How To Run Emergency Drills in the Office

8/21/2019 (Permalink)

An emergency action plan should include a map showing the evacuations routes and exits

If you own commercial property or manage a business in Chagrin Falls, OH, the safety of your employees should be top priority. That means putting together a comprehensive set of protocols for a wide variety of emergency situations, like a fire drill. What might such a plan include?

Developing the Plan

First of all, you need to know what you'll be doing during the drill. That means creating an emergency action plan. This plan should be easy to read and distributed throughout the office. It should include:

• A map showing the established evacuation routes and exits.
  
• Designated section coordinators and evacuation wardens.
  
• The assigned roles of employees and their contact information.
  
• A preferred method for reporting the emergency.
  A location for regrouping after evacuation.
  
  

Putting It Into Action

In addition to a plan, you may need equipment for handling an emergency like a tornado or fire drill. Medical kits and emergency supplies, like blankets and flashlights, should be stored in a secure location and replaced as necessary. In order to increase the likelihood of a smooth execution, be sure to provide regular training to your employees in your emergency action plan and run drills. This will also get them familiar with your emergency alert system, which may consist of alarms and radio communication.

The Aftermath

Once your evacuation is complete, you will need a plan for accounting for employees. You may also need to know how to administer basic medical care. Rescue operations could be necessary if not everyone is accounted for. A copy of your insurance policy and their contact information will be necessary once all immediate needs are taken care of, you should also designate someone to be in charge of this. It is recommended to research and choose a damage remediation service.
Emergency preparation involves a lot more than just the occasional fire drill, although that is an important element. If you are prepared for the worst, you are likely to only experience the best!