POLICY CONTENT

Bushfires are an inherent part of Australia’s environment. Bushfires can significantly impact on lives, property and the environment. The basic factors that determine whether a bushfire will occur include the presence of fuel, oxygen, and an ignition source. The intensity and speed the bushfire will spread depends on the current temperature, fuel load (fallen bark, leaf litter, small branches), fuel moisture (dry fuel will burn quickly, damp or wet fuel may not burn at all), wind speed, and slope angle.   
 
Emergency management arrangements for fire safety differ within each state and territory and are determined by the State Emergency Services or combined emergency service agencies.  
 
The National Law requires early childhood education services to ensure that every reasonable precaution is taken to protect children from any harm or hazard likely to cause injury, including bush fires. Regulations 97 and 168 (2) of the Education and Care Services National Regulations require that every early childhood education and care service in Australia has an emergency and evacuation policy and procedure which includes:  

• a risk assessment to identify the potential emergencies that are relevant to the School 
• instructions for what must be done in the event of an emergency and evacuation procedures 
• an emergency and evacuation floor plan and  
• the rehearsal of emergency and evacuation procedures every 3 months. 

This policy outlines the strategies the School will adhere to in the event of a bush fire, including information about School closure during an emergency evacuation and forms part of our School’s Emergency Management Plan (EMP). The EMP records the emergency management arrangements to ensure every reasonable precaution to protect children, staff and visitors from harm and hazard is maintained at all times.   

NATIONAL QUALITY STANDARD (NQS)

QUALITY AREA 2: Children's Health and Safety

2.2.1	Supervision	At all times, reasonable precautions and adequate supervision ensure children are protected from harm and hazard.
2.2	Safety	Each child is protected.
2.2.2	Incident and emergency management	Plans to effectively manage incidents and emergencies are developed in consultation with relevant authorities, practiced and implemented.

QUALITY AREA 7: Governance and Leadership

7.1.2

Management systems

Systems are in place to manage risk and enable the effective management and operation of a quality school.

PURPOSE 

We aim to ensure every reasonable precaution is taken to protect children and staff from harm and hazards likely to cause injury, including potential injury from bushfires. The potential for extreme fire conditions varies greatly throughout Australia, both in frequency and severity. Each state and territory have varying mandatory regulations for implementing policies and procedures for being safe in areas where bushfires occur. Our School will adhere to the regulations outlined by our Regulatory Authority within our state or territory and be familiar with relevant legislation and other special requirements such as building regulations, traffic restrictions or emergency announcements that may apply to the area our School is located. 

SCOPE 

This policy applies to children, families, staff, management, and visitors of the School. 
 

IMPLEMENTATION 

It is vital for the School to be informed and prepared for bush fire conditions and respond appropriately during periods of high fire danger or local bush fire activity. This policy is to be implemented should a bush fire threaten our School. During peak bush fire season, the Nominated Supervisor will monitor fire ratings through relevant authorities on a daily or hourly basis and communicate with all stakeholders as required. We are aware of our Fire Danger Rating and have appropriate fire safety equipment installed and maintained at all times. Our Emergency Management Plan (EMP) ensures all staff are trained to use fire safety equipment and through regular training, understand evacuation procedures in case of an emergency.  

DEFINITIONS 

The Australian climate is frequently hot, dry, and susceptible to drought. The widely varied fire seasons are reflected in the continent's different weather patterns. For most of southern Australia, the danger period is summer and autumn. For New South Wales and southern Queensland, the peak risk usually occurs in spring and early summer. The Northern Territory experiences most of its fires in winter and spring. For us in Western Australia our danger period is between October-April. 
 
A ‘Bush fire prone area’ is an area of land that can support a bushfire or is likely to be subject to bushfire attack. Bush fire prone maps are prepared by local councils and governments within each state and territory. Baseline data for bushfire prone areas is referred to as Bushfire Attack Level (BAL). (see additional information for each State or Territory’s contacts) 

Fire danger rating (FDR): provides an indication of the possible consequences of a fire. This rating is standardised across all Australian states and territories. The higher the fire danger rating, the more dangerous the conditions. Ratings range from Low to Moderate, to Catastrophic. FDR are maintained and updated by emergency services in each state or territory. 
 
Emergency Management Plan (EMP): identifies the nature and range of possible emergencies and hazards to which children and staff may be exposed and the response and procedure in the event of an emergency. Effective planning and preparation of the EMP within the workplace ensures optimal response to emergencies should they occur. A risk assessment to identify potential emergencies that impact the school form the basis of the EMP.  EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT PLAN

Management and Nominated Supervisor will ensure: 

• ensure the Emergency Management Plan (EMP) is updated regularly inclusive of Emergency and Evacuation policies and procedures (see Appendix 1 for further information about inclusions) 
• consult with relevant authorities for guidance and advice on the management of bushfire risk and emergencies  
• submit EMP to regulatory authority, RFS, CFA or other agency by due date if required 
• conduct a risk assessment to identify a potential bush fire risk to the School 
• ensure the risk assessment considers- 
  • prevention measures the School will take prior and during the bush fire period 
  • measures to be taken when there is a bush fire in the local district including onsite and offsite evacuation procedures 
  • response measures the School will take if confronted with a bush fire hazard or emergency 
  • identified evacuation assembly areas and evacuation routes (it is recommended that the plan contains two external (off-site) evacuation assembly areas if practical to do so) 
  • what assistance will be required to evacuate children at the School (including non-ambulant children and infants, consideration for multi-story buildings) 
  • what mechanisms are in place to ensure the transfer of real-time information, such as weather forecasts, bush fire activity, site closures and emergency operations 
  • how parents will know where to locate their child if evacuated 
  • procedures to ensure children are only released to persons authorised to collect them 
  • mechanisms to ensure visitors and contractors are aware of the School’s emergency response procedures 
• contact the local council or use a program to determine if you are in a bush fire prone area 
• ensure a current emergency and evacuation floor plan of the School is clearly displayed near each exit of the school 
• ensure emergency drills, including a bush fire drill are practiced with educators and children every 3 months [see Bush Fire Response Procedure] 
• ensure a record is kept of each emergency evacuation drill practiced 
• ensure the School and educators are prepared for bush fire conditions and prepared to respond quickly and appropriately during high fire danger periods 
• ensure all fire safety equipment is installed and maintained regularly- (fire extinguishers, fire panels, smoke detectors, long hoses with nozzles, buckets etc.) 
• ensure all outdoor taps are in working order 
• communicate with staff, educators, and families about bush fire preparation information and provisions 
• discuss Bush Fire Response Procedure at team meetings and make any amendments as required 
• ensure local emergency services have current contact details, including mobile number for emergency contact after hours  
• ensure a clear and effective communication procedures during an emergency are rehearsed to test its effectiveness in an emergency 
• organise and communicate with off-site evacuation sites about emergency arrangements 
• ensure the Fire Danger Rating (FDR) is checked daily. Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology   bom.gov.au/?ref=hdr  or specific State/Territory sites (see appendix). 
• ensure gutters are cleaned out and free from dry leaves and other debris 
• trim trees to 2m from the School building 
• ensure flammable items are removed from the School 
• ensure all emergency exits are clear and accessible at all times 
• conduct an ‘emergency first aid kit / backpack audit’ to ensure emergency contact information and supplies are current (see Appendix 2 for suggested inclusions) 
• ensure all records of attendance of children, staff and volunteers are accurate each morning 
• ensure current emergency phone numbers are near the phone, including emergency services and the Regulatory Authority and in the contacts of designated mobile phones 
• monitor the bush fire situation when the rating is above High through the internet or radio 
• not accept children for care on days when there is an extreme or catastrophic danger rating
• cancel any outdoor activities on days where air quality due to bushfire smoke may cause harm to children 
• notify the Regulatory Authority in the event of any closures or damage to premises within 24 hours or as soon as possible via the NQA ITS or email if there is no access to phones 
• at a reasonable time after the incident has occurred, consider asking emergency services to review the school’s incident response

Educators will:

• assist in the development and review of the School’s Emergency Management Plan (EMP) 
• examine the School grounds during their daily indoor and outdoor safety checks to ensure flammable and/or combustible materials (e.g. dead leaves and bark, chemicals) have been removed 
• ensure they are familiar with the daily Fire Danger Rating (FDR) 
• ensure the emergency first aid kit/backpack is organised and stored in an area that is easily accessible 
• become familiar and confident with the School’s emergency evacuation policies and procedures 
• participate in emergency drills, including Bush Fire Response procedures at least every 3 months  
• become familiar with the School’s emergency exits 
• be aware of the designated assembly area 
• eliminate all papers around the School, including artwork, posters, displays and emptying garbage bins if advised that bush fires are in the local district 
• keep up to date with professional development and training about bush fires and emergency evacuation procedures  
• be familiar with their role and responsibilities in the event of a bush fire.

STATE-BY-STATE SPECIFICATIONS

WESTERN AUSTRALIA

The Department of Fire and Emergency Services provides guidelines for preparing a Bushfire Risk Management Plan used to identify at risk locations including Early Childhood Services: dfes.wa.gov.au/waemergencyandriskmanagement/...   Department of Education The Principal’s Guide to Bushfire This document is designed to assist schools with the development of a bushfire risk management strategy (updated June 2020)  Fire Danger Rating: emergency.wa.gov.au/#firedangerratings

RESOURCES

Bushfire Emergency Planning Guideline A guide to planning for bushfire emergency 
Early Childhood Australia Resources for Bushfire affected communities  
NSW Department of Education Developing your Service’s Emergency Management Plan and Procedures (updated April 2021) 
NSW Department of Education Service site bushfire grassfire readiness checklist 
education.nsw.gov.au/early-childhood-education/ope... 
NSW Rural Fire Service for up-to-date information 
NSW Rural Fire Service Development Planning A guide to developing a Bush Fire Emergency Management Evacuation Plan 
Australian Government Department of Education, Skills and Employment – Emergency and natural disaster assistance 
Emerging Minds- Bushfire preparedness for your family 
Be You- resources- Bushfires and mental health 
Department of Education Victoria- Emergency Management Plan 2020-2021 Template

SOURCE 

Australian Children’s Education & Care Quality Authority. (2014).  
Australian Government: Geoscience Australia. Community safety: Bushfire: 
 ga.gov.au/scientific-topics/hazards/bus... 
Community Early Learning Australia. Bushfire advice for children’s services: 
cela.org.au/2018/01/07/bushfire-advice-fo... 
Education and Care Services National Law Act 2010. (Amended 2018). 
Education and Care Services National Regulations. (2011).       
Revised National Quality Standard. (2018). 

APPENDIX 1

The purpose of the Emergency Management Plan is to ensure the health, safety and wellbeing of all staff, children and visitors at our School in the event of an emergency.  

EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT PLAN INCLUSIONS

• Name and address of the School 
• Early childhood school facility profile (description of the school) 
• Emergency contact details of School (including designated mobile phone number) 
• Incident Management Team structure and contact details and responsibilities 
• Incident Management Team responsibilities- pre-emergency/during emergency/post-emergency 
• Communication tree- Process for notifying, alerting and reporting emergencies 
• Educators/staff trained in first aid (names and contact details) 
• Emergency response procedures (on-site evacuation/relocation procedure; off-site evacuation procedure; lock down procedure; lock out procedure; shelter-in-place procedure)  
• Arrangements for children/students and educators/staff with additional support needs 
• Parent/family emergency contact details  
• Evacuation diagram and procedures including assembly points and transportation arrangement if required to evacuate 
• Essential services on premises- location of hydrants and water main 
• A site-specific Risk Assessment identifying the particular emergency and hazards, assessing the risks they present and details on how your school will manage these.  
• For Bush Fire Policy the Risk Assessment will detail-   
  • prevention measures the School will take prior and during the bush fire period 
  • procedures to be taken when there is a bush fire in the local district 
  • response measures the school will take if confronted with a bush fire hazard or emergency
• Emergency response drills schedule 
• Emergency kit checklist 
• Testing of equipment 
• Response procedures for specific emergencies – indicate process for making decisions 
  • warning staff and children 
  • evacuation 
  • shelter and assembly area 
  • location of designated emergency exits 
  • location of fire hoses/extinguishers/ fire blankets 
  • location of first aid kits
• Recovery measures to support the return to the School and routines 
• Notification to Regulatory Authority 
• Trauma counselling and description

APPENDIX 2

EMERGENCY KIT CONTENTS CHECKLIST  

Use the list below as a guide on what is required to maintain your Emergency Kit  

EMERGENCY KIT CONTENTS	(tick box)

Small portable First Aid kit
Copy of Bush Fire policy & Emergency Management Plan
Copy of School’s site plan identifying exists from building, safe spaces to shelter and assembly points
Emergency contact details for children
Emergency contact details for staff
Details of additional/medical needs of staff and children
Potentially required medications (e.g. EpiPen, asthma inhaler)
Charged mobile phone/s
Phone chargers to suit any mobile phone likely to be used in an emergency
Fully charged UHF radio (remote locations) with charger
Portable battery powered radio
Torch and spare batteries
Whistle/s
School keys
Staff safety vests
Bottled water and disposable cups
Non-perishable snacks (such as biscuits/crackers, dried fruit, energy/muesli bars)
Spare nappies, baby wipes, and gloves
Tissues
Sunscreen and spare hats
Garbage bags
Other: