Emergency Evacuation Plans - Getting ready before it is too late

July 30, 2010

A successful emergency evacuation begins with a carefully conceived plan.

Make a plan. What successful human endeavor doesn’t begin with a plan? What’s more, the act of planning can be as important as the plan itself.  An emergency evacuation plan is as critical as a line of credit.

First response. What happens first in an emergency evacuation can spell the difference between a successful resolution and tragic consequences. This is no time for creative expression. Instead, it should resemble a no-huddle offense. Staff members should know where the nearest exits are, how to reach them and where they lead.

Every emergency evacuation has its own fingerprints. A fire is different than a chemical spill, which is different than an armed intruder. Prepare your staff for the range of possible emergencies, educating them to respond accordingly.

Leave it all behind. Make it clear that this means everything – cell phones, Blackberries, laptops, briefcases, suit jackets and family photos.

Keep it simple. When requesting a battle plan from one of his commanding generals, Winston Churchill requested that it be kept to one page. This is a useful rule of thumb when drafting an evacuation plan. Save the adjectives for your memoir. Short sentences fitted into clear paragraphs are the way to go.

Keep it fresh. Staff members move in and out, but risk is a brooding presence that does not leave the premises. Make sure new employees become familiar with the plan. And make sure legacy employees remember it.

Keep the aisles clear. Whoever first said that order goes to disorder must have worked in an office. Clear aisles and unobstructed exits can save precious minutes during an emergency evacuation.

Follow the leader. Every team has a leader. And during an emergency evacuation, teamwork can be critically important. Identify your leaders, and involve them in the planning process.

Mitigate your risk. Pity the company that waits for an emergency to occur before publishing an emergency evacuation plan.

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About KMRD Partners, Inc. – KMRD Partners, Inc. is a full service Property & Casualty broker serving the commercial property and casualty insurance market from offices in the Philadelphia, PA region.  Their mission statement, “Making a difference by Managing the Cost of Risk”, is a unique approach that focuses not just on insurance placement, but coverage expertise, service accountability, client education and risk management.

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