Bushfires can affect anyone, anywhere in Queensland.
As we approach the end of winter, it is that time of year again to ensure your service is well prepared, and has a bushfire survival plan in place ahead of the warmer months.
Queensland Fire and Emergency Service's online Bushfire survival plan is a user-friendly, interactive tool that helps Queenslanders make informed decisions about what they will do during a bushfire emergency.
Services need to also ensure their emergency and evacuation policies and procedures are current and that parents are notified of any changes to these policies and procedures.
Emergency and evacuation procedures should be reviewed regularly and must be rehearsed at each approved education and care service. This will assist educators and staff to handle emergencies calmly and effectively, reducing the risk of harm or injury.
Given the inherent nature of emergency and evacuation situations, relevant policies and procedures should be sufficiently detailed and well understood so that all staff can react confidently and undertake their designated role in an emergency situation.
To comply with legislation and to be effective, emergency and evacuation policy and procedures must be rehearsed and documented every three months.
If a service needs to close due to a bushfire or other emergency, approved providers must notify the Regulatory Authority within 24 hours of closure. Further information about how to do this is available on the Early Childhood Service closures page.
Families and members of the public can access up-to-date information about service closures via the Service and temporary closure information page on the Australian Children's Education and Care Quality Authority (ACECQA) website.