Emergency Response Plan Example Australia

Institutional Emergency Response Plan (ERP)

Document Control Block

• Document ID: [DOC-ERP-AUS-001]
• Version: [4.2]
• Effective Date: [01 October 2023]
• Jurisdiction: Commonwealth of Australia (Compliant with AS 3745-2010 Planning for emergencies in facilities, Model Work Health and Safety [WHS] Act, and Safe Work Australia Codes of Practice)
• Approved By: [Chief Executive Officer / Head of Risk & Compliance]
• Review Cycle: Annual

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1. Purpose and Scope

This document establishes the institutional emergency response framework for [Insert Organisation Name] operating within Australia. The purpose of this plan is to outline systematic procedures to mitigate, prepare for, respond to, and recover from emergency incidents affecting personnel, assets, operations, or the environment. This plan complies with Australian Standard AS 3745-2010 and applicable state/territory Work Health and Safety (WHS) legislation.

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2. Regulatory Compliance Framework

This ERP aligns with the following Australian legislative and regulatory standards:

• Work Health and Safety Act [2011] (and jurisdictional equivalents e.g., NSW WHS Act 2011, QLD WHS Act 2011, VIC OHS Act 2004)
• Work Health and Safety Regulations [2011] – specifically regarding emergency plans (Regulation 43)
• AS 3745-2010: Planning for emergencies in facilities
• AS 1851-2012: Routine service of fire protection systems and equipment
• Safe Work Australia: Emergency plans Code of Practice

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3. Emergency Control Organisation (ECO) Structure

In accordance with AS 3745-2010, an Emergency Control Organisation (ECO) is established for [Facility Name/Location].

3.1 ECO Leadership Chain

[Chief Warden (Facility Manager)]
       │
       ├─► [Deputy Chief Warden]
       │
       └─► [Area / Floor Wardens]
                  │
                  └─► [Wardens / Communication Officers]

3.2 Key Roles and Contact Matrix

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4. Emergency Communication Protocols (Internal & External)

4.1 Immediate External Notification

In the event of an immediate threat to life, property, or environment, dial 000 (Emergency Services: Police, Fire, Ambulance).

• Directives for caller:
  1. State the nature of the emergency.
  2. Provide exact address: [Insert Street Address, Suburb, State, Postcode].
  3. Provide nearest cross-street and access gate.
  4. Confirm specific hazards (e.g., chemical, electrical, active threat).
  5. Do not hang up until the emergency operator confirms receipt of necessary details.

4.2 Internal Alert and Communication

• Alert Tone (Beep/Standby): [Description of tone, e.g., Intermittent "Beep-Beep" sound indicating prepare to evacuate/shelter].
• Evacuation Tone (Wail): [Description of tone, e.g., Continuous rising "Whoop-Whoop" sound indicating immediate evacuation].
• Public Address (PA) / Warden Comms: Handheld UHF radios set to Channel [Channel Number] or institutional PA system.

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5. Specific Emergency Scenarios & Action Protocols

5.1 Fire / Smoke Incident

1. Discoverer:
   • Hit the nearest Manual Call Point (Break Glass Alarm).
   • Alert occupants and call out "FIRE, FIRE, FIRE".
   • If safe to do so, use the appropriate fire extinguisher (Check class: Water, Foam, CO2, Dry Powder). Never risk personal safety.
2. Area Warden:
   • Direct personnel to the nearest safe emergency exit.
   • Check designated rooms (toilets, meeting rooms) within the zone.
3. Chief Warden:
   • Verify emergency services (000) have been called.
   • Meet fire brigade upon arrival, hand over Site Warden Board and access keys.

5.2 Medical Emergency

1. First Responder:
   • Assess the scene for hazards. Ensure personal safety.
   • Call 000 for ambulance if life-threatening (unconscious, chest pain, severe bleeding, anaphylaxis).
   • Retrieve the nearest Automated External Defibrillator (AED) and First Aid Kit located at [Insert Location].
2. First Aid Officer:
   • Administer first aid in accordance with Australian Resuscitation Council (ARC) guidelines.
   • Clear bystanders to maintain patient privacy and operational space.

5.3 Bomb Threat / Suspicious Package

1. Phone Threat Receiver:
   • Keep the caller on the line as long as possible. Use the Bomb Threat Checklist (Section 8).
   • Signal a colleague to notify management and emergency services immediately.
2. Suspicious Object:
   • Do not touch, tilt, or move the object.
   • Clear an immediate perimeter of at least [25/100] meters.
   • Evacuate the immediate sector via routes away from the object.

5.4 External Threat / Intruder / Active Armed Offender

1. Protocol: ESCAPE – HIDE – TELL
   • Escape: If safe to do so, run away from the threat out of line of sight. Leave belongings behind.
   • Hide: If escape is impossible, lock or barricade doors, turn off lights, silence mobile phones, and remain quiet out of sight.
   • Tell: Call 000 when safe. Provide detailed descriptions of the offender, location, and weapon type.

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6. Evacuation Procedures & Assembly Areas

6.1 General Evacuation Steps

1. Cease work immediately.
2. Secure critical data or hazardous processes only if time permits without risk.
3. Proceed calmly via the designated primary emergency exit route.
4. Do not use elevators/lifts.
5. Proceed directly to the Primary Assembly Area.
6. Await further instructions from Wardens or Emergency Services. Do not re-enter the facility until an "All Clear" is officially declared by the Chief Warden or Emergency Services Commander.

6.2 Assembly Area Mapping

• Primary Assembly Area: [Car Park B, North Quadrangle, located off Smith Street]
• Secondary Assembly Area (Alternate): [Community Park, opposite main entrance across Jones Road]

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7. Post-Emergency Operations & Business Continuity

7.1 Stand-Down and All-Clear Process

• The "All-Clear" can only be issued by the Emergency Services Incident Controller in consultation with the Chief Warden.
• The Chief Warden will brief the ECO members and authorize re-entry or direct secondary measures (e.g., facility closure).

7.2 Incident Reporting and Investigation

• Within 24 hours of the incident, the Chief Warden and WHS Officer must complete the Incident Investigation Report.
• Statutory notification must be made to the relevant work health and safety regulator (e.g., SafeWork NSW, WorkSafe Victoria) immediately if a notifiable incident (death, serious injury, or dangerous incident) has occurred pursuant to Part 3 of the WHS Act.

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8. Appendices and Checklists

Appendix A: Bomb Threat Telephone Checklist

(To be placed near all primary administrative/reception telephones)

• Exact time of call: [___:___]
• Date: [DD/MM/YYYY]
• Exact words of caller: [__________________________________________________]

Questions to Ask Caller:

1. When is the bomb going to explode? [___:___]
2. Where is it right now? [________________________________________]
3. What does it look like? [________________________________________]
4. What kind of bomb is it? [________________________________________]
5. Why did you place the bomb? [_____________________________________]
6. What is your name? [____________________________________________]

Caller Voice Characteristics:

• Male [ ] Female [ ] Adult [ ] Child
• Voice Tone: [ ] Calm [ ] Excited [ ] Raspy [ ] Soft [ ] Loud [ ] Crying [ ] Slurred
• Accent/Speech: [ ] Local [ ] Interstate [ ] Foreign [ ] Stutter [ ] Lisp [ ] Fast [ ] Slow
• Background Noise: [ ] Street noises [ ] Music [ ] Office machinery [ ] Voices [ ] Static [ ] None

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Appendix B: Emergency Training and Drill Schedule

• Induction Training: All new staff, contractors, and visitors must receive basic emergency orientation upon arrival.
• Warden Training: ECO members must complete accredited Warden Training every [2 years] in compliance with AS 3745.
• Evacuation Drills: Conducted at least every 12 months (or every 6 months for high-risk facilities).
  • Last Drill Date: [DD/MM/YYYY]
  • Scheduled Next Drill: [DD/MM/YYYY]