- Warden
A warden is a member of the emergency control organisation (ECO), the people appointed by the emergency planning committee (EPC) to direct and control a facility's emergency response procedures. The roles, selection criteria and duties of wardens are described in Australian Standard AS 3745.
As a minimum, the ECO must include a chief warden or equivalent. The EPC decides which other positions are needed, based on the size of the facility, the number of occupants and visitors, the installed occupant warning equipment, and the building's fire engineered and life safety features. In a small single tenancy, the ECO may be one person acting as chief warden. The EPC may also create other positions, such as runners, stair wardens, roll call wardens, traffic wardens or section wardens. A current register of all ECO members is kept with, or accessible through, the chief warden.
During an emergency, instructions from ECO members take precedence over the normal management structure, so that life safety comes before asset protection, production and business continuity. Owners, managers and employers should acknowledge this authority as part of emergency planning, and should obtain professional advice on the indemnity provided to ECO members.
Deputies can be appointed for each position and must have the same capabilities as the person they deputise for. ECO members must attend skills retention activities at least every 6 months.
Members of the ECO are identified by coloured helmets, caps, hats, vests or tabards marked with their ECO title, used consistently throughout the facility. In-house first aid officers who respond with the ECO wear a white cross on a green background.
Identification colour: white
The chief warden leads the ECO and takes command of the facility's response until emergency services arrive. A chief warden should be able to lead and take command, make decisions and stay calm under pressure, communicate well with occupants and visitors, know the facility, and be available to carry out the role.
Before an emergency
- Keep the register of ECO members current and fill vacant positions.
- Run regular exercises and keep the emergency response procedures up to date.
- Attend EPC meetings, training and exercises as required.
- Make sure ECO identification is available.
During an emergency
- Respond, take control, establish the nature of the emergency and act on it.
- Make sure the appropriate emergency service has been called and floor or area wardens are informed.
- Initiate an action plan under the emergency response procedures and control entry to affected areas.
- Monitor the evacuation and record actions in an incident log.
- Brief emergency services on arrival about the type, scope and location of the emergency and the status of the evacuation, then act on the senior officer's instructions.
After an emergency
- Once the incident is safe or emergency services return control, tell ECO members when occupants may return.
- Hold a debrief with ECO members and, where appropriate, the attending emergency service.
- Prepare a report for the EPC and management.
Identification colour: white
The deputy chief warden takes on all of the chief warden's responsibilities when the chief warden is unavailable, and otherwise assists as required. As a deputy, they must have the same capabilities and attributes as the chief warden.
Identification colour: white
The communications officer manages the flow of information during an emergency and keeps the record of events. They should be able to make decisions and stay calm under pressure, communicate well with occupants and visitors, and be available on site.
Before an emergency
- Be proficient in operating the facility's communication equipment, and make sure other ECO members are too.
- Maintain records and logbooks and keep emergency contact details up to date.
- Attend training and exercises as required by the EPC.
During an emergency
- Establish the nature and location of the emergency and confirm the appropriate emergency service has been called.
- Notify ECO members and transmit instructions and information.
- Keep a log of events and act as directed by the chief warden.
After an emergency
- Collate the records of the emergency for the debrief and secure them for future reference.
Identification colour: yellow
A floor or area warden runs the emergency response for their floor or area and directs the wardens within it. The role should match the person's day-to-day responsibilities and be attached to a position, so that whoever fills that position, permanently or temporarily, carries out the duties. Floor or area wardens should have leadership qualities, make decisions and stay calm under pressure, be available on site, and be able to deputise for other ECO positions.
Before an emergency
- Confirm there are enough wardens for their area.
- Coordinate the completion of PEEPs for occupants with a disability.
- Make sure wardens have explained the emergency response procedures to occupants, and that occupants know who their wardens are.
- Coordinate safety practices such as keeping egress paths clear, keeping firefighting equipment accessible and disposing of rubbish.
- Report deficiencies in emergency equipment.
- Attend training and exercises, and make sure ECO identification is available.
During an emergency
- Implement the emergency response procedures for their floor or area and make sure the appropriate emergency service has been called.
- Direct wardens to check the area and start evacuation if the situation warrants it.
- Communicate with the chief warden, report the situation and actions taken, and act on instructions.
- Co-opt other people to help wardens where needed.
- Confirm wardens have completed their tasks and report this to the chief warden, or to the senior emergency services officer if the chief warden can't be contacted.
After an emergency
- Prepare a report of actions taken for the debrief.
Identification colour: red
Wardens carry out the emergency response procedures on the ground, under the direction of their floor or area warden. They should have leadership qualities, be able to communicate with occupants and visitors, be available, and be able to deputise for other positions.
Before an emergency
- Make sure occupants know the emergency response procedures.
- Carry out safety practices such as keeping egress paths clear and firefighting equipment accessible.
- Attend training and exercises, and make sure ECO identification is available.
During an emergency
As directed by the floor or area warden, wardens may:
- act as floor or area warden, or operate the communication systems;
- check fire and smoke doors are closed, and open or close other doors as the procedures require;
- search the floor or area to confirm everyone has left, which matters more than a later head count;
- keep people moving in an orderly way into protected areas such as stairways;
- assist occupants with a disability;
- lead groups to the assembly area; and
- report to the floor or area warden when their tasks are complete.
After an emergency
- Prepare a report of actions taken for the debrief.
Identification: clearly identified (no set colour)
An emergency response team (ERT) is a group of specialist personnel appointed to attend specific incidents and contain, control or eliminate them using emergency response equipment. The EPC establishes an ERT only if it is deemed necessary for the facility.
Before an emergency
- Attend regular training and practise with specialised equipment such as spill kits and breathing apparatus.
- Maintain specialised equipment to the manufacturer's specifications, and keep personal protective equipment maintained and available.
- Take part in pre-emergency planning, and make sure ERT identification is available.
During an emergency
- Respond as directed by the chief warden and keep them informed of the situation.
- Hand over to and brief emergency services on arrival.
After an emergency
- Clean, service and, where necessary, replace specialised equipment.
Health care facilities: AS 4083 does not use warden titles. It assigns emergency roles to an emergency coordinator and emergency officers, who are on-site staff with clearly defined responsibilities under the facility's emergency plan.