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HELENSBURGH PUBLIC SCHOOL

BUSHFIRE EMERGENCY
MANAGEMENT PLAN

2014 -2015 SEASON
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BUSHFIRE EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT PLAN
Letters to parents outlining school procedures
Check parent mobile contacts and test SMS system
Newsletter articles
School Website links and news blog posts
Fire drill and remove leaf and litter threats
Prepare Bushfire Kit for the school hall
School Bushfire Emergency Management Plan produced as an easy reference
booklet for parents and community (to be finalised)



















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Bushfire Emergency Management Plan
Fire Danger Rating Procedures
1. CATASTROPHIC FDR
Communication
School/Principal will be notified (best case, by 4:30 pm
the day before) via email and telephone by the WHS
Directorate that a catastrophic fire danger rating is to
be implemented.
Principal to contact Director Public Schools, WH&S
Directorate, Safety and Security Unit.
The school will be directed to relocate or temporarily
cease operations for the period the rating is in force.
If declaration after 4:30 pm parents have been advised
pre-season to check the school news blog,
www.helensburgh-ps.com ,listen to local radio, check
www.nswrfs.gov.au , twitter and facebook,
Parents will also receive a school generated SMS
advising that the school is closed and students are to
stay at home until advised to return.
The school message board will indicate that the school
will be closed until advised GA responsibility


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STAFF
Staff will be advised by SMS and email not to report
to work
Local staff are to stay home
All other staff will report for duty to the nearest
public school to their home (IF SAFE TO DO SO)
This includes SASS and Cleaners
OoHS and community groups will be advised not to
come to the school by telephone and email
ACTIVITIES
All excursions will be cancelled or postponed
Students away on overnight excursions to remain at
their present location or billeted at a local school until
rating has been lifted and it is safe for them to return or
their parents to pick them up
RECOVERY
Parents will be advised when students may return to
school by school news blog, local radio, SMS
Counsellor services will be available for students and for
staff through WHS Directorate




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2. EXTREME FDR or (Heavy smoke affected)
COMMUNICATION
Parents notified that an Extreme fire danger rating has
been implemented and the procedures the day before
by note, news blog post and SMS message
Principal to contact Director Public Schools, WH&S
Directorate, Safety and Security Unit
Consider temporarily ceasing operations if conditions
are hazardous or staff cannot get to school
Staff to be notified by email
Parents to consider keeping at home students who have
current Asthma Plans
OoHS and community groups will be advised of limited
activity at school, by telephone and email
STAFF
Preparation Measures
1. Cease outdoor activities and games
2. Activate water sprinklers in the area surrounding the
hall including the gas tank
3. Gates opened for Fire Brigade & emergency services
access
4. Duties as per Wet Weather times (NO OUTSIDE PLAY)
5. Collect all Asthma puffers and spacer & epipens for
students in your class
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STUDENTS
Follow the direction of teachers at all times
Limit outside movement, no running around
If required have your puffer with you at all times or your
teacher
Bring plenty of water with you to school in drink bottles
ACTIVITIES
No Outdoor activity for staff and students
No mowing or slashing by staff or contractors
No Excursions to bushland or areas that would create
access problems returning to school (Principals
decision)
RECOVERY
Parents to be advised to check the school news blog,
www.helensburgh-ps.com ,listen to local radio, check
www.nswrfs.gov.au , twitter and facebook, for weather
forecasts and further updates.





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IMMINENT LOCAL THREAT (Fire Impact)
(A) School notified that a fire is in the local area
(B) School takes action during immediate ember attack
Considerations:
Trigger Action
Hot day, start of fire season, bush fires
are present in NSW.
Be more aware of bush fire, watch local
media for news of fires, weather reports.
See / hear / smell possible fire activity /
smoke in the area or are aware of fire
activity nearby.
Identify where fire is RFS Website,
1800 NSW RFS, Fires Near Me App, FCC.
Monitor fire threat if detected in
surrounding areas.
a) Cannot determine Fire Threat
b) Fire threat is identified in local
area
Commence shelter in place procedure.

Continue to seek information regarding
nature of fire characteristics in area.

COMMUNICATION
School/Principal notified via email and telephone by the
WHS Directorate or SEOC or IFCC that there is a possible
imminent danger to the school
Parents notified of situation and procedures as soon as
possible by the Principal via school news blog and SMS
message (A) Students safe in the hall dont come to
school, (B) Students locked down & safe stay where
you are safe, dont come to school.
Principal to contact Director Public Schools, WH&S
Directorate, Safety and Security Unit.
(A) Bushfire Warning signal initiated - Principal
(B) Lockdown signal initiated Principal
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Principal to call all clear if advised by Emergency
Services or if the Principal is satisfied there is no fire
threat.
STAFF
(A) Bushfire Warning signal initiated (Fire in the Area)
Relocate school operations to the hall
Teachers and SLSOs relocate students to the school
hall with their bags, water bottles and hard copy of class
roll
SASS relocate to school canteen new command centre
with outside telephone, be prepared to move to hall if
necessary
APs Deputy Wardens assign supervision duties, toilet
monitors, check rolls & student numbers close doors,
block drafts, close whirly air vents, and communicate
with Warden (Principal) via 2way radio or mobile or
school intercom.
Parents are not to take students from hall unless
permission is gained from Principal
Keep students calm waiting for the all clear
School First Aid officer take first aid kit, medications and
towels to hall
(B) Lockdown signal initiated (Ember Attack)
Lockdown procedures to be implemented with the
addition of the following procedures
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Students bring their bags into the classroom with their
water bottles
Relocate away from windows and doors block any drafts
Know where the fire extinguishers are in your
building/room
Keep in communication with the school office via
intercom and/or mobile
No one is to leave the room or leave with parents.
Parents and community are to shelter until the threat
has passed and an all clear has been sounded.
STUDENTS
(A) Move in an orderly fashion at the direction of the
teachers to the school hall
(B) Return to or remain in their classroom or the nearest
room supervised by a teacher
(A) + (B) Stay in the room or the hall until the teacher
tells you it is safe
(A) + (B) Stay calm you will be safe
ACTIVITIES
All school activities cease immediately
Students away on an excursion or playing sport to
remain at their present location (if safe to do so) and
not return to school. If on route be directed to a safe
location by emergency services
Students away on overnight excursions to remain at
their present location or billeted at a local school until
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rating has been lifted and it is safe for them to return or
their parents to pick them up

RECOVERY
Parents to be advised to check the school news blog,
www.helensburgh-ps.com ,listen to local radio, check
www.nswrfs.gov.au , twitter and facebook, for weather
forecasts and further updates.
Counsellor services will be available for students and for
staff through the WHS Directorate
NOTES
Bushfire Kit for Hall
PPE for Principal + APs (P2 masks, overalls, gloves, goggles)
Portable battery operated radio
Torches and spare batteries
First Aid kit and Medication for students
DVDs to entertain students
Contact lists copy of Emergency Plan
Class lists
Towels for under doorways
Appendix:
1. School map
2. Procedures for temporarily ceasing operations at a school due to an emergency or
potential emergency situation DN/14/00057

SCHOOL MAP
Location of School LIBRARY

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LIBRARY WHOLE
SCHOOL RELOCATION
SHELTER WHEN FIRE
IN THE AREA

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