General Information:

1. The Marketplace has smoke detectors which will raise the alarm.

2. The fire alarm at Marketplace is not connected to the Church, thus it will not automatically notify QFES or the Church if set off.

3. It has two fire extinguishers.

4. A copy of this plan can be found at the counter and also in the sorting room. 

5. The first aid kit is in the laundry. 

6. Marketplace is a building which sees the community, volunteers and staff come through. It is important to know how to evacuate the community as they may not know the evacuation processes.

7. In the event of an evacuation, it is likely that patrons will decide to leave the property rather than wait at the Assembly Point. So, it may be necessary to implement some traffic control measures to ensure this occurs smoothly and Emergency Service Vehicles are able to easily access the premises.

On evidence of a fire or threat requiring evacuation:

• Assess if threat is in their area, if so seek to contain

• Move to designated area, if safe to do so

• Instruct people to evacuate the building to the Bush Car Park

• Once a room is checked the door is to be shut but not locked

• Once people have left the premises, ensure that doors are shut in the event of a fire, as this stops smoke, and contains the fire. 

NB: In the event of a bomb scare, the opposite applies. Doors should be left open in this case

• Designated Area Warden to check off areas as cleared and report to the Chief Fire Warden

• Designated Area Warden to collect first aid kit and proceed to evacuation point

• Designated Area Warden to account for staff and volunteers at evacuation point

• Ensure people do not attempt to re-enter the building until it is safe to do so.

• At the Assembly Point and identify if any persons are missing. Let the Chief Fire Warden know by phone or in person or Emergency Services if you are the one communicating with them.

Identifying and Training Fire and Area Wardens

1. The Marketplace should identify a responsible person as a “Fire Warden” and, where necessary, other Area Fire Wardens.  This person should have identified qualified First Aiders in attendance. It is the responsibility of the Operational Supervisor to ensure someone has knowledge of what to do in the event of an evacuation, lockdown or medical emergency. 

2. The Operational Supervisor should regularly outwork these procedures with their team, especially before a major event, to ensure the safety of guests. 

Fire Warden (Operational Supervisor)

If time, on evidence of a fire or threat requiring evacuation, go directly to the Incident Control area and take these instructions. 

• If threat is containable, seek to contain

• If threat is not containable, commence evacuation procedures

• If the threat is credible CALL EMERGENCY SERVICES IMMEDIATELY on 000

• Make an announcement if possible: “Ladies and Gentlemen we have a situation that requires us to exit the building. Please take your belongings and move in an orderly manner to your nearest exit and follow the instructions given by the wardens (volunteers).”

• Allocated Area Wardens should automatically check off areas as cleared and report to the Fire Warden

• Call the Chief Fire Warden (Andy Meyer 0403 045 696) if not already in attendance

• Allocated volunteers can be stationed at the property entrance at Scrub Rd and one at the intersection above the cafe to direct in the emergency services.

• Proceed to the evacuation area immediately upon containment or if containment not possible. Someone to remain nearby to speak to the Chief Fire Warden or Fire Service. 

• Stay at the Assembly Area until authorised to leave or return to the building. 

• Provide information as needed to the Chief Fire Warden or the Fire Service.

• At Assembly Points people will be reassured and briefed on a need to know basis on the situation. They will be retained until the situation is resolved. Once resolved the Chief Warden will instruct the people as to the next steps (e.g. threat contained and return to normal activities or threat not contained either wait in evacuation area or dismiss to return home safely through unimpeded internal roads).

If the allocated Fire Warden is not in attendance, one of the other Area Fire Wardens would take control.

Area Wardens

On evidence of a fire or threat requiring evacuation

• Move to designated area if safe to do so

• Instruct people to evacuate the building to the bush parking area across the road

• Assess if threat is in their area, if so seek to contain

• Turn off air-conditioning unit in their area

• Ensure everyone in their section is exiting to the Assembly Point

• All rooms are to be checked to ensure everyone is evacuated.

• Additional areas to consider (allocate people to check)

  • Red Frogs Shed

  • Society House Bathrooms

• Once a room is checked the door is to be shut but not locked

• Once personnel have left the premises the Area Wardens are to ensure that doors are shut in the event of a fire, as this stops smoke, and contains the fire. NB: In the event of a bomb scare, the opposite applies. Doors should be left open in this case

• Ensure people do not attempt to re-enter the building until it is safe to do so.

• Once ALL CLEAR Proceed to Assembly Point and identify if any persons are missing. Let the Chief Fire Warden know by phone or in person or Emergency Services if you are the one communicating with them.

If it seems possible for the fire to spread quickly from the Marketplace building then CHC (3347 5959) would need to be notified. Also, send someone to SoHo and Red Frogs Shed to advise them to evacuate as well. 

• Where a Lockdown is deemed necessary, the Marketplace employed persons will receive an SMS stating the fact. 

NB: If one entity goes into Lockdown, the whole Property will go into Lockdown.

• Calmly get as many people into the building as possible.

• All doors to the building are to be closed and locked.

• The supervisor in charge, will gather patrons, volunteers and staff as far away from the doors and windows as possible and lock the door, turn off the lights and close the blinds. Persons may be able to hide behind the stock ins

• The supervisor, will endeavour to keep everyone quiet and will instruct everyone to put their phones on silent. 

• The supervisor will message through to the Chief Fire Warden how many persons they are locked down with.

• Once the building is locked, no one else is to be let in.

• Updates will occur through the Property Wide EPC group chat and Staff SMS group chat via Elvanto. 

• Once the “All Clear” has been given, all persons will be able to exit their hiding place. 

• In the event that you identify a possible threat, but are unsure, contact Andy Meyer who will come and investigate.

• In the event that you identify a credible threat, contact 000, then Andy Meyer.

• When they are on the Property, the Police are the authority.