Keymer

Emergency Management and Evacuation Policy

NQS

QA2

2.2.1

Supervision – At all times, reasonable precautions and adequate supervision ensure children are protected from harm and hazard.

2.2.2

Incident and emergency management – Plans to effectively manage incidents and emergencies are developed in consultation with relevant authorities, practised and implemented.

 

QA6

6.2.3

Community engagement – The service builds relationships and engages with its local community.

National Regulations

Regs

168(2)(e)

Policies and procedures in relation to emergency and evacuation

97

Emergency and evacuation procedures

98

Telephone or other communication equipment

EYLF

LO3

Children become strong in their social and emotional wellbeing.

Aim

In the event that the service needs to be evacuated, we aim to conduct this in a rehearsed, timely, calm and safe manner to secure the safety of each person using the service. The safety and wellbeing of each child, educator and person using the service is paramount above any other consideration in the time of an emergency or evacuation. Any other procedures will be carried out only if it is safe to do so.

Related Policies
  • Bushfire Policy
  • Emergency Service Contact Policy
  • Lockdown Policy
  • Incident, Injury and Trauma and Illness Policy
  • Administration of Authorised Medication Policy
  • Death of a Child Policy
  • Medical Conditions Policy
Implementation

The Approved Provider or Nominated Supervisor is responsible for:

  • conducting a risk assessment to identify potential emergencies that could affect the service and use this to prepare emergency and evacuation procedures. eg an evacuation may be necessary in the event of a fire, chemical spill, bomb scare, earthquake, siege, flood etc.
  • implementing measures to reduce the risk of injury during potential emergencies. For example, storing heavy items on the floor or bottom shelves, ensuring hazardous material is stored in a stable and secure way
  • developing and implementing an Emergency Management Plan based on all identified risks and which includes appropriate responses including evacuation, lockdown, lockout and shelter-in-place, and drill and training schedules. If appropriate, local emergency services (eg fire, police, ambulance), local government, community leaders and other relevant agencies will be consulted for advice about issues like evacuation routes, assembly points and accessibility for adults or children with special needs.


Our Emergency Management Plan will be developed by the Approved Provider or Nominated Supervisor and will include:

  • Emergency contact details for people who have specific roles or responsibilities
  • Contact details for local emergency services
  • A description of how we will alert people to an emergency eg siren/bell
  • Evacuation procedures (see Appendix A)
  • How we will assist any child or person with special needs
  • An evacuation diagram based on service floor plans showing the location of fire equipment, emergency exits and assembly points
  • Processes to ensure staff are trained in our emergency procedures
  • Processes we will follow after an incident
  • Procedures we will follow to test the Plan and familiarise children and staff with the Plan.


The Evacuation Diagram will include:

  • an A3 size diagram of the floor or area
  • a title eg Evacuation Plan
  • the “You are here” location
  • designated exits in green
  • communication equipment and were installed in red
  • hose reels, hydrants, and extinguishers in red.
  • designated shelter-in-place location and assembly area.
  • date plan validated.
  • location of assembly areas
  • Ensuring relevant information from the Emergency Management Plan is displayed prominently at our service to ensure it can be easily identified and is accessible to all educators, staff, visitors, volunteers and families. Relevant information includes:
    • Emergency service telephone numbers will be displayed near telephones and service exits
    • evacuation procedures and diagrams which will be displayed near each exit
  • Ensuring that visitors and relief staff are aware of the emergency response procedures
  • Implementing the Emergency Management Plan including:
    • Disseminating information about the Plan and the procedures relating to emergency management and evacuation to staff, children, visitors and families. Families will receive written notification from the service. We will use informal games and discussions to familiarise children with our evacuation and emergency procedures as well as regular rehearsals
    • Scheduling training for all educators, staff and volunteers eg how to use fire extinguishers, fire blankets and other emergency equipment. Training may include evacuation drills, identifying assembly points and the location of emergency equipment, first aid arrangements and how to turn off the electricity and gas supplies. All new educators and staff will receive training during their induction and refresher training for all educators and staff will take place at least annually.
    • Testing the Plan every quarter
    • Reviewing the Plan annually.
  • Keeping records of all emergencies
  • Keeping records of meetings and emergency drills
Communication during Emergency

The Nominated Supervisor will ensure there is access to reliable communication channels in the event of an emergency by maintaining access to a telephone (such as a fixed-line telephone, or mobile phone) always.

The main telephone is in all rooms and offices including the staff room and Therapy Room. If there is a complete loss of electricity and the telephones are not available, a mobile phone will be available and ready to use at all times to ensure educators can make emergency contact.

Emergency Communication Plan

The Nominated Supervisor will regularly remind families via conversations, email and newsletters that the Service maintains a Register of emergency telephone numbers for families, and we must have current contact information.  The Register is in the BLUE room folders Emergency service numbers are near phones

Emergency Kit

The Nominated Supervisor will ensure an Emergency Kit includes:

  • current emergency contact details for each child
  • employee and next of kin contact details
  • emergency service telephone numbers (see sa.gov.au for national numbers)
  • working torch and spare batteries
  • fully stocked first aid kit
  • administration of medication records and medical management plans
  • drinking water
  • spare batteries
  • whistle
  • pen and paper
  • alcohol based hand sanitiser
  • sunscreen
  • insect repellent
  • nappies/wipes/change mat
  • infant bottles (Possums to grab these)

 

The Nominated Supervisor will ensure the Kit contains a list of items that must be added at the last minute in an emergency. Items will include:

  • attendance registers for children, staff, and volunteers
  • medications for staff and children
  • financial and business records eg computer backups if these not done externally

 

The Nominated Supervisor will include the requirement to check batteries, food, water, sunscreen and insect repellent on the WHS Checklist done monthly, emergency rehearsals, and replace these items if necessary.

Emergency and Evacuation Procedures and Drills

The service will add to each child’s sense of security, predictability, and safety, and ensure all educators and staff are familiar with our emergency evacuation procedures, by conducting rehearsal evacuation drills approx. Every three months. The Nominated Supervisor will develop a schedule for conducting drills for the different types of emergencies identified in the Emergency Management Plan and will diarise to ensure these are completed. The drills will:

  • take place at various times of the day and week (rather than always on a Tuesday at 10 am for example) to ensure all children and staff members get the opportunity to rehearse. All persons present at the service during the evacuation drill must participate
  • be documented and assessed against specific outcomes We will appoint an observer to evaluate our drills.
  • be immediately followed by a debriefing session if possible, to identify any improvements that may be made. Any training needs will be identified, and action taken to implement the relevant training.
Sources
  • Education and Care Services National Regulations 2011
  • National Quality Standard
  • Work Health and Safety Act 2011
  • Work Health & Safety Regulation 2011

  • Fact Sheet Emergency Plans – Safe Work Australia

Review

The policy will be reviewed annually or when there are changes to the service which may affect the EMP such as renovations or changes to the number of staff or children. The review will be conducted by:

  • Management
  • Employees
  • Families
  • Interested Parties


Last reviewed: March 2022

Date for next review: March 2023