• all staff are completely familiar with your emergency action plan including their duties when it is activated
• appropriate alarms are installed and maintained throughout the facility...both automatic detection units and manual pull stations should be present
• exit pathways are clearly marked, provided with emergency lighting, and are not compromised by clutter, storage, or locked doors
• every room has a conspicuously posted evacuation diagram showing two distinct paths out of the building
• special needs people (young, old, or disabled) should be located as close to an exit as possible because of the probable need for special assistance
• childcare and programmed activities should have designated meeting sites and established roll call protocols to ensure complete evacuation
• childcare and after school program protocols should require a staff member to bring the children's contact information, medications, and the emergency manual with them during any evacuation.
• verification of full facility evacuation (including steam rooms, saunas, locker rooms, etc.) should be done, but staff should not go into harm's way to make this
• determination...that task should be left to the fire department
• staff and patrons should be warned to avoid elevators during a fire because they may stop unexpectedly
• protocols should be established and communicated for instances where escape is impossible
  • stay in a room with an outside window
  • keep the doors closed between you and the fire
  • block cracks with wet towels, clothing, etc.
  • know how to open the window to ventilate smoke, but be ready to close the window immediately if it makes the room smokier
  • signal your presence to rescuers by telephone, if available, or by waving something at the window
• train everyone to test doors for heat before opening them and to stay low in smoke-filled areas because the air quality during a fire is better close to the floor
  

• coordinate fire drills with your local fire department
• have evacuation drills and practice escapes regularly
  • do them several times during the year
  • include weekends and vary the time of day
• an element of surprise simulates a real fire and puts more realism into your fire drill program but it also adds stress...consider those patrons for whom increased stress may be problematic before deciding on unannounced drills
• appoint an evacuation drill monitor who
  • will initiate the drills
  • may increase realism by directing participants to use their second way out or to crawl low (e.g., by signs saying "exit blocked by fire" or "smoke"
  • will time the evacuation process...people should not return inside until authorized by the monitor, i.e., after all internal areas are checked, all individuals' locations are determined, etc.
• after the drill, the executive staff should discuss any questions or problems that occurred...redesign drill and/or evacuation procedures as necessary to make the next one even more effective