When people hear the word warden, most picture someone in a hi-vis vest grabbing a megaphone and directing a fire drill. The real role is broader than that.
Wardens form part of the Emergency Control Organisation, or ECO. This is the group of people in your workplace trained to take charge during an emergency.
That might be a fire, but it could also be a medical incident, gas leak, power failure, bomb threat, severe weather event, lockdown, or another situation where people need clear direction and coordination.
It is not always about evacuation. Sometimes it is about managing an isolated incident, locking down, or sheltering in place.
Under AS 3745-2010, workplaces are expected to have an ECO appointed by the Emergency Planning Committee, or EPC. A typical ECO structure may include:
Chief Warden
The person in charge during an emergency
Deputy Chief Warden
Steps in if the Chief Warden is unavailable
Communications Officer
Manages communication over the PA, radio, or other systems
Area or Floor Wardens
Responsible for specific zones or floors
Wardens or Deputies
Help clear rooms, check bathrooms, and guide people to safety
On larger sites, you may also have Stair Wardens, Door Wardens, or First Aid Officers as part of the ECO. The structure should reflect what your site actually needs.
You also need backup wardens trained across each role. Sick days, holidays and shift changes are inevitable. If one or more of your ECO members are away, your emergency response still needs to hold up.
“Nothing ever happens at our workplace. Do we really need this?”
Yes.
ACTWELL’s team includes current and former emergency service professionals, and we can tell you that most people we assist had no idea their day was about to take a turn. Emergencies do not usually give notice.
In the past two years alone, Canberra has seen school lockdowns, severe building fires, evacuations, bomb threats and storm events that forced people to shelter indoors. These incidents happened in everyday workplaces and community settings where no one expected them.
That is why every ECO member needs training, and not just once. AS 3745-2010 requires regular skills retention, at least every six months. That includes understanding your site’s emergency procedures, knowing what the role actually involves, and being confident using equipment such as radios, alarms or extinguishers where required.
Warden training is about situational awareness, leadership under pressure, and getting people to safety. It is not just about running fire drills.
What AS 3745-2010 also requires, and what many sites miss
- A current register of your ECO, including names, roles and contact details
- Regular training and refreshers, especially when procedures change
- ECO members to be readily identifiable, usually with helmets, vests or armbands
- You do not need a massive team or fancy gear. You need the right people, clear procedures, and training that actually prepares them for the role.
Need to build or refresh your ECO?
Whether you are starting from scratch or refreshing your current team, we can help you:
- Build the right ECO structure for your site
- Run accredited or site-specific training
- Keep your compliance on track
- Make sure your people are trained and prepared for any type of workplace emergency