Schools and children’s services to close on code red days

News bulletin: 30 November 2009

Today the Victorian government released the Bushfire At Risk Register that lists 728 schools and children’s services that will close on a day given a Code Red (Catastrophic) Fire Danger Rating.

These schools and children’s services have been identified as being at high fire risk which is why they are listed on the register.

“On a day that is declared a Code Red (Catastrophic) Fire Danger Rating, the safest option for schools and children’s services identified as being at high risk this fire season is to close. We want clear systems in place for the fire season so that the communities that may be affected are fully informed,” Minister for Education Bronwyn Pike said.

The register will allow for the pre-emptive closure of schools and children’s services on a Code Red (Catastrophic) day following the Fire Danger Rating declaration by the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM).

The BOM will declare in advance the Fire Danger Rating for each day and in each weather district in consultation with fire agencies.

Once advised of a potential Code Red (Catastrophic) Day, the Department will issue immediate warnings to staff, parents and children through its website and through schools and children’s services.

The Department, on a day declared a Code Red (Catastrophic), will immediately issue a list of planned school and children’s services closures.

For more information, including  bushfire preparations being made in schools and children’s services, see: Bushfire Resources