Emergency Action Plan (EAP)

Introduction

Emergencies, disasters, accidents and critical incidents can occur without warning. This EAP sets out what Centrepoint Church leaders, staff, volunteers and congregation members must do to protect life and health in an emergency.

This plan is designed to align with:

• Australian Standard AS 3745 – Planning for Emergencies in Facilities

• Safe Work Australia guidance on emergency plans and procedures

Every person has a role to play. Knowing this plan before an emergency will significantly improve safety for everyone.

Purpose, Scope & Legal Context

Purpose

• Provide clear, step-by-step procedures for responding to emergencies at any Centrepoint campus.

• Protect life and health as the highest priority.

• Support cooperation with Emergency Services and host venues (schools, community centres).

• Establish a framework for training, drills and continuous improvement.

Scope

This EAP applies to:

• All Centrepoint Sunday services and midweek activities.

• All permanent church buildings owned/leased by Centrepoint.

• All temporary venues (schools, community centres, hired halls).

• All staff, volunteers, contractors and attendees.

Legal Context

• Under the model Work Health and Safety (WHS) laws, all workplaces must have an emergency plan available to workers and visitors. 

• AS 3745 provides a recognised framework for emergency planning, Emergency Control Organisations, and evacuation diagrams. 

Note: This document is guidance for Centrepoint Church operations and should be read alongside any legal advice the church receives.

Emergency Control Organisation (ECO)

The ECO is the on-the-day response team for each campus.

Campus ECO Roles

Chief Warden / Incident Controller (IC)

• Usually Campus Pastor / Service Pastor / delegated senior leader.

• Manages the incident, decides on evacuation or lockdown, liaises with Emergency Services.

Deputy Chief Warden

• Assists and replaces the IC if they are absent or incapacitated.

Area Wardens (Auditorium, Foyer, Kids, Youth, Carpark, etc.)

• Direct the response in their assigned zone.

• Sweep rooms and toilets where safe.

Wardens / Floor Wardens

• Support Area Wardens; guide people to exits and Assembly Area.

First Aid Officer(s)

• Provide first aid within their training and competence.

Emergency Call List

External Numbers (Australia-wide)

Emergency Services (Police / Fire / Ambulance): 000

Police Assistance (non-urgent): 131 444

State Emergency Service (SES) – storm/flood assistance: 132 500 

General Emergency Principles

These principles apply to every emergency:

1. Life safety first. Property, equipment and schedules are secondary.

2. If in doubt – treat it as real. Evacuate and call 000 early. 

3. Follow the ECO. Chief Warden and Wardens give directions during emergencies.

4. Use nearest safe exit – do not use lifts during fire or suspected fire. 

5. Assist vulnerable people – kids, elderly, mobility or sensory impairment.

6. Do not re-enter until the Chief Warden or Emergency Services give an “All Clear”.

Before Initiating Evacuation – Sunday Gatherings

For Sunday services (or large events):

• The IC quickly assesses type of emergency, location, and immediate risk (if safely possible).

• If any doubt remains about safety, the IC orders evacuation.

• If venue wardens or Emergency Services order an evacuation, Centrepoint must comply immediately. 

The IC should consider:

• Can the situation be managed locally (e.g. minor medical) without whole-of-site evacuation?

• Could evacuation worsen risk (e.g. active armed offender in carpark – may require lockdown instead)?

Evacuation Plan (All Emergencies)

This section is the core evacuation procedure for any life-safety emergency (fire, smoke, gas, structural issue, etc.).

Alarm & Initial Response

Discoverer of emergency

• Warn those nearby: “EMERGENCY – EVACUATE! EMERGENCY – EVACUATE!”

• Activate alarm (if available).

• Notify Chief Warden / IC

• Call 000 and give details.

Evacuation Announcement

The IC (or delegated warden) announces via PA or loud voice:

“ATTENTION PLEASE.
WE ARE EVACUATING THE BUILDING.
PLEASE FOLLOW YOUR LEADERS AND WARDENS TO THE NEAREST SAFE EXIT AND MOVE TO THE ASSEMBLY AREA.
PARENTS: DO NOT GO TO KIDS ROOMS – YOUR CHILDREN WILL BE BROUGHT TO YOU BY THEIR LEADERS.”

Controlled Egress Phases

Principles:

• Release in phases, prioritising vulnerable groups.

• Maintain safe flow (approx. ≤80–90 people per minute per metre of exit width as a rough guide). 

• Children remain under the control of Kids Leaders.

Phase Sequence:

1. Phase 1 – Kids & Carers

   • Led by Kids Pastor / Kids Leaders.

   • Take sign-in rolls and emergency kits; evacuate by kids routes.

2. Phase 2 – Mobility-Impaired & Elderly

   • Assisted by assigned wardens and Pastors.

   • Use ramps and widest exits; no lifts.

3. Phase 3 – General Congregation & Visitors

   • Led by Safety Team / Ushers.

   • Use all safe exits per diagrams; avoid bottlenecks; keep people moving.

4. Phase 4 – Staff, Worship & Safety Team

   • After sweeps are completed where safe.

   • Close doors behind them if possible.

The IC may override phases and order immediate full evacuation if danger is imminent.

Assembly Areas

Each campus has a Primary & Secondary Assembly Area - Refer to evacuation signage at your campus.

Wardens:

• Keep people together and off roadways.

• Prevent re-entry.

• Direct parents to Kids Reunification Zone when authorised.

Accountability

Kids & Youth Leaders:

• Reconcile rolls; report any missing child/youth to IC and Police immediately.

Host / Welcome Team Leader:

• Reconcile congregation numbers using head counts / attendance tools.

Team Leaders:

• Account for their volunteers.

All discrepancies are reported to Emergency Services as soon as possible.

Fire

On Discovering Fire or Smoke

1. Raise the alarm – “FIRE! FIRE!” and operate alarm point if present.

2. Call 000 – Fire.

3. Only attempt to extinguish if:

   • You are trained;

   • Fire is small and contained;

   • You have a clear escape path.

4. If in doubt, evacuate and close doors behind you.

During Evacuation

• Stay low if there is smoke.

• Never use lifts.

• Don’t open hot doors – there may be fire on the other side.

• Follow wardens to Assembly Area.

After Fire

• Do not re-enter until Fire Services give the “All Clear”.

• Safety Officer to conduct incident review.

Medical Emergency

Initial Response

• Assess for danger to yourself and others.

• Call out for First Aid Officer.

• Call 000 (Ambulance) for serious injury/illness (chest pain, breathing difficulty, unconsciousness, serious bleeding, suspected spinal injury, seizures, anaphylaxis, etc.). 

While Waiting for Ambulance

• Provide first aid only within your training.

• Do not move the person unless necessary to prevent further harm.

• Have someone meet Ambulance at entrance and guide them.

• Consider partial or full evacuation if the incident affects safety (e.g. chemical exposure, large blood spill in high-traffic area).

Suspicious / Threatening Person

Suspicious Person (No Active Threat Yet)

• Keep a safe distance; do not confront aggressively.

• Note appearance, behaviour, direction of movement.

• Inform Chief Warden / Campus Pastor / Safety Team.

• On Sunday, report via nearest volunteer who can contact an Area Warden.

• The IC decides whether to involve Police (131 444 or 000 if urgent).

Threatening Person (Verbal or Physical Intimidation)

• Remain calm; non-confrontational tone.

• Do not block exits or touch the person.

• Keep your own path to an exit clear.

• Signal quietly for assistance if possible.

• IC decides on:

  • Calling 000 (Police);

  • Evacuation if a safer option;

  • Or lockdown if the threat is outside and evacuation is unsafe (Refer to Active Threat Manual).

Suspicious Package

A suspicious package may be any item (bag, box, backpack, etc.) that is unattended or appears out of place or tampered with.

1. Do not touch or move the item.

2. Isolate the area: keep others away.

3. Note appearance, smell, sounds, any markings.

4. Inform Chief Warden.

5. Chief Warden calls 000 (Police) and follows their instructions. 

6. Evacuate if directed by Police or if risk is high.

7. Do not use radios or mobile phones immediately adjacent to a suspected device (as advised by Police).

Active Armed Offender / Person With a Weapon

This section should be read alongside the Centrepoint Church Active-Threat Manual – Controlled Egress Plan (Part B).

Australian guidelines for crowded places, including places of worship, recommend escape, hide, tell principles for active armed offenders. 

If You See a Weapon or Hear Gunshots / Extreme Violence

Escape if safe:

• Move away from the sound / threat using any available exit.

• Take others with you if they are willing, but do not delay your escape.

If you cannot escape safely:

• Hide: lock or barricade doors; turn off lights; silence phones.

• Stay low, out of sight, away from windows.

Tell:

• Call 000 (Police) when safe to do so.

• Provide clear information: location, description, number of offenders, weapons seen, injuries.

Chief Warden Actions

• Rapidly decide between:

  • Evacuation, or

  • Lockdown / shelter-in-place, depending on location of threat and Police advice. 

• Do not attempt to negotiate unless absolutely necessary for immediate safety.

• When Police arrive, follow their instructions; hands visible, no sudden movements.

Bomb Threat

Bomb threats may be received by phone, in person, email or note.

Phone Threat

If you receive a phone bomb threat:

• Remain calm; keep the caller talking as long as possible.

• Signal someone nearby to call 000 (Police).

• Record the exact words of the caller and time of call. 

Ask (if possible):

• Where is the bomb?

• When will it explode?

• What does it look like?

• What will make it explode?

• Did you put it there? Why?

• Where are you now? What is your name?

Note:

• Voice (male/female, age, accent, tone).

• Background noises (traffic, music, crowd, etc.).

Written / Email Threat

• Keep the email or note.

• Do not delete or alter it.

• Notify Chief Warden and call 000 (Police).

• Follow Police advice about evacuation and searching (church members should not conduct bomb searches without Police guidance).

Severe Weather

This includes storms, strong winds, hail, extreme heat, flooding.

• Monitor Bureau of Meteorology warnings and local emergency alerts.

• If gatherings are cancelled, notify congregation via normal channels (text, social media, website).

• During an event:

  • Stay inside and away from windows.

  • Move to interior rooms or hallways if high winds or hail risk.

  • Avoid using electrical equipment during lightning storms if advised.

Evacuation is considered if the building is structurally compromised or flooding threatens interior areas.

Power Outage

• Remain calm.

• Stop using lifts if applicable; do not enter lifts.

• Use torches or emergency lighting where available.

• Turn off and unplug sensitive equipment (sound desk, computers) to prevent damage when power returns.

• If emergency lighting is inadequate for safe egress, consider evacuation using wardens with torches.

Unknown Odour / Gas Leak

If you notice a strong, unusual odour (gas, chemical, burning smell):

• Alert people nearby and the Chief Warden.

• Do not operate electrical switches if you suspect gas.

• Evacuate the immediate area.

• Chief Warden calls 000 (Fire) and follows their advice. 

If advised by Emergency Services or if risk is obvious, initiate full building evacuation.

Chemical Exposure

Examples: cleaning chemicals, fuel spills, unknown substances.

1. Alert everyone nearby; avoid the area.

2. Notify Chief Warden.

3. If safe to do so, and if you know the substance, refer to any Safety Data Sheets (SDS).

4. For any significant exposure or breathing difficulty, call 000 (Ambulance / Fire). 

5. Persons exposed:

   • Remove contaminated clothing if appropriate.

   • Flush affected skin/eyes with clean water for at least 15 minutes.

6. Evacuate area or building as directed by Chief Warden / Fire Service.

Water Leakage / Flooding

• Notify Chief Warden / Facilities contact.

• Avoid electrical equipment near water.

• If water threatens to compromise exits or structural safety, evacuate affected areas.

• For significant flooding impacting safety, call SES 132 500 or 000 if life is at risk.

Arrangements with External Agencies & Venues

Emergency Services

Centrepoint will:

• Cooperate fully with WA Police, DFES, Ambulance and SES.

• Provide access to building plans, assembly area locations and this EAP on request. 

Security & Fire Service Providers

Alarm monitoring company: Security West

• 24/7 contact: __________________

Fire equipment maintenance provider: Applied Fire Technology

• Service frequency: every 6 months.