PLB contact information

Suitcase.
That is a very good question. I am one who ignores calls I don't recognize or those which have no letters of ID on the screen. I hope, I presume the system provides a number to you to enter in memory so any such call is presented witha name or code which you do recognize. I agree it could go unanswered if sensible pre planning.

I never answer a call from a number I don’t recognise.

But I do have voicemail.

One would hope the people in charge of PLB responses would leave a message.

The person from Eltham in Victoria who rings a few times a week never does.

Don't know Suitcase but you could always ask AMSA (1800 406 406 ) whether there's a standard AMSA number/s she could expect to see. Lack of response from the emergency contact won't stop them acting obviously.

Their email: ausbeacon@amsa.gov.au

I have a Garmin InReach SE+. If I activate the alert it goes direct to AMSA and they direct Emergency Services to the GPS location.
The Inreach has the ability to send and receive text messages and so eliminates the unanswered phone call. In an emergency, I do not want to have to rely on a maybe answered call.
My Inreach has not had to use the Emergency alert but have sent and received lots of text messages through it.
In an Emergency situation AMSA will try to establish SMS contact to ensure the correct support is dispatched otherwise all Emergency services will be sent to that location unless the Emergency alert is disengaged. They will try to make contact even if it is switched off.
It is easily Bluetooth connected to other devices but can have messages typed from it.
I have been lucky to visit AMSA and see what occurs when an Emergency alert is activated. After that, I would not bother with a PLB or satphone. It can easily be carried while Bush walking or similar.
Currently, my son and his family are flying around the Kimberley so they not only have the aircraft EPIRB but also the Inreach device. I can see where they are when they activate. It is accurate to within about a metre.
Just my reason for not having another device and preference for the Garmin InReach SE+. Cost of is plan is irrelevant for an emergency device and can be dropped off a plan any time.
Cheers
Duncan

I have 2 PLBs, and the best thing you can do is go online via the portal and register each trip you do.
You can upload pics of your vehicle (to make finding you easier), upload a PDF itinerary, and make comments such as 'in this region from * to *, if the PLB is activated, it will be a genuine emergency'.
Any other relative info like medical conditions etc.

I've loaned one of my PLBs to others a few times, and register their basic trip, including their emergency contacts.
They WILL respond anyway with urgency, whether they can't contact a nominated person, or if you don't have a trip registered.
The emergency contact is more for Police to call to advise there has been a beacon activated.

.
Here is an AMSA account of an incident at Rawlinna WA in 2018.

...."Broken down 4WD vehicle, Rawlina, Western Australia ...23 November 2018

We detected an unregistered distress beacon in remote Western Australia near Rawlina. WA Police held overall coordination, but requested our help with tasking the of our Perth Challenger 604 aircraft to determine the nature of distress.
The Challenger located two stationary vehicles with two people nearby. WA Police prepared a ground response with a local land owner. Our Essendon Challenger 604 aircraft was also tasked to provide ongoing communication support at the scene.
The ground party reached the incident location and provided assistance with tyre replacement, fuel resupply and navigation."....

Note that response was arranged using a "local land owner". Rawlinna is 1000km from Perth and well beyond the range of helicopters.
Also note that the aircraft was also tasked to provide ongoing communication support at the scene. This probably means communication between the ground response party and AMSA. I do know that sometimes an air-drop is performed with essentials which include a communication means such as a satphone or radio.
And was it even an urgent life-threatening event?.... Well "tyre, fuel and navigation". You be the judge.

So, it seems that with even foolish behaviour, our Government will rescue you.... but it may take time. In this case, time to dispatch and fly an aircraft to the scene then to get a ground party there.
It's just fortunate that this event was not a urgent medical matter or snakebite. If the initial alarm contained detail of the matter then both response time could be quicker and include appropriate support if of a medical nature.

It can be interesting to read some of AMSA's incident reports.