An emergency plan is only as good as the people who execute it. You can have perfectly written procedures, state-of-the-art equipment, and comprehensive evacuation diagrams — but if your staff don't know what to do when an alarm sounds, it all falls apart.
AS3745-2010 recognizes this, which is why it places heavy emphasis on training. Here's what's actually required, who needs it, and how to prove it's been done.
General Staff Training
**Everyone** who works in or regularly visits the facility needs basic emergency awareness training. AS3745 calls this "information, instruction and training" — and it must cover:
**When:** During induction for new employees and visitors, and annually as refresher training for all staff.
**Format:** Can be delivered as group sessions, online modules, or one-on-one induction. The key is demonstrating that people actually received the information, not just that it was "available."
**Documentation:** Keep training attendance records, completion certificates, or signed acknowledgments. "We told everyone during onboarding" isn't evidence unless you can prove who attended and when.
Emergency Warden Training
Emergency wardens (also called floor wardens or area wardens) have specific responsibilities during evacuations. AS3745 requires them to receive additional training covering:
**Who:** Sufficient wardens to cover all floors and areas during normal operating hours. AS3745 doesn't specify exact numbers, but best practice is one warden per floor, plus a deputy for each.
**When:** Before assuming warden duties, annually as refresher training, and whenever procedures change significantly.
**Format:** Formal training delivered by competent trainers — fire safety professionals, experienced emergency services personnel, or qualified workplace trainers. Online modules alone aren't sufficient; wardens need practical, scenario-based training.
**Documentation:** Training certificates, competency records, and warden appointment letters. Keep a current list of trained wardens accessible to the Emergency Planning Committee.
Chief Warden Training
The Chief Warden (or Emergency Control Organization Coordinator) oversees the entire emergency response. This role requires advanced training covering:
**Who:** Usually the facility manager or senior safety professional, plus at least one deputy who can fulfill the role when the primary is unavailable.
**When:** Before appointment, with refresher training every 1-2 years.
**Format:** Specialized training courses (1-2 day programs) delivered by fire safety consultants or emergency management professionals. Some states offer accredited Chief Warden courses aligned with national competency standards.
**Documentation:** Course certificates and appointment documentation. The Chief Warden should maintain records of all drills, incidents, and training activities.
First Aid Training
While not strictly an AS3745 requirement (first aid falls under WHS regulations), emergency planning integrates closely with first aid response. Facilities need:
**Integration:** First aiders should coordinate with the emergency response structure. During evacuations, trained first aiders may need to remain with injured persons while wardens sweep the building.
Specialized Training Scenarios
**Multi-tenanted buildings:** Tenants need training specific to their role. Some tenants are responsible only for their own staff evacuation; others participate in building-wide response. Clarify responsibilities during training.
**Shift work operations:** 24/7 facilities need trained wardens on all shifts, including overnight and weekends. Training must account for reduced staffing levels during off-peak hours.
**High-risk facilities:** Buildings with special hazards (chemical storage, high-voltage equipment, confined spaces) need scenario-specific training that goes beyond standard evacuation procedures.
**Disability access:** Staff supporting people with disabilities need training on evacuation assistance techniques, communication methods, and use of evacuation chairs or other specialized equipment.
Training Methods and Effectiveness
**Classroom training** provides foundational knowledge but lacks realism. It's suitable for general staff awareness but insufficient for wardens.
**Table-top exercises** walk participants through scenarios using floor plans and role cards. Good for testing decision-making and communication without physical evacuation.
**Practical drills** simulate real evacuations. Essential for warden training and annual compliance requirements. More on drills in our article on Annual Emergency Exercises.
**Blended approaches** combine online theory, classroom workshops, and practical drills. Often most effective, allowing people to learn at their own pace before applying knowledge practically.
Common Training Failures
Failure 1: Training once and never again
People forget. Procedures change. Annual refresher training isn't optional — it's the standard minimum, and some roles (wardens) benefit from more frequent training.
Failure 2: No documentation
"We trained everyone years ago" means nothing without records. Inspectors and auditors need proof: who was trained, when, what topics were covered, who delivered the training.
Failure 3: Training without testing
How do you know people understood the training? Drills and exercises test whether training was effective. Low drill performance indicates training gaps.
Failure 4: Generic training that ignores site specifics
Off-the-shelf training modules often teach generic procedures that don't match your facility. Training must reference your specific exits, assembly areas, alarm sounds, and procedures.
Failure 5: Wardens who've never met each other
Emergency response requires coordination. If your wardens have never trained together or met as a group, they'll struggle to coordinate during real incidents.
Training Records and Compliance
AS3745 requires documentation proving training has occurred. Your records should include:
**Storage:** Keep training records for at least 5 years, ideally longer. Digital records are acceptable if backed up and accessible. Include training documentation in your evidence base for annual fire safety statements and compliance audits.
Who Can Deliver Training?
**General staff awareness:** Can be delivered by internal staff (facility manager, safety officer) who understand the emergency procedures.
**Warden training:** Should be delivered by qualified trainers with fire safety expertise — fire protection consultants, retired fire service personnel, or accredited training providers.
**Chief Warden training:** Requires specialized instructors with emergency management credentials and practical incident experience.
**First aid:** Must be delivered by Registered Training Organizations (RTOs) offering nationally recognized first aid courses.
Integrating Training with Emergency Plans
Training isn't separate from your emergency plan — it's the mechanism that brings the plan to life. That means:
Budget and Resources
Emergency training costs money and takes time. When presenting training budgets to management:
Training isn't an optional extra. It's fundamental to emergency preparedness and explicitly required by the standard.
Getting Started
If your current training program is inadequate:
The Bottom Line
Emergency plans don't save lives. Trained people executing those plans save lives.
AS3745 recognizes this by mandating training at multiple levels — general awareness for everyone, practical skills for wardens, strategic decision-making for chief wardens. Compliance requires evidence that training actually happened and that people are competent to perform their roles.
Treat training as an investment, not a cost. When an emergency happens, the return on that investment becomes immediately apparent.