Monitor the incident
View the VicEmergency website for up-to-date information
Listen to ABC Local Radio, or your local radio broadcaster.
Make sure everyone is safe
The first thing to do in response to an emergency is to make sure everyone is safe. This should be the first step of your immediate response plan.
Example immediate response plan
The following process is a common immediate response plan for protecting the health and safety of your staff, clients and visitors:
- Evacuate and call emergency services – The staff member trained in and responsible for first point emergency response evacuates all staff, visitors and clients to the designated 'safe place'. If required, call emergency services to respond to the natural disaster and to attend to any injuries.
- Secure the area – Secure the immediate emergency area to prevent further danger to others. In situations that could require police or WorkSafe investigation, securing the area will also prevent potential contamination.
- Document details and complete incident report – Record the details of the emergency so you can report those details to appropriate authorities such as police, WorkSafe or management. Where required, advise staff members' emergency contacts of the incident using the contact information you have recorded in their staff records.
Ensure your staff are aware of the immediate response plan.
Follow your emergency management plan
In an emergency, often shock and trauma will take over and you'll be unable to respond to the emergency with the same mental clarity you believe you would.
Having an emergency management plan in advance will help guide your actions to make sure nothing is missed – making it more likely the situation will have the best possible outcome.
Emergency management plan template (PDF 23.38 KB) 
Communication
Use social media accounts, website or phone to update staff, clients and other stakeholders of the current business operations