Heatwaves and bushfires can place residents, staff and essential services under significant pressure.
Preparing early can help protect residents, particularly people living with dementia and those with chronic conditions and enable your facility to respond quickly and confidently in the event of a natural disaster.
Preparation now can make a critical difference.
Now is the time to look at your evacuation plans and ensure they are updated and still relevant. It’s also important that your staff and residents know the correct procedures in the event of evacuation.
RACHs should review their emergency plans before severe weather arrives.
These plans should include clarification of staff responsibilities, evacuation arrangements, emergency contacts and how care will continue if the facility loses power, becomes inaccessible or must evacuate.
Backup supplies of medicines, food, drinking water and essential clinical equipment, and important health information must be readily available.
Summer readiness checklist
Before summer arrives
☐ Review bushfire and emergency response procedures
☐ Update resident emergency contact details
☐ Check air conditioning, fans and cooling equipment
☐ Ensure adequate stocks of water, ice and hydration supplies
☐ Review heatwave response plans and escalation processes
☐ Confirm staff understand signs and symptoms of heat-related illness
☐ Identify residents at higher risk, including those living with dementia, chronic illness or limited mobility
☐ Review business continuity plans for power outages and extreme weather events
During a heatwave
☐ Encourage and document regular fluid intake
☐ Monitor vulnerable residents more frequently
☐ Keep indoor areas cool and shaded
☐ Schedule outdoor activities during cooler periods
☐ Watch for signs of heat stress, dehydration and confusion
☐ Communicate heatwave alerts and precautions to staff, residents and families
☐ Monitor local emergency warnings and weather updates
Prepare for a bushfire
☐ Stay informed through official emergency warning systems
☐ Ensure emergency kits and supplies are accessible
☐ Review evacuation and shelter-in-place arrangements
☐ Test communication systems and contact lists
☐ Confirm transport arrangements if evacuation is required
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