Guide · updated November 2026

Emergency management plan for events

Every event needs an emergency plan, whatever its size. The plan should be short enough to use under pressure, but cover every likely emergency.

What to include

Chain of command: the Event Manager is usually the Chief Warden, with a named deputy
Emergency contacts: 000, Police Assistance Line 131 444, SES 132 500, Poisons 13 11 26, the nearest emergency department and venue contacts
The exact address and access point to give 000
Assembly area, ambulance meeting point and lost-child point
Procedures for each emergency, plus PA announcement scripts
What happens after an emergency, including notifying the WHS regulator of notifiable incidents

Emergency colour codes

Code	Meaning
Red	Fire or smoke
Blue	Medical emergency
Purple	Bomb threat or suspicious item
Black	Personal threat
Brown	External emergency (e.g. storm)
Yellow	Internal emergency (e.g. gas leak, power failure)
Orange	Evacuation

Sample evacuation announcement

"Attention please. We need everyone to leave the event area now. Please move calmly to the nearest exit and follow the directions of staff in hi-vis vests. Keep your children with you."

Procedures to cover

Medical emergency, fire, severe weather and lightning, evacuation, lost child, suspicious item, armed offender ("Escape. Hide. Tell."), overcrowding and power failure, plus gas leaks, vehicle incidents, inflatables, water rescue or fireworks if they apply.

Need the full plan for your event?

EventReady builds your Event Management Plan, Risk Register, Emergency Plan, First Aid Plan, approvals timeline and 8 more documents from your event details, ready to attach to your council application. The approvals timeline is free.

Build my event plan What's included

Common questions

What is the 30/30 rule for lightning?

If thunder follows lightning within 30 seconds, the storm is close enough to be dangerous: suspend outdoor activities and move people to shelter. Resume 30 minutes after the last thunder.