CQU Melbourne International Campus conducted an evacuation drill to increase awareness among staff and students on the procedure of evacuating the building in the case of an emergency.

At 2.45pm on Friday 20 September 2002 a simulated bomb threat was placed to a randomly selected extension number. The staff member who received the call immediately made contact with the chief warden, advising him of all information gathered as a result of questions asked of the caller.

Manager of Business Administration/Projects Max Thomas was the initiator for the day being the chief fire warden of the building. The chief warden then notified floor wardens on each floor. Floor wardens assembled occupants of their floors in the lift lobby waiting for communication to evacuate each floor. The assembly of building occupants was well organised with a very good response from students and staff alike.

About 500 students and staff were present on the day, which made the evacuation a great success. Wardens were able to understand the procedures and measures of conducting an evacuation during a genuine emergency. All phones in the building now have “Bomb Treat Check Lists” attached to them.

The Emergency Response Trainer Kevin Etherton stated that an impressive feature of the drill was the attitude of all participants, both staff and students alike. He said “all personnel gave the drill their full support, providing an accurate picture of the capability of the building occupants to evacuate themselves in reasonable time and in line with adopted evacuation procedures”.