Bushfire Plan

Bushfire Plan Summary 2021/2022

This plan is for Campbell Primary School and has been designed to assist staff to prepare for a total fire ban, catastrophic fire danger rating, or a bushfire.  The safety and wellbeing of students, staff and visitors is at all times the Department’s main priority.  Staff are not expected to fight bushfires.

The BP outlines required actions to prepare the school before the bushfire season as per the Principal’s Guide to Bushfire.

The BP also outlines activities to be undertaken by staff and students at the different levels of a bushfire emergency including:

  • on days of Total Fire Ban;
  • Catastrophic fire danger rating;
  • when there is a fire in the local district;
  • when a bushfire is threatening or impacting on the site; and
  • during the period immediately after a bushfire has impacted on the site (known as the ‘Recovery Phase’).

The Principal will include bushfire season reminders and informationon the school website and Facebook page at least twice each term.  The School’s Information Booklet, updated in Term 1 each year, includes detailed information about actions and procedures included in the Bushfire Plan (BP).

Preparing for Bushfire Season 

The Principal or delegated Assistant Principal will ensure all students and staff are aware of the school’s Bushfire Plan. This will include:

  • publishing a copy of the school’s Bushfire Plan on the school’s website during Term 1 each year;
  • ensuring that all new staff members and relief staff are advised about the Bushfire Plan. (This will be achieved through formal staff inductions and published copies of the Bushfire Plan being placed in staff relief folders);
  • bushfire season reminders and information placed in school newsletters and on the webpage at least 3 times per semester;
  • staff incorporating key bushfire messages in their curriculum at the start of Term 1, 3 and 4 including information regarding evacuation posts; and
  • practice drills which will be undertaken in Terms 1, 3 and 4 each year.

 Pre-emptive Closure

  • The Department of Education Incident Controller (normally the Deputy Director General Schools or delegated officer) will make the decision to close a school based upon advice from Emergency Services and this will be relayed to the Principal via the Regional Executive Director by no later than 4:30 pm the day before the planned closure.
  • The Principal notifies staff and parents of closure using emergency contacts and the telephone tree. Parents will be contacted by letter and or email (being mindful of parents from diverse backgrounds) also referring parents to the webpage for further information.
  • All other necessary parties are advised including (but not limited to) other schools that may have siblings at your school, community users of the school facilities (including before and after school care, Dental Clinic, on site contractors and Parents and Citizens Association (P & C).
  • Notice of Planned Temporary School Closure will be placed around the school and on the school’s electronic notice board.
  • Principal and one other staff member will attend the school site from 8:00 am until 10:00 am on the day of the planned closure (only if safe to do so). Site will be secured.

NOTE: DFES uses the national Emergency Alert system to send community warning messages via mobile telephones in affected areas. (Information can be obtained from http://www.dfes.wa.gov.au/pages/default.aspx).

Reopening the School

  • The Regional Executive Director will advise the Principal when the school can re-open.
  • Parents will be advised of when the school is reopened. In the event of a pre-emptive closure parents will be advised through letter and email and also on the school’s webpage with a contact number provided for parents to call for information about the reopening of the school.
  • The Notice of Planned Temporary School Closure should be physically removed from the school premises, electronic notice board and the school’s website.
  • All parties that were advised of closure (e.g. Dental Clinic, out of hours’ users, P&C) will be advised of reopening.

Safer Location Procedure – school to remain on site on advice from DFES

Principal will advise staff of a bushfire through the school’s PA system. Staff will then alert students to the potential evacuation reminding them of the procedures. If it is decided to move to a safer site, the evacuation signal will be sounded accompanied by a PA advice of “ move to safer site now.”

The safer site for Campbell Primary School will be the undercover area and music room for Kindergarten students as it is a standalone building with water attached and is close to external and clear evacuation routes should they be required. It also has good access for emergency vehicles.

  • All classes remain with their teachers and allocated education assistants.
  • All other staff and visitors report to the Front Office.
  • Teachers account for each child and identify students and support staff with known respiratory conditions.
  • Doors, roof vents and windows must be closed and evaporative air coolers turned off.
  • Students and staff are to remain in classrooms unless directed otherwise by their fire warden.
  • Fire wardens are designated to manage evacuation routes and liaise with staff.
  • The Principal and fire wardens, will control this response until the arrival of the DFES or emergency services who will then take over.
  • Students and adults with known respiratory conditions will be identified and given special consideration.
  • The school will contact the Regional Executive Director and the Department’s media Unit.
  • The school will contact parents via email ensuring they have the school’s mobile contact number; (it is preferable that parents restrict calling the school at this time to emergency calls only).
  • The school will notify out of school providers.

Parent Access

  • Parents advised NOT to pick up students and to monitor local media for specific access information.
  • The official broadcaster of Emergency Events is ABC radio. They will provide up to date information during a bushfire event in the area.
  • The DFES website provides up to date information on fire events. Please refer to http://www.dfes.wa.gov.au

In the event of a full school evacuation to an alternative location, normal school evacuation processes apply.      

Full Evacuation – to off-site safer location on the advice of DFES

  • All classes remain with their teachers and allocated education assistants.
  • All classes in transportable buildings to be relocated to an off-site facility.
  • All other staff and visitors report to the Front Office.
  • Teachers account for each child and identify students and support staff with known respiratory conditions.
  • Doors, roof vents and windows must be closed and evaporative air coolers turned off.
  • Students and staff are to remain in classrooms unless directed otherwise by their fire warden.
  • Fire wardens are designated to manage evacuation routes and liaise with staff.
  • The Principal and fire wardens, will control this response until the arrival of the DFES or emergency services who will then take over.
  • Students and adults with known respiratory conditions will be identified and given special consideration.