Communications Officer Develops communications strategy In consultation with the DET Commander, develops, disseminates and manages: internal communication external communication Develops rules on release of information in consultation with the DET Commander Represents DET on EMJPIC Arranges stakeholder and media briefings Monitors media Maintains incident management log Communications Division, People and Executive Services Group Planning Officer Collects and analyses information from relevant central government departments and agencies Develops forecasts on the impact of the pandemic on DET and its operations Determines information requirements and reporting schedules for Incident Management Team Develops appropriate reports (situation reports) for internal and external distribution Conducts internal and external situation analysis Coordinates development of Incident Action Plan and monitoring its implementation Maintains incident management log Emergency Management Division, Regional Services Group
Appendix B – Pandemic Influenza Stages with Key Actions for Schools PREPAREDNESS The scale and nature of preparedness activities is the same for all possible levels of clinical severity Description - No strain detected (or emerging strain under initial detection) Category Key Actions Review Emergency Management Plan Review your Emergency Management Plan (EMP), including: pandemic planning arrangements contact lists of staff, students, families, local services and DHHS regional emergency management coordinators communication tree (key staff). Preparedness should be incorporated into business as usual activities. This includes incorporating a comprehensive risk management strategy that takes an ‘all hazards’ approach and includes influenza pandemic as a specific hazard that needs to be considered. Regularly review, exercise and update plans. Communicate pandemic plans with staff. Influenza prevention Promote hygiene measures within the school by: providing students and staff with information about the importance of hand hygiene (more information is available at ) providing convenient access to water and liquid soap and alcohol-based hand sanitiser educating staff and students about covering their cough with a tissue or their inner elbow to prevent the spread of germs ensuring careful disposal of used tissues. Exercise appropriate home-based exclusion from school among staff and students with flu-like illness. Encourage staff to seek immunisation for seasonal influenza. Communications Communicate personal hygiene messages to staff and students. Convey seasonal influenza messages as directed by DET. Travel advisories Encourage staff and parents/carers to access the website prior to international travel being undertaken by the school and incorporate this advice into travel risk assessment and mitigation strategies for pandemic. Business continuity Ensure currency of business continuity plan which: identifies minimum requirements and key staff for continued operations (including planning for the absence of the principal and school council) considers workforce strategies to enable continued operations, if pandemic affects a portion of the workforce. RESPONSE STAGE – STANDBY Clinical severity Description – Sustained community person-to-person transmission detected overseas Category Key Actions Low Med High Review Emergency Management Plan In April, (or at the time of the overseas detection, if earlier): ensure EMP (including emergency numbers and key contacts) are up to date and pandemic planning arrangements are included ensure contact lists of staff, students, families, local services, and DHHS Emergency Management Coordinators are Apply
Containment strategies Be aware that multiple waves of the virus may occur. Replenish PPE (if required). N/A N/A Apply As required Apply As required Business continuity Implement business continuity for resumption of full business capacity which may involve: restoring workforce capacity following procedures for re-opening of service (if applicable) providing supports, including counselling (if required) monitoring cumulative effects of pandemic and identifying and supporting those who may need assistance. Chief Warden to de-activate Incident Management Team (IMT) and conduct final debrief(s). Utilise template letters if they are prepared by DET to communicate status of situation to staff and parents/carers, including any available supports. Review effectiveness of EMP and update as appropriate – involving relevant staff and others (eg. school nurses) particularly as multiple waves of the virus may occur. N/A N/A As applicable Apply Apply Apply Apply Apply Apply Apply Communications Communicate the updated status of situation to and parents/carers including supports that may be available. Apply Apply Travel Continue to encourage staff and parents/carers to access the website prior to international travel. Apply Appendix C – Pandemic Influenza Stages with Key Actions for Childhood Services PREPAREDNESS STAGE The scale and nature of preparedness activities is the same for all possible levels of clinical severity Description - No novel strain detected (or emerging strain under initial detection) Category Key Actions Review Emergency Management Plan Review your Emergency Management Plan (EMP), including: pandemic planning arrangements up-to-date contact lists of staff, children, families, local services – DHHS and Local Government Emergency Management Coordinators communication tree (key staff). Influenza prevention Promote basic hygiene measures including: provide children and staff with information about the importance of hand hygiene (more information is available at ) provide convenient access to water and liquid soap and alcohol-based hand sanitiser