What's in this template?
This emergency response plan is designed for Australian general practices preparing for RACGP accreditation under the Standards for General Practices (5th Edition). It maps directly to Criterion C3.3 — Emergency response plan.
The template covers 17 sections addressing a comprehensive range of emergency scenarios:
- Purpose — establishes the plan's scope and regulatory context
- Scope — emergency types covered (medical, fire, natural disaster, IT, security, pandemic, staffing)
- Emergency Contact Numbers — printable quick-reference with all critical contacts (000, Poisons, SES, practice principal, IT provider, building manager, insurer)
- Roles and Responsibilities — Emergency Coordinator, Practice Principal, and all-staff roles
- Medical Emergency Response — patient collapse, cardiac arrest (CPR/AED protocol), anaphylaxis (ASCIA Action Plan), emergency equipment locations and check schedule
- Fire and Smoke Emergency — RACE protocol, evacuation procedure, assembly point, fire equipment locations and testing
- Natural Disaster Response — BOM monitoring, closure decision, building securing, post-event damage assessment
- Power Failure and Utility Outage — electricity provider contacts, vaccine cold chain protection, UPS equipment, phone divert procedures
- IT System Failure — IT provider escalation, paper-based fallback procedures, data backup verification
- Security Threat — hostile intruder response, bomb threat procedures and checklist
- Pandemic and Infectious Disease Response — CHO directions, enhanced IPC, telehealth activation, PPE stock management
- Key Personnel Absence — delegation arrangements, locum contacts, service redistribution
- Communication During Emergencies — internal channels, patient notification, media spokesperson protocol
- Emergency Drills and Training — annual fire/evacuation drill, mock medical emergency, CPR/AED refresher, new staff orientation
- Post-Incident Review — 48-hour debrief, incident documentation, plan updates, staff briefing
- Related Policies — cross-references to Business Continuity, IPC, WHS, Clinical Risk Management
- Review History — version control and approval record
Editable placeholder fields
The template includes yellow-highlighted {{placeholder}} fields for practice-specific details:
{{practice_name}},{{abn}},{{practice_address}},{{phone}},{{email}}{{emergency_coordinator_name}}and{{emergency_coordinator_mobile}}{{practice_principal_name}}and{{practice_principal_mobile}}{{it_provider_name}}and{{it_provider_phone}}{{building_manager_name}}and{{building_manager_phone}}{{insurance_provider}}and{{insurance_policy_number}}{{state_health_emergency_number}},{{fire_non_emergency_number}},{{police_non_emergency_number}}{{aed_location}},{{emergency_drug_kit_location}},{{oxygen_location}}{{assembly_point_location}},{{fire_extinguisher_locations}},{{fire_blanket_locations}}{{electricity_provider}},{{ups_protected_equipment}},{{divert_mobile_number}}{{principal_delegate}},{{alternative_medical_service}},{{locum_agency_contacts}}{{review_date}}and{{next_review_date}}
RACGP accreditation requirement
Criterion C3.3 of the RACGP Standards for General Practices (5th Edition) requires that:
"The practice has an emergency response plan"
To meet this criterion, your practice must demonstrate:
- A documented emergency response plan that is current and accessible to all staff
- Coverage of medical emergencies occurring within the practice
- Procedures for fire, evacuation, and natural disasters
- Emergency equipment is available, maintained, and regularly checked
- Staff know the location of emergency equipment and exits
- Emergency drills are conducted and documented
- Staff receive training in emergency response procedures
This template addresses each of these requirements with dedicated sections, practical step-by-step procedures, and built-in documentation prompts.
Legislation and standards referenced
- RACGP Standards for General Practices (5th Edition) — Criterion C3.3
- Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Cth) — employer obligations for emergency plans, first aid, and evacuation
- WHS Regulations — specific requirements for emergency plans and first aid
- Australian Resuscitation Council (ARC) Guidelines — CPR and AED protocols
- ASCIA Action Plans — anaphylaxis management
- Safe Work Australia — emergency plan guidance for workplaces
How to customise this template
- Download the Word document and open it in Microsoft Word or Google Docs
- Find and replace each yellow-highlighted
{{placeholder}}— start with your practice name and work through the contact details - Complete Section 3 (Emergency Contacts) — fill in all phone numbers, then print this page and display it in the staff area, treatment room, and reception
- Customise Section 7 (Natural Disaster) — tailor to your geographic risks (bushfire zones, flood-prone areas, cyclone regions)
- Customise Section 8 (Power Failure) — list what your UPS/battery backup protects and your electricity provider's fault line
- Map your emergency equipment — walk through the practice and record exact locations of AED, emergency drug kit, oxygen, fire extinguishers, fire blankets, and spill kits
- Identify your assembly point — choose a safe location away from the building and note it in Section 6
- Arrange your first drill — schedule a fire/evacuation drill and a medical emergency drill within the first quarter of adopting this plan
- Have the Practice Principal and Emergency Coordinator review and sign off before distribution
Frequently asked questions
How often should we run emergency drills?
The RACGP recommends at least annual fire/evacuation drills and medical emergency drills. Many practices run one of each per year, alternating every six months. New staff should receive emergency orientation during their induction regardless of the drill schedule.
Do we need a separate Business Continuity Plan?
This Emergency Response Plan focuses on immediate response — what to do when an emergency occurs. A Business Continuity Plan (BCP) focuses on sustained operations — how to keep the practice running during an extended disruption. The two documents are complementary. We offer a separate Business Continuity Plan template in our library.
What emergency equipment does a general practice need?
At minimum, a general practice should have: an AED (automated external defibrillator), an emergency drug kit (including adrenaline, aspirin, GTN, salbutamol, and other medications as recommended by the RACGP), oxygen delivery equipment, and anaphylaxis action plans. The RACGP Standards specify that emergency equipment must be checked regularly and records maintained.
Can I use this for AGPAL or QPA accreditation?
Yes. Both AGPAL and QPA assess against the RACGP Standards for General Practices (5th Edition). This template is aligned to Criterion C3.3 and is suitable for use as accreditation evidence with either accrediting body. Surveyors will typically ask to see the plan, check that staff know where emergency equipment is located, and review drill records.
Does this cover COVID-19 and pandemic planning?
Section 11 covers pandemic and infectious disease response at a general practice level, including enhanced IPC measures, respiratory screening, telehealth activation, PPE stock management, and following Chief Health Officer directions. For detailed pandemic-specific protocols, refer to your state/territory health department's current guidance.
What about practices in shared or multi-tenancy buildings?
If your practice is in a shared building, coordinate your emergency response plan with the building manager and other tenants. Your fire evacuation and assembly point should align with the building's overall emergency plan. Note this in your plan and ensure your Emergency Coordinator has the building manager's contact details (included in Section 3).