Introduction

Decent Care management and team members acknowledge that people with disability need to be included in the planning prior to an emergency occurring. This occurs through pre- planning to ensure they are safe and supported during times of crisis. Decent Care aims to build the capacity of people with disabilities, their families and carers to prepare, respond and recover from natural disasters and emergencies.

Scope

This policy applies to all Decent Care Management and team members who support participants as part of the scope of their role and duties.

Principles

Emergency and disaster management includes planning that meets the NDIS Quality Indicator (Guidelines) 2018.

• ensures that the risks to the health, safety and wellbeing of participants that may arise in an emergency or disaster are considered and mitigated; and
• ensures the continuity of supports critical to the health, safety and wellbeing of participants in an emergency or disaster.

Policy

Decent Care are committed to a robust plan in ensuring all participants have adequate support during and Emergency or Natural Disaster. Types of emergencies with major consequences may include:

• Floods, storms, fires and bushfires
• Extreme heat and heatwaves
• Viral epidemics and pandemics
• Contamination of food or water supply
• Severe weather conditions
• Cybersecurity threats
• Bushfire threat to participants place of residence and;
• Disruption to essential services such as electricity, gas and telecommunications networks.

Planning for emergencies helps to ensure that disruption to the services is minimised and the sense of wellbeing for participants is maintained or rapidly restored. Decent Care aims to be well prepared for emergencies and can implement a response in the event of an emergency that is appropriate to the needs of the participant.

Procedure

Governance Risk Management
Decent Care Governance Framework includes a Business Continuity Plan and Emergency Plan (BCP) that provides key contacts and directions for team members to follow in the case of an emergency The BCP is tested and reviewed regularly to maintain effectiveness. Reports of testing are reviewed by the Managing Directors and remedial actions are undertaken. Testing processes include:

• Testing information backup systems
• Testing team members knowledge
• Testing participant knowledge of their personal Emergency Plans.
• Seeking feedback from team members and participants about the plans in place.

Furthermore, risks and associated strategies are documented in the Business Risk Management Register. See also Master Register

Emergency Officer
The Emergency Plan identifies an Emergency Officer. The Emergency Officer (in this case the Managing Directors) will provide leadership and delegation in the following processes:

• Review the BCP
• Undertake communications with Emergency Services
• Review and prioritise participants based on the Vulnerability Register (see Master Register)
• Undertake communications with team members ensuring that participant emergency plans are actioned
• Document all actions within the BCP Incident Event Log and Incident Response Checklists
• Monitor progress and team members to support participants
• Seek additional support if necessary, e.g sourcing additional team members

Participant Personal Emergency Management Plans
Each participant who is deemed to rely on the service for daily needs undertakes Emergency Planning at the commencement of service as part of the Intake Process. The Emergency Management Plan is located within the participant file that includes the following critical information that is necessary in an emergency:

• Participant Profile
• Participant Goals
• Risk Assessment
• Participant Meal Planning
• Participants personal Emergency Plan
• Participant Medical Plan (including medication)
• Participant Behaviour Support Plan
• Any other relevant documentation

The plan is explained to the participant and their support network in a language, terms and mode of communication that will best suit their communication needs. The Emergency Officer will monitor weather conditions and implement the Emergency Management Plan prior to the event, to ensure that participants are supported during an emergency or disaster situation.

Team members must action the Personal Emergency Plan and review all other critical information e.g medical plans prior to undertaking action in an emergency.

The Managing Directors must be advised immediately by team members about any difficulties experienced in actioning the plan

Responsibilities

The Managing Directors (Emergency Officers)are responsible for:

• Reviewing this policy on an annual basis to ensure that the policy is current and reflective of internal systems
• Reviewing and updating the Business Continuity and Emergency Plan to ensure it is current and reflective of key contacts and service activities
• Monitoring severe weather conditions and considering impacts on participants.
• Ensuring team members are trained in Emergency Management Procedures at induction and through refresher training
• Undertaking Emergency Management Planning tests annually
• Recording Emergency Management practice sessions
• Undertaking any continuous improvement activity identified in Emergency Management practices.

Program Managers are responsible for:

• Reviewing Personal Emergency Management Plans to ensure they are completed correctly
• Developing Personal Emergency Management Plans with participants
• Reviewing Personal Emergency Management Plans in line with Goal Plan Reviews with the participant

Team members are responsible for:

• Undertaking training and familiarising themselves with Decent Care Emergency Management Procedures
• Participating in Emergency Management practices