Evacuation
Policy
The signal for an evacuation is the continuous ringing of the alarm, and/or someone shouting "Fire!"
Our emergency response planning includes a documented fire and emergency evacuation scheme approved by Fire and Emergency New Zealand (FENZ) | Whakaratonga Iwi.
Signage detailing our evacuation process meets the requirements outlined in the FENZ Regulations (2018), and is displayed prominently in the waiting area.
Everyone in the building must comply with safety precautions and follow the evacuation process. New staff health and safety induction and orientation includes emergency evacuation procedures.
We hold trial evacuations every 6 months, followed by an analysis and 
debrief. Trials and debriefs are documented and records of the previous 18 months' activities retained.
The practice manager is responsible for the overall response. Other staff who have specific roles in an emergency understand those roles and are suitably trained.
For information about evacuation schemes, and to access quick reference guides, see FENZ: Evacuation Schemes.
Assembly points
In any scenario where we need to leave the building immediately:
- all staff and able patients assemble outside in the practice car park
- anyone who needs help leaving the building should wait in the waiting room
- designated staff help evacuate people needing assistance – clinicians assist their patients.
Evacuation documents