Chief Fire Warden Training Course SRXEMR002A: Coordinate Emergency Response

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Chief Fire Warden Training CourseSRXEMR002A
Coordinate Emergency Response
Version 1.0
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Course Objectives

• Describe the roles responsibilities of Chief
  Fire Wardens during an incident
• Understand how an EPC and ECO work
• Identify emergency situations where workplace
  evacuation is required (i.e. Bomb threats, Fires
  etc)
• Co-ordinate Response to Emergencies
• Anticipate the behaviour and characteristics of
  typical emergencies
• Coordinate the rescue procedure
• Coordinate, initiate and control evacuation
• Coordinate operational procedures
• Brief Emergency Services upon arrival
• Safely and in accordance with written work
  procedures control evacuation of your workplace

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Course Assessment

• Assessment for this course will be based on
• Active Classroom participation
• Continual practical observation throughout the
  course, including undertaking a safe evacuation
  of your workplace
• Written Exam on Building Evacuation Procedures

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Chief Fire Wardens

• Chief Fire Wardens have absolute control of all
  workplace emergencies prior to the arrival of the
  Emergency Services.
• Chief Fire Wardens must undertake appropriate
  emergency training to ensure that they can
  respond to any emergency that may occur.
• This Chief Fire Wardens training course outlines
  the procedures to be followed by Chief Fire
  Wardens to control workplace emergencies.
• ALL Workplace Emergencies are different and
  therefore the Chief Fire Warden must make quick
  and effective decisions.
• This training course will provide you with the
  knowledge and practical skills required to
  effectively control workplace emergencies.

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The Importance of Regular Evacuation Training

• All workplaces should have a sufficient number of
  employees trained as Fire Wardens and Chief Fire
  Wardens.
• Chief Fire wardens take charge of a building
  evacuation ensuring that all occupants are
  safely evacuated from the building in an
  emergency
• Regular Evacuation Drills training will ensure
  that there is a reduced risk of injury in a real
  emergency.
• Under Australian Standard 3745-2002 it is
  recommended that all workplaces undergo fire and
  evacuation training annually.

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Australian Standard 3745-2002Emergency Control
Organization and procedures for buildings,
structures and workplaces.

• This Standard sets out the requirements for the
  development of procedures for the controlled
  evacuation of building, structures and workplaces
  during emergencies.
• The Standard also establishes guidelines for
• (a) the appointment of the emergency planning
  committee (EPC)
• (b) the setting up of an emergency control
  organization (ECO)
• (c) the preparation of emergency plans and
  procedures
• (d) the role and authority of ECO personnel while
  executing their duties and
• (e) the requirements of an education and training
  program.
• The standard covers emergency situations until
  the appropriate emergency service arrives to take
  control, at which time, the ECO will work in
  conjunction with that service.

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Emergency Planning Committee (EPC)

• The EPC is a committee responsible for
  establishing an emergency plan, emergency
  response procedures and an Emergency Control
  Organisation (ECO).
• The EPC shall be formed from representatives from
  occupant groups and it shall include the Chief
  and Deputy Chief Wardens and persons who have
  specific knowledge of the building (i.e. Building
  Engineer).
• Building owners, agents and lessors should
  arrange for an inaugural meeting of the EPC to
  ensure that all matters have been addressed in
  accordance with Australian standard 3745.

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EPC Duties

• The EPC shall meet regularly, at least annually,
  to -
• (a) establish and implement emergency plans and
  emergency procedures
• (b) determine the number of ECO personnel
  consistent with the nature and risk of the
  buildings, structures and workplaces.
• (c) ensure that the personnel are appointed to
  all positions on the ECO but particularly, the
  chief warden group
• (d) arrange for the training of ECO personnel
• (e) arrange for conduct of evacuation exercises
• (f) review the effectiveness of evacuation
  exercises and arrange for procedure improvements
  and
• (g) determine who will implement emergency
  procedures.
• NOTE Considerations may include first attack
  firefighting, first aid, environmental safety
  actions and shut-down procedures.

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EPC Duties

• The EPC shall ensure that, during emergencies,
  instructions given by ECO personnel shall
  overrule normal management structure.
• Once an emergency is declared, the powers of
  wardens and deputy wardens shall override all
  normal non-emergency management procedures.
• Floor or area wardens and their deputies shall
  have the authority to marshal all staff and any
  visitor/s to their floor/area.
• The purpose of these powers is to ensure that
  during an emergency situation, life safety takes
  precedent over asset protection and production
  matters.
• The procedures require consideration to be given
  to ensure the protection of wardens, the person
  or persons refusing to comply, and other
  personnel in the area when a refusal situation
  arises.

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• Effective Regular Training and well rehearsed
  evacuation procedures for Fire Wardens and Chief
  Fire Wardens will assist in preventing both
  injury to employees and damage to the workplace.

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Emergency Control Organisation (ECO)

• It is the duty of the employer to ensure that
  there are a sufficient number of Fire Wardens
  present to ensure the safety of all personnel.
• An ECO is a structured organisation that consists
  of all Fire Wardens in the workplace.
• ECO personnel will respond appropriately to
  emergency situations.
• An up to date register of all ECO personnel
  should be maintained

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Selection Criteria for ECO personnel

• Persons appointed to the ECO should
• (a) be physically capable of performing their
  duties
• (b) have leadership qualities and command
  authority
• (c) have maturity of judgement, good
  decision-making skills and be capable of
  remaining calm under pressure
• (d) be familiar with their future areas of
  responsibility
• (e) be available to undertake their appointed
  duties
• (f) have clear diction and be able to communicate
  with the majority of occupants and visitors and
• (g) be willing and able to undergo relevant
  training.

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• Chief Warden / Deputy Chief Warden
• The person selected to head the ECO, in addition
  to meeting the above selection criteria, should
  have a good knowledge of the layout of the
  building, structure and workplace.
• Communications officer
• The communications officer shall be competent in
  the use of the communication equipment in the
  building, structure and workplace and have a
  clear commanding voice.
• Where an EWIS is installed, the Communications
  Officer should operate the system. Where no EWIS
  is installed, the receptionist / switchboard
  operator may be required to operate the
  communication equipment.
• A communications officers duties may sometimes
  be carried out by the deputy chief warden.

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• Floor or area wardens
• Floor or area wardens should be appointed
  consistent with the level of their day-to-day
  responsibilities.
• Where possible, the floor or area warden
  responsibilities should be attached to a specific
  position so that the person appointed to the
  position, in either a permanent or temporary
  capacity, carries out the necessary Warden
  functions.
• In any event, it is essential that the persons
  appointed have the qualities needed to enable
  them to perform the duties required in
  emergencies.
• Factors to be considered include the following
• (a) Availabilitythey should be persons who spend
  most of their time at, or near, their
  workstations.
• (b) Ability to organize others in an emergency.
• (c) Reliability.
• Wardens
• Wardens should be appointed to assist the floor
  or area warden on the basis of there being
  sufficient wardens to ensure the life safety of
  occupants. Wardens should also be capable of

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Fire Warden Identification Structure

• Chief Warden Deputy Warden
• WHITE HELMET
• Floor Warden Area Warden-
• YELLOW HELMET
• Warden-
• RED HELMET
• First Aid Personnel
• WHITE HELMET WITH GREEN CROSS
• Identification Equipment should be clearly marked
  with the Wardens Title Location Ie. Level 10
  Area Warden

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Emergency situations where workplace evacuation
may be required

• FIRE
• BOMB THREAT
• CHEMICAL , BIOLOGICAL, NUCLEAR
• HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCE
• CIVIL DISORDER - PROTEST
• FLOOD
• TERRORISM

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Methods Of Raising the Alarm

• If a building occupant or Fire Warden discovers a
  fire, then they need to raise the alarm so that
  all building occupants can evacuate. They can do
  this by
• Using a Break Glass Alarm to call the fire
  service automatically confirm on 000
• Call the Chief Warden to advise them of the
  problem
• Calling a dedicated workplace emergency line and
  advising the call taker of the problem (Who calls
  000)

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Fire is a chemical reaction involving rapid
oxidation (burning) of a fuel. Four things must
be present at the same time in order to produce
fire FUEL - any combustible material - solid,
liquid or gas. OXYGEN - Sufficient oxygen must
be present in the atmosphere for fire to burn.
HEAT- Sufficient heat energy must be applied to
raise the fuel to it's ignition temperature
CHEMICAL REACTION - This reaction can occur when
all three of the above elements are present in
the proper conditions and proportions.
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Safety Procedures for Fires

• Fighting Fires can be very dangerous if Safety
  Procedures are not followed.
• When a fire is discovered you should ALWAYS
• Assist any person in immediate danger If it is
  safe to do so
• Call the Fire Brigade on 000 immediately alert
  people in the area by calling out pressing the
  manual break glass alarm
• Evacuate the building, ensuring that everyone has
  vacated and is accounted for
• ONLY THEN may trained personnel attack the fire
  if it is safe to do so.

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Types Of Fire Extinguishers

• Water Extinguisher-(Red Colour)
• Suitable for Class A Fires. Should NEVER be used
  on Electrical or Oil Fat Fires
• Foam Extinguisher-
• (Red Colour with Blue Band)
• Suitable for Class A B Fires. Can be used on
  Class F fires
• but NEVER on Electrical Fires
• Dry Chemical Extinguisher-
• (Red Colour White Band)
• Suitable for Class A, B, C E Fires. Can be used
  on Electrical Equipment. Should not be used on
  Oil Fat Fires

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Types Of Fire Extinguishers

• Carbon Dioxide Extinguisher
• (Red with Black Band)
• Primarily designed for Live Electrical Fires
  (Class E). Has limited effectiveness on Class A,
  B F Fires.
• Wet Chemical Extinguisher
• (Red with Oatmeal Band)
• Primarily designed for Cooking Oil Fat Fires
  (Class F). Cannot be used on Electrical Fires.

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Bomb Threats

• Bomb threats can be cruel pranks or a warning of
  an impending bomb attack.
• Bomb threats can be either written or made on the
  telephone. The primary objective is to get as
  much information about the device as possible
• The Chief Warden should be immediately notified.
  He / She should contact the police and evaluate
  the threat.
• The bomb threat may be non-specific where very
  little detail is given
• Or it may be a specific threat where the
  location, time and type of bomb are given.

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Bomb Threat Chief Wardens Actions

• The Chief Warden upon receiving a bomb threat
  must evaluate the threat and decide on one of the
  following measures to implement
• Take no action
• Search without evacuation
• Evacuate Search
• Evacuate without Search
• The Police must be notified consulted about
  whether or not to evacuate. If an evacuation is
  to occur then all Wardens must be notified
  straight away told to leave doors windows
  open.

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Bomb ThreatsLimitations Of Total Evacuation

• Whilst total evacuation may be the decided
  option, the risks include
• Risk Of Injury
• Response Limitations
• Panic
• Loss of Essential Services
• Loss to business services

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Bomb Threats (Cont.)

• There are some conditions which make total
  evacuation an undesirable response to a bomb
  threat.
• Partial Evacuation may make more sense by
  removing non-essential personnel, but leaving
  sufficient personnel for a search to continue
  essential business services.
• A Pre-Incident Bomb Threat plan should be made
  with the consultation of the emergency services.

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Persons with Disabilities

• LIFTS MUST NOT BE USED FOR EMERGENCY EVACUATION.
• Where a person who cannot use stairs needs to
  move to a different level for egress from a
  building, the person should wait at the door or
  fire-isolated stairs until most stair traffic has
  passed that level, and then be assisted inside
  the fire-isolated stairwell.
• The disabled person should wait there in the
  company of an able person. The Chief Warden, who
  will be at the Main Emergency Control Point or
  Fire Board, must be informed.

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Person with Disabilities (cont.)

• Unless there is obvious danger at that location,
  the person should wait on the stair landing for
  assistance from emergency personnel.
• Fire-isolated stairs are rated at four hours
  fire and smoke protection in the event of a fire
  this location should be quite safe until
  assistance arrives to carry the disabled person
  down the stairs.

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Communication During Emergencies

• During an emergency most communications between
  Fire Wardens the Chief Warden take place
  through the use of a Warden Intercommunication
  System (Red Fire Phones).
• The Red Fire Phones offer a direct line of
  communication between the Chief Warden at the
  main Fire Panel and the floor or area wardens who
  are located around the building.
• Communication between wardens using the Red Fire
  Phones needs to be Clear, Concise Understood.

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Fire Warden Identification Structure

• Chief Warden Deputy Warden
• WHITE HELMET
• Floor Warden Area Warden-
• YELLOW HELMET
• Warden-
• RED HELMET
• First Aid Personnel
• WHITE HELMET WITH GREEN CROSS
• Identification Equipment should be clearly marked
  with the Wardens Title Location Ie. Level 10
  Area Warden

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Roles Responsibilities Of ALL Fire Wardens

• ALL Fire Wardens have the responsibility for the
  safe evacuation of their workplace.
• ALL Fire Wardens must be familiar with
• The layout of the area for which they are
  responsible. Including Storerooms, dead-ends,
  concealed areas
• Evacuation Routes Safe Places
• The operation of Alarms Communication
  equipment
• The number, location and means for assistance for
  person with disabilities.
• The Location of any Dangerous Goods in their
  workplace as well as the type, quantity and
  hazards associated with them.

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Duties of Chief Fire Wardens Upon Notification of
a Fire alarm / incident.

• Ascertain the nature of the emergency determine
  if evacuation is required
• Ensure that the appropriate emergency services
  have been notified
• Ensure that floor area wardens have been
  advised of the situation
• Evacuate if necessary record the progress of
  the evacuation.
• Brief Emergency Services on arrival with the
  nature of the incident the progress of the
  evacuation.

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Duties of Communications Officers Upon
Notification of a Fire alarm / incident.

• Communications Officer Duties
• Operate the EWIS if fitted in an emergency
• Operate Warden Intercommunication System if
  fitted
• Ensure appropriate Emergency Services have been
  notified
• Transmit record instructions between the Chief
  Warden and area wardens
• Act as directed by the Chief Warden

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Duties of Floor / Area Wardens Upon Notification
of a Fire alarm / incident.

• Implement Emergency Procedures for there Area
• Direct wardens to check their area for any
  abnormal situation
• Commence evacuation of area if required
• Communicate with Chief Warden advise of action
  taken
• Confirm That the area has been evacuated any
  other necessary information (ie. Disabled
  persons) is given to Chief Warden

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• Fire Wardens Duties
• Act as floor or area wardens
• Operate Warden Intercommunication Point (WIP)
  system to confirm evacuation with Chief Warden
• Check to ensure that all fire doors and smoke
  doors are properly closed
• Search the floor or area to ensure all persons
  have been evacuated
• Ensure orderly flow of persons into protected
  areas Eg. Stairwells
• Assist persons with disabilities or if unable to
  assist communicate with Chief Warden
• Operate WIP system to confirm that the area is
  clear and as a group you are moving to your
  assembly area
• Report to Floor or Area Warden as appropriate
  once at evacuation area act as directed.
• Operating first attack firefighting equipment
• ONLY if suitably trained Evacuation has
  finished.

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Roles Responsibilities Of ALL Fire Wardens
(Cont.)

• Understand the operation of all fire-detection
  fire-suppression systems
• Know the location of any dangerous goods
• As well as the type, quantity and emergency
  information.
• Know any special procedures to protect
  strategically significant items
• Be competent in the operation of portable fire
  extinguishers, fire hose reels fire blankets

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Chief Fire Wardens must be familiar with the
operation of ALL emergency equipment
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Briefing the Emergency Services

• Upon the arrival of the Emergency Services, the
  role of the Chief Warden is NOT OVER.
• The Chief Fire Warden must provide correct
  information to the Emergency Services is
  critical. The 3 main pieces of information that
  we want to know is What!!! What!!! What!!!
• WHAT the emergency is
• WHAT you have done
• WHAT is happening now

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Command Control

• Chief Fire Wardens must ensure that they
  prioritise decision making during an emergency.
  This means that the following priorities should
  be followed
• 1. LIFE HAZARDS i.e. Persons trapped, missing or
  disabled
• 2. PROPERTY HAZARDS i.e. Fire threatening
  buildings or structures.
• 3. CONTAINMENT i.e. Containing the emergency to
  its current location and not letting it spread.
• 4. CONTROLLING THE EMERGENCY i.e. Putting out
  the fire or neutralising the hazardous materials
  spill
• 5. RESTORING NORMAL OPERATIONS i.e. Having
  insurance assessors visit, cleaning up the mess,
  getting tradespersons to fix damage and restoring
  normal business operations.

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Post-Evacuation Management

• Fire Wardens must stay with there relevant group
  of employees
• Wardens must ensure that employees do not
  re-enter the building
• The Chief Warden must brief the oncoming
  emergency services i.e. Fire Brigade, Police,
  Ambulance.
• Wardens must ensure a clear path for oncoming
  emergency services.
• Consideration should be given to having a First
  Aid Officer available to treat any injuries that
  may have occurred during evacuation.

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Post Evacuation Management

• The Chief Warden should delegate the task of
  accounting for everyone to Fire or Area Wardens.
  A headcount should be undertaken to determine if
  there are lost or missing persons.
• The Chief Warden should remain at the EWIS Panel
  or Fire Panel to discuss building information
  with the Emergency Services if necessary.
• The Chief Warden must have building plans ready
  to guide Emergency Services to the incident
  location.

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What the Emergency Services want to know

• What type of emergency do you have?
• Where is the emergency?
• Are their any persons trapped or missing?
• Has everyone evacuated and been accounted for?
• Are their any disabled persons anywhere?
• Where is the best access to get to the emergency?
• Are their any Dangerous Goods near the site of
  the emergency?
• If there are Dangerous goods nearby where is the
  emergency information including MSDS, HAZCHEM
  Product labelling information?
• Are their any hazards near the emergency?
• What sort of Fire Suppression systems do you have
  in this building?
• Can you get someone to take me to the emergency?
• Whilst this list is by no means exhaustive it
  gives you an indication of the types of questions
  that are likely to be asked by the Emergency
  Services upon arrival.

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Human Behaviour In Emergencies

• Fire Dangerous Emergencies occur without prior
  knowledge
• Thus if an emergency occurs employees are not
  well trained, they may go into a state of panic
  or complacency (Its just another false alarm)
• People in emergencies can do strange things such
  as interrupt evacuation to retrieve personal
  effects, Telephone family members or other
  workmates or obstruct the fire-fighting activity
• For workmates to evacuate safely without injury
  to themselves others, Chief Fire Wardens must
  take control of the evacuation enforce standard
  evacuation procedures.

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Evaluating Evacuation Performance

• A Post-Evacuation De-briefing should occur once
  the evacuation has finished.
• The Fire Services input should be requested
  regarding the evacuation.
• Wardens should be available to discuss areas for
  improvement
• Any observers (Drills Only) should have their
  observations recorded
• Times for evacuation should also be recorded
  (Drills Only)

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OBSERVERS EVACUATION CHECKLIST
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Building Safety

• Chief Fire Wardens must ensure that any safety
  concerns are reported, Including
• Ensuring Emergency Exits are clear unobstructed
• Good housekeeping. Ie. No boxes or rubbish
  blocking egress paths
• Fire Training is completed annually
• Fire-fighting equipment inspected 6 monthly
• Fire Alarms systems inspected monthly as per AS
• New staff complete evacuation familiarisation
  during their induction.
• If Fire Wardens are absent , ensuring that there
  are appropriate numbers of trained personnel to
  respond to an emergency.

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Emergency Procedures

• It is the responsibility of the EPC to plan for
  emergencies that may occur and to develop
  appropriate Emergency Procedures.
• Emergency Procedures should be developed after
  consultation with all members of the ECO and be
  reviewed annually.
• Emergency Procedures must be known by all
  building occupants.
• It is the responsibility of the EPC and ECO to
  ensure that Emergency Procedures are continually
  rehearsed and updated.

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Emergency Procedures

• Emergency Procedures should cover at least the
  following
• Evacuation Routes
• Persons with disabilities
• Lifts and elevators
• Accounting for people
• Assembly areas
• Switchboard operator
• Control Co-ordination
• Communications
• First Aid Personnel
• Emergency Equipment
• Installed Fire Suppression Systems Fire Alarms

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Emergency Procedures

• Hazard Analysis should be regularly undertaken in
  the workplace focussing on the effectiveness of
  Emergency Procedures.
• The Procedures should be documented and be
  developed in conjunction with external
  stakeholders and the emergency services.
• A system of version control should be used and
  all members of the organisation should undertake
  training in its implementation.

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Emergency Procedures

• The emergency response procedures shall be
  documented in an appropriate format, and shall
• (a) state clearly their purpose and scope
• (b) identify the buildings, structures and
  workplaces to which they apply
• (c) be based on a practical assessment of
  possible threats
• (d) be appropriate to the size and complexity of
  the buildings, structures and workplaces and the
  number and type of occupants
• (e) define overall control and coordination
  arrangements for response to the threats and the
  roles and responsibility of all persons expected
  to be involved
• (f) be flexible to allow the ECO to adapt to the
  changing circumstances of an emergency situation,
  such as the penetration of smoke into stairwells
• (g) take into account the hours of occupancy and
• (h) be easy to use and amend.

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Calling The Emergency Services

• Whilst generally activated by the Chief Fire
  Warden, All Fire Wardens should have the skills
  to activate the emergency services promptly.
• 1. Briefly assess the emergency situation
• 2. Dial 000 or Dial 112 from Mobile phone if no
  service
• 3. Request Appropriate Emergency Service. I.e.
  Fire Brigade
• 4. Give Call taker- Address Including
• Street name and number (or nearest number)
• Nearest main road Suburb
• Other directions that may assist in locating
• 5. Brief summary of the incident
• 6. Number of persons missing (If any).
• 7. Answer clearly any questions the controller
  may have.
• DO NOT HANGUP UNTIL INSTRUCTED TO DO SO.