Planning & Preparing for Emergencies

Emergency planning is undertaken to ensure that our community is ready in the event of an emergency.

Local Emergency Management Committee

Emergency Planning is undertaken to ensure that our community is ready in the event of an emergency.

The Campbelltown Local Emergency Management Committee is responsible for the preparation and review of plans in relation to the prevention of, preparation for, response to and recovery from emergencies in the Campbelltown Local Government Area.

The membership of the Local Emergency Management Committee includes:

• A senior representative of Council who is the Chair
• The Local Emergency Operations Controller (LEOCON)
• The Local Emergency Management Officer (LEMO)
•  NSW Police Force
• Fire and Rescue NSW
• NSW Rural Fire Service
• NSW State Emergency Service
• NSW Ambulance Service
• Local Land Services
• Endeavour Energy
• Transport NSW
• Department of Communities and Justice
• Defence Australia

The committee meets four times a year or as required during emergency events.

Emergency Management Plan

The Campbelltown Local Emergency Management Plan(PDF, 1MB) (EMPLAN) has been prepared and issued by the Campbelltown Local Emergency Management Committee in accordance with Section 29 (1) of the State Emergency and Rescue Management Act 1989, as amended.

The EMPLAN has been developed with the assistance combat agencies (NSW Rural Fire Service, NSW State Emergency Service and NSW Police etc). The Campbelltown Local Emergency Management Plan (EMPLAN) has been endorsed by the South West Regional Emergency Management Committee.

The EMPLAN covers key actions and processes which must be followed in the event of an emergency, these being:

• Roles and responsibilities of combat agencies
• Prevention and mitigation in relation to sources of risk
• Preparation for an emergency event
• Control and coordination during an emergency event
• Response arrangements in an emergency event
• Recovery arrangements during and after an emergency event.

Due to the sensitive nature of some of the information contained in the EMPLAN, some of the pages are not available to the general public. 

Learn how to stay safe and calm during an emergency if you're required to evacuate.

Before an evacuation warning

• If you’re concerned about your safety during an emergency, don’t wait to be told to evacuate. Leaving early is the safest option.

• You may not receive notice to evacuate. A disaster or emergency may escalate quickly, and networks may be down.
• Stay updated with traffic conditions or road closures via Live Traffic
• Never drive, ride or walk through fire or flood waters.
• Stay in touch with family, friends and neighbours and share important updates.

If you are told to evacuate

• You might receive evacuation warnings or orders by text message, phone call or by someone at your door.
• Follow any instructions and leave immediately.
• Grab your emergency kit if available
• Tell your neighbours and friends of your decision to evacuate and assist them if you can.
• If there's time, turn off the power, gas, water, and lock doors and windows.
• Stay with friends or family in a safe location

People living with disability

If you or someone in your household needs extra help during an emergency:

• Leaving early is always the best option.
• Plan your evacuation with trusted people.
• Include neighbours or friends who may need extra assistance in your plan.

In the case of an emergency, pack:

• Medications and medical information
• Mobility aids
• Comfort items to reduce stress
• Supplies for pets

Pets and evacuation

Take pets with you if you evacuate. Evacuation centres are open to pets.

For more information visit How to prepare pets and livestock.

Where to go in an Emergency

During an emergency, if you cannot return to your home, you should:

• Stay with friends or family if it is safe
• Go to your nearest Neighbourhood Safer Places during a bushfire as a last resort
• Go to an evacuation centre as identified by emergency services. Visit the Emergency Help Hub to find out if there is an evacuation centre open.

What to do when returning home 

It may be unsafe for you to return to your home during an emergency. You must wait until emergency services have advised the area is safe.

A bushfire will be downgraded to ‘advice’ when there is no immediate danger. Follow bushfire warnings and alerts via the Emergency Help Hub or the NSW Rural Fire Service website.

The NSW SES will issue a Reduced threat: return with caution - advice after a flood or severe weather event when it is safe for residents and businesses to return.

Make sure your home is structurally safe before you enter. Utilities such as water, electricity and gas may have been disconnected. You will need to contact the service provider to reconnect the service. Contact your insurance company as soon as possible to report damages to your home and contents. 

Emergencies can happen at any time. You can reduce the impact of emergencies by being prepared.

The Australian Red Cross Get Prepared is an easy-to-use free app that empowers you to make important decisions ahead of time by completing your RediPlan. 

• Establish a quick and easy network of support with your key contacts
• Review the risks relevant to where you live
• Create checklists of actions to make an emergency plan
• Save the emergency plan as a PDF to be printed and shared with others.

Home Emergency Kits

A home emergency kits has items you may need if you have to evacuate your home in an emergency.

Visit the NSW State Emergency Service (SES) Get your Emergency Kit together page to know what to pack in your own kit.

Visit the NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS) Bush fire survival plan page to start making a plan.