Term 4 is one of the busiest times of year for Australian schools and many organisations, with reporting, events and staffing pressures all peaking at once. The December holiday period, by contrast, offers a crucial window to complete safety, maintenance and emergency planning tasks that are difficult to schedule during term time.​

Why December Matters for Emergency Readiness

Using the quieter period for structured emergency planning aligns with the intent of AS 3745‑2010, which sets out requirements for planning for emergencies in facilities across Australia. The Standard emphasises having a documented emergency plan, an Emergency Planning Committee (EPC) and an Emergency Control Organisation (ECO), as well as regular training and validation of procedures. December is an ideal time to review how your site measures up against these expectations before the new year begins.​

Holiday breaks are also recommended times for preventative maintenance in schools, helping to avoid disruptive failures during term time. Proactive work now reduces unplanned outages, improves safety and supports continuity of learning once students return.​

Practical Tasks to Schedule Over the Holiday Period

Schools and organisations can make targeted use of December by locking in a focused list of safety and emergency-related tasks:

• Evacuation diagram updates and installation
  Evacuation diagrams should reflect current floor plans, exits, fire equipment, assembly areas and “You Are Here” points in line with AS 3745‑2010 requirements. They also need periodic review, particularly after refurbishments, relocations, or changes to access points and secure areas.​

• Alarm system testing and equipment checks
  Fire detection, occupant warning systems, and any site-specific alarms should be tested while buildings are quieter, with issues rectified ahead of the new school year. This is a good time to check extinguishers, fire blankets, first aid kits and defibrillators so they meet current guidance and are ready for Term 1.​

• Signage and wayfinding improvements
  Clear, compliant signage supports safe evacuation and quick access to emergency equipment. December allows you to replace worn or confusing signage and ensure wayfinding makes sense for new staff, contractors and visitors who may be on site at different times in the year.​

• Preventive maintenance to avoid emergencies
  Facilities guidance encourages schools to adopt preventive maintenance schedules that address roofing, electrical systems, HVAC, plumbing and related infrastructure before problems escalate. Undertaking this work in holidays reduces disruption to teaching programs and lowers the risk of emergency closures during the term.​

Staffing and On‑Call Planning Over the Holiday Break

Reduced staffing over the holiday period introduces a different risk profile, particularly when only skeleton staff or contractors are onsite. Guidance for education settings emphasises the importance of clear, documented emergency roles and ready access to the Emergency Management Plan for those who remain on duty.​

Key considerations include:

• Chief Warden and ECO coverage
  If your usual Chief Warden or key ECO members are on leave, appoint acting roles and brief them before the term ends, in line with AS 3745‑2010’s expectations around ECO structure and authority. Make sure they understand site risks, escalation pathways and who to call for support.​

• Clarifying on‑call arrangements
  Document who is genuinely on‑call, what types of events require their involvement, and how they can be contacted quickly. This should include access to keys, alarm codes, EMP documents and current contact lists so they can respond effectively if something occurs.​

• Information and access for skeleton staff
  Those working onsite during the break should know where to find hard‑copy plans, evacuation diagrams and first aid equipment, and understand who to notify in an incident. A short pre‑holiday briefing or handover meeting can prevent confusion if an emergency occurs while leadership teams are away.​

Planning Ahead for a Busy Term 1 in 2026

For schools, Term 1 is a compressed and high‑stakes term, with orientation, new staff, compliance activities and curriculum planning all competing for attention. The Victorian school dates policy, for example, mandates that the first day of Term 1 be student‑free to allow for planning and preparation, underscoring how important that early phase is for setting up the year.​

To avoid emergency planning being squeezed out, consider these December and January actions:

• Lock in your 2026 emergency planning calendar now
  Map out the whole‑of‑year schedule for emergency drills, ECO training, policy reviews and maintenance checks, aligning with AS 3745‑2010 guidance on regular training and validation. Use published term dates to identify lower‑impact windows for drills and exercises so they support, rather than disrupt, teaching and assessment cycles.​

• Align emergency management with broader school planning days
  Many systems recommend that staff planning days include time for reviewing emergency procedures, risk assessments and communication protocols. Use the Term 1 student‑free day to refresh staff on evacuation routes, lockdown processes and role allocations, especially where there is new or casual staff.​

• Update plans to reflect new programs and facilities
  If 2026 brings new building works, enrolment growth, or changes in programs such as outdoor education or off‑site activities, emergency and critical incident plans should be reviewed to account for the new risks. This includes ensuring evacuation diagrams, contact trees and incident response checklists reflect the latest site layout and organisational structure.​

• Integrate emergency readiness into business continuity thinking
  Sector guidance on emergency management in education emphasises the link between safety planning, continuity of learning and recovery. By using December and early January to confirm roles, resources and communication channels, schools are better placed to sustain operations if disruptive events occur in the first weeks of term.​

Turning December Effort into Year‑Round Readiness

Investing a small amount of structured time in December can significantly lift emergency preparedness for the year ahead. Aligning work with recognised frameworks such as AS 3745‑2010 and education emergency management guidance provides assurance that your plans are not just compliant, but also practical and tested for your context. With a clear 2026 schedule and well‑briefed staff, schools and organisations can enter Term 1 confident that emergency readiness supports – rather than competes with – their core teaching and operational priorities.

📞 Phone: +61 1300 650 954
📧 Email: info@bouncereadiness.com.au
🌐 Website: https://bouncereadiness.com.au