Get Out! – Evacuation Best Practices For Credit Unions
Imagine yourself sitting at your desk diligently working away when all of a sudden… the fire alarm sounds. What is your first reaction? Do you get up and evacuate the building? Do you sit there thinking… Is it a real fire or a false alarm? It is imperative that you obey the alarm and get out of the building quickly and safely. Evacuation plans should be specific to each location or facility. There are unique items for each facility, i.e. routes, locations of fire extinguishers, rally points, etc.
Building evacuation plans should address:
- Evacuation routes
- Rally points outside of the building
- Accountability procedure for staff
- Special needs individuals
- Training / conducting fire drills
DO’s
- If safe to do so take personal articles (laptops, purses, keys, cell phones, etc.)
- Hold regularly scheduled fire drills
- Inform new staff and vendors of evacuation routes
- Inform new staff and vendors of rally points
DON’Ts
- Don’t use elevators
- Don’t think it’s a false alarm
- Don’t leave the premises until accounted for
- Don’t go back to your office for personal articles
There are different types of building evacuation plans to consider and make sure the staff have been properly trained on each.
- Evacuate the building an first responders are not present
- Go to rally point
- Evacuate the building and first responders are on site
- Follow all directions given by first responders
- Shelter in place
- Take shelter in a secured interior room with no windows
I hope you get up and get out of the building whenever the fire alarm sounds. The alarm systems are for your safety and you should follow all procedures should they activate.
The Forgotten Safety Drill – Shelter in place
Evacuation Lessons – Credit Union Disaster Preparedness
For more information and help on building evacuation procedures contact Ongoing Operations.
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