The effective and efficient management of emergency incidents is critical to the safety and well being of students, staff and school visitors, as well as essential in minimising damage to school property.
The duty of care attributed to school personnel requires that all reasonable steps be taken to protect students from risk of personal injury that could reasonably have been foreseen. Schools are responsible for ensuring that the school-related activities are planned for and are conducted in accordance with guidelines and procedures regulated by governments and safety authorities.
The purpose of this policy is to maintain an emergency management plan which describes actions to be taken during or following an emergency.
The foreseeable the emergencies, disasters or hazards that the school could be exposed to include:
- Armed Robbery
- Barricade / Hostage Situation
- Bomb Threat / Explosive Devices
- Chemical Spills
- Fume Hazards
- Acts of Terrorism etc.
- Camps and excursions
Emergency management: Emergency management provides a process to protect the safety of students and staff. There are 4 accepted components of emergency management – preparedness for an emergency, prevention of possible disasters, response to emergency situations and recovery procedures.
Emergency: An emergency is the actual or imminent occurrence of an event which in any way endangers or threatens to endanger the safety or health of any person or damage to property. In the school context, an emergency includes incidents which occur during school hours, during camps, excursions or outdoor adventure activities, or that occur during travel to or from school.
Evacuation: the removal of persons or things from an endangered area.
Containment: containing persons in a safe area in times of endangerment. i.e. “Lock down” Code Sister Mary to the Office.
The school is required to maintain a current Emergency Management Plan which clearly describes how the school will respond during an emergency to ensure the ongoing safety of staff, students and visitors. The emergency management plan describes actions to be taken before, during and following an emergency. The
Principal will ensure that staff and students know what the plan contains, and through the provision of appropriate training, what they are required to do during an emergency.
The safety of staff, students and visitors will always be the prime focus of the emergency management plan.
Emergency evacuation signage will be displayed in each room of every building on school property.
The emergency management plan will be developed in consultation with local emergency services and all staff.
Evacuation assembly areas that provide shelter, water and toilet facilities should be identified in the school's emergency management plan to cater for long duration evacuation and should include sites that are well beyond the school grounds. In the case of a hazardous materials incident students may have to be evacuated up to a kilometre from the school and be supervised there for several hours.
Containment areas that provide shelter, water and toilet facilities should be identified in the school's emergency management plan to cater for long duration containment.
Students should be supervised for the duration of the emergency and until the normal dismissal time.
Details should be recorded concerning any student who is released into the care of a parent or guardian during an emergency.
One pre-announced and one unannounced emergency evacuation/containment drill will occur each term. And one pre-announced and one unannounced emergency evacuation/containment drill involving local emergency services (if available) will occur each year.
Adequate counselling and trauma support is available when required.
Report to Emergency Management Coordinator
Incidents which occur during school hours, during camps, excursions or outdoor adventure activities, which occur during travel to or from school, involve the media, or issues for potential negligence or legal liability must be reported as required by the Diocese of Sale Catholic Education Office; refer to Emergency Management Steps (attached).
School Incident Report to CECV Industrial Relations Unit
Incidents which occur during school hours, during camps, excursions or outdoor adventure activities, which occur during travel to or from school, involve the media, or issues for potential negligence or legal liability must be reported as required by the Catholic Education Commission Victoria, School Incident/Accident/Near Miss Report. The School Incident Report can be found on CEVN-ISS under Data Collection.
- An evacuation plan must be displayed in the classroom near phones
- When an emergency occurs children to be lined up at the door – do not allow children to return for books, bags etc.
- Teacher to check no child is left in classroom.
- Children to be assembled at designated assembly point in an organised and orderly manner.
- Role to be called to determine all children are present.
- Office staff to contact appropriate emergency services.
- Pre-determined staff members to check all non-classroom rooms, eg. toilet block, reading recovery room etc, to determine that no children are left in the area during the emergency.
- When emergency is over, children to be returned to classroom in an orderly manner (if safe to do so) and some reflective discussion on the emergency May take place.
- As deemed necessary, the Principal and staff will contact parents
- An explanation of the emergency will normally be distributed to the parent body by means of a bulletin.
- Paper copies of the roll to be taken down by admin staff.
Offsite Assembly Areas
- The offsite evacuation assembly area or areas are located at Holy Cross Monastery or Berleigh Drive Reserve.
- Arrangements for use of the offsite assembly areas have been made with EMQ.
- Containment plan must be displayed in the classroom.
- When an emergency occurs where children are to remain in the school, teachers will ensure they are kept calm through quiet activities within the room.
- Teacher to check no child has left the classroom by checking the school role.
- Office staff to contact appropriate emergency services.If safe to do so, pre-determined staff members to check all non-classroom rooms, eg. toilet block, reading recovery room etc, to determine that no children are left in the area during the emergency.
- When emergency is over, children to be remain in classroom (if safe to do so) and some reflective discussion on the emergency may take place.
- As deemed necessary, the Principal and staff will contact parents.
- An explanation of the emergency will normally be distributed to the parent body by means of a SMS.
Post Incident/Drill Documentation & Evaluation
Each emergency incident or drill will be documented. Such documentation will include a register of the type of incident or drill, the date the incident or drill occurred and an evaluation of the school’s response to the drill or incident. The evaluation of the school’s response effectiveness may lead to adjustments being made to this policy and its procedures.
- Critical Incident Policy
- Diocese of Melbourne Emergency Management Steps
- Emergency Management Accident/Incident Report Form. Accessed on CEVN site
- School Incident/Accident/Near Miss Report. Accessed on CEVN site
This policy will be reviewed as part of the school’s five year review cycle or as required. Last ratified 2014. Please refer to maps in folder for specific details.