POLICY REGARDING EMERGENCIES / EVACUATION

1. PURPOSE

The purpose of this policy is to outline the procedure for managing emergency situations whilst Green Umbrella is providing care. To establish protocols and procedures that effectively monitors and manages a potentially dangerous situation.

This policy applies to students, employees, volunteers, families and people visiting the school site.

2. POLICY STATEMENT

Generally, an emergency is an unplanned, sudden or an unexpected event or situation that requires immediate action to prevent harm, injury or illness to persons or damage to the school environment.  It is a risk to an individual’s health and safety.

At Green Umbrella, learning is viewed as a continuous process and all children from three to thirteen years are at differing stages of development, ability and understanding. The strength of relationship between staff, student and parents is embedded in our practice and this supports the interaction when addressing this important policy area.

3. PRACTICE

3.1 Evacuations

• The whistle is blown in the event of emergency/evacuation.  The Responsible Person will contact 000 and School Manager, to notify them of the emergency/ need for evacuation.
• All children are to stop what they are doing and walk directly to the hall and in turn, to the designated meeting area at the front of the hall. Clear signage is found at each exit. If the area is unsafe Responsible Person will determine an alternative assembly point (basketball court).
• Designated educator to collect iPad/attendance sheet, excursion bag and service phone. Searching building as they leave, checking toilets, lofts, and other rooms while collecting relevant medications before moving to the designated area.
• A roll will be taken to ensure all children and staff are present.
• Staff and children will remain in the meeting area awaiting instructions, this is either to shelter within the hall, walk to Terrigal Reserve Terrey Hills or await collection by the CDC/Forest Coach bus service.
• All staff to take their mobile phones with them if possible.
• Children will bring nothing with them.
• In the event of NO bus access to Kinma, educators and children will walk to Terrigal Reserve, Terrey Hills following mapped route.
• If bus access, the bus will take children and educators to the evacuation destination, Lionel Watts Reserve at Frenches Forest.
• Families will be contacted to collect children.

Information for Parents/Guardians

• If fires are burning in the area we ask that you do not send your children to OSHC.
• Do not telephone Green Umbrella if you are concerned about evacuation. Phone one of the following emergency contact parents:

              Amanda Fitzgerald                    Lucy Kaldor        

0414 949 422                     0422 523 677        

 These parents will be kept up to date with the current situation.

Green Umbrella Staff will regularly communicate updates of the emergency. We ask that parents do not post on Facebook or ring the Green Umbrella phone during this time.

• Each child is expected to participate in Evacuation drills. Please discuss the idea of evacuation drill with your children so they are not frightened or complacent.
• Reassure your child that personal treasures left behind during evacuation times will not cause any family upsets.
• Staff to identify through evacuation evaluations and discussion in staff meetings, children who may need specific support when evacuating the building and grounds.

3.2 Internal Threat

• Responsible Person advises the need for lockdown.
•  Designated educator contacts police using 000
• We speak to the children and gather them together, moving to stage wing, under loft.
• Designated staff member collects service phone and iPad, closing and locking all external doors and windows.
• Roll taken once doors closed and secured.
• Children to be kept on the floor and quiet.
• If able, contact school office to alert.
• Wait for instructions from police / emergency services.

4. EMERGENCY POSSIBILITIES

FIRE

• Follow the evacuation procedure.
• Staff should only use the fire extinguisher if it is safe to do so and they are trained and confident.
• Staff should not re-renter the building if it is on fire.

GAS LEAK

• No gas currently plumbed at the Preschool or Primary school.
• In case of street leakage move all students indoors, close windows, take iPad and parent list.
• Phone EMERGENCYSERVICES ON 000 and advise of issue.
• Follow advice from emergency services.
• Switch on air purifiers.

INDUSTRIAL CHEMICAL SPILLAGE

• Remain indoors and follow advice from emergency services.
• Telephone EMERGENCY SERVICES ON 000 and advise of issue.
• Follow advice from emergency service.
• Switch on air purifiers.

INTERNAL THREAT

• Follow Internal threat procedures.

BOMB THREAT

• Follow evacuation procedure and go to assembly point and await instruction from emergency services.
• Telephone EMERGENCY SERVICES ON 000 and advise of issue.
• If bomb is suspected to be on school site all children will be evacuated offsite.  The Responsible Person will determine destination.
• If receiving bomb threat by telephone - alert an educator while remaining on telephone. Calmly speak with the caller, do not hang up – Ask  WHEN (explosion time), WHERE, (location specifics) WHAT (what type of bomb) WHY (who are you and why did you place it)

STORM

• Children remain indoors, playing away from windows and doors.
• Reassure children verbally and physically, quietly and confidently.
• Check with Bureau of Meteorology of length and size of storm.

POWER FAILURE

• In the event of power failure effecting safety the Responsible Person will notify parents and request children to be collected as soon as possible.
• The children will be kept inside if the power failure is due to downed power lines nearby.
• The children will be kept calm.
• Staff will ensure any electrical appliances in operation will be switched off.

        6.  APPENDIX

Supporting Documents

• Section 167 Offence relating to protection of children from harm and hazards
• Regulation 97 Emergency and evacuation procedures
• Regulation 98 Telephone or other communication equipment
• Regulation 168 Education and care services must have policies and procedures
• Regulation 170 Policies and procedures must be followed
• Regulation 171 Policies and procedures to be kept available
• Regulation 172 Notification of change to policies
• ACECQA – Guide to National Quality Framework
• Bushfire Survival Plan (Kinma)
• National Education Standards –Safe and Supportive Environment (NESA)
• Green Umbrella Emergency checklist
• Green Umbrella Evacuation evaluation

Reviewed February 2024      

Next Scheduled Review:

•   October 2026

APPENDIX A - RFS Pre-Incident Plan Pre incident inspection from 2023

PRE-INCIDENT PLAN (PIP) INSPECTION FORM – KINMA PRIMARY & PRE-SCHOOL

Date:         18/10/23        

1. SITE INFORMATION

Premises Name: Kinma Primary & Pre-school        

Contact Phone: Primary 9450 0738 Pre-school 9486 3018

Address:127 Coolowie Road         Suburb: Terrey Hills

Cross Street/Landmarks: Amuna Road         Map/UBD Ref: ________________________

Name of Occupier: Kinma Primary & Pre-school         Lat/Long Ref: ________________________

Main Use: Education facility for children aged 3-12 years.

No of Occupants: Permanent 30 Pre-school children; 95 Primary children, 20 staff (145)

Normal Operating Hours: Monday to Friday 08.30am – 6.00 pm. After School Care 3.00pm to 6.00pm on Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday.  Vacation care – School Holidays & pupil free days – First 1-2 days and last term. 09.00 am – 03.00pm.

Security/Key Access: Yes

If yes provide details: Key located in a box on the veranda of Administration Building. Code 1972.

2. CONTACT INFORMATION

AFA: Yes - smoke alarm Name: Lithium battery Installation Type: Ceiling mounted smoke alarm

Owners: Kinma Pre-school & Primary Contact Name: Felicity Brandon - Manager

Phone: 9450 0738   Mobile: 0499 974 322 School Mobile: 0474 500 707

Panel Contact: Fair Deal Fire Protection   Name: Chris Coen

3. BUILDING DESCRIPTION                                      CLASS - 9B

Building Construction: Floor – Administration Building – Concrete; School Hall – Concrete; Pre-school building (3) – Concrete; Group 1, 2 & 3 classrooms – Concrete; Primary 4 Classroom – Concrete; Cottage – Weatherboard.

External Walls: Administration Building – Brick & corrugated iron; School Hall – Brick, Steel & corrugated iron; Pre-school building (3) – Steel with corrugated iron; Group 1, 2 & 3 classrooms – Brick frame, wood cladding on East & West façade, verandas on East and West sides are wood; Primary 4 Classroom – Steel construction with brick & corrugated iron; Cottage – Wood

Internal Walls: Administration Building – Gyprock; School Hall – Gyprock; Pre-school building (3) – Hebel brick; Group 1, 2 & 3 classrooms – Brick with exposed wood joists; Primary 4 Classroom – Gyprock; Cottage – Wooden

 Roofing: Administration Building – Corrugated iron; School Hall – Corrugated iron; Pre-school building (3) – Corrugated iron; Group 1, 2 & 3 classrooms – Corrugated iron; Primary 4 Classroom – Corrugated iron; Cottage – Tiles

Contents of Building: Administration Building, Classrooms, Pre-school classrooms – office equipment, desks, chairs, books, pencils, metal shelving. School Hall – Stage equipment in storeroom, chairs in storeroom, craft equipment, kitchen equipment; Cottage – house furniture.

Building Compartmentation: Yes

Is Building of Performance Based Construction? Yes

If yes provide details: Administration Building – Office compartments and equipment; School Hall – open area with stage, stage store, storeroom, craft room and kitchen; 4 Classroom buildings – classroom facility with desks and chairs, sink, oven & hotplates; 3 Pre-school buildings – open play areas similar to a classroom with desks and chairs.  In the centre building there is a kitchen with stove and hot plates.

Exposures: Description/Location: All buildings are surrounded by eucalyptus trees and other bush. There are no metal fences surrounding the school property. The buildings are exposed to Coolowie Road, which joins Aumuna Road and the Fire Trail on the South boundary. The North Western boundary faces the Neverfail Gully, which would have water flowing in the creek during periods of rain.

Level of risk: High

4. BUSH FIRE HISTORY

HR (Bush): 6 years                                        Last HR/Wildfire:

Next Projected HR: To be advised.

5. HAZARDOUS MATERIALS

Location: No hazardous materials

6. WATER SUPPLY

Access to water: Sydney Water mains

Hydrant Locations:   3 hydrants located approx. 200 Mtrs.  on left side of Coolowie Road and also in Amuna Road. Marked with yellow arrow on road.

Other Water Supplies: 3 Grey Water tanks holding sewage and waste water.

Internal Hydrant/Sprinkler Booster Location: Terrey Hills Rural Fire Brigade tanker connection located on external water storage tank, which would be used to provide bulk water supply to NSW RFS tankers if required.

7. SPRINKLER/FIREFIGHTING SYSTEMS

EWIS System - No 

Portable CO2 Extinguishers – 11, Water Hose Reels – 6, Wet Chemical – 1, AE Powder – 1, Fire Blankets – 7 – 1 in every space

8. SERVICES

Town Gas: No

Bottle Gas: Type - LPG   Location – With BBQ   Cyl Size – 9kg

Nearest Response: Terrey Hills Rural Fire Service

9. FACTORS FOR SITE PLAN

Hazardous Materials – No           Alarm Indicator Panel - No

Assembly Areas – Basketball court.  In the event of a major emergency, evacuation would be to Main Assembly Hall, which has multiple access doors. A bell warning would alert everyone to immediately move to the Main Assembly Hall. 

Access (Entry) – multiple entrances in each building.

Egress (Evacuation)- multiple exits in each building 

Direction of Storm Water Run Off/Catchment Areas – flows into Neverfail Creek

Exposures (Int/Ext) - Coolowie Road and bush    Electricity Supply – Energy Australia

Solar Electricity – Top of Pre-school and Main Assembly Hall buildings

10. ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

Inspecting Officer – Bruce Poulter   Brigade – Terrey Hills Rural Fire Brigade

Signature ____________________________ Rank _________

Reviewed ____________

APPENDIX B – Contact Details for CDC Buses

APPENDIX C – Map of Emergency Evacuation Meeting Place