Evacuation
Our evacuation procedures are for moving people to a place of safety outside or off-site during an emergency. We have separate procedures if it is safer to stay inside – see Lockdown and Shelter in Place.
At St Joseph's School, the board ensures that the school is a physically and emotionally safe place where risks to health and safety (both physical and mental) are eliminated or minimised (Health and Safety at Work Act 2015; Education and Training Act 2020). This includes having evacuation procedures to ensure the safety of everyone in the event of an emergency. This information is part of our emergency management plan and kept with our printed emergency plans and procedures.
Evacuation planning and preparation
As part of our emergency management planning we have prepared evacuation procedures that cover a range of different emergency events.
- We meet
regulatory requirements relating to fire emergency evacuations. Fire and Emergency New Zealand (Fire Safety, Evacuation Procedures, and Evacuation Schemes) Regulations 2018 include requirements to:
- have a safe, prompt, and efficient fire evacuation procedure from buildings that:
- provides evacuation to a place or places of safety
- provides for the safety of anybody requiring particular assistance
- is readily available and shared with people that use or occupy buildings
- is presented on signs and notices that meet the regulatory requirements
- is implemented by trained employees.
- have an evacuation scheme approved by Fire and Emergency New Zealand (FENZ) if the school has:
- 100 or more students
- 10 or more staff
- sleeping accommodation for more than 5 people
- hazardous substances in storage in quantities exceeding the prescribed minimal amounts.
School fire evacuation and fire alarm or sprinkler system shutdowns 
(Ministry of Education)
- Our evacuation procedures take into account people with additional or high health needs.
The board, as the PCBU, has a responsibility to ensure the health and safety of all students and staff, including those with additional or high health needs. They are also responsible for the health and safety of other people on site, including visitors and contractors. We expect visitors and contractors to inform the school of any additional or high health needs.
Students and staff
Our emergency management plan addresses the diverse needs of our students and staff with medical, physical, emotional, and sensory needs. We recognise that students and staff with disabilities who have difficulty moving, hearing, seeing, communicating, and/or learning may need specific support related to their disability during an emergency.
Individual or safety plans may be developed, including:
- consideration given to being part of large crowds during evacuations
- managing sensory noise (e.g. sirens)
- designating a person to support the individual with additional needs (e.g. ensuring they are safe in an earthquake)
- supporting them to follow instructions in an emergency (e.g. being quiet during lockdowns, using a buddy system to support those with hearing impairments, other communication supports)
- having medication/medical equipment (e.g. for those with respiratory conditions) and ensuring emergency supplies cater for different dietary/food requirements.
See Prepare for an emergency or traumatic incident (Ministry of Education) – "Planning and Preparing for Emergencies"
- Information about our evacuation procedures and how to contact emergency services is clearly displayed around our school and shared with our school community.
- We ensure that the signal for an evacuation can be heard everywhere on our school grounds. The signal for an evacuation, and an evacuation drill, is a continuous ringing or siren.
- We have designated assembly areas. Alternative assembly areas will be used if designated assembly areas are unsafe. Our assembly area is on the field behind the school hall.
- We keep an up-to-date record of all people on site (e.g. students, staff, visitor) for checking during an evacuation.
- We train staff in our evacuation procedures.
Evacuation drills
We hold a range of evacuation drills across the year to cover possible scenarios (e.g. fire, tsunami, earthquake). These are held at different times of the day to practise for all contingencies. We aim to continually improve the efficiency of our evacuations (e.g. target time, debriefing for improvements).
- We hold at least one evacuation drill each term (including a fire drill at least every six months, or when requested by FENZ).
- The principal assures the board that evacuation drills have taken place as part of our testing of emergency/evacuation procedures. See Emergency Management and Review Schedule and Board Assurances.
We may liaise with the local fire service in arranging evacuation drills. If an unscheduled evacuation occurs, we may report it to FENZ within 10 working days, so it can count as one of our drills.
Evacuation response
Our evacuation procedures may require modification at the time of an emergency event, depending on the circumstances.
At the time of an emergency event, we sound the evacuation signal and contact emergency services.
- On hearing the evacuation signal, or when directed to, staff lead students and visitors along escape routes to predetermined assembly area/s, providing assistance to people who require additional support.
- Wardens check all areas, closing doors as they go (if it is safe to do so), then move along escape routes to the assembly area/s.
- Designated staff bring emergency rolls/lists, and the visitor register, and other emergency items (e.g. first aid kits, medication, grab bag).
- At the assembly area, designated staff complete a roll check, and advise the designated person of any missing students. If necessary, we implement our missing student procedure.
- Students and staff do not leave the assembly area until authorised by the principal.
We follow appropriate school procedures to escalate the situation to a school closure, communicate with parents/caregivers, and/or return to usual school activities. We do not re-enter any evacuated areas until given the all-clear.
If evacuation is required during an EOTC event held off site, we follow the instructions of the designated person (this may be the warden/PCBU of an off-site location or the teacher in charge of the event).
Related policies
Legislation
- Health and Safety at Work Act 2015
- Education and Training Act 2020
- Fire and Emergency New Zealand Act 2017
- Fire and Emergency New Zealand (Fire Safety, Evacuation Procedures, and Evacuation Schemes) Regulations 2018
Resources
- Ministry of Education | Te Tāhuhu o te Mātauranga:
: Term 4 2025, Term 4 2022, Term 2 2022, Term 4 2020
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