Welcome to the Melbourne Airport Emergency Management Portal.

As a valued stakeholder in responding to or managing emergencies that may occur at Melbourne Airport, this portal will provide you with access to resources that will assist you in planning and preparing for events that occur.

If you have any questions about any of the resources or need further information you can contact Melbourne Airport's Business Resilience team.

Aerodrome Emergency

Melbourne Airport’s Emergency Plan or AEP is developed by the Airport Emergency Committee and updated every year in accordance with the CASA Manual of Standards 139, Federal and State Legislation to provide guidance to all stakeholders in how the airport and emergency services intend to deal with an emergency on the aerodrome.

Hard copies of the Airport Emergency Plan are distributed to airline operators, emergency service partners and other stakeholders every year.


Managing major events

The below video series will help you to understand how we manage major events such as an Aircraft Crash or Security Incident on an Aircraft.


Terminal and Precinct Emergencies

The Terminal and Precinct Emergency Plan is controlled by the Terminal and Precinct Emergency Planning Sub-Committee, who report into the Airport Emergency Committee.

For information on how the committee manages these plans, please contact the Melbourne Airport Business Resilience team.

Emergency Control Organisation

The Melbourne Airport Integrated Operation Centre will take the responsibility of Chief Warden in any emergency that occurs in the Terminals, Carparks and other buildings on precinct (excluding the business park).

The terminal's fire safety systems will alert the IOC of fires, but all other buildings will require a warden to take control and contact the IOC on 03 9297 1601. This role can be undertaken by anyone who is trained as a warden. The person who takes control, will perform the role of a Zone Warden, who will coordinate the other wardens and meet emergency services on their arrival.

The documents below can assist tenants and contractors in aligning their response procedures to Melbourne Airport’s procedures. Melbourne Airport tenants can also use these procedures as their own.

Emergency Warning and Communication Systems

Emergencies can be communicated in different ways at Melbourne Airport. Given the complexity of the environment, the methods of communication are often used together to ensure that emergencies are communicated quickly and clearly, and that they are being escalated to an appropriate level.

Emergency Warning and Intercom System (EWIS)

Managed by the Melbourne Airport Integrated Operations Centre (IOC), the EWIS is the primary alerting system for fire protection and is also used to alert occupants or communicate information via public address (PA).

In the terminals (except for T1), the alerting system is three stages and in T1 and other buildings it is two stages. These alerts may not be used in order.

Blue Strobe

Due to the complex environment the blue strobe stage allows wardens to investigate and alarm prior to initiating the Alert or Evacuation tones. If you notice a blue strobe light is flashing, advise a nearby warden if possible. If there is no warden nearby you should contact the IOC on 03 9297 1601.

You should wait and listen for the alert or evacuation tone or instructions from a warden.


Alert Tone

The Alert tone is a slow repetitive "BEEP, BEEP". If you hear the Alert tone you should PREPARE, but do not evacuate.

  • Look around, ensure you are not in immediate danger
  • Stand by and await further instructions from your Warden or the following evacuation tone.

The Alert Tone sounds like this:

Evacuation Tone

If you hear the evacuation alarm, or are instructed by your Warden to evacuate, you MUST:

  • Immediately cease all activity and leave the area
  • Follow instructions of wardens, you may not need to exit the building, if unsure exit anyway
  • Assist anyone not familiar with the closest emergency exit
  • Immediately evacuate via the nearest Exit to the evacuation assembly point
  • Do not re-enter the building unless authorised to do so by the Emergency Services Officer / Chief Warden
  • Do not enter an area that has smoke present

The Evacuation Tone sounds like this:

Public Address

From time to time, the Chief Warden may communicate additional information via the Public Address system. It is important that you follow any further instructions provided.

“Whispir” Event Messaging System

Melbourne Airport uses the Whispir messaging system to communicate information about events and emergencies to relevant users.

Users can subscribe to receive SMS alerts and about relevant events, incidents and emergencies, based on their role. Messages are sent by the IOC.

If you would like more information about how this system is used, or would like to subscribe to receive messages, please email [email protected]


Contact us

Melbourne Airport Emergency Planning Manager:

Riki Gurden – 0477 337 721
Email: [email protected]