2.1The School Emergency Management Policy Includes

1. POLICY STATEMENT

Rainbow P-12acknowledges that emergencies and critical incidents may occur at a school. It is recognised that an organised management plan which is immediately implemented may avoid or reduce the traumas associated with such incidents and aid in the subsequent recovery.

The Emergency Management Plan (EMP) and the Critical Incident Recovery Plan (CIRP) are integral parts of this policy and are attachments to this policy document.

1. GUIDELINES

2.1The school Emergency Management Policy includes:

• the Emergency Management Plan (EMP)
• the Critical Incident Recovery Plan (CIRP)

2.2The Emergency Management Plan aims to:

• eliminate the risk of injury or death of persons present at the school in a time of emergency
• provide an orderly evacuation of the school in times of emergency
• account for all persons at the school just prior to evacuation

2.3The Critical Incident Recovery Plan aims to:

• provide optimum response at a time of instability and trauma
• aid recovery by the use of specialist services
• allocate responsibilities care and support

1. PROGRAM

3.1.1At the first indication of an ‘emergency’ the EMP will come in to operation immediately.

An ‘emergency’ is any sudden event which endangers or threatens to endanger the safety or the health of any person, or which destroys or threatens to destroy or damage property and includes:

• fatality
• serious injury/serious assault/sexual assault
• siege/hostage/firearms
• disappearance or removal of student
• bomb threat
• collapse/major damage to building or equipment
• motor vehicle collision/impact with school
• impact by equipment/machinery/aircraft
• fire in school building/bushfire
• fumes/spill/leak/contamination by hazardous material
• outbreak of disease
• flood/wind storm or other natural event
• incidents which occur when students and staff are on camps or excursions and while they are travelling to or from school
• drug related incidents or traumas either related to the school environment or to students’ backgrounds

3.1.2 In the event of an emergency a member of the Principal Class should be the first point of notification. The principals will enact the EMP as appropriate.

If a member of the Principal Class is not available then notification should proceed to the designated Leading Teacher who will assume responsibility for contacting the most senior staff member available.

The EMP provides for the appropriate emergency services and DEECD Emergency Management to be contacted. DEECD EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT – 9589 6266

ASSESSING THE DANGER

The Incident Commander (Principal) will:

• assess the danger posed by the emergency
• identify affected parts of the school
• assess likelihood of danger spreading
• decide on the basis of this assessment whether evacuation is required
• inform the school about action to be taken

3.1.3Once the emergency has passed or if there has been a critical incident which did not require the implementation of Emergency Management Plan (EMP), the Critical Incident Recovery Plan (CIRP) will be initiated.

3.2.1EMP will be implemented by the Principal or delegate as Incident Commander (Emergency Coordinator). The Incident Commander is in charge of all operations until such time as a police sergeant or higher ranked office takes over. This person will have the responsibility for determining if and when students may return to their normal classes.

3.2.2The Incident Commander will organise regular rehearsals at the rate of at least one term. The rehearsals should attempt to practice different types of responses e.g.’ lock down or evacuation of the buildings.

3.3.1As part of the Critical Incident Recovery Plan, the principal will set up a Recovery Team at the beginning of each year.

3.3.2Following a critical incident, the Principal will convene the Recovery Team as soon as possible.

The composition of the Recovery Team will be:

• the Principal
• the Assistant Principal
• a member of the teaching staff
• a member of the Educational Support staff (first aid trained)
• other support staff as appropriate
• as necessary, psychologists, counselors and DEECD personnel.

3.3.3The Principal will convene the Recovery Team once each semester to review planning and strategies for the Critical Incident Recovery Plan.

1. LINKS AND APPENDICES (including processes related to this policy)

Links which are connected with this policy are:

• Managing School Emergencies - Minimising the impact of trauma on staff and students Booklet

• Contact: Twenty-four (24) Hour Communications Centre Emergency and Security Management Unit onTelephone: (03) 9589 6266or Fax: (03) 9589 0296

Appendices which are connected with this policy are:

• Appendix A: Emergency Management Plan which includes:
• Emergency Contact Numbers
• A Site Evacuation Map
• The Site Specific Risks
• Appendix B: Critical Incident Recovery Plan (CIRP)

1. EVALUATION

This policy will be reviewed annually or more often if necessary due to changes in regulations, local circumstances or as a result of knowledge gained from rehearsal of the plan.

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