Emergency Response

This course has been designed for individuals who are required to implement an emergency response as specified in the facility emergency procedures or specified by a person at a higher level in the emergency control organisation (ECO).  

Individuals who undertake this work will be working within the command, control and coordinate structure of the ECO.  It includes undertaking pre-emergency planning, taking appropriate actions in an emergency and assisting with post-emergency activities. 

Furthermore, it also involves the skills and knowledge required to confine small emergencies in a facility and it applies to individuals who are required to have first attack firefighting skills. It includes preparing for emergency situations, identifying and assessing an emergency, safely confining emergencies, using initial response equipment and reporting on the facility's emergency response.

Small emergencies in a facility include incidents such as small fires that can be controlled using a fire extinguisher; chemical spills that can be controlled using facility personal protective clothing and equipment and a spill kit; or a vehicle accident where there is no significant injury or damage.

The course has been developed to cover a broad range of emergencies and facilities as considered in Australian Standard 3745 and Australian Standard 4083.   It applies to employees in the workplace within all industries and in all contexts.

Participants in this course will also learn how to effectively:

• Apply Work, Health and Safety (WHS)/Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) requirements
• Assist occupants who may require assistance
• Assist with post-emergency response activities
• Contribute to facility emergency planning
• Give clear directions to occupants and visitors
• Implement safe work practices
• Initiate and control initial emergency response
• Take on a leadership role within emergency control organisation and/or a deputy role for other emergency control organisation positions
• Undertake pre-emergency planning
• Use communications systems
• Wear required emergency control organisation identification
• Brief emergency services personnel
• Comply with legislation, industry standards, codes of practice and regulations concluding facility emergency
• Respond to emergency signals and warnings appropriately
• Communicate with occupants, emergency personnel and stakeholders
• Confine emergencies safely
• Identify and act to avoid or control any associated hazards
• Identify and assess an emergency
• Report facility emergency response
• Restow initial response equipment
• Use initial response equipment
• Utilise risk management processes