Lessons from Victoria's fires...

I imagine all of us have been in awe of the devastation and senseless loss that has occurred from Victoria’s fires. While I have been busy at work responding to an abnormal increase in customer demand (due mostly to the extreme heat), I have been able to keep up to date listening to the radio.

The Government have stated that there will be a Royal Commission into the fires and according to the Premier, John Brumby;

We want to make sure that every single issue, every single factor, everything in relation to the horrific weekend, to the horrific fires on Saturday is investigated and uncovered…

Whatever aspect of government policy, whatever aspect of people own practice in terms of their fire plans, whatever recommendations are needed, to be put in place in the future to be sure that this disaster will never ever occur again…

Over the last few weeks we have been helping in our own way by assisting our regional and country nursing home customers developing specific fire readiness plans.

Through our assistance, these nursing homes have been able to involve residents and their families, staff, fire brigade and local council in planning for their specific needs.

As a summary, here are a few ideas other nursing homes can use to improve their emergency preparedness;

1. Communicate and involve residents and their families in the emergency planning;
2. Communicate your plans with staff, fire brigade, police and your local council;
3. Develop a transport policy for residents, consider special needs residents;
4. Identify a destination for residents to be evacuated to, and communicate this with family members;
5. Provide a couple of contact numbers including an alternate off-site contact for communication with family members;
6. Act early, don’t leave your decision to evacuate too late;

While this list in not exhaustive, it has been interesting that these ideas have really resonated with our nursing home customers.

For more information about emergency preparedness, you can contact our office on 1300 30 88 22.

Russ