Other Emergency Information

Grass pollen season brings a seasonal increase in asthma and hay fever. It also brings the chance of thunderstorm asthma. Thunderstorm asthma events are uncommon and usually occurs during grass pollen season from October through December.

Thunderstorm asthma is thought to be triggered by a unique combination of high grass pollen levels and a certain type of thunderstorm. Grass pollen grains get swept up in the wind and carried for long distances; some can burst open and release tiny particles that are concentrated in the wind gusts that come just before a thunderstorm. These particles are small enough to be breathed deep into the lungs and can rapidly trigger asthma symptoms, making it difficult to breathe.

This can become very severe, very quickly and many people may require medical help at the same time.

Regardless of the trigger, the symptoms and treatment of asthma are essentially the same. 

For up to date information on thunderstorm asthma risk visit Department of Health Website

Further information on thunderstorm asthma risks can be found by visiting the VicEmergency, Better Health Channel or Asthma Australia websites.

Extreme heat kills more Australians than any natural disaster. Extreme heat can also make existing medical conditions, such as heart disease or diabetes, worse.

Heat can also cause illnesses such as heat cramps and heat exhaustion which can lead to the life-threatening condition, heat stroke.

The best way to survive the heat is to plan for hot days and know what to do when the heat hits.

For more information on extreme heat and what you can do to prepare, visit the Better Health Channel or the DoH Extreme Heat.

During other types of emergency such as earthquake, landslip the SES is the control agency. You can contact the SES on 132 500 or via the SES website.

Severe storms and flooding can occur at any time of the year across the municipality. Large areas of Baw Baw Shire may be subjected to flooding. 

Storms and floods can cause damage to public and private infrastructure. Some storms and floods may be more localised or they may be larger. 

You should ascertain whether or not you live in a low-lying area or are located near a waterway where there is a history of flooding.  

The SES has developed, in collaboration with Council, a Storm and Flood Plan. There are a number of factors we recommend you consider when preparing for storms and floods:

• Develop an emergency kit
• Familiarise yourself with severe storm categories
• Check weather reports and storm and flood warnings
• Download the VicEmergency App
• Plan what to do before, during and after a storm or flood

For information on storm and flood events call the Flood and Storm Information Line on 1300 842 737 or check the VicSES website.

For flood or storm assistance call the SES on 132 500. Call 000 Triple-0 for life threatening emergencies.

For further information relating to flooding, visit the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), Better Health Channel or SES websites.

Council does not install, manage or maintain Automated External Defibrillators (AED).

Please refer to Ambulance Victoria for all enquiries relating to Automated External Defibrillators.

Ambulance Victoria for Automated External Defibrillator (AED) Registry.