It is important to take all evacuation exercises seriously and be familiar with the procedures in place for fire, gas leaks, chemical spills, blood spills, natural disasters, bomb threats, hold-ups, threatened physical harm or assault, and injury.

By being familiar with procedures and practising them regularly, you will know what is expected of you when an incident occurs. It is important to perform to your level of training and not go beyond it. Fire drills can be obtrusive, but the object of a fire drill procedure is to ensure an orderly plan of action is followed in the case of an emergency (like a fire or an explosion) so that staff and volunteers will know how to evacuate from or near buildings as quickly as possible, and without panic or injury.

In the event of a real fire, the WHOLE Church must be evacuated. This includes ALL  children, employees, visitors and volunteers, who may be in the church at that time.

In the Brisbane Main Building, the fire alarm is indicated by the electric bell being sounded continuously for at least 90 seconds. In the event of a power failure, the fire alarm should be indicated by the continuous sounding of a hand operated siren. Normally the hand operated siren should be used by the Chief Fire Warden.

All other campuses and buildings have varying means of sounding the alarm ranging from a smoke detector alarm, to yelling 'fire, fire'. Whatever the method, when an alarm sounds you are obliged to exit the building. 

This topic should be covered in your Induction. If you are unsure, please ask the responsible person at your Location. 

Roles may vary depending on your building and the number of staff you have. Please be guided by your Location's specific Evacuation Procedures. 

Brisbane Chief Fire Warden / Location Fire Warden

The Chief Fire Warden is accredited and assesses the threat of the fire and whether the building must be evacuated, calls 000 if not already done, sounds the alarm, checks off all areas and takes control of the emergency. 

Area Wardens

If a Location has appointed Area Wardens, they are required to immediately take their cap from their respective areas (this ensures that those in the immediate vicinity know that someone has taken responsibility for that area) and their personal phone (so that they can light their way in the event of power failure or smoke taking over the building and can message the Chief Warden the “All Clear” of their Area). The Warden is then to ensure that everyone in their section is out of the area. Once an area is checked, the door is to be shut but not locked. Area Wardens are trained annually in their roles. 

Deputy Wardens

If a Location has appointed Deputy Wardens, they should fulfil their duty as per each Location's Emergency Procedures. In Brisbane, the Deputy Wardens shall meets the Chief Fire Warden at the Fire Panel and assists as needed. The Communications officer in Brisbane will bring the bag of caps and vests for wardens to be identified to mark off names of people in the building. 

Staff

All staff must exit the building directly to the evacuation area so that you can be accounted for and not endanger the lives of fire-fighters or others who may think that you are still inside the building. Staff should walk quickly and not run. They should not stop to post anything on social media. Reception should bring the First Aid kit. 

If your warden is away, the person in the next room has the responsibility to cover the role of the Area Warden. You must know who is your Area Warden for your hallway and where their hat is situated.