Development Framework


Emergency Management Plan	Evacuation Procedures	Continuity Plans

Identify resources & establish a transport plan for evacuation purposes & or maintenance of service	Develop a system for identifying residents and documenting contact details and alerts	Document components of Emergency Management plan & procedure from strategic and operational plans
Assemble a mobile Emergency Evacuation Resource Box	Review existing assembly areas in conjunction with appropriate certifying contractors	Display a Site Evacuation Plan in appropriate public areas

Commentary
As part of the evacuation plan, consideration may need to be given to sheltering in place, for those circumstances when evacuation is not feasible due to:

destruction of community’s infrastructure
risk to residents during evacuation
self limiting nature of emergency (temporary nature)
stage phasing of the evacuation process.

In undertaking an evaluation of the assembly areas the organisation should consider the limitations and special needs of their residents/clients population. A risk assessment approach in relocating residents/clients to assembly areas, should factor in resident/client ability to cope and their reaction/s to environment issues and the circumstances of evacuation.

Actions
Consult with suitably qualified staff to review the facilities/sites existing assembly areas, to confirm their suitability in
a variety of scenarios, factoring in climatic variations. Assembly areas should:

Be clearly marked and identifiable within the external environment (signed or ground marked with fluorescent
painted stripes - with ‘no parking’ signage clearly alerting obstruction).
Include multiple points of assembly (a minimum of two assembly areas).
Be located in areas that will not be affected by prevailing winds, to ensure that those assembled will not be
affected by smoke, toxic gases.
Be located at a sufficient distance from major structures/buildings, to ensure that evacuees will not be
affected by fire, debris, broken glass etc.
Be located in areas that do not hinder the arrival of emergency services (main access road) or their use
of essential emergency equipment, such as fire hydrants.
Be clearly outlined and defined (with colour coding and corresponding symbols) on site/facility evacuation
plans and site plans.
Not be located where residents/clients will reasonably be put at further risk (e.g. risk of wandering onto a busy
road, hard to search areas, or at risk of injury due to the terrain).

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Resource:
Egress and Access for people with disabilities

Preparing for Emergency Evacuations at the Workplace (PDF Document 520Kb)

Workplace Safety Australia

Aged Care Guidance notes (Word Document 3.6Mb)

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