Every organization should have an Emergency Action or Evacuation Plan. Even when it is not required (by the building owner, fire department or occupancy regulations) it is a ‘best practice’ for every organization to plan and practice to evacuate all personnel from the workplace. Often, evacuation focuses on getting out quickly. Surely that’s the most critical objective. . While simple in principle, there are some considerations that should not be overlooked:
Too Close for Safety: The standard ‘rule of thumb’ for Assembly points is at least 200 feet from the evacuated building. This is intended to assure personnel will not be endangered is window glass or other debris falls. Keep in mind that taller buildings may have a wider potential debris pattern. Two-hundred feet should be used as the minimum. Assuring employee safety should be the priority.
Obstruction: When Emergency Services (Fire, police, ambulance) arrive, will they have sufficient room to do their job? Crowds of evacuated personnel shouldn’t impede their work. Emergency services may need room to park and to turn their vehicles around. Make sure Assembly Points are a reasonable distance from entrances and drive paths- and assure personnel won’t interfere.
Alternate Assembly Points: Anything can happen (and it probably will). Every Assembly Point should have an alternative – just in case the primary spot isn’t available. Known (and practiced) alternatives will avoid possible chaos or personnel endangerment.
Neighbors: Evacuation is most often tested under perfect conditions. But if your building is in a crowded urban area of office park, how do you know your Assembly Points aren’t the same as your neighbors – unless you ask. Recently, a street construction mistake in Washington DC triggered the fire alarms in whole city block. The resulting evacuations were chaotic; two or even three organizations tried to assemble in the same spots. Luckily, it was a false alarm. The effected businesses and government agencies got together and worked out a coordinated effort. Consider what might happen in your neighborhood.
Communication: Once your building has been evacuated, how will you communicate with personnel at your various Assembly Points? There are plenty of options (cellular phones, walkie-talkies, runners, etc.). During a drill you may only be outside a few minutes; in a real emergency you could be there much longer (A government agency which has an ‘active shooter’ incident had to remain outside for more than 2 hours. A chemical company with an ‘air quality’ emergency kept their employees outside for more than 90 minutes). Keep in mind: lack of communication results in rumors. You employees have cellular phones. They are a potential source of those rumors.
Keep these simple concepts in mind when planning and updating your EAP or Evacuation Plan. They’ll help keep you – and your employees – out of harm’s way.
