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Victoria's peak emergency services agencies stand ready to support its communities through the state's longest and hottest heatwave in over 100 years, Premier John Brumby said yesterday at a special briefing at the Integrated Emergency Coordination Centre (iECC).
The Premier was briefed on contingency and emergency arrangements put in place by firefighting bodies (CFA, MFB and the Department of Sustainability and Environment), Ambulance Victoria, the Emergency Services Commissioner, the Chief Health Officer and the National Electricity Market Management Company (NEMMCO).
With temperatures over the next four days to peak in the excess of 40 degrees, the Premier urged Victorians to be vigilant and to look out for each other, and to especially check on those who are most at risk during the heatwave.
“People most at risk are people over 65 years, particularly those living alone without air conditioning, infants, pregnant women and nursing mothers, people who are unwell, especially with heart disease or high blood pressure and people on medication for mental illness,” he said.
The Premier called on Victorians to take the necessary precautions to minimise risk to themselves as well as their pets in the extreme heat. These include keeping hydrated, limiting outdoor activity, wearing sunscreen if outdoors, drinking plenty of water and fluids, and to ensure that animals have access to cool and shady areas during the day.
The heatwave also posed a serious fire risk for the state and the Premier urged communities living in bushfire areas to "have a fire plan for your family and pets and know in advance if you intend to stay and defend your property or leave the area before the fire threatens.
“If you decide to leave – make sure you do so before road travel becomes dangerous.”
The Premier also called on Victorians who are looking for ways to stay cool during the heatwave to play it safe by the water and be wise with energy consumption, as demand for energy is expected to reach record levels.
He added that people facing emergency medical situations as a result of the heat, or those dealing with fire should ring 000, while others needing less urgent medical assistance can also call the Nurse on Call service on 1300 60 60 24. Anyone with power supply issues should call their local provider.
People can also listen to ABC radio for emergency updates, call the Victorian Bushfire Information Line on 1800 240 667 or log on to www.fireready.vic.gov.au for further information.
More photos below of the briefing at the iECC yesterday:
top left: (l-r) Victorian Premier John Brumby briefs the media at the iECC, on his left is Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE) Chief Officer Ewan Waller.
top right:Victorian Premier John Brumby at the special briefing in the iECC yesterday.
bottom left: CFA Chief Officer Russell Rees speaks at the special briefing in the iECC yesterday.
bottom right: Emergency Services Commissioner Bruce Esplin briefing the media at the iECC yesterday.
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