NSW RURAL FIRE SERVICE – GUIDE TO DEVELOPING A BUSH FIRE EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT PLAN 1

BUSH FIRE EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AND EVACUATION PLAN Name of facility:

Upper Coopers Creek Public School

Address Upper Coopers Creek Rd

Upper Coopers Creek, NSW, 2480

Prepared by:

Rochelle Malone and Jennifer Wright

Authorised by:

Date: 6/9/2019 TO BE REVIEWED ANNUALLY

2 NSW RURAL FIRE SERVICE – GUIDE TO DEVELOPING A BUSH FIRE EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT PLAN

Facility Details

This plan is for: Upper Coopers Creek Public School

and has been designed to assist management to protect life and property in the event of a bush fire.

This Plan outlines procedures for both sheltering (remaining on-site) and evacuation to enhance the protection of occupants from the threat of a bush fire. The Primary Action to follow under normal bush fire conditions is to:

Shelter Evacuate

Contact person: Jennifer Wright

Position / role: Principal

Phone number (BH): 02 66882128

Phone number (AH): 0404556689

Type of facility: Primary School

Number of buildings: 4

Number of employees: 4

Number of employees with support needs: 0

Number of students: 10

Number of students with support needs: 0

Provide description of support needs:

n/a

NSW RURAL FIRE SERVICE – GUIDE TO DEVELOPING A BUSH FIRE EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT PLAN 3

Roles & Responsibilities

The following outlines who has the responsibility of implementing the emergency procedures in the event of a bush

fire.

Position Name or person Building / area of

responsibility Mobile phone number

Principal Jennifer Wright Entire site 0404 556 689

Admin Manager Rochelle Malone Assist Principal 0413 580 078

Emergency Contacts

Name of organisation Office/contact Phone Number

NSW Rural Fire Service Fire Control Centre 02 6663 0000

NSW Rural Fire Service Bush Fire Information Line 1800 679 737

1800 NSW RFS

NSW Rural Fire Service Website www.rfs.nsw.gov.au

NSW Police Force Lismore 02 66260599

Director Educational Leadeshi[p

Megan Johnson 0436 602 935

NSW Health Lismore Base Hospital 02 66211300

Health and Safety Directorate Incident Support Unit 1800 811 523 (option 1)

Safety and Security Directorate

School Security Unit 1300 880 021

4 NSW RURAL FIRE SERVICE – GUIDE TO DEVELOPING A BUSH FIRE EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT PLAN

SHELTERING PROCEDURES

Evaluation of the safety of employees and occupants has determined that it would be safer for ALL persons to shelter in

a designated refuge.

The following are the designated refuges allocated within the premises. Designated refuges

a. Admin Library building AR0003

b. Classroom B00D

c. Procedure for sheltering during a bush fire emergency

Trigger Action

In the event of an approaching bush fire threatening the premises within 15 minutes, the action to shelter will take place. Staff and occupants of the premises shall follow the procedure/action outlined:

Designated Chief Warden will take control of the situation

Remain calm and explain to the occupants what is happening.

Staff to ensure all doors and windows closed within the premises.

Move all persons to the designated refuge.

Ensure all persons are accounted for (use listing of occupants and visitors register).

The Chief Warden (or person responsible) is to collect satellite phone from office.

The Chief Warden (or person responsible) is to advise the local emergency service (02 6663 0000) that the centre is sheltering- in-place (include how many people and which building on site).

After all the occupants have been relocated to refuge, nominated staff will commence contacting relevant families affected.

Maintain situational awareness through radio, NSW RFS website, 1800 NSW RFS, smart phone applications and local firefighting resources.

Two persons to make regular exterior visual inspection (wearing appropriate protection from bush fire) of the refuge for embers and extinguish where possible or call 000 for assistance.

After the bush fire emergency

a. No person should re-enter any evacuated building until advised by the emergency services.

b. The Chief Warden (or person responsible) to arrange the movement of occupants back to the site and or their separate accommodation.

c. All occupants are to be accounted for on their return.

d. Inform the HS Directorate, police/emergency service of the return of persons to the premises.

NSW RURAL FIRE SERVICE – GUIDE TO DEVELOPING A BUSH FIRE EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT PLAN 5

EVACUATION PROCEDURES

Evaluation of the safety of employees and occupants has determined that it would be safer for ALL persons to evacuate

to a designated refuge.

Designated assembly points

a. Carpark / Emergency Evacuation Assembly area

b.

c.

d.

Refuge (primary)

Name of venue (primary): Federal Park

Address of venue: Albert St, Federal

Nearest cross-street: Federal Drive

Map Reference: Map 1

Phone number: Principals mobile 0404 556 689

Transportation arrangements Number of vehicles required:

2 - 3

Name of organisation providing transport:

Parent and/or staff members

Contact phone number: Parent - 66882412

Time required to have transportation available:

15 min

Estimated travelling time to destination: 15 minutes

Refuge (alternate)

Name of venue (alternate):

Rosebank Public School

Address of venue: Rosebank Rd, Rosebank

Nearest cross-street: Armstrong Rd

Map Reference: Map 2

Phone number: 02 66882126

Transportation arrangements Number of vehicles required:

2 - 3

6 NSW RURAL FIRE SERVICE – GUIDE TO DEVELOPING A BUSH FIRE EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT PLAN

Name of organisation providing transport:

Parent or staff member

Contact phone number: Parent - 66882412

Time required to have transportation available:

15 min

Estimated travelling time to destination: 15 minutes

Refuge (alternate)

Name of venue (alternate):

Neighbourhood Safer Place

Address of venue:

62 (Lot 6) Tickles Road

Upper Coopers Creek

Nearest cross-street: Upper Coopers Creek Road Rd

Map Reference: 28°36'26.2"S 153°24'27.9"E

Phone number:

Transportation arrangements Number of vehicles required:

2 - 3

Name of organisation providing transport:

Parent or staff member

Contact phone number:

Time required to have transportation available:

15 min

Estimated travelling time to destination: 10 minutes

Before and at the commencement of the Bush Fire Danger Period, we will:

a. Ensure that the staff are prepared in accordance with this Plan.

b. Ensure that all persons are informed of the evacuation/shelter-in-place procedures

c. Ensure that families are provided with a copy of the procedure “What to do if the centre is to be evacuated” upon arrival at the centre (for schools and child care centres etc).

d. Ensure building and areas around buildings are prepared and maintained.

e. Ensure any firefighting equipment (hoses etc.) is serviceable and available.

f. Update contact details of staff and occupants

g. Contact and update emergency services with the premises’ contact details.

h. Contact refuges for potential use during a bush fire emergency.

i. Contact transport suppliers for potential use during a bush fire emergency. Procedures for evacuation in the event of a bush fire

Trigger Action

In the event of a bush fire in the surrounding area, threatening the premises within 3 hours, the action to evacuate will take place. Staff and occupants of the

The Chief Warden (or person responsible) is to advise the local emergency service (02 8741 5555) that the centre is being evacuated (include how many people and where they are going).

NSW RURAL FIRE SERVICE – GUIDE TO DEVELOPING A BUSH FIRE EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT PLAN 7

premises shall follow the procedure/action outlined:

Arrange for vehicles to meet at designated assembly point for pick-up of persons.

Remain calm and explain to the occupants what is happening.

Contact refuge and inform them of pending arrival.

Move all persons to the assembly point for evacuation.

The Chief Warden (or person responsible) is to collect satellite phone from office.

Ensure all persons are accounted for prior to departure (use listing of occupants).

Ensure all site buildings have all doors and windows closed prior to leaving site.

At refuge, move all persons to the safe area and ensure all persons are accounted for and safe.

The Chief Warden (or person responsible) to advise the local emergency service (02 6663 0000) that the all persons have been evacuated and are accounted for and safe at the designated refuge.

After all the occupants are accounted for and safe at the designated refuge nominated staff will commence contacting families affected.

Maintain situational awareness through radio, NSW RFS website, 1800 NSW RFS, smart phone applications and local firefighting resources.

After the bush fire event

a. No person should re-enter any evacuated building until advised by the emergency service.

b. The Chief Warden (or person responsible) to arrange the movement of occupants back to the site and or their separate accommodation

c. All occupants are to be accounted for on their return.

d. Inform the HS Directorate, police/emergency service of the return of persons to the premises.

8 NSW RURAL FIRE SERVICE – GUIDE TO DEVELOPING A BUSH FIRE EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT PLAN

Procedures to temporarily cease operations – Protocols flowchart

Principal has concerns

regarding viability of school operations due to emergency

situation

Principal discusses situation with

emergency services

Decision to either

temporarily cease

operations

Maintain

operations

Temporarily cease operations:

Advised school community via the school website

Immediately advise the Health and Safety Directorate’s Incident

Report and Support Hotline on 1800 811 523 (option 1)

Are temporary relocation or alternative places of work

available? Include in

communications

Continue to monitor situation. Return to normal operations as soon as

possible, in consultation with Emergency Services where required.

NSW RURAL FIRE SERVICE – GUIDE TO DEVELOPING A BUSH FIRE EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT PLAN 9

Communication in the event of local bush fire activity

Schools are to refer to the Bush Fire Communication Protocol for detailed information on this communication process.

Schools in bush fire prone areas monitor bush fire activity and stay informed during the bush fire danger period.

During periods of increased fire danger, schools stay up to date by:

Actively monitoring information on fire activity through TV, radio and the NSW RFS

Knowing the Fire Danger Ratings for their NSW Fire Area, especially on hot, dry and windy days

Staying alert for warnings such as Bush Fire Alert Levels issued by the RFS

Watching for signs of fire, especially smoke or the smell of smoke

Calling the RFS Bush Fire Information Line on 1800 NSW RFS (1800 679 737)

In the event of local bush fire activity, schools discuss their situation with emergency services, their Director, Public Schools NSW and the Health and Safety Directorate and seek appropriate advice.

What is the advice from emergency services?

Advice from emergency services is to enact

emergency management plan.

Advice from

emergency services is that bushfire threat is not immediate or has eased & school can continue operation. Continue operations but monitor situations and be

prepared to contact emergency services where required.

School enacts its emergency management plan, where possible, in consultation with emergency services

School follows Bush Fire Communication Protocols.

School confirms actions with Health and Safety Directorate on 1800 811 523 (Option 1) and Director, Public Schools

Health and Safety Directorate notifies State Emergency Operations Centre and NSW RFS of actions undertaken and promotes information on School Safety website.

Schools may need to enact their emergency management plan following:

Advice from emergency services to evacuate

Written direction under S61 of the State Emergency Act issued for schools to close

Principal and Director, Public Schools NSW approve the temporary ceasing of school operations.

Schools should determine, in consultation with emergency services and their Director, Public Schools NSW when it is appropriate to reopen school.

School provides ongoing updates to Health and Safety Directorate and Director, Public Schools NSW until normal operations resume.

10 NSW RURAL FIRE SERVICE – GUIDE TO DEVELOPING A BUSH FIRE EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT PLAN

Communication in the event of Catastrophic Fire Danger Ratings This communication protocol is only applicable to schools on the Bush Fire Register. Schools on the Bush Fire Register are required to close on days where a Catastrophic Fire Danger rating (FDR) is issued in their area. All other schools continue to operate as normal regardless of the fire danger ratings. Arrangements in preparation for these days must be prepared in advance of the bush fire danger period. Schools are to refer to the Bush Fire Communication Protocol for detailed information on this communication process.

Schools on the Bushfire Register will be alerted to preliminary weather forecasts where a Catastrophic FDR is predicted

Catastrophic FDR declared

Yes

No School operates as

normal

State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC) confirms a Catastrophic FDR has been declared at 4.30pm the day prior to

the school closing

Health and Safety Directorate notifies the principal and Director Public Schools

Principal activates action plan to close school on day(s) of Catastrophic FDR

SEOC informed of school closures

Health and Safety Directorate notifies SEOC of school closure and promotes information on Department’s School Safety website

Principal confirms closure of school with the Health and Safety Directorate on 1800 811 523 (Option 1) and Director, Public Schools NSW.

Principal prepares to receive further advice regarding FDRs on following days

NSW RURAL FIRE SERVICE – GUIDE TO DEVELOPING A BUSH FIRE EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT PLAN 11

When in PDF Insert school map Insert Communication in the event of local bushfire activity flowchart Insert Communication in the event of catastrophic fire danger ratings flowchart

12 NSW RURAL FIRE SERVICE – GUIDE TO DEVELOPING A BUSH FIRE EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT PLAN

EMERGENCY

WARNING ALERT

WATCH AND ACT

ALERT

ADVICE ALERT

NO FIRE FIRE DANGER

RATING

CATASTROPHIC 1 1 1 1

EXTREME 1 2 2 3

SEVERE 2 2 3 4

VERY HIGH 2 3 4 4

HIGH 3 4 4 5

LOW MODERATE 4 4 5 5

Bush Fire Matrix Score

1

Schools on Bush Fire Register – High Risk

For Schools on the Bush Fire Register, implement Temporarily Ceasing School Operations procedures

Schools Bush Fire Prone

For Bush Fire Prone schools, implement your Bush Fire Emergency Evacuation Plan

If there is NO FIRE review your Bush Fire Emergency Evacuation Plan

Brief the school

Communicate to your community

2

Implement your Bush Fire Emergency Evacuation Plan

Bush Fire preparation activities are a priority of staff

Brief the school

Hose, taps, emergency kit and other equipment set up by 11:00am

Monitor RFS Website, social media sites and local ABC Radio

Check Fires Near Me app at 11:00am, 12.30pm and 2:30pm

Staff keep general look out for any signs of fire in the vicinity

Communicate to the community

3

Staff reminded of their responsibilities

Consider implementing your Bush Fire Emergency Evacuation Plan

Brief the school

If smoke affected consider indoor activities only

Monitor RFS Website, social media sites and local ABC Radio

Check Fires Near Me app at 12.30pm and 2:30pm

Staff keep general look out for any signs of fire in the vicinity

Communicate to the community

4

Review your Bush Fire Emergency Evacuation Plan

Discuss your Plan with staff

If smoke affected, consider indoor activities only

Keep yourself informed and monitor conditions utilising RFS Website, Fires Near Me app, Live Traffic NSW app and local ABC Radio

5 Keep yourself informed and monitor conditions utilising RFS Website, Fires Near Me app, Live Traffic NSW app and local ABC Radio

NSW RURAL FIRE SERVICE – GUIDE TO DEVELOPING A BUSH FIRE EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT PLAN 13

REFUGE (PRIMARY)

14 NSW RURAL FIRE SERVICE – GUIDE TO DEVELOPING A BUSH FIRE EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT PLAN

REFUGE (ALTENATE 1)

NSW RURAL FIRE SERVICE – GUIDE TO DEVELOPING A BUSH FIRE EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT PLAN 15

REFUGE (ALTERNATE 2)