Emergency Response Checklist

# Emergency Response Checklist

## Purpose
Post in all workspaces and review with staff quarterly so everyone knows exactly what to do in an emergency situation.

## When to Use
A quick-reference emergency response checklist covering evacuation procedures, emergency contacts, first aid protocols, and communication chains.

## Instructions
1. Review the template below and familiarise yourself with the structure
2. Replace all [bracketed placeholders] with your business details
3. Customise the tone and formatting to match your brand
4. Save in your preferred tool (Slack or Notion)

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## Emergency Response Checklist

### Immediate Response: Any Emergency (Owner: All Staff)
- [ ] Stay calm and assess the situation before acting
- [ ] Call 000 for life-threatening emergencies (ambulance, fire, police)
- [ ] Do not put yourself at risk - personal safety comes first
- [ ] Alert others in the immediate area of the danger
- [ ] Follow specific procedure below based on the type of emergency

### Fire Emergency (Owner: Fire Warden)
- [ ] Activate the nearest fire alarm (break glass)
- [ ] Call 000 and report the fire (location, size, any persons trapped)
- [ ] Evacuate the building via the nearest safe exit - do not use lifts
- [ ] Close doors behind you as you evacuate (do not lock them)
- [ ] Assemble at the designated assembly point: [Insert Location]
- [ ] Fire warden to conduct head count using staff register
- [ ] Do not re-enter the building until the all-clear is given by fire services
- [ ] Report any missing persons to emergency services immediately

### Medical Emergency (Owner: First Aid Officer)
- [ ] Call 000 for ambulance if the injury or illness is serious
- [ ] Designated first aid officer to attend and administer first aid
- [ ] Do not move an injured person unless they are in immediate danger
- [ ] If the person is unconscious, check airway, breathing, and circulation (DRSABCD)
- [ ] Locate and use first aid kit at: [Insert Location]
- [ ] AED (defibrillator) located at: [Insert Location]
- [ ] Stay with the person until paramedics arrive
- [ ] Record details of the incident in the first aid register

### Severe Weather or Natural Disaster (Owner: Site Manager)
- [ ] Monitor Bureau of Meteorology warnings for your area
- [ ] Secure loose equipment and materials outdoors
- [ ] Move to the safest internal area away from windows and glass
- [ ] Account for all staff and visitors on site
- [ ] Do not drive through floodwaters under any circumstances
- [ ] Follow instructions from emergency services (SES: 132 500)

### Threatening Behaviour or Security Incident (Owner: Manager on Duty)
- [ ] Do not engage or attempt to physically intervene
- [ ] Call 000 (police) if there is an immediate threat to safety
- [ ] Remove yourself and others from the area if safe to do so
- [ ] Lock or barricade doors if you cannot safely evacuate
- [ ] Note description of the person(s) involved for police
- [ ] Do not post about the incident on social media

### Post-Incident Actions (Owner: WHS Officer / Manager)
- [ ] Ensure all affected persons receive appropriate medical attention
- [ ] Complete an incident report within 24 hours
- [ ] Notify the relevant authority if required (WorkSafe, SafeWork, or equivalent)
- [ ] Preserve the scene for investigation (do not clean up until cleared)
- [ ] Debrief with all involved staff within 48 hours
- [ ] Offer Employee Assistance Program (EAP) support to affected staff
- [ ] Review and update emergency procedures based on lessons learned

### Key Emergency Contacts (customise for your workplace)
- [ ] Emergency Services: 000
- [ ] State Emergency Service (SES): 132 500
- [ ] Poisons Information Centre: 13 11 26
- [ ] Fire Warden: [Name and Phone]
- [ ] First Aid Officer: [Name and Phone]
- [ ] WHS Officer: [Name and Phone]
- [ ] Building Manager: [Name and Phone]

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**Complexity:** simple | **Setup time:** 10 minutes | **Tools:** Slack, Notion