Digital Emergency Preparedness Kit
Access essential guides, fact sheets, and local contacts to help you prepare, respond, and stay safe during emergencies in our community.
Hills Region Resilience & Emergency Management Kit Project 2025
Background: An EVA Resilience Working Group was formed in March 2024 after the short but ferocious storm in February. The Working Group became a subcommittee led by Claude Cullino. Initial work produced an Action Plan and a Narrative for lobbying ERV headed up by Jaclyn Symes and other politicians, and lodged a comprehensive submission to the DEECA Expert Panel. In January 2025 the group’s focus narrowed to delivering the ‘Kit” Project, with bigger picture power and telecommunications work moving to EVA’s Planning, Tourism & Environment subcommittee.
AusNet Energy Education and Literacy Grant: EVA applied for, and received funding for a Hills Community Information Kit with the significant assistance of a team member from Cockatoo. The kit would develop, produce and distribute Emergency Information kits across all Hills communities, to improve the resilience of individual households when the power goes down.
The project took some initial working out, given it was the first collaboration across many communities – Emerald, Avonsleigh, Cockatoo, Gembrook, Macclesfield and Upper Beaconsfield. By March 2025 we had a clear view of how to deliver the project and received AusNet’s approval to revise some of the original proposal. We used the Council’s Ready Get Go bags as our prototype, changing the appearance and words to suit our purpose and recognise AusNet. We received enthusiastic support from all levels of government and first responder organisations with material to include in the bags as well as some of the printing cost for material we made ourselves.
With all material and the bags to hand, we completed the packing and sorting in the first two weeks of August. First delivery was to Emerald Preschool took place on 15th August with the rest to go out mainly via primary schools, by the end of September. In October feedback will be collated for the acquittal on 31st October.
It has been an excellent community building exercise bringing all our communities together. We celebrate bringing a successful project to fruition and witness more instances of community connectedness occur since.
What's Included?
Are You Ready for an Emergency’ Booklet
A 42-page guide for preparing your household for bushfires, storms, and other emergencies. Created through collaboration between local councils, emergency services, and government agencies.
Red Cross ‘Get Prepared’ App Flyer
Create a RediPlan with the Red Cross Australia app and get tips for preparing for fire, storms, and floods.
First 72 Hours Plan & Tri-fold Info Flyer
Learn what to do during the first critical three days after an emergency, developed by Alpine and Moira Shire Councils with CFA, VICSES, and community partners.
Total Fire Ban Days Flyer
Understand when a Total Fire Ban is declared, fire danger ratings, restrictions, and how to stay safe.
Sewerage During an Extended Outage
Fact sheet on managing pressure sewer systems during power outages, plus more resources for sewerage system owners.
When to Call SES Flyer
Know when to call the Victoria State Emergency Service for help and access their full list of emergency resources.
Neighbourhood Watch – Eastern Ranges
Join your local Neighbourhood Watch group, connect with the Safer Places Network, and help keep our community safe.
Local Emergency Guides
Stay prepared with these quick-reference guides for your town. Each PDF contains essential emergency numbers, local contacts, and preparedness tips tailored for your community.
Emergency Preparedness Questionnaire
Share your feedback on the emergency kit resources to help improve our community’s resilience.
