Emergency Planning Advice Service (EPAS)
The Emergency Planning Advice Service (EPAS) is designed to support people who have a disability, are older, or have a chronic or acute medical condition.
EPAS is in a demonstration phase in the following local government areas:
- City of Casey
- City of Frankston
- City of Greater Bendigo
- Mt Alexander Shire
- Mitchell Shire
- Surf Coast Shire and Colac Otway Shire (partnership)
- Wellington Shire
- Yarra Ranges Council
The aim of EPAS is to improve how fire and emergency preparedness plans are developed and acted on for those who are at higher risk*.
Photo Credit: Colleen Furlanetto
Emergency Planning Advice Service (EPAS) is a targeted household service co-delivered alongside Red Cross and other local partners. This ensures that participants can get support planning for other emergencies as well as fire.
The program model has been informed by the Person-Centred Emergency Preparedness (P-CEP) Framework. This uses a conversation approach with people to tailor emergency preparedness planning to their individual support needs.
Using a person-centred approach
People at higher risk are the experts in their own lives and overcome challenges everyday to remain living independently.
Person-centred planning is where the person actively participates in planning and decision-making processes. Research has shown that for people with a disability, an emergency plan is most useful when created using a person-centred approach.
The Emergency Planning Advice Service (EPAS) is designed to support people who have a disability, are older, or have a chronic or acute medical condition.
EPAS is in a demonstration phase in the following local government areas:
- City of Casey
- City of Frankston
- City of Greater Bendigo
- Mt Alexander Shire
- Mitchell Shire
- Surf Coast Shire and Colac Otway Shire (partnership)
- Wellington Shire
- Yarra Ranges Council
The aim of EPAS is to improve how fire and emergency preparedness plans are developed and acted on for those who are at higher risk*.
Photo Credit: Colleen Furlanetto
Emergency Planning Advice Service (EPAS) is a targeted household service co-delivered alongside Red Cross and other local partners. This ensures that participants can get support planning for other emergencies as well as fire.
The program model has been informed by the Person-Centred Emergency Preparedness (P-CEP) Framework. This uses a conversation approach with people to tailor emergency preparedness planning to their individual support needs.
Using a person-centred approach
People at higher risk are the experts in their own lives and overcome challenges everyday to remain living independently.
Person-centred planning is where the person actively participates in planning and decision-making processes. Research has shown that for people with a disability, an emergency plan is most useful when created using a person-centred approach.
- EPAS the Origin Story
- People at Higher Risk
- Any questions?
- Engaging with the Care Sector
- Archived survey
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How did People at Higher Risk begin?
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this linkThe Preparing Vulnerable People (PVP) project was identified as a priority to CFA after two key initiatives.
The first was the review of the State’s Vulnerable Persons in Emergencies Policy (2018), which CFA took part in. This review highlighted gaps in preparedness planning for those most vulnerable to fire.
The second was from a lived experience case study “Facing the Bushfire Risk with MS” that highlighted the complexity of planning to leave early for some people with a disability.
The case study highlighted that for some people with permanent and significant disabilities or chronic medical conditions, there can be many barriers to leaving early. Vulnerable people may face multiple barriers to leaving early for a range of reasons including the need for assistance, transport, and accessibility in the community. The PVP project was aimed at assisting vulnerable people and their carers to make plans, engage supports, and take actions in order to be able to leave early.
Understanding this, CFA has two objectives:
- to build the capability of the Community and Social Service Sector to develop bushfire plans with their clients at greatest risk in a bushfire
- to target delivery of CFA Fire Prevention & Preparedness services to people at greatest risk
A State-wide Reference Group for PVP was set up in 2019 to guide development of the planned training and resources, and to assist with reaching the people at highest risk from fire. Current members of this group are: Emergency Management Victoria (EMV), Red Cross, Fire Rescue Victoria (FRV), Victoria Police, Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV), Victorian Council of Social Services (VCOSS), National Disability Services (NDS), National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA), Leading Aged Services Australia (LASA), Council on The Ageing (COTA), Gippsland Disability Advocacy, and Disability Resource Centre (DRC).
Alongside the work being done to tackle Objective 2 with EPAS, a series of e-learning modules have been developed:
Bushfire (for people who work, travel or care for people in high bushfire areas)
- Bushfire Safety for Workers
- Bushfire Planning: How to support your clients
- Bushfire Planning: You and the person you care for (co-developed with Carers Victoria)
Home Fire Safety (for people who are at higher risk from fire)
- Prevent Detect Escape: Home Fire Safety for people at higher risk (co-developed with Fire Rescue Victoria)
As the PVP project neared its end in 2022, it was clear to CFA that the work would be ongoing. In 2022, a CFA Community Engagement role was allocated to People at Higher Risk, and the State-wide Reference Group was renamed accordingly.
The work of the PVP/ People at Higher Risk team has been recognised and awarded within CFA and beyond, receiving a CFA Award for Excellence in Partnership Development in 2022 and the Australasian Fire Authorities Council (AFAC) Award for Fostering Resilient Communities in 2023. The team have also presented at many conferences and summits, including: National Disabilities Summit (2021 & 2022), Australian Disaster Resilience Conference (2022), AFAC conference (2022 & 2023), Aged and Community Care Providers Association (ACCPA) conference (2023).
Videos
- The Emergency Planning Advice Service (EPAS) is an in-home based service where Red Cross and CFA facilitators visit people at their home. It is designed to support people who live with a disability, are older, or have a chronic or acute medical condition to create a fire plan.
- People with a disability can be at disproportionate risk in a house fire, particularly if they cannot self-evacuate. Hear about the Johnsons family who are improving their preparedness and have been practicing home fire escape planning with their daughter Amanda. People who are at higher risk may need support to improve their fire safety and planning. This case study demonstrates the types of support CFA can offer to people at higher risk. This includes active engagement and support from the Benalla Fire Brigade.
- The Preparing Vulnerable People project aims to improve preparedness planning for people most vulnerable to fire. Mark and Jane tell of their experience when bushfire swept through their township in December 2019, and Disability Advocate Delia Harry discusses the need for early bushfire planning for people with disability.
- The Preparing Vulnerable People project aims to improve preparedness planning for people most vulnerable to fire. Delwyn tells her experience of leaving her home when bushfires threatened the Lakes Entrance area in January 2020, and Disability Advocate Denise Lamble discusses the challenges people can face when leaving and why planning is so important.
Definition
* People at higher risk include:
- People with physical and/or cognitive disability
- People with chronic or acute medical conditions
- People who are older
who need support to remain living at home.
Documents and Resources
- People at Higher Risk
- EPAS General
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Evaluations
- Report 1 - An Implementation Evaluation of the Emergency Planning Advice Service (EPAS) - Walia & Villeneuve (1.05 MB) (pdf)
- Report 2 - An Implementation Evaluation of the Emergency Planning Advice Service (EPAS) - Villeneuve (985 KB) (pdf)
- Report - Assessment of Care Sector Take-up CFA Training - ACIG 2022 (1.45 MB) (pdf)
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Media and Communications
- The Big Test: EPAS (941 KB) (pdf)
- The ripple effect of homemade scones and fire safety
- Reducing the risk of fire and other emergencies to those at highest risk
- Clearing the path to disability-inclusive fire and emergency planning
- A winding road to improve fire safety for people at higher risk
- Reaching out to people with a disability – The Melbourne Disability Expo
- Case Study - Facing the bushfire risk with MS (179 KB) (pdf)
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EPAS Facilitator Delivery Pack
- Contents for EPAS Delivery Pack (178 KB) (docx)
- 1. EPAS Pre-visit Risk Assessment V6.4 (June 23) (185 KB) (docx)
- 2. EPAS Facilitator Guide V6.4 2023 (583 KB) (docx)
- 3. EPAS Participant Data Collection Statement (Consent) Form V6.3 (54.2 KB) (pdf)
- 4. EPAS - Conversation tool for Visit 1 and 2 (979 KB) (docx)
- 5. EPAS Optional Bushfire (Outside) and Home Fire (Inside) Assessment (CFA) (47.3 KB) (docx)
- 6. EPAS Reporting Form (CFA Facilitator) V2.2 2023 (21.3 KB) (docx)
- 7. Capability Wheel FAQs V3 (181 KB) (docx)
- 8. EPAS Workflow (55.9 KB) (pdf)
- 9. P-CEP Simplified 4 Steps (289 KB) (pdf)
- Person-Centred Emergency Preparedness P-CEP Workbook (7 MB) (pdf)
- ARCHIVE - EPAS Participant Survey and Instructions V2 July 2023 (not in use) (342 KB) (docx)
- EPAS Facilitator Training
- EPAS Coordinator Pack
- EPAS Whispr Communications
- P-CEP
Lifecycle
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Initial Case Study
Emergency Planning Advice Service (EPAS) has finished this stage'Facing the bushfire risk with MS' case study written.
June 2019
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Stakeholder Reference Group
Emergency Planning Advice Service (EPAS) has finished this stageStatewide Stakeholder Reference Group created. Regular meetings and consultation are ongoing.
November 2019 - current
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Online Module - Bushfire Planning: How to support your clients
Emergency Planning Advice Service (EPAS) has finished this stageDesign and launch of online module and supporting resources.
November 2019 - November 2020
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Design Targeted Delivery Service
Emergency Planning Advice Service (EPAS) has finished this stageDesigned a co-delivered targeted delivery service (EPAS) covering emergency planning for those at higher risk*.
March 2020 - February 2021
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Train facilitators - EPAS
Emergency Planning Advice Service (EPAS) has finished this stageDeveloped training for EPAS facilitators. Trained CFA and Red Cross facilitators to deliver EPAS.
February 2021 - March 2021
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Deliver EPAS trials - Round 1
Emergency Planning Advice Service (EPAS) has finished this stageEPAS has been trialled in the Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Bass Coast Shire Council and City of Greater Bendigo.
Trials are ongoing in Yarra Ranges Council and Frankston City Council.
February 2021 - 2023
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Online Module - Prevent Detect Escape - Home Fire Safety for people at higher risk
Emergency Planning Advice Service (EPAS) has finished this stageDesign and launch of online module and supporting resources in collaboration with Fire Rescue Victoria.
August 2021 - June 2022
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Evaluation - EPAS Delivery
Emergency Planning Advice Service (EPAS) has finished this stageEvaluation carried out by University of Sydney - An Implementation Evaluation of the Emergency Planning Advice Service (EPAS).
February 2021 - Early 2023
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Deliver EPAS trials - Round 2
Emergency Planning Advice Service (EPAS) is currently at this stageEPAS will be trialled in 6 more LGAs (in 1 area multiple LGAs have chosen to work as a cluster) funded by a grant from EMV. Red Cross, CFA, SES and VCCEM facilitators will be trained.
- City of Casey
- City of Greater Bendigo
- Mt Alexander Shire
- Mitchell Shire
- Surf Coast Shire and Colac Otway Shire (partnership)
- Wellington Shire.
February 2023 - April 2024
Who's Listening
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AC
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KS