Fire, Flood and other Emergencies
Victoria is faced with difficult and varying emergencies and threats every year. Learn more about DPI's role in Emergency Management.
DPI’s emergency planning and recovery programs focus on the provision of advice and support for pasture management, pest and animal control, erosion protection, animal health, livestock feed planning and other common issues during and after an incident.
Contact DPI’s Emergency Response and Recovery Service on 136 186.
Bushfire planning and recovery
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- Bushfire preparation plans
Prepare for the upcoming bushfire season and learn to protect yourself, your livestock and your property from bushfire threats. - Video - Bushfire Preparedness for Small Landholders
The Black Saturday experiences of a Yarra Ranges small farmer and horse owner have been captured by DPI to help other horse owners prepare for the bushfire season. - When bushfire strikes
Your fire plan should have been implemented well before your property and livestock are threatened by fire for your personal safety and the safety of your animals. - Bushfire recovery
Practical steps for primary producers and landholders to get back to business after the emergency vehicles have pulled out. - Emergency contacts
Use this tool to create your own list of emergency contacts specifically targeting your address.
Further information from other organisations
- Dairy Australia - Preparing for fire threats
A key to minimising the impact of fire on your business is to think ahead and be prepared. - Royal Commission Black Saturday Report
- Total fire bans and fire danger ratings
The fire danger ratings and total fire ban declarations across Victoria for today and the next three days. - Country Fire Authority (CFA) warnings and incidents
All calls and reports for assistance by the Department of Sustainability and Environment and CFA. - DSE planned burns
Summary of planned fuel reduction burns on public land. - DSE fire incident summary
- Bureau of Meteorology Forecast Explorer
Interactive maps show temperature, rainfall, weather and wind forecasts across Victoria - VicRoads - Road closures and traffic alerts
The web application provides information about road closures during emergencies. It is map-based to clearly show where all current road closures are located. It is updated 24 hours a day and is also accessible on web-enabled smartphones.
Animal welfare and emergencies
Before, during and after an emergency, 'persons in charge' of animals retain the ultimate 'duty of care' to provide for the welfare needs of animals in their charge. In the event of an emergency, Government acknowledges the supporting role it can play in helping owners or carers meet their responsibilities. DPI is the primary agency for companion animal and livestock welfare support services and is the custodian of the Victorian Emergency Animal Welfare Plan (VEAWP). The VEAWP describes Victoria's emergency animal welfare management arrangements, including the roles and responsibilities of owners, government agencies and other organisations in relation to emergency welfare of companion animals, livestock and wildlife.
More information about animal welfare and emergencies
Floods and droughts
A varying climate creates periods of unexpected high and low rainfall leading to areas of flooding and drought. DPI provides assistance and advice for the industry to care for livestock, crops and pastures during floods and droughts.
Government emergency response plans
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Learn how DPI responds to emergencies including chemical incidents, avian influenza threat, and more.
Testing of these response procedures was performed in an outbreak simulation called Exercise Diva, organised by DPI and involving over 150 staff. Read how the testing was performed and the outcomes of the emergency response exercise.
Assistance and grants
DPI offers programs and assistance to aid farmers and rural communities in the aftermath of an emergency.
Biosecurity and notifiable disease control
Notifiable diseases - your responsibilities and obligations to identify and quarantine specific diseases and protect agriculture in Victoria.
Biosecurity – how threats are monitored, contained and controlled to protect Victoria from biosecurity risks to livestock, crops and waterways.
