How to Build an Emergency Evacuation Plan for Schools in WA?
Imagine a normal school daywith students spread in classes & hallways.
Then suddenly, the unexpected happens. A loud emergency alarm pierces the calm. Students start running in panic, & some just freeze where they are. Teachers also lose their senses trying to guide the students, unsure about what to do.
In the blur of confusion, precious seconds are lost, that mean the difference between safety and tragedy.
This scene can turn into reality for your school too. Possibilities are endless. Fires, intruders, violent threats, medical crises, they all strike without warning. And in that moment, a clear & practised emergency evacuation plan for schools becomes a lifeline.
Wihkum believes every school deserves the tools to protect its community. Our emergency help and response app for school gives teachers and staff instant support at tap of a button. Because when an emergency strikes, no one should be left wondering what to do.
Let’s guide you on how to plan evacuation to deal with unexpected.
What is an Emergency Evacuation Plan for Schools?
An emergency evacuation plan for schools is a structured strategy that lays out how to respond during life‑threatening events or disruptions. It outlines safe exit routes, evacuation roles, communication procedures, assembly points, and post‑evacuation measures.
It includes emergency action procedures for all the possible emergent situations. Like fire disruption, lockdowns, active threat responses, severe weather sheltering, and medical emergencies. The goal is protecting students in schools whenever a threat arrives.
It is not only needed for school safety but for law compliance too. Read on for details.
Why Emergency Planning is Critical in WA Schools
Western Australia has its own set of environmental and social risk factors that demand vigilant safety planning. From bushfires in rural regions to violent intrusions or aggression in city schools, threats are diverse and evolving.
According to Safe Work Australia, over 37% of education workers report exposure to violence or harassment. This rate is higher than most other industries. So, there’s increased risk of any situation to escalate.
Plus, regular evacuation planning and drills are also in line with the WA Emergency Management Act 2005.
A well-defined evacuation plan is compulsory as per under various national and local laws, including the model WHS law in Australia. It mandates that schools identify potential workplace risks and take proactive steps to prevent harm.
Non‑compliance can not only lead to injuries or fatalities but also bring legal consequences for school leadership.
Comprehensive Emergency Evacuation Plan for Schools
Let’s see how to develop a detailed and efficient evacuation plan that can cover every emergency need of your school.
1. Identify and Document Likely Emergency Scenarios
Start by performing a risk assessment of your school’s geography, building layout, student demographics, and past incidents. Identify the most probable emergencies, such as:
- Fires (kitchen, lab, electrical)
- Gas leaks or chemical spills
- Intruder or unauthorised personnel on school grounds
- Medical emergencies (e.g. seizures, asthma, allergies)
- Bomb threats
- Natural disasters (bushfires, floods, severe storms)
- Student absconding or going missing
Mapping out different emergency types allows you to plan evacuation that’s scenario‑specific. So, you can plan your evacuation routes, control structure, communication needs, and response time goals accordingly.
2. Explore Every ‘What If’ Situation
No vulnerability should go unaddressed. And for that, you must stress test your evacuation plan with “what if” logic. For example:
- What if your main exit is blocked by fire?
- What if a child with special needs assistance?
- What if the principal is off‑site during an incident?
- What if phones or PA systems fail?
Use flowcharts or scenario‑based simulations to document how each case will be handled. Involve school staff, teachers, admin & janitors in this planning to gather wide perspectives.
3. Set Up an Emergency Control Team (ECT)
Every school should form an Emergency Control Organisation (ECO) with designated roles and responsibilities. It includes:
| Role | Responsibilities |
| Chief Warden | Leads the evacuation, confirms emergency type |
| Communications Officer | Contacts emergency services, updates school admin |
| Area Wardens | Checks specific zones/buildings, guides evacuation |
| First Aid Officer | Provides medical support if needed |
| Traffic Controller | Manages exit traffic, guides vehicles and pedestrians |
Each member must undergo training and participate in emergency drills. Also make the students identify the role of each person, so there’ll be no confusion at emergency time. Assign backups in case any team member is absent.
4. Map Out Evacuation Routes and Emergency Exits
Develop clear building maps that highlight:
- All primary and secondary exits
- Fire extinguisher and first‑aid kit locations
- Emergency assembly points
- Stairwells and lift restrictions
- Sheltered areas for lockdowns
Distribute printed copies of these maps in classrooms, staffrooms, and on digital portals.
Make Your Evacuation Plan Inclusive
Evacuation plans must include provisions for students or staff with mobility, sensory or cognitive impairments. Also instruct wardens or assigned staff to assist them towards refuge points until help arrives.
Display floorplans in highly visible areas. Use colour codes and arrows for clarity and make sure each student will be safe using this plan.
5. Create a Clear Communication Framework
Communication failure is one of the most common weaknesses in emergency scenarios. Your emergency evacuation & lock down should have:
- Alarm systems (bell rings, sirens, flashing lights)
- Voice communication (PA systems, megaphones)
- Personal communication (two‑way radios, school apps, SMS alerts)
- Notifications for parents and guardians
- Briefings post‑evacuation
Wihkum app can enhance your communication as it notifies nearby trained staff when a help button is pressed. It also uses GPS to determine precise incident location for clarity.
6. Audit Emergency Tools and Infrastructure
Inspect your emergency tools and resources monthly. E.g.
- First‑aid kits (fully stocked and dated)
- Fire extinguishers (tagged and serviced)
- Flashlights, batteries, whistles
- Emergency lights and exit signs
- Door locking mechanisms for lockdowns
- Wheelchairs or stretchers for assisted evacuations
Document all audits and keep logs accessible during WHS compliance checks.
7. Conduct Practical and Varied Emergency Drills
Run emergency drills multiple times a year. Alternate the types (e.g. evacuation, lockdown, medical emergency) and times of day (recess, lunch, end of day). It will improve staff and student readiness.
After the drill, conduct debriefs to identify:
- Confusion over roles
- Communication delays
- Equipment malfunctions
- Time taken to reach assembly points
Gather this data to fine-tune your emergency evacuation plan. Over time, you’ll build a confident and responsive school safety culture.
8. Review and Update Your Plan Regularly
Review your emergency procedures at least once every year or after major events or renovations. Make sure that:
- Staff contacts are current
- ECT roles are filled and trained
- Exit routes are still accessible
- Compliance with new WHS or WA Emergency Management standards
- Technology tools like Wihkum are fully operational
Updating your plan keeps your emergency procedures in school agile and effective.
Recommended Evacuation & Emergency Action Procedures
We can recommend some proven practices that you can follow for immediate evacuation. But remember that area, design & needs of every school is different. So, customise these practices based on your particular environment, population, layout & risk exposure.
1. Immediate Alarm and Notification
Stop all activities instantly when the alarm sounds. A designated Incident Controller or the Principal activate the evacuation alert to students in clear language. E.g. “Evacuate now. Proceed to your assembly zone.”
2. Staff and Role Activation
Control team members don safety vests if available and begin assigned duties. E.g. communications officer calls emergency services (e.g. 000 or 911 as appropriate) with arriving responders. Area wardens check designated zones and confirm rooms are emptied.
3. Safe Evacuation Conduct
Teachers take attendance sheets and their emergency kit. Students line up, leave belongings behind, and follow the planned route. Walk briskly, do not run, & stay right side in stairwells to allow access for first responders. Try not to use elevators in fire incidents.
4. Alternative Route Activation
If the primary escape route is blocked, teachers must guide students via a pre‑designated secondary exit. Communicate blocked exits immediately to nearby team members.
5. Assembly Point Accountability
Once at the assembly area, teachers take attendance and report counts to the Incident Controller. Missing persons are noted and immediately reported for search procedures. Also account for visitors through visitor log or sign‑in sheet.
6. Decision on Re‑entry or Relocation
The Incident Controller consults with emergency responders to decide for relocation or dismissing the school early. Plan the re‑entry only after official clearance.
7. Communication with Parents and Community
Use pre‑decided channels, like SMS or WhatsApp to update families post‑evacuation. Then sign out students via central pickup zone or direct release, but only with authorised persons.
8. Post‑Evacuation Reporting & Recovery
After the emergency or drill, gather staff to review timing and flow of evacuation. Identify issues that happened & maintain logs for WHS compliance and improvement planning.
The crisis team should consider psychological and emotional support for staff and students.
Risks of Ignoring Emergency Planning
Ignoring your duty to create and maintain an emergency evacuation plan puts lives and legal standing at risk. Without a tested plan:
- Confusion increases the trouble
- Staff makes poor decisions under stress
- Students panic or run
- Critical incidents go unreported or mismanaged
Plus, there are legal consequences if your school is found lacking during audits or inquiries. E.g. fines, reputational damage, or shutting of school. So, you should start planning from now and also consider an advanced system of emergency help for school.
How Wihkum Supports Emergency Planning and Response
We provide you an emergency help and response app for school safety that complements your evacuation plan. It has:
- Custom alerts: Schools can define help types and assign tone and urgency
- Geofencing: Confirms if an incident is within campus boundaries
- Real-time GPS tracking: Locates both victims and responders
- Role-based notifications: Alerts nearest trained staff immediately
Unlike traditional systems, Wihkum keeps all stakeholders connected in real time. It enhances emergency readiness and supports audit and compliance efforts through detailed activity logs.
Can your school act faster in an emergency?
Empower Your School Community with Wihkum
Wihkum bridges the gap between emergency planning and real-time response.
Our emergency help and response app for school is designed for fast deployment, complete customisation, and maximum clarity in critical moments. If you’re revising your current emergency evacuation plan or starting from scratch, incorporate Wihkum in your plan.
It offers you quick setup within two hours & works on both Android and iOS.
And take the first step toward safer schools today.