Emergency information
Alert SA
The Alert SA Mobile App is managed by SAFECOM and can be downloaded for free on both Android and IOS phones and allows push-notifications about bushfire alerts, warnings, updates, fire danger ratings and total fire bans of interest to users. By allowing Alert SA users to create multiple Watch Zones they are able to specify areas of interest to them and receive timely, relevant bushfire information during the bushfire season.
Emergency Alert
Emergency Alert is the national telephone warning system used by emergency management agencies where during emergencies such as fire, flood or extreme weather events, your landline or mobile telephone may be used to send voice messages to landlines and text messages to mobile phones within a defined area about likely or actual emergencies.
You do not need to register for Emergency Alert.
It is also important to remember that power failures will prevent cordless phones from working and disasters may damage telephone infrastructure in your area or prevent mobile reception. The emergency might be happening too fast to get a warning out.
Emergency Alert is just one way of warning communities and will not be used in all circumstances. Emergency Alert relies on telecommunications networks to send messages, and message delivery cannot be guaranteed. There are a range of reasons why you may not receive a text message on your mobile phone including your text message inbox was full or your mobile phone was switched off or not in coverage.
An Emergency Alert message is just one way to warn a community and will not be issued in all circumstances. You should be prepared in the event of an emergency, continue to use a range of information sources and stay aware of local conditions. Do not wait to receive an alert before acting. The Emergency Alert service is available across all telephone networks.
More information on Emergency Alert
Advice and warning system
South Australia's warnings framework is aligned to the National Bushfire Scaled Advice and Warnings system, and encompasses a three-level bushfire alert system: ‘Advice;’ ‘Watch and Act;’ and ‘Emergency Warning.’ South Australia implemented the new national warning symbols in coordination with other Emergency Services agencies and jurisdictions, including VIC, ACT and NSW.
The alert system is an important framework used by emergency services agencies to indicate to the public the level of threat from a fire and the recommended action that should be taken. The higher the warning level, the greater the risk to life and property.
- Advice (colour yellow) - messages to keep people informed and up to date with developments.
- Watch and Act (colour orange) - messages support the need for people to be aware of their situation and the circumstances around them and to take action to prepare and protect themselves, their family and neighbours.
- Emergency Warning (colour red) - warning when there is the highest level of risk to life and property.
Australian Warning System
As part of a new Australian Warning System, the way that incidents are displayed has changed. The Australian Warning System is a new national approach to information and warnings during emergencies like bushfire, flood, storm, extreme heat and severe weather.
The Australian Warning System uses a nationally consistent set of icons, and has been designed according to feedback and research across all states and territories with the aim to deliver a more consistent approach to these types of emergencies, no matter where the user is. Each warning level has a set of action statements to give the community clearer advice about what to do. Calls to Action can be used flexibly across all three warning levels depending on the hazard.
Emergency Information Accessibility for Deaf, Speech and Hearing-Impaired Persons
SAFECOM has undertaken a project aimed to support emergency information accessibility to deaf, hearing and speech impaired persons. About one in every eight Australians has some form of hearing loss, and there is also a considerable number of Australians with speech impairment. With this in mind, SAFECOM focused on improving the South Australian deaf, hearing and speech impaired community's awareness of how to access crucial emergency and recovery services.
The project has been guided in part by the National Relay Service (NRS) steps for becoming National Relay Service friendly for deaf, hearing and speech impaired persons. A major outcome of the project was to produce a brochure which clearly set out options available for deaf, hearing and speech impaired persons in South Australia to access emergency services information and emergency services.
Further information on emergency advice and warnings
Emergency services and government agencies in South Australia issue advice and warning messages to the public during significant incidents that threaten lives and property. Advice and warning messages are delivered through websites, smartphone apps, television and radio broadcasts, mobile phone SMS messages and posts on social media - e.g. Facebook and Twitter.
When staying informed of hazards, it is important to never rely on one source of information as technology may fail during an emergency. Awareness of other information channels is important to help you stay informed during emergency events so if one system fails during an emergency you have backup options available to you.
Other channels recommended for use during emergencies include:
- Visiting www.cfs.sa.gov.au and subscribe to bushfire warnings and other important CFS information
- Checking the CFS Facebook feed by following Facebook@CountryFireService or Twitter@CFSAlerts
- Checking the SES Facebook Feed @SAStateEmergencyService or Twitter feed @SA_SES
- Listening to a battery powered portable AM/FM radio
- Calling the Bushfire Information Hotline: 1800 362 361 (TTY 133 677)
- Talking to friends, family and neighbours
More information from the South Australian Government on emergencies and safety