If an emergency happened tonight, could a relief support worker quickly find the information they need to safely support every participant in the home?
For many disability providers, emergency procedures exist somewhere. They may be stored in a folder, on a shared drive or within a broader emergency management plan.
The real challenge is making that information practical when it matters most.
During a fire, evacuation, power outage, heatwave, severe weather event or other disruption, staff may need to act quickly. They need to know who requires physical assistance, who may need communication support, what essential medication or equipment is needed, where to go, who to contact and how to support each person safely.
This can become harder during overnight shifts, staff shortages, agency shifts or when unfamiliar workers are supporting participants.
Emergency information needs to work in real life
A plan is important, but staff also need a clear and accessible way to use key emergency information at the point of need.
The DisasterGuard Participant Emergency Procedure Flip Chart has been designed to help disability providers, support workers and participants keep essential emergency information clear, practical and easy to access.
It can be tailored to include information such as:
- Key participant support needs during an evacuation
- Communication preferences and decision-making support
- Mobility, sensory or behavioural considerations
- Essential medication, equipment or personal items
- Emergency contacts and escalation pathways
- Assembly areas and immediate actions
- Power outage, heatwave and severe-weather considerations
Supporting Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans (PEEP)
Many providers use Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans, often called PEEPs, to document the support a participant may need during an evacuation.
A PEEP can identify important needs such as mobility support, communication preferences, sensory considerations, medication or equipment requirements, and who may assist the participant during an emergency.
The Participant Emergency Procedure Flip Chart is not intended to replace a PEEP or a provider’s wider emergency plan.
Instead, it supports these documents by bringing key participant-specific information into a clear, practical format that support workers can quickly use during a fire, evacuation, power outage or other urgent event.
This can be especially useful for relief staff, overnight workers or team members supporting a participant for the first time.
A practical tool for participants and staff
Every participant has different needs.
Some people may need physical support to leave a building. Others may need visual prompts, familiar language, reassurance, quiet space, access to medical equipment or extra time to process what is happening.
A participant-focused flip chart gives staff a quick reference point while also helping participants understand what may happen during an emergency.
It can be used in supported accommodation, SIL homes, respite settings and community-based supports.
The flip chart is available through DisasterGuard for $35 + GST, plus $10 Australia-wide shipping.
Emergency readiness is more than one product
The flip chart is a practical starting point. It works best as part of a wider approach to emergency and disaster readiness.
DisasterGuard Consultancy supports disability providers with:
- Site-specific emergency and evacuation planning
- Participant-focused emergency procedures
- PEEP and participant emergency-planning support
- Staff response guides
- Emergency drills and exercises
- Risk assessments
- Heatwave, power outage and continuity planning
- Support for SIL, supported accommodation and community services
The focus is simple: helping providers create arrangements that are practical for staff, meaningful for participants and workable during real emergencies.
Start with one question
If an emergency happened tonight, could every staff member safely support every participant using the information available in the home?
If the answer is unclear, it may be time to review how emergency information is documented, communicated and tested.