Location: Australia
Event: Every year Australian bush fires ravage large areas of land, causing property damage and loss of life. State and territory emergency services in Australia provide up-to-date information on bush fires and advice on precautionary measures that can help minimize fire-related risks. U.S. citizens visiting or living in Australia should monitor local television and radio stations, as media reporting may be the best source for breaking news on fire conditions. Please see the list of resources below of emergency services available in Australia to further prepare for bush fire season.
Actions to Take:
- Dial 000 (triple zero) for immediate assistance from the police, ambulance service or fire brigade.
- Have evacuation plans that do not rely on U.S. government assistance. For more information see: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/emergencies/what-can-you-do-crisis-abroad.html.
For general information Australia-wide, please refer to the following links. See below for emergency services nation-wide.
- Bureau of Meteorology: Provides weather information and warnings countrywide
- Emergency Management Australia: Coordinates emergency response across the country.
Australian Capital Territory
- ACT Fire Brigade: Manages fire emergencies across the Australian Capital Territory
- ACT Emergency Services Agency: Provides emergency assistance following a disaster
New South Wales
- NSW Fire and Rescue Service: Manages fire emergencies in NSW’s major cities and towns
- NSW Rural Fire Service: Manages fire emergencies in regional NSW
- NSW State Emergency Service: Provides emergency assistance following a disaster
Northern Territory
- NT Police, Fire and Emergency Services: Manages fire emergencies across the Northern Territory
Queensland
- QLD Fire and Emergency Service: Manages fire emergencies across Queensland
- QLD State Emergency Service: Provides emergency assistance following a disaster
South Australia
- SA Metropolitan Fire Service: Manages fire emergencies in the Adelaide metropolitan area
- SA Country Fire Service: Manages fire emergencies in regional South Australia
- SA State Emergency Service: Provides emergency assistance following a disaster
Tasmania
- Tasmanian Fire Service: Manages fire emergencies across Tasmania
- State Emergency Service: Provides emergency assistance following a disaster
Victoria
- Country Fire Authority: Manages fire emergencies in regional Victoria
- Metropolitan Fire and Emergency Services Board: Manages fire emergencies in the Melbourne metropolitan area
- Victoria State Emergency Service: Provides emergency assistance following a disaster
Western Australia
- WA Fire and Emergency Services Authority: Manages fire emergencies across Western Australia
Assistance:
- See the State Department’s travel website for the Worldwide Caution, Travel Warnings, Travel Alerts, and Australia Country Specific Information.
- S. Consulates General in Sydney, Melbourne, and Perth
- State Department – Consular Affairs: 888-407-4747 or 202-501-4444
- Enroll in Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive security updates
- Follow us on Facebook and Twitter
