CDIHP Evacuation Preparedness Guide - Attachment A: Disability-Related Issues for Emergency Plan Coordinators

Attachment A: Disability-Related Issues for Emergency Plan Coordinators

Contents of this attachment

Checklist
Fire Department Coordination

Disability-Related Issues for Emergency Plan Coordinators - Checklist

Give a copy of this checklist to personnel who are responsible for creating, reviewing, maintaining, practicing and revising emergency plans.

Date	Activity
	Make sure a relationship is established with your local fire department that includes: Fire Department reviewing the plan at least once a year, Fire Department receiving a copy of a current log containing names and location of all people needing assistance, The plan being coordinated and practiced with fire department.
	Practice plans through regular drills.
	Know how to get to all the exits and practice this as part of regular drills.
	Practice using evacuation devices.
	Practice dealing with different circumstances and unforeseen situations, such as blocked paths or exits.
	Ensure that shift workers and others who are at the site after typical hours, (cleaning crews, evening meeting coordinators, etc.) are included in drills.
	Plans should include: people who are at the site on a regular basis; people who are at the site outside of the typical working hours; how visitors, guests and customers with small children who require extra time to evacuate will be assisted; specific dates for revisions and updates.
	Orient all people to the plan.
	Plan Dissemination Have people read the plan? Have people been oriented to the plan? Placing plans in a drawer or even a prominent place on a bookshelf is as good as burying them. Is the plan distributed and reviewed with all people at the site? Do people get a copy of the plan in a usable format (Braille, large print, text file, and cassette tape, or in appropriate formats for non English speakers and people who have poor reading skills)? Are these formats always updated when the plan is revised?
	Make sure that people know how to report safety hazards (i.e. fire extinguishers that need servicing, exits which are not kept clear, furniture and other items that block barrier free passages).

Fire Department Coordination

It is important that a relationship with the local fire department be established and renewed at least once a year. It is also important that your plan be coordinated and practiced with the local fire and rescue services.

The plan should insure that the fire department knows that people with disabilities and others with activity limitations are at the site and will need specific assistance in an emergency.

Have you asked the local fire department to:

Keep a copy of a current log containing the names of all people needing assistance. Let fire personnel know that you will send them updated copies. Also let them know where the most current copies will be kept (i.e. command or control center for your building security stations, etc.)
Walk through your facility and offer advice to increase building safety.
Review the plan.
Observe a surprise drill and make comments.
Review evacuation procedures for people with disabilities and other activity limitations. (If you will be using evacuation devices, make them aware of this fact).

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