Pre-emptive actions
Schools and education facilities can be required to take pre-emptive action to protect against the risk of bushfire. The required pre-emptive action depends on the forecast fire danger rating (FDR) and the bushfire risk category of the facility. More information about bushfire risk categories is available on the Policy tab.
Pre-emptive closure for schools in Categories 0 to 4
All schools in Categories 0 to 4 must close on days forecasted as Catastrophic FDR in their fire district.
Schools may begin to prepare for the possibility of pre-emptive closure up to 4 days before the forecasted Catastrophic FDR day as informed by the Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) forecast.
The department will advise schools of the potential for a Catastrophic FDR as information becomes available, however the pre-emptive closure will be confirmed by 1 pm the day prior to Catastrophic FDR day.
Schools in categories 0 to 4 should ensure that they have communicated their fire risk assessment and requirement to close on a Catastrophic FDR day in the fire district with their school communities.
Pre-emptive action for schools in Categories 1 and 2
In addition to the above, all schools in Categories 1 and 2 will enact their pre-emptive action plan (relocation, learning from home, or closure) on a day forecast as Extreme FDR in their local government area (LGA).
Due to the nature of LGA forecasting, the department will advise schools of the potential for an Extreme FDR in their LGA as the information becomes available.
Schools in categories 1 and 2 should ensure that they have communicated their fire risk assessment and planned pre-emptive action on an Extreme FDR day in their LGA with their school community.
It is also important for schools to be aware of individual and family bushfire plans and identify what staff members and students may not be attending a relocated school site or participating in learning from home. It is recommended that schools confirm individual and family bushfire plans of their staff and school community, such as through a survey or information sessions, before the fire season to help inform workforce planning and student attendance on days of elevated fire danger. Visit the CFA website for information on individual and family bushfire .
Pre-emptive action for schools in Category 0
In addition to the above, all schools in Category 0 will enact their pre-emptive action plan (relocation, learning from home, or closure) on a day forecast as High or Extreme FDR in their local government area (LGA).
Due to the nature of LGA forecast, the department will advise schools of the potential for a High or Extreme FDR in their LGA as the information becomes available.
Schools in Category 0 should ensure that they have communicated their fire risk assessment and planned pre-emptive action on a High or Extreme FDR day in their LGA with their school community. More information on communicating with the school community, including the templates available to support school communications, is available under the Bushfire safety information chapter.
It is also important for schools to be aware of individual and family bushfire plans and identify what staff members and students may not be attending a relocated school site or participating in learning from home. It is recommended that schools confirm individual and family bushfire plans of their staff and school community before the fire season.
Reviewed 30 March 2023