Health & Safety > Code Red Fire Day
Authorised by Chief Executive Officer
Revised Date: 10 October 2024
Code Red Fire Days are days that are designated by the Victorian authorities as having the potential for catastrophic bushfires.
On Code Red Days Kyeema Support Services will close and signs will be placed at Kyeema sites 50 Lalor St and Seawinds Nursery 191 Wellington Rd to indicate this.
All participants, families and supported accommodation residences will be notified by Managers or designated staff the night before a Code Red Fire Day that with very few exceptions, services will not be provided. Staff will also be notified and permanent staff will be paid as normal for the Code Red Day without the need to use their own leave.
Staff who need to cancel a rostered shift because of home or family duties resulting from a Code Red Day will be relieved of duties. Kyeema recognises that staff may be required to look after children who will not be at school due to Code Red or that staff may be preparing to defend their own properties.
It is the responsibility of the manager/coordinator/supervisor of each department or house to contact people.
A list of high-risk participants for fire danger is stored on the "K:\OH&S, OHS Risk Registers, EPC & ESM\Vulnerable Persons & Emerg Disaster Risk"
Emergency Support Only
The only participant support to be offered on Code Red Days is that required for participant safety and wellbeing. It must be delivered in a manner that does not put staff at risk and will require individualised communication. More detail below at Individual Support heading.
Day Activities and Group Activities
In the event of the following day being designated a Code Red Fire Day the Supports Manager or delegated staff member will organise people, so that several people will share the job of telephoning staff and the families and residences of participants to inform them of the following day’s closure.
All group activities will be cancelled on Code Red Days. Team Leaders will be informed and will in turn inform participants.
Green Fingers, Seawinds Nursery & Windward Industries
These will close on Code Red fire days. Managers or their delegates will inform supported employees.
Individual Support
Participants who live in towns will be advised to stay home. Support will continue only for those who require it for their own safety and wellbeing. Participants will be advised of the Code Red Day and the interruption to their service and to organise emergency support for those with high support needs or who are at high risk because of where they live.
All participants outside the town boundaries will be considered to be in high fire risk areas. The approach to their support will be individualised and a team leader will communicate with them. Kyeema will not send staff to these areas on Code Red days. Participants with high support needs and no one to support them may be invited to stay at Ameeyk House until Code Red has been lifted.
Ameeyk House
Carers of participants who live in rural areas may request that their family member may attend or remain in Ameeyk House due to fire risk. This will be addressed as needed when the situation arises.
Participants who are unable to return home for any reason will be supported by Kyeema’s services.