Emergency plan
The operator must ensure that an emergency plan is prepared for the village and maintained so that it remains effective.
The plan must provide for:
- an effective response to an emergency
- evacuation procedures
- notifying emergency service organisations at the earliest opportunity
- medical treatment and assistance
- effective communication between the operator (or the person coordinating the emergency response) and all residents.
In preparing and maintaining the plan, the operator must have regard to:
- the nature of the hazards in the village
- the size, location and layout of the village
- the number of residents
- the evacuation arrangements needed for residents with mobility, hearing, visual or other impairments.
The operator must take reasonable steps to ensure that all residents and staff are familiar with the plan.
Penalties apply for failing to prepare an emergency plan.
Annual safety inspection
The operator must carry out a safety inspection of the village at least once each calendar year and prepare a written safety inspection report on its findings. \
Residents must be notified in writing when an inspection has been carried out. Any resident who asks for a copy of the safety inspection report must be given access to it.
Annual evacuation exercise
The operator must ensure that an evacuation exercise for residents is carried out at least once each calendar year.
All residents should participate in evacuation exercises.
Penalties apply for failing to carry out an annual evacuation exercise.
Key safety information
The operator must ensure that key safety information is clearly displayed in communal areas throughout the village.
The operator must also provide key safety information to each resident in relation to their own premises.
Key safety information means:
- a map showing the location of assembly areas, exits, fire extinguishers and other emergency equipment for communal areas and premises
- instructions for evacuating residents and staff from communal areas and premises in the event of a fire or other emergency.
Residents should check that key safety information is displayed in communal areas and has been provided for their premises.
Penalties apply for failing to ensure key safety information is displayed in communal areas and provided to each resident in relation to their premises.
Access for emergency services and care providers
The operator must take reasonable steps to ensure that vehicular access to premises in the village is available at all times to:
- emergency workers who are on duty
- approved providers delivering home care at premises in the village
- NDIS providers delivering supports or services at premises in the village.
Penalties apply for failing to comply with these access requirements.