3-minute read

As communities prepare for high-risk weather season, nbn works year-round to strengthen the resilience of the nbn® network and support communities before, during and after emergencies. 

From bushfires and floods to severe storms, emergencies can disrupt communities across Australia with little warning.

For nbn, preparation happens well before the weather arrives. This preparation includes maintaining temporary network infrastructure, supporting emergency management sites with Disaster Satellite Services, participating in emergency exercises and working closely with emergency services, governments and power companies. 

Connecting nbn with local communities

Beyond infrastructure, nbn teams run capability development and emergency exercises to test coordination, communication and decision-making across the business.

A specialised emergency management team coordinates our response, and are supported across the company by individuals such as our Emergency Management Liaison Officers, known as EMLOs.

EMLOs are local representatives that connect nbn with community, emergency services and governments and help us prioritise our response when emergencies occur.

They work closely with councils and communities across Australia to educate, empower and share information about how people can prepare themselves, their businesses and/or community group for potential telecommunications impacts, our response and where restoration is underway, as well as where information about temporary connectivity options during an emergency.

For Chris Rowlands, Regional Development and Engagement Manager in north-west Victoria, those local relationships are built throughout the year so the right connections are already in place when needed.

During the 2026 Harcourt fires, Chris’s local knowledge and trusted relationships were pivotal in keeping the community updated as the emergency unfolded.  His story shows that emergency preparedness starts well before an event occurs.

Getting the right connections in place

Emergency preparedness combines resilient infrastructure, practical household and business planning and strong local relationships.

When severe weather does occur, this preparation helps nbn work alongside emergency services and other organisations to support impacted communities as we respond and restore services as quickly and safely as possible.