Interim department-wide fire safety training strategy
The interim department-wide fire safety training
strategy
Endorsed December 2013
People are a priority, Assets can be replaced.
Over the past 10 years there have been significant improvements in the engineering and the fire safety
systems installed in the department’s residential services offering 24 hour supported accommodation, in
Disability Services (DS), Children Youth and Families (CYF) and Secured Services (SS).
(See Appendix 1 for further detail).
These improvements have removed the necessity for staff to manage all aspects of a fire situation. The
strategy now focuses on Safe Place and Safe People, the safety of people as a first priority is addressed
through safe engineering controls, supported through an effective evacuation procedure and allowing the
installed equipment to manage any fire. The use of first attack emergency equipment by staff is no longer
recommended as part of fire and emergency management.
As a result, an interim department-wide fire safety training strategy was developed that will:

ensure staff are equipped with the required fire and emergency response skills and knowledge,
by:

Continuing to mandate that all staff undertake skills based induction training (prior to
undertaking a shift in an accommodation facility).

requiring that staff participate in ongoing skills maintenance activities including:
1. completing an orientation checklist (on their first shift at a new work location),
2. completing at least one weekly checklist a year and
3. carrying out at least one evacuation exercises a year


making available on-line resources for staff to review and maintain their ongoing fire and
emergency response skills and knowledge.

Note: staff will not be formally re-assessed as competent every two years.
Continue to exceed the Australian Standard AS 3745 - 2010 Planning for emergencies in facilities
(AS3745) .This standard is produced by Standards Australia and is widely accepted throughout
industry as the benchmark when it comes to implementing emergency procedures and training
within an organisation.
Department of Health & Human Services
Summary of existing and interim department-wide fire safety training strategy:
(See Appendix 2 - Diagram showing the interim department-wide fire safety training strategy)
The strategy has two components: Induction and Ongoing Skills Maintenance.
Contextualised to the location of work
Induction
1. INDUCTION
The existing strategy
The interim departmentwide fire safety strategy
Comments
Induction *
Induction*
Staff are equipped with the
required fire and
emergency response skills
and knowledge, using
competency based training,
prior to first shift:
This skills based training will
equip staff with the
necessary fire and
emergency response skills
required by their role, prior to
first shift:
The priority for staff is to evacuate
people safely and rely on the installed
equipment to control the fire.
Face to face is the
preferred method.
Face to face is the preferred
method.
Where small numbers are
recruited, they have a selfpaced learning option.
Where small numbers are
recruited, an on-line learning
option will be available.
The practical assessment of skills to
use a fire blanket and extinguisher are
removed from the interim strategy.
The induction program:
1. The content will be reviewed and
updated.
2. Access will be broadened to
allow staff at any time to review
their skills
All staff will be trained to the same
level of fire safety skill and knowledge.
There will no longer be a difference
between the training provided to
supervisors and direct support/care
staff. .
Competent worker
Ongoing skilled worker
Worker now has the required fire
safety skills to work in 24 hour
supported accommodation including
DS, CYF, and SS
Ongoing Skills Maintenance
2. Ongoing Skills Maintenance
Orientation checklist**
Orientation checklist **
To be completed by a staff
member during their first
shift at a new work location.
To be completed by a staff
member during their first shift at
a new work location.
Weekly checklist***
Weekly checklist***
To be completed by any
staff member at each house
every week
To be completed by any staff
member at each house every
week, however each staff
member to take a turn to
complete the checklist at least
once a year.
Same in both the existing and interim
strategy. (Checklist to be reviewed
and updated)
(Checklist to be reviewed and
updated)
The weekly checklist needs to be
completed every week (per house).
Each staff member will take a turn at
completing a weekly checklist, so
they complete at least one weekly
check per year.
Evacuation exercises****
Evacuation exercises****
Staff member to participate
in at least one evacuation
exercise every 6 months
Each staff member to
participate in at least one
evacuation exercise every 12
months
Every staff member (including
casuals), to participate in at least one
evacuation exercise per year.
Online resources:
Staff can review these resources
online, at any time.
 fire awareness and
prevention,
 smoke alarm system,
 sprinkler systems,
 emergency procedures
(including how to use a
Brooks2000 fire panel)
 other fire emergencies
 use of first attack equipment
(including fire blanket and
fire extinguisher)
Formal reassessment of competency
(including practical skills) is no longer
undertaken
Formal Re Assessment
of Competence
The existing strategy
The interim strategy
Comments
Bi- Annual competency
based training completed
onsite at every DS and CYF
/ DHHS and CSO sites
(including re-assessment of
practical skills)
No longer Required.
The retraining and reassessment of
competence of staff is no longer
required.
It will remain the responsibility of each
organisation to ensure staff have the
required skills and knowledge by:
1. Appropriate induction
2. Staff completing an
orientation checklist during
their first shift at a new work
location.
3. Staff at least once a year:

completing a weekly
checklist

participating in a fire
evacuation exercise
4. Staff reviewing the online
resources as required.
Definitions
*Induction - is the initial fire safety training program staff complete before working in a residential service
offering 24 hour supported accommodation in DS, CYF and SS.
This training focuses on fire awareness and prevention, smoke alarm system, sprinkler systems,
emergency procedures and other fire emergencies.
**Orientation checklist – is to be completed by a staff member during their first shift at a new work
location. Orientation gives staff an overview of a new work location, including the location of fire
equipment, evacuation points, evacuation procedures and an overview of the fire behaviour of clients
living within the home.
***Weekly Checklist – to be completed by any staff member, however each staff member to take a turn
to complete the checklist at least once a year to help maintain fire safety awareness. The weekly checklist
is a visual inspection of the following, smoke alarms, fire extinguishers, fire blanket, evacuation pack and
evacuation plan, sprinkler heads, fire indicator panel, external sprinkler control cabinet, exits and exit
paths, fire prevention – house keeping (internal and external).
****Evacuation exercise – evacuation exercises must be performed for each shift during the day and at
night so that every staff member participates in at least one exercise per year. (CDG 7.4-2013). The
exercise may be conducted as table-top, tactical or field exercises.
Appendix 1
Risk Management approach; Changes since 2001
Risk
Controls on
Management release of
Approach
FERPTF 2001
Controls now in place, at November 2013
Change
people
Staff are equipped with the required fire and emergency response
skills and knowledge, using training based on skills sets required by
their role.
Fire safety training
strategy to ensure
all staff are
equipped with
required fire safety
skills and
knowledge, using
competency based
training.
Written direction:
Written direction; including updated policies:
 the requirement to conduct weekly visual checks and basic
housekeeping) to increase fire safety awareness
 banned items within residential services:
- Non fixed portable heaters
- Electric blankets
- Smoking in or directly next to buildings
- Other items that have flame or generate heat such as
candles and oil diffusers.
Reduce the
risks
Mandatory Engineering Guidelines
 Smoke detectors installed that are hard wired with battery back
up
 Sprinkler systems installed, both internal and in roof space
 Replacement or refurbishment of buildings to meet the safety
compliance measures
 High flow hydrants (water outlets for fire brigade use) installed at
every site
 Change to fire and evacuation procedure recommendations
including;
Staff use of extinguishers to directly attack a fire is not
recommended as part of fire and emergency management.
Building design to support ‘staged evacuation’ (where doors
are closed and people remain in or close to the building but
evacuate to the most distant point from the fire)
 Engagement of independent contractors to provide the following:
o
scheduled routine checking and maintenance of fire
equipment
o
immediate repairs to any fire equipment breakdown
o
Workplace inspections
 Installation of strike doors (locked doors in the exit pathway that
automatically unlock and release for easier evacuation) when a
smoke detector or sprinkler head is activated
 Installation of non slip flooring in wet areas
New communication tools available; for example, mobile phones
and duress alarms are available where required
Appendix 2
Interim department-wide fire safety training strategy
For further information, please contact: fireriskmanagementunit@dhhs.vic.gov.au