A couple of decades ago it was identified, that there was a need for a competent form of emergency response. This being prior to the emergency services arriving. Thus the Emergency Control Organisation (ECO) was incorporated into how businesses prepare for and respond to emergencies. This group of Emergency fire warden are training to keep their colleagues safe
In reality, it could be said that members of the ECO are now the first responder and the emergency services are the second responders. I’m not downplaying the abilities and resources of the emergency services as they have awesome skills, are highly experienced and have state of the art resources.
The ECO provides an important link between the initial occurrence of the incident and the emergency services arriving. Therefore, all businesses no matter how large or small are required to prepare for emergencies.
Building confidence! The industry has provided both legislation and a number of other codes to provide business with guidance.
Emergency Response: Identifying hazards and prioritizing their mitigation is essential.
Critical Activities: Accounting for occupants should be completed as quickly as possible.
Incident Development: The key skill of fire wardens is a rapid assessment of the situation.
Granted that emergency response can be terrifying and at times dangerous. It’s essential that we have fire wardens that can step up to the mark and provide command and control with the attention of bringing the incident to a positive conclusion.
We require a method to build confidence, that may have never been exposed to an emergency before. Well, in fact, we do have a method of building this confidence “Training, assessment and Scenario activities”.
The unknown is often what provides us with a feeling of fear and associated stress. Together with industry leaders and trainers the emergency management industry can provide intervention to help build the competence of individuals. Likewise, this also has the added benefit of building confidence to deal with that emergency situation.
Responding to emergencies in the workplace can be complex and test the best of us. Not to mention the problems an untrained fire warden may have.
In recognition, the industry has provided both legislation and a number of other codes to provide business with guidance. Similarly, these document also provide guidance to fire warden trainer. Which ensures we build a flexible and competent group of responders.
Likewise without providing appropriate structures to support these responders. There potentially maybe time in the future when fire wardens place themselves in immediate danger.
Of Course, training needs to be relevant and Fire Wardens require the skill to recognise that an emergency situation is developing. Not to mention being able to recognize signals and warning to trigger further action where required.
RESPONDING TO EMERGENCIES CONT’
Emergency warning systems are part of this and without understanding the notification process the fire warden is less likely to be effective.
The emergency plan may have information about employees who require extra assistance. Pre-planning a response to these vulnerable people, during emergencies. This is essential and will certainly help to reduce anxiety and keep them safe.
To provide command and control the fire warden needs to be recognizable to those in danger. However, they not only require skills but the uniform which is immediately identifiable and indicates a person who can help. We provide these in the form of tabards and helmets. Additionally, this uniform provides an increased level of protection for the fire warden.
In order to provide assistance to those in need the fire warden will be required to help with and coordinate evacuations. Furthermore, if they can deal with the incident whilst in the early stages they may perform this function also.
One of the more critical roles is to help coordinate a role-call to identify personnel who may be still inside the dangerous area. Then an emergency procedure and training will guide the fire warden via an appropriate response. Especially before the emergency services arrive onsite.
A continual assessment process will provide a responder with a calculated and informed response. Identifying hazards and prioritizing there mitigation is an effective method of reducing the impact. Otherwise, the likely consequences could be devastating.
Systems associated with emergency response contribute to providing better outcomes for all. Furthermore, they can only be effective if we have competently trained people.
Notably, this doesn’t even take a lot of time. In one day employees can go through the whole process of gaining relevant competency through the national training framework.
As well as receiving certificates for fire warden, Chief Fire Warden and Fire Extinguisher training. Of course, not everyone needs to be a Chief fire warden, but if possible, trainees should participate so they fully understand the different roles.
In conclusion, being part of an ECO comes with critical responsibilities that can only be learned from emergency management specialists. Who have, associated experience in the field of emergency response. Mentoring and constant training with help members of the ECO respond effectively during emergencies.
This unit of competency entails the abilities and knowledge required to contain minor emergencies in a facility. It applies to occupants who may have first-aid skills. Preparing for emergencies, identifying and assessing an emergency, safely confining emergencies, using initial response equipment, and reporting on the facility’s emergency response are all part of it.
The requirements of Australian Standards (AS) 3745 and AS4083 are meet in this course. Occupants in this unit, as defined by AS3745 or AS4083, are people who attend on a permanent or temporary basis, such as an employee, contractor, student, or resident, but not a visitor or patient, and a facility is a building, structure, or workplace where people occupy.
Training and assessor will provide information in accordance with applicable legislation, organisational policies and procedures, with consideration given to accepted safe work practises.
Here’s of the training key outcomes:
The occupant identifies potential facility emergencies and responses.
- Identify Emergency resources, and their location is determined.
- By the facility emergency plan, problems with emergency resources are identified and reported to relevant personnel.
- Recognize and assess an emergency
- Identify hazards and the efficacy of initial response actions
- Proactively obtaining Emergency advice from the facility emergency plan
- By the facility emergency plan, where initial response actions are deemed unsafe or inappropriate, action is taken to discontinue them.
Plus many other competencies – go to STG Fire safety training to find out more.
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