For rural schools and aged care centres, bushfire planning needs to reflect the local area. Evacuation routes may be limited, help may take longer to arrive, and power or phone services may be disrupted. A plan that works in town may not suit a regional site.

Under the model WHS laws, workplaces need an emergency plan that explains how to respond, evacuate, contact emergency services, provide assistance and train workers. Requirements can vary across states and territories, so check the rules that apply to your service.

Plan around your people and your location

Schools should consider how they will account for students, staff and visitors, including anyone who needs extra support to evacuate. Aged care centres need to plan for residents’ individual care and mobility needs, staffing levels, transport and continuity of essential services.

The Aged Care Quality Standards require providers to plan for emergencies and disasters in ways that manage risks to the health, safety and wellbeing of older people and workers. Australian Government guidance also highlights planning for staff shortages, power failures, communications and restricted access to supplies.

A rural bushfire plan should clearly set out:

• what conditions or warnings trigger action, and who makes that decision
• the primary evacuation route and a backup if roads are closed
• where students or residents will go, and how transport will be arranged
• how staff will account for everyone and support people with medical, mobility or communication needs
• who contacts families, carers, emergency services and neighbouring facilities
• how the site will manage power, phone or internet outages and essential supplies.

Practise the plan and review it with local emergency services and relevant authorities. School requirements differ by jurisdiction; for example, Victorian government schools need a current, site-specific Emergency Management Plan.