Business Evacuations

Sedgwick County > Emergency Management > Ready to Respond > Business Evacuations

It's easy to figure out what you would do at home in case of an emergency, but what about your workplace? Would you know what to do if you had to evacuate your building at a moment's notice? Here are some tips in setting up business evacuation plans:

Upper management should play a leadership role in instituting, reviewing and updating the program.
Employee suggestions should be solicited in designing the plan.
Ensure the plan is comprehensive enough to deal with all potential emergencies.
Perform a hazard audit to determine potential toxic materials.
Include emergency escape procedures and routes for all employees, including the disabled.
Provide floor plans and maps that clearly show escape routes and refuge areas.
Assign a sufficient number of people to assist in an orderly evacuation.
List detailed procedures for employees who will remain behind during an evacuation to oversee essential operations.
Establish a chain of command and a person responsible for coordinating emergency activities.
Have a plan that will allow you to account for all employees after the evacuation is complete, with someone responsible for reporting any missing personnel.
Ensure your facilities have adequate and distinct alarm systems that all people can hear or see.

Finally, hold regular evacuation exercises for the entire workplace, including employees with disabilities. In Sedgwick County, mark your calendar for the 11th day of each month to practice your evacuation plan.

For more information:

Call Sedgwick County Emergency Management, (316) 660-5959