Emergency Personnel

Fire Safety Director / Fire Brigade / Property Manager is the primary tenant contact in emergency situations. The Fire Safety Director along with the Property Manager is also responsible for pre-emergency planning, including the recruiting and training of sufficient Floor Wardens and Deputy Floor Wardens for each tenant or floor. In addition, the Property Manager is responsible for maintaining organizational charts listing members of current emergency teams.

A Fire Brigade, consisting of assigned maintenance or management personnel, will usually be the first to arrive at the scene. If the fire is small, they will confine or extinguish it by using equipment carried with them. Upon locating the fire, one member of the Fire Brigade will move to the first floor and communicate to firefighters as they arrive.

Floor Wardens

All tenants in the building are responsible for designating at least two Floor Wardens for their suite. These will be a primary warden as well as a backup warden, who will assume responsibility in the event that the primary warden is out of the building at the time the alarm rings. Floor Wardens are responsible for knowing the building relocation and/ or evacuation plan, floor layouts, and the location and use of fire equipment. During an emergency, they are responsible for implementing an orderly evacuation, following instruction of the Fire Safety Director or Fire Department.

Prior to an emergency, Floor Wardens are also responsible for educating their fellow workers about emergency procedures through training or bulletin board postings as necessary. They should maintain lists of physically impaired people in their offices and throughout the building to ensure that each is assigned one or more aids. Floor Wardens are responsible for identifying and training Deputy Floor Wardens capable of performing their duties in their absence and assisting them during a drill or emergency. Additionally, Floor Wardens act as their tenant representatives by attending building fire evacuation meetings.

Floor Wardens should be assigned per-tenant or per-floor for multi-floor companies. They are chosen by their employers and must be capable of assuming a leadership role and commanding cooperation during an alert. They must be at their desk within the immediate work area each day on a consistent basis. An individual whose job requires frequent absences from the office is not a good choice for Floor Warden. The tenant is responsible for keeping Property Management abreast of changes in the personnel that have been designated as Floor Wardens in their suite.

Deputy Floor Wardens

Two Deputy Floor Wardens are typically chosen per floor. Companies occupying less than a full floor may choose one or two depending on their office configuration. Deputy Floor Wardens receive training adequate to assume Floor Warden responsibilities if necessary. When the regular Floor Warden is not present, Deputies will direct traffic away from elevators unless otherwise instructed by the Fire Safety Director or Fire Department. Prior to entering a stairwell, Deputies should feel the door for heat that would indicate a fire, and check for smoke. If the stairwell is unsafe, they will direct traffic to an alternate stairwell. During the alert, Deputies should inspect their areas to verify that all personnel have relocated and report to the Floor Warden when the area is clear. Once relocated, the Deputy will assemble and account for all people in his or her assigned area.

Aids

Two fellow employees should be assigned as Aids to assist any person who has a handicap, which causes difficulty in relocating. One Aid is assigned to each person with a hearing or visual impairment. Aids to the Physically Impaired are designated in advance and their names reported to the Fire Safety Director. Upon reaching their destination, they will request that their Floor Warden notify the Fire Safety Director of the physically impaired person’s relocation.

Tenants have the following Safety Planning Responsibilities:

• Have an evacuation route clearly planned. Educate and assist Deputy Floor Wardens in preparing evacuation plans for their individual areas.

• Select a pre-arranged meeting site away from the building.

• Identify weak points during fire drills. Discuss these with the Fire Safety Director and

• Property Manager and work with Deputy Floor Wardens to correct deficiencies.

• Maintain up-to-date organization charts of Floor Wardens, Deputy Floor Wardens and Aids to the Physically Impaired. Report changes to the Fire Safety Director.

• Instruct new Deputies and Aids in their responsibilities during drills or actual evacuations.

• Inspect your area periodically for safety. Make sure stairwells are kept free of obstructions and all flammable substances are stored in approved containers.

• Know the location of fire extinguishers and how to use them, but do not endanger yourself or others. If the fire is large or spreading rapidly, close the door and leave the area.

• If signs of fire are found, Floor Wardens should:

  • Confine the fire by closing doors. Take steps to control the fire if appropriate. In all cases, removing anyone in danger and notifying Property Management takes precedence over fighting the fire.

  • Pull the alarm.

  • If you can safely do so, contact Property Management and describe the material that is burning, its exact location and severity.

• If evacuation is ordered, call upon Deputy Wardens and Aids to the Physically Impaired as pre-planned.

• Assign others (as needed) to:

  • Handle flashlights or other emergency lighting in the case of a power failure.

  • Take a first aid kit.

  • Secure special company records.

  • Unplug electrical equipment such as copiers, hot plates and coffee makers.

  • Check the area, especially restrooms, for remaining visitors or employees. Instruct floor searchers to turn off lights and close, but not lock the doors.

• If you encounter smoke on your floor, do not wait for an evacuation order. If you can safely do so, contact the Fire Safety Director of your intent to evacuate and intended route.

• Reassemble and account for all people at the prearranged site away from the building. Await for further instructions from the Fire Safety Director.