Every school, childcare centre, and disability service is legally required to have an Emergency Management Plan. But let’s be honest — a policy in a folder isn’t enough.
In a real emergency — fire, gas leak, lockdown, or medical event — your team needs a clear, practical, and inclusive evacuation plan that works for everyone, especially for children and individuals with additional support needs.
In this blog, we’ll explore:
- What makes an evacuation plan effective
- How to include students and clients with disabilities
- Common planning gaps in education and care settings
- Legal and regulatory requirements
- How AB First Aid can support your planning and training needs
Emergencies don’t wait for convenient times. They don’t care if your trained staff are on lunch, or if the student at risk is in a wheelchair, asleep, or frightened.
A functional evacuation plan must:
- Be simple enough to follow under pressure
- Work across multiple locations and routines
- Account for children who are non-verbal, use mobility aids, or have high anxiety
- Include role allocation, equipment, and communication strategies
It’s not just about getting out — it’s about getting out safely, quickly, and together.
Legal and Regulatory Requirements
For Schools (Victoria):
- Must comply with the Emergency Management Planning policy
- Require annual testing and updates of plans
- Fire Warden and evacuation roles must be clearly defined
- Students with disabilities must have Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans (PEEPs)
For Childcare/Early Learning Services:
- Emergency and evacuation policies required under the Education and Care Services National Regulations
- Drills must be conducted every 3 months
- Plans must include the needs of children under two, non-verbal children, and those with diagnosed medical needs
For Disability Services:
- Must comply with the NDIS Practice Standards
- Support plans must reflect evacuation processes
- Staff must be trained to use mobility aids, evacuation mats or chairs, and communicate under stress
What to Include in an Inclusive Evacuation Plan
- Evacuation maps posted throughout the premises
- Clear role allocation (e.g. Fire Warden, Floor Warden, First Aid Officer)
- PEEPs for individuals with disability or mobility limitations
- Visual aids or social stories to help children understand drills
- A buddy system for children or clients needing extra support
- Equipment checks (wheelchair-friendly exits, evacuation chairs, alarms)
- Designated assembly points and back-up plans for inclement weather
- Communication plan for families, emergency services, and staff
Common Gaps We See in Services
When working with schools and centres across Victoria, we’ve found:
- PEEPs missing or outdated
- Staff unsure of who leads during a real evacuation
- No training in assisting clients with behavioural challenges during emergencies
- Non-mobile students or clients not factored into drill times
- Emergency exits blocked or forgotten
- Drills conducted without full participation
How to Make Drills Work for Everyone
A successful drill is one where:
- Everyone knows their role
- All individuals, including those with disabilities, are included
- Challenges are discussed and adjusted for
- Debriefing follows — asking: What worked? What didn’t?
At AB First Aid, we help services run realistic drills and prepare for the unexpected — not just the ideal.
Why AB First Aid Is the Right Partner
We provide:
- Evacuation & Fire Warden training (PUAFER005 / PUAFER006)
- Support in developing and testing inclusive evacuation plans
- Guidance on creating PEEPs
- Hands-on, scenario-based evacuation drills
- Staff coaching on how to assist individuals with medical, mobility, or behavioural needs during emergencies
- Ongoing support to update procedures as teams and needs change
Don’t Wait for an Emergency to Find the Gaps
If your last evacuation drill felt unorganised, if key staff weren’t confident, or if your plan hasn’t been updated in over a year — it’s time for a refresh.
We help schools, childcare centres, and disability providers move from paper plans to practical readiness.
Contact AB First Aid Today:
Email: info@abfirstaid.com.au
Phone: 03 8364 8984
Website: www.abfirstaid.com.au
Proudly supporting safer, smarter, more inclusive emergency planning across Victoria.
