
emergency plans and programs that could affect and/or assist you in an emergency. Plans are also in place for Wollongong and Newcastle, and other regional centres.
Preparedness at home
In a terrorist incident, electricity may be affected or lost. Other essential services may also fail or suffer performance problems. For example, telephone services can become difficult to access in an emergency due to congestion (ie overuse) or they can be lost entirely due to power failure or to lines being cut in an explosion.
There are things you can do at home to prepare for an emergency such as a terrorist incident. The following lists suggest things you can prepared and what you need to do in an emergency.
Home emergency kit
A basic home emergency kit should include:
- torch (with spare batteries)
- first aid kit and manual
- telephone which doesn't require mains power to operate (e.g. mobile phone)
- list of contact details for family members and emergency services
- supply of medications and hygiene products
- copies of important family documents (birth certificates, passports and licences)
- battery operated radio (with spare batteries).
Preparing to evacuate
If it seems likely you may have to evacuate, you should get together the following:
- mobile phone, spare batteries (if available) and charger
- supplies of prescribed medications (including prescriptions)
- spare home and car keys
- cash and credit cards
- spare clothes and blankets
- prepare your pets, including food andmedications
If you must evacuate
If you are told to leave your home, and it is safe to do so:
- turn off electricity, gas and water supplies, unplug appliances and lock all doors and windows
- Check on any elderly or disabled neighbours - do they need assistance to evacuate?
- If you leave by car, take bottled water and blankets and listen to local radio for safety advice and instructions
- make sure you have arrangements for your pets.
Health emergency preparedness
Information on emergency preparedness about health Is available at the NSW Health website.
Information includes:
- NSW Health's role in an emergency
- mental health impacts
- chemical and radiation emergencies
- infectious diseases, and
- planning and preparedness resources.