Bushfire Policy  (30 December 2009)

The following is an interim policy arrangement applicable until such time as a full internal review has taken place.

The practice is committed to ensure the safety of our employees, associates and our patients and has developed the following policy and procedures in the event that a Fire Danger Rating (FDR) of CATASTROPHIC (Code Red) Level is declared by the CFS for our region: Mt Lofty District.

The CFS has developed a list of townships that have been identified as Bushfire Safer Precincts for South Australia.  This is a place of relative safety and may be considered as a place for people to stay in, or relocate to if their plan is to leave their home on a bad fire day.  Mount Barker, Nairne and Woodside are considered Bushfire Safer Precincts – not Hahndorf!

CFS recommends that if you intend to relocate to a Bushfire Safer Precinct you should do so early in the day.  There are no guarantees regarding your safety if you choose to stay in a Bushfire Safety Precinct or if you relocate to one, however it is unlikely you will be exposed to direct flame or severe radiant heat.

More information can be found on the CFS website; www.cfs.sa.gov.au

All Doctors and Staff will be advised as soon as possible when a Catastrophic Level is declared. The Hahndorf surgery may close on this day and Mt Barker, Nairne and Woodside would remain open, only if Doctors and staff feel safe and it is reasonable to leave their homes and come to work.  This decision will be monitored closely by the practice manager and the principals.

The final decision to close would be made as early as possible before the Catastrophic Fire Danger Day.  CFS will provide notification two days prior to an expected Catastrophic rating. This will be broadcast on the radio and CFS website. The CFS will determine the next day’s FDR at approximately 4:30pm.  Staff will also attempt to contact as many patients as possible via telephone who have been booked in on that day.  A message will be left on each surgery’s answering machine for that day, advising patients of the closure and where to seek assistance in an emergency.

Practice will seek further advice from the CFS, Local Hospitals, GPcare, emergency GP services etc.in the area to make alternative arrangements for all emergencies.  Practice will also liaise with the Adelaide Hills Division for any further assistance.

Practice Manager or delegated staff member, in her absence, will have current contact numbers for all Doctors and staff and advise when it is safe to re-open the sites. It is expected that all Doctors and staff will also maintain an awareness of ongoing ratings so as to know when it is safe to return to the workplace.

Each site has a sign advising patients that on days of Fire Danger Rating of CATASTOPHIC Level, Hahndorf surgery may be closed and other branch sites will follow if there is a severe risk to patient and staff safety.  This information will also be found in the patient information sheet and on the web site. 

If sufficient notice the Practice Manager or delegated staff member, will ensure that all back ups have been removed from the Hahndorf main site where the Terminal Data Server is housed.  The IT Support Company, Logic Plus Pty Ltd will also be advised of the Catastrophic Fire Danger Day and work in with the practice as required.

Important Contact Numbers:

• All surgeries will have a battery operated radio to receive (in case of loss of power)
• radio alerts on 5AA & ABC.
• Practice Manager receives emails directly from the CFS website and will pass these on to the principals and staff as required.
• 1300 362 361 Bushfire Information Hotline
• www.cfs.sa.gov.au