Recess is in full swing. Students are scattered across the oval, playgrounds, and walkways. Staff are supervising—but not in their usual classrooms. There’s no formal roll, no immediate headcount.

Then it happens.

Smoke rises on the horizon.
The wind shifts.
The fire edges closer.

Would your school know what to do?

Bushfires are fast-moving, high-impact emergencies. When they strike during unstructured times like recess or lunch, your emergency management plan is truly put to the test. At Bounce Readiness, we help schools prepare for exactly this kind of complexity—where time is short, conditions are dynamic, and safety relies on decisive, coordinated action.

Bushfire Risk Assessment
Start with understanding your specific vulnerability. Is your school in a designated bushfire-prone area? Are your buildings compliant with safety recommendations under local planning controls? Have you identified and prepared shelter-in-place locations with adequate protection and supplies?

Emergency Supervision Zones
During recess or break periods, staff must be assigned to supervision zones that allow for rapid sweep and evacuation if needed. Visual awareness and radio contact are critical. Every second counts when a firefront is approaching.

Evacuation or Shelter-in-Place Triggers
Your response must be based on data—not guesswork. Establish clear, pre-determined decision points using reliable sources such as:

• NSW Rural Fire Service
• Hazards Near Me NSW App
• VicEmergency

Integrate these platforms into your school’s daily situational monitoring, particularly on Total Fire Ban days or when fire activity is detected nearby.

Emergency Communication Systems
Can you reach all staff immediately? If your PA system fails, what’s the backup? Equip your Emergency Control Organisation (ECO) with two-way radios, SMS alert systems, and defined escalation protocols. Test communication reliability across all outdoor areas and buildings regularly.

Parent Communication Protocols
In high-stress events, clarity is everything. Your plan should specify:

• Who communicates with parents

• When to send updates

• What to say to prevent panic

If roads are closed, if parents can’t reach the school, or if students must remain in lockdown—your community needs timely, coordinated information that reinforces trust.

Regular Bushfire Drills During Recess or Non-Class Time
Most drills occur during structured periods—but bushfires won’t wait for timetabled lessons.
Have you rehearsed a full-site response during a break? Can students calmly evacuate or shelter from the oval? Practising during dynamic times helps staff and students build muscle memory for high-pressure decision-making.

Collaborate with Emergency Services
Speak with your local RFS, CFA, or fire brigade. Invite them to review your site layout, access routes, and shelter-in-place plans. Their insight could save critical minutes when every second matters.

Bushfire emergencies are increasing in frequency and intensity across Australia. Schools must be prepared not just with paper plans, but with real-world, practised strategies tailored to unpredictable moments like recess, lunch breaks, and school events.

At Bounce Readiness, we help schools turn complexity into clarity. From full-site bushfire assessments and training to digital resources through Bounce Biitz, we’re here to support safe, confident decision-making in high-risk scenarios.

Want help reviewing your school’s bushfire readiness or running a scenario-based drill?
Get in touch with our team:

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