If you're reading this, you need to understand exactly what training is required for Outcome 2.10 Emergency and Disaster Management under the Strengthened Aged Care Quality Standards. This outcome ensures your organisation can protect older people and workers when emergencies strike, whether that's a bushfire, flood, pandemic outbreak, or medical emergency. Getting this training right isn't just about having plans on paper. It's about ensuring every worker knows their role, every older person's specific needs are considered, and your organisation can respond effectively when it matters most.
Outcome 2.10 sits within Standard 2: The Organisation, which sets out expectations for how providers must be structured and governed to deliver quality aged care services. This outcome specifically addresses the critical responsibility of preparing for, responding to, and recovering from emergencies and disasters that could impact the safety and wellbeing of older people in your care.
Bottom Line Up Front: Outcome 2.10 requires comprehensive training that ensures your organisation can develop, communicate, test, and continuously improve emergency and disaster management plans. These plans must cover natural disasters, medical emergencies, and pandemics, and be based on thorough risk assessments specific to your service context. Training must equip leaders to develop and monitor emergency plans, while all workers understand their specific roles and responsibilities during emergencies. Critically, older people and their supporters must be engaged in emergency planning, and plans must account for individuals with specific needs including those with disabilities or diverse backgrounds.
Let's walk through exactly what this means for your training programmes and how to build systematic emergency preparedness capability across every level of your organisation.
Understanding What Outcome 2.10 Actually Requires
Under the strengthened standards, providers must demonstrate that emergency and disaster management planning considers and manages the risks to the health, safety and wellbeing of individuals and aged care workers. The government guidance emphasises this outcome covers three critical areas: having emergency and disaster plans and strategies, communicating and engaging with stakeholders, and testing and reviewing plans.
The outcome breaks down into four key actions:
Action 2.10.1: Emergency and Disaster Management Plans
Requirement: The provider develops emergency and disaster management plans that describe how the provider and aged care workers will respond to an emergency or disaster and to manage risks to the health, safety and wellbeing of individuals and aged care workers.
What This Means: Every worker must understand the organisation's emergency plans, and leaders must be able to develop plans that address diverse emergency scenarios including natural disasters, medical emergencies, and infectious disease outbreaks.
Action 2.10.2: Preparation and Response Strategies
Requirement: The provider implements strategies to prepare for, and respond to, an emergency or disaster.
What This Means: Training must translate plans into practical capability. Workers need to know what to do, not just what the plan says. This includes evacuation procedures, communication protocols, and coordination with emergency services.
Action 2.10.3: Engagement with Stakeholders
Requirement: The provider engages with individuals, supporters of individuals and aged care workers about the emergency and disaster management plans.
What This Means: Communication training is essential. Older people and their families must understand emergency procedures, and workers must be able to explain plans in accessible ways that account for diverse communication needs.
Action 2.10.4: Testing and Review
Requirement: The provider regularly tests and reviews the emergency and disaster management plans in partnership with individuals, supporters of individuals, aged care workers and other response partners.
What This Means: Training must include participation in emergency drills and the ability to evaluate and improve plans based on drill outcomes and real emergency experiences.
Critical Scope Requirements
The government guidance specifically identifies several areas requiring training focus:
Emergency and Disaster Types
| Emergency Type | Training Implication |
|---|---|
| Natural disasters | Workers understand responses to floods, bushfires, storms, heatwaves |
| Medical emergencies | Basic life support, recognising deterioration, emergency escalation |
| Pandemics and outbreaks | Infection control, outbreak management protocols, isolation procedures |
| Infrastructure failures | Responses to power outages, internet failures, water supply issues |
| Security incidents | Lockdown procedures, managing threatening situations |
Plan Development Requirements
The guidance emphasises plans must be:
- Based on emergency and disaster risk assessments integrated with broader organisational risk management (Outcome 2.4)
- Based on the service context with consideration of whether high-level or service-specific plans are needed
- Developed in consultation with older people, their supporters, workers, and emergency response partners
- Shared with older people in ways they understand, considering language and communication preferences
- Inclusive of strategies for individuals with specific needs including disabilities or diverse backgrounds
Testing and Evaluation Requirements
The guidance requires:
- Periodic testing through emergency drills, at minimum annually
- Variety of emergency scenarios in drill schedules
- Drills involving workers, older people, supporters, and response partners
- Desktop drills acceptable to reduce disruption
- Evaluation and updating after drills or real emergencies
- Review of plans when circumstances change (relocations, renovations, significant changes in residents or workforce)
Service Setting Considerations
The guidance explicitly notes different requirements:
| Setting | Key Considerations |
|---|---|
| Residential care | Plans apply to all older people and workers; extra supports for individuals documented and communicated; facility-wide evacuation procedures |
| Home and community care | Individual emergency plans for each older person's home; contingency plans for when workers cannot access homes; regional and remote risk considerations; travel route risks |
The Five Essential Training Areas You Need
Based on Outcome 2.10 requirements and available Ausmed modules, you need to implement five interconnected training areas:
| Training Area | Duration | Content Focus | Key Ausmed Modules | Assessment Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Area 1: Emergency Planning Fundamentals | 2 hours initial, 1 hour annual | Understanding emergency plans, risk assessment, regulatory requirements | Emergency, Disaster and Evacuation Management (30m), Standard 2: The Organisation (15m) | Demonstrate understanding of emergency plan components and personal responsibilities |
| Area 2: Fire Safety and Evacuation | 2 hours initial, 1 hour annual | Fire prevention, detection, response, evacuation procedures | Fire Safety in Residential Aged Care (23m) or Fire Safety in Home Care (27m), Emergency, Disaster and Evacuation Management (30m) | Practical evacuation drill participation, fire equipment competency |
| Area 3: Medical Emergency Response | 2.5 hours initial, 1.5 hours annual | Basic life support, recognising deterioration, emergency escalation | Basic Life Support (BLS) (32m), Serious Incident Response Scheme (SIRS) (40m) | BLS competency assessment, scenario-based assessment |
| Area 4: Outbreak and Infection Emergency Management | 2 hours initial, 1 hour annual | Pandemic response, outbreak management, infection control escalation | Outbreak Management in Aged Care (30m), Infection Prevention and Control (28m) | Outbreak response scenario assessment |
| Area 5: Emergency Communication and Coordination | 1.5 hours initial, 1 hour annual | Communicating with older people, families, emergency services, documentation | Communicating in Aged Care (24m), Incident Report Writing (30m) | Communication scenario assessment, documentation review |
Breaking Down Each Training Area
Area 1: Emergency Planning Fundamentals
The government guidance emphasises that providers need comprehensive emergency and disaster management plans based on risk assessments that identify different emergency situations that can happen when delivering aged care services.
Essential Ausmed Modules:
- Start with Emergency, Disaster and Evacuation Management (30 minutes) for comprehensive emergency management coverage directly tagged to Outcome 2.10
- Add Standard 2: The Organisation (15 minutes) for broader organisational context
- For comprehensive standards understanding, include Strengthened Aged Care Quality Standards (30 minutes)
| Competency | Training Focus | Practice Application |
|---|---|---|
| Risk Assessment | Understanding emergency risk assessment, integrating with broader organisational risk management | Leaders can identify and assess emergency risks specific to their service |
| Plan Development | Components of effective emergency plans, consultation requirements, documentation | Plans address natural disasters, medical emergencies, outbreaks, infrastructure failures |
| Regulatory Requirements | Understanding Outcome 2.10 requirements, Commission expectations | Plans meet all regulatory requirements and can demonstrate compliance |
| Individual Needs | Identifying older people requiring extra support, documenting specific needs | Care plans include emergency-specific information for each individual |
Area 2: Fire Safety and Evacuation
Fire remains one of the highest-risk emergencies in aged care settings. The guidance requires strategies to respond to environmental events including fires, with specific evacuation procedures appropriate to the service setting.
Essential Ausmed Modules:
- For residential care: Fire Safety in Residential Aged Care (23 minutes) directly tagged to Outcome 2.10
- For home care: Fire Safety in Home Care (27 minutes) directly tagged to Outcome 2.10
- Both settings: Emergency, Disaster and Evacuation Management (30 minutes)
| Competency Area | Training Requirements | Verification Method |
|---|---|---|
| Fire Prevention | Understanding fire risks, hazard identification, reporting concerns | Workplace hazard audits, reporting behaviour |
| Detection and Alarm Response | Responding to fire alarms, understanding alarm systems, avoiding false alarm complacency | Drill performance observation |
| Evacuation Procedures | Knowing evacuation routes, assembly points, assisting older people with mobility limitations | Practical drill participation with competency sign-off |
| Fire Equipment | Understanding fire extinguisher types, when to use, when to evacuate instead | Practical demonstration (annual) |
| Post-Evacuation | Accounting for all individuals, liaising with emergency services, supporting distressed individuals | Scenario-based assessment |
Area 3: Medical Emergency Response
While medical emergencies connect to Standard 5 Clinical Care, Outcome 2.10 requires strategies to respond to medical emergencies as part of overall emergency management. All workers need basic capability to respond until clinical assistance arrives.
Essential Ausmed Modules:
- Basic Life Support (BLS) (32 minutes) for all direct care workers
- Serious Incident Response Scheme (SIRS) (40 minutes) for understanding incident response obligations
| Training Component | Focus Areas | Expected Outcomes |
|---|---|---|
| Recognition | Identifying medical emergencies including cardiac events, choking, severe bleeding, stroke symptoms | Workers can recognise when emergency response is needed |
| Immediate Response | DRSABCD, calling for help, activating emergency response | Appropriate first response within seconds of recognition |
| Basic Life Support | CPR technique, AED use, recovery position | Competent BLS delivery until advanced help arrives |
| Escalation | When to call 000, communicating with emergency services, handover | Effective communication with paramedics and clinical staff |
| Documentation | Incident reporting requirements, SIRS obligations | Accurate documentation for incident management |
Area 4: Outbreak and Infection Emergency Management
The government guidance specifically requires processes to respond quickly to outbreaks of infectious diseases, even when only suspected. The COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated the critical importance of outbreak preparedness in aged care.
Essential Ausmed Modules:
- Outbreak Management in Aged Care (30 minutes) for comprehensive outbreak response
- Infection Prevention and Control (28 minutes) for foundational infection control knowledge
| Risk Category | Training Focus | Application |
|---|---|---|
| Early Recognition | Identifying potential outbreak indicators, surveillance, reporting thresholds | Early detection triggers rapid response |
| Outbreak Declaration | Understanding when to declare outbreak, notification requirements, escalation pathways | Appropriate and timely outbreak response activation |
| Isolation and Cohorting | Implementing isolation precautions, managing cohorts, visitor restrictions | Effective containment of infectious spread |
| PPE Escalation | Enhanced PPE requirements during outbreaks, supply management, donning and doffing | Safe practice during heightened infection risk |
| Communication | Notifying families, coordinating with public health units, staff communication | Clear, timely communication during outbreak management |
| Recovery | Post-outbreak review, return to normal operations, psychological support | Learning from outbreaks to improve future response |
Area 5: Emergency Communication and Coordination
The guidance emphasises that providers must communicate and engage with older people, supporters, families, carers and workers about emergency plans. Effective communication during emergencies can mean the difference between orderly response and chaos.
Essential Ausmed Modules:
- Communicating in Aged Care (24 minutes) for foundational communication skills
- Incident Report Writing (30 minutes) for documentation during and after emergencies
| Communication Context | Training Focus | Workplace Application |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-Emergency | Explaining emergency plans to older people and families, accessible formats, diverse communication needs | All individuals understand relevant emergency procedures |
| During Emergency | Clear instructions, managing panic, communicating with diverse needs including dementia and hearing impairment | Calm, effective communication during crisis |
| Emergency Services Liaison | Communicating with 000, providing information to paramedics, police, fire services | Effective handover and coordination |
| Family Communication | Notifying families during emergencies, managing enquiries, providing updates | Families informed appropriately without overwhelming emergency response |
| Documentation | Recording emergency events, incident reports, post-emergency documentation | Accurate records support review and improvement |
| Post-Emergency | Debriefing, communicating about what happened, supporting distressed individuals | Open disclosure when things go wrong, supporting recovery |
Implementation by Role
Different roles require different training emphases while ensuring comprehensive coverage:
| Role Category | Priority Ausmed Modules | Additional Requirements | Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Governing Body | Standard 2: The Organisation (15m), Emergency, Disaster and Evacuation Management (30m) | Strategic oversight of emergency preparedness, resource allocation for emergency planning | Within 3 months of standards commencement |
| Senior Leadership | All emergency modules plus Strengthened Quality Standards (30m), SIRS (40m) | Emergency plan development, drill coordination, relationship with emergency services | Within first month |
| Facility/Service Managers | Emergency, Disaster and Evacuation Management (30m), Fire Safety (23m/27m), Outbreak Management (30m) | Site-specific emergency planning, drill facilitation, emergency coordination | Within 2 months |
| Clinical Staff (RNs, ENs) | BLS (32m), SIRS (40m), Outbreak Management (30m), Infection Prevention (28m) | Clinical leadership during medical emergencies, outbreak clinical management | Orientation plus annual refresher |
| Care Workers | Emergency, Disaster and Evacuation Management (30m), Fire Safety (23m/27m), BLS (32m), Infection Prevention (28m) | Practical emergency response, evacuation assistance, first response | During orientation, annual refresher |
| Support Staff | Emergency, Disaster and Evacuation Management (30m), Fire Safety (23m/27m) | Role-specific emergency responsibilities, evacuation support | During orientation, annual refresher |
Service Setting Adaptations
The government guidance explicitly notes different considerations for different service contexts:
Residential Care Training Emphasis
In residential care, emergency plans apply to all older people and workers within the facility. Training must address:
- Facility-wide evacuation procedures including vertical and horizontal evacuation
- 24/7 coverage requirements during emergencies
- Specific support needs documented in care plans and communicated to workers
- Coordination with on-site clinical staff during medical emergencies
- Managing visitors during emergencies
- Fire Safety in Residential Aged Care (23 minutes) for setting-specific content
Home and Community Care Training Emphasis
In home and community care, emergency planning has unique challenges. Training must address:
- Individual emergency plans for each older person's home
- Contingency plans when workers cannot access homes due to emergency (fire, flood blocking routes)
- Risk assessment for each home environment including bushfire and flood prone areas
- Worker safety during travel, including road conditions during emergencies
- Communication when older people may be isolated
- Regional and remote considerations including limited emergency service access
- Fire Safety in Home Care (27 minutes) for setting-specific content
Evidence Requirements for Accreditation
Commission assessors will look for specific evidence demonstrating Outcome 2.10 compliance:
| Evidence Type | What to Demonstrate | How to Prepare |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency Plans | Comprehensive plans covering natural disasters, medical emergencies, outbreaks, infrastructure failures | Documented plans based on risk assessment, reviewed regularly |
| Risk Assessments | Emergency risks identified, assessed, integrated with broader organisational risk management | Emergency risk register linked to Outcome 2.4 risk management |
| Training Records | All workers trained in emergency procedures appropriate to their role | 100% completion tracked, annual refreshers documented |
| Drill Records | Regular emergency drills conducted, varied scenarios, stakeholder participation | Minimum annual drills documented with evaluation outcomes |
| Consultation Evidence | Older people and supporters engaged in emergency planning | Meeting minutes, survey results, care plan documentation |
| Individual Plans | Specific needs documented for individuals requiring extra support during emergencies | Care plans include emergency-specific information |
| Communication Materials | Emergency information shared in accessible formats | Displayed plans, translated materials, accessible formats |
| Review and Improvement | Plans updated after drills, real emergencies, and when circumstances change | Version control, documented changes, improvement actions |
| Response Partner Relationships | Engagement with emergency services, public health units, other providers | Contact lists, relationship documentation, coordination agreements |
Critical Integration Points
Outcome 2.10 connects extensively with other standards as noted in the guidance:
| Related Outcome | Integration Point | Training Connection |
|---|---|---|
| Outcome 1.1 | Person-centred care | Emergency plans consider individual needs and preferences |
| Outcome 1.3 | Choice and communication | Emergency information provided in ways individuals understand |
| Outcome 2.1 | Partnering with individuals | Older people and supporters involved in emergency planning and drills |
| Outcome 2.2b | Safety culture for individuals | Emergency plans prioritise physical and psychological safety |
| Outcome 2.3 | Open disclosure | Sharing what went wrong after emergencies with stakeholders |
| Outcome 2.4 | Risk management | Emergency risk assessment integrated with organisational risk system |
| Outcome 2.5 | Incident management | Emergency incidents managed and reported through incident system |
| Outcome 2.8 | Workforce planning | Workforce strategy considers emergency staffing needs |
| Outcome 3.3 | Communicating for safety | Critical information communicated during emergencies |
| Outcome 3.4 | Care coordination | Continuity of care during and after emergencies |
| Outcome 4.1a/4.1b | Environment | Environmental risk assessment informs emergency planning |
| Outcome 4.2 | Infection prevention | Outbreak management plans for infectious diseases |
Measuring Training Effectiveness
The government guidance emphasises regular review of emergency plan effectiveness. Monitor these indicators:
| Measurement Domain | Specific Metrics | Target Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| Training Completion | Completion rates by role, refresher compliance, new starter orientation | 100% completion within required timeframes |
| Drill Participation | Drill frequency, participation rates, scenario variety | Minimum annual drills, >90% staff participation |
| Drill Performance | Evacuation times, procedure compliance, communication effectiveness | Improving performance across drills, identified issues addressed |
| Real Emergency Response | Response effectiveness when real emergencies occur, outcomes achieved | Effective response with minimal harm, rapid recovery |
| Plan Currency | Plan review frequency, updates after changes, version control | Plans reviewed minimum annually and after significant events |
| Stakeholder Engagement | Older people's understanding of plans, family feedback, worker confidence | High awareness levels, positive feedback on communication |
| Incident Outcomes | Emergency-related incidents, near misses, harm events | Reducing emergency-related harm, effective near-miss capture |
| Improvement Actions | Issues identified, actions completed, repeat issues | Continuous improvement cycle demonstrable |
Key Takeaways
Effective emergency and disaster management protects older people and workers when emergencies occur. The strengthened standards recognise that comprehensive planning and training are essential to emergency preparedness.
Develop comprehensive plans covering natural disasters, medical emergencies, pandemics, and infrastructure failures based on thorough risk assessment
Engage stakeholders in emergency planning including older people, families, workers, and emergency response partners
Train all workers in emergency procedures appropriate to their role with practical application through drills
Consider individual needs ensuring emergency plans account for people requiring extra support due to disability, communication needs, or diverse backgrounds
Test regularly through varied emergency drills at minimum annually, evaluating performance and improving plans
Update continuously reviewing plans after drills, real emergencies, and when circumstances change significantly
Integrate with other outcomes recognising emergency management connects to risk management, incident management, infection control, and person-centred care
Training should be role-specific, regularly refreshed through drills, and supported by clear policies, procedures, and accessible communication materials.
Remember the Foundation
Outcome 2.10 ensures your organisation can protect older people and workers when the unexpected happens. The strengthened standards recognise that emergencies are not hypothetical. Bushfires, floods, pandemics, and medical emergencies are realities that aged care services must be prepared to manage.
The government guidance makes clear this isn't just about having documents on a shelf. Plans must be developed in consultation with stakeholders, communicated in accessible ways, tested through realistic drills, and continuously improved. When a real emergency occurs, every worker must know their role, every older person's specific needs must be understood, and communication must flow effectively to families, emergency services, and response partners.
The Emergency, Disaster and Evacuation Management module is particularly significant as it directly addresses the comprehensive emergency planning and response requirements of this outcome. Combined with setting-specific fire safety training and medical emergency response capability, your workforce will be prepared to protect those in your care.
When emergency management works effectively, when plans are robust, when workers are trained and confident, when older people's individual needs are considered, your organisation can respond to emergencies in ways that minimise harm and support rapid recovery. Every older person deserves to receive care from an organisation that takes their safety seriously and is prepared for whatever emergencies may arise.
For more information about Outcome 2.10, visit the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission's guidance page.
To assign training and track completion for your workforce, explore Ausmed's Workforce Capability System.
This Training Requirement was created with the assistance of Generative AI tools. Pretty cool, right? Do it yourself!
