Frequently Asked Questions

Get FIRE Training serves the workplaces and industries across NSW - New South Wales, AUSTRALIA

Warden training is vital for WHS compliance and both physical and psychological safety because it ensures designated personnel can effectively manage emergencies, which includes performing emergency procedures, conducting evacuations, and ensuring a compliant workplace. This training equips wardens with the skills to lead in a calm and structured way, which can reduce panic and anxiety among staff during an emergency and helps the organisation meet its legal duty of care.

 WHS compliance and risk mitigation

• Legal obligation: Warden training ensures businesses meet their legal duty of care and comply with Australian workplace safety regulations by having trained personnel to manage emergencies.
• Emergency preparedness: Training prepares wardens to implement and improve existing emergency procedures, conduct drills, and understand risk control measures.
• Risk reduction: By equipping wardens to identify hazards and respond effectively, training helps prevent accidents and minimises the risk of injury or fatality during an emergency. 

Physical safety

• Effective evacuation: Trained wardens can lead employees to safety, ensure all occupants are accounted for, and guide them to designated assembly points.
• Equipment operation: Wardens learn how to use and operate essential safety equipment like fire extinguishers during an incident.
• Emergency response: They are trained to follow specific procedures, which can include actions like communicating with emergency services, to ensure a safe and effective response. 

Psychological safety

• Reduces panic and anxiety: Having a trained, confident, and identifiable warden can reduce fear and panic during an emergency, leading to a more orderly and less chaotic evacuation.
• Creates a culture of safety: When employees see their employer investing in safety training, it can increase their morale and confidence in the workplace.
• Ensures clear communication: Wardens are key communication points during an emergency. Trained wardens can provide clear instructions, which prevents confusion and helps everyone know who to listen to. 

 Most Australian workplaces follow a best practice guideline to renew Emergency Control Organisation & Fire Warden training every 12 months. However, renewal might be required more frequently in cases such as: 

• Significant workplace changes like renovations or new fire safety equipment installed. 
• Following any incident to review and improve response actions. 
• Where workplace risk assessments indicate a higher need for frequent training. 
• When there is fresh staff who have been placed in the role.

Scheduling Warden training renewal annually aligns with safety standards and helps maintain a prepared team.

Get FIRE Training uses state-of-the-art equipment to ensure the safest practical solution such as smokeless Gas Prop's, Various size and types of Fire Extinguishers, Communication Equipment  quality informative presentation slides and videos to compliment and enagage the participants.

You must train your employees on what to do in an emergency, as it is a legal requirement and essential for their safety. Having a mandatory Emergency Plan is not enough; employees need to be trained on procedures like evacuation routes, the location of emergency equipment, and first aid, and should practice these skills through regular drills. Legal and practical importance of training

• Legal obligation: Workplace health and safety regulations require employers to have and implement emergency plans and train employees on them.
• Reduces risk: Training helps minimise the risk of injuries, property damage, or worse by ensuring employees know the correct actions to take.
• Tests the plan: Drills are a critical part of training, allowing you to test your emergency plan in a safe environment to identify any weaknesses and make improvements.
• Boosts confidence: Proper training can increase employee confidence in their ability to handle a dangerous situation competently.
• Essential for specific roles: Some individuals, like Fire Wardens, Chief Wardens or First Aid officers, require specific training for their formal roles in an emergency. 

Key elements of emergency training

• Emergency procedures: Teach employees the correct steps to take in various scenarios, such as fire, medical emergencies, or natural disasters.
• Emergency equipment: Ensure staff are trained on how to use equipment like fire extinguishers. This is imperative to select the right one, how to handle, operate and manage.
• Evacuation and assembly points: Employees must know the evacuation routes and where to gather safely once they are outside.
• Specific needs: For employees with disabilities, develop personal emergency evacuation plans that detail their specific needs and assistance required.
• Regular drills: Conduct drills like fire or evacuation drills to help employees practice their responses and ensure they are effective.
• Review and feedback: After drills, hold debriefing sessions to gather feedback and continuously improve your plan. 

If there is a bushfire in your area, the safest option is to leave early. 

What you should do:

• Keep an eye on conditions outside. You may become aware of a fire before the emergency services.
• To report a fire anywhere in Australia, call triple-0 (0-0-0).
• Follow your plan. If you don't have a plan in place, leave early. Always tell family and friends what you're doing.
• Wear protective clothing. Wear loose-fitting clothing made from natural fibres like wool, denim or heavy cotton and sturdy boots.
• Stay informed. Find out if there's a fire near you by checking the following sources. 
  • Find your local radio frequency. Write it on your battery-powered radio and keep it tuned.
  • Bookmark your state or territory emergency services website. 
  • Make sure you understand the bushfire warning system.
  • Download relevant emergency apps and follow emergency services on social media.
  • Talk to your neighbours and check in with them.
  • Don't rely on phones or internet for advance warnings on days of catastrophic fire danger. Your safest option is to leave the area the evening before the fire danger is forecast. 

Does my Care / SIL - Supported Independent Living home personnel require specific Fire + Emergency training? 

Fire and Emergency training is crucial in Supported Independent Living (SIL) properties in NSW because people with disabilities are at a higher risk in emergencies and may require additional support for safe evacuation and response. This training is a shared responsibility that safeguards participants, enables them to live safely, and ensures staff can respond effectively to medical crises and fires. 

Why training is important

• Reduces high-risk vulnerability: People with disability are disproportionately at risk in home fires, accounting for approximately 62% of those who die in preventable residential fires.
• Ensures effective response: Regular staff training equips support workers with the knowledge and skills to respond calmly and effectively during medical emergencies and fires, providing crucial reassurance and timely support.
• Fulfills NDIS obligations: NDIS providers and workers are required under the NDIS Code of Conduct to act on fire safety risks, including promptly raising concerns and ensuring staff are appropriately trained.
• Supports independence and safety: Having a fire safety and emergency plan, developed with participants, allows them to live safely and with a greater degree of independence.
• Facilitates NDIS-funded support: Providers can coordinate risk assessments, develop personalised escape plans /+ PEEP - Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans, and source appropriate fire safety devices like specialised smoke alarms, all of which are critical for reducing risk. 

Key aspects of emergency training

• Staff training: Ensure all staff are appropriately trained to handle a range of emergency situations.
• Individualised planning: Develop home fire escape and emergency plans in partnership with participants.
• Risk reduction: Implement measures like risk assessments, appropriate building design, and the use of suitable fire safety devices to prevent fires.
• Emergency preparedness: Use tools like the Person-Centred Emergency Preparedness (PCEP) tool to improve emergency readiness for people with disabilities.
• Coordination with emergency services: Notify Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) of group home locations so they can undertake pre incident planning for the specific needs of the residents in case of an emergency. 

Is Fire Training mandatory in NSW ?

Yes, Fire & Emergency training is mandatory for employers in NSW to ensure their staff are trained to deal with emergencies. This training is legally required under the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 - Regulation 43 - The Duty to Prepare and must cover evacuation procedures, emergency response, and the use of fire equipment. Specific requirements, like mandatory fire warden training and refresher training every two years, are outlined in the Australian Standards 3745-2010 and are enforced by SafeWork NSW. 

Key requirements

• Workplace safety: Employers are legally obligated to provide adequate fire safety training to their workers to ensure their safety in case of an emergency.
• Emergency procedures: The training must cover what to do in an emergency, including evacuation and fire response procedures.
• Equipment use: Staff should be trained on how to select, handle and operate fire extinguishers and other relevant safety equipment.
• Australian Standards: Training compliance is essential to meet the requirements of Australian Standards like AS3745.
• Frequency: Australian Standards 3745 require training to be conducted every two years, including refresher courses to ensure staff remain competent. 

Who needs training

• Emergency wardens: Individuals responsible for managing emergency procedures, such as Floor/Area Wardens and Chief Wardens, require specific training annually and before they can be tasked to undertake the role to ensure their knowledge, capacity and assignment can me applied.
• All staff: It is highly recommended for all staff, particularly those in high-risk industries or those with complex evacuation plans, to receive training.
• Health / Residential Care workers: Specific fire safety training is mandatory for all staff within the NSW health system. 

Additional information

• SafeWork NSW: This government body oversees workplace health and safety regulations, including those related to fire safety training.