Community notification levels

As part of the migration to EM-COP the community notification levels have been updated to ensure there is consistency across hazards. An 'Evacuation - Safe to Return' and 'Community Information - Notification' are new levels that have been added in response to feedback from agencies. 

Warnings

• Emergency Warning should be issued when the community are in imminent danger and need to take action now. The community will be impacted.
• Warning (Watch & Act) should be issued when an emergency or hazard is heading towards an area. Conditions are changing and the community need to action now to protect themselves and their family.
• Advice should be issued to notify the community that an incident is occurring or has occurred in the area that may impact on life and property. The community should access information and monitor conditions.

• All Clear should be issued when there is no longer a threat to the community and the community has previously been asked to undertake activity to protect life or property that they should now cease. Advice – All Clear is used when a Warning (Watch & Act), Emergency Warning or Recommendation to Evacuate has been issued.
• Cancellation should be issued if a Severe Weather warning is cancelled by the Bureau of Meteorology.

Evacuation Notifications

'Evacuate Now' template replaces the 'Recommendation to Evacuate' template. You can find information about this change here. 

• Evacuate Now should be issued when an evacuation is recommended or procedures are in place to evacuate communities.
• Prepare to Evacuate should be issued when the community should quickly prepare to leave the area. This may include undertaking actions to prepare their family, gather critical items and protect their property.
• Safe to Return should be issued when it is safe for the community to return after an evacuation. Safe to Return is issued at the same warning level as an Advice – All Clear.

Community Information

• Notification should be issued when an event has potential to create significant community interest, however there is minimal or no likelihood of impact and no community action is required. Examples of this include a felt report for an earthquake where no damage has been reported or a haystack fire that is putting up smoke. 
• Newsletter should be issued to provide non-urgent information to keep the community up-to-date with developments, or recovery information, during incidents or events.