The Victorian Government endorses the use of a range of measures to alert communities to emergencies. It achieves this through a varied approach to alerting. This includes the use of telephony, mobile applications, emergency broadcasts on radio and television, web-based messaging, social networks and individual notification by the emergency services.
Community alert sirens are used as part of Victoria’s warning system for emergencies – including flood, fire and storm. Community alert sirens are only used when there is imminent threat to the community.
- Short Siren (up to 90 seconds) – indicates a CFA Brigade has responded to an emergency incident nearby. Stay informed.
- Extended Siren (5 minutes) – indicates that a current emergency has been identified in the local area and people should seek further information immediately. The emergency incident will impact people in this area.
Not all communities have a community alert siren. In Victoria, less than 40 communities have community alert sirens.
For further information, download a copy of the Community Alert Sirens – Policy and Guidelines below.
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The department acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as the Traditional Custodians of the land and acknowledges and pays respect to their Elders, past and present.