Emergency Warden Training - Planning for Emergencies and Initial Fire Attack

Planning and preparing to respond to a range of emergencies is an essential part of managing health and safety. Australian Standard AS 3745: 2010 Planning for emergencies in facilities (as amended) defines an emergency as

“An event that arises internally, or from external sources, which may adversely affect the occupants or visitors in a facility, and which requires an immediate response’’.

Emergency Warden training is an essential part of that response.

The HAZCON developed “Planning for emergencies and initial fire attack” 4-hour session aims to provide participants with the practical skills, knowledge and understanding of roles and responsibilities when dealing with emergencies in the workplace and to assist in developing or reviewing Emergency Plans.

The training session covers the following key areas but can be tailored to address any current issues and refer to relevant documentation at your facility.

Key areas covered:

• Overview of relevant health and safety legislation and associated codes;
• Duties and duty holders;
• Overview of Australian Standard AS 3745: 2010 Planning for emergencies in facilities (as amended);
• Roles and responsibilities of Emergency Planning Committee, Emergency Control Organisation (including Chief Warden, Emergency Wardens and other key personnel);
• Risk analysis/assessment of the nature and likelihood of an emergency;
• Purpose and content of an Emergency Plan;
• Emergency response procedures, Evacuation diagrams and exercises;
• Specific guidance on Fire risk assessment and Australian Standards relating to fire and fire control;
• Determining appropriate response actions including use of emergency response equipment;
• Debriefing, reviewing and action planning as part of continual improvement.

The training session also includes (after consultation with the client):

• A practical emergency response exercise such as an evacuation drill with debrief; or
• Further detailed usage of fire extinguishers and other firefighting equipment; or
• A tailored activity for the facility such as fire risk assessment; or
• A mix of the above.

Australian Standard AS 3745: 2010 Planning for emergencies in facilities (as amended) lists the following emergency types:

• Bomb;
• Fire and smoke damage;
• Bomb and bomb threat;
• Building invasion;
• Personal threat;
• Chemical;
• Biological;
• Radiological/nuclear;
• Civil disorder;
• Medical emergency;
• Arson;
• Explosion;
• Suspect object;
• Bush/grass fire;
• Cyclones;
• Earthquake;
• Flood, severe weather;
• Electricity;
• Structural (including IT);
• Traffic related.

An organisation may well identify other specific types of emergency via the risk assessment process.

In summary - Plan, prepare and respond. It may save lives and the organisation!

If you are considering Emergency Warden training as part of your emergency response the please contact HAZCON on 1800 429 266 or on email: training@hazcon.com.au