Key points:
- How firewatchers initiate an evacuation.
- What firewatchers do during an evacuation.
- What they do after an evacuation.
Trained and certified fire safety professionals prevent, detect, and respond in the event of an emergency. This includes fighting small ignitions and activating evacuation. Below are the key components of fire watch evacuation duties.
Your internal emergency response plan should include evacuation protocols. Share these protocols with your third-party monitors so that they understand your team’s mindset. Also, share updates of your emergency response plan with your team and provide them with the opportunity to practice with periodic evacuation drills. This includes identifying where to meet in the event of an evacuation.
Initiate Evacuation
What this looks like varies depending on the circumstances. If the fire alarm system is up and running, they’ll activate the alarm. If the fire alarm system is impaired, they’ll activate evacuation with any combination of a whistle, air horn, bullhorn, and physical and verbal calls to evacuate.
Alert Team and Authorities
At the same time evacuation is initiated, your firewatcher will use their radio to communicate with your security, maintenance, and others patrolling for fire hazards. If the fire alarm system is active, it automatically dispatches the Fire Department. If the system is down, a member of the team will call 911.
Assist With Evacuation
Evacuation is an active process. Solo, or with your team, firewatchers will aid in safe and efficient egress while staying in constant communication with one another.
This includes, but is not limited to:
- Advising on the best evacuation routes.
- Keeping exits and evacuation routes clear.
- Promoting immediate, calm, and orderly egress.
- Aiding vulnerable occupants in evacuation.
- Sweeping to ensure areas are evacuated.
Working With First Responders
Fire watch evacuation duties include working with firefighters once they arrive. If evacuation is still in progress, they’ll work with firefighters to clear the building. If the building is evacuated, they’ll meet first responders outside and alert them to any pertinent issues.
This includes, but is not limited to:
- The status of evacuation.
- Potential location of remaining occupants.
- The location of smoke, sparks, or fire.
- If determined, the class of fire.
- Location of utilities.
- Location of fire hazards (chemicals, server room, file room, etc.)
- Status of fire suppression systems.
Read More:
- The Critical Role of Temporary Fire Watch
- How to Set Your Fire Monitor Up For Success
- 3 Times Your Team Can’t Perform Fire Watch
- Third-Party Fire Watch For Healthcare Centers in Denver
Post-Evacuation Documentation
Your firewatcher will remain on-site, or at your designated evacuation assembly area, until the fire department completes evacuation and extinguishes the fire. They’ll update the patrol log and take detailed documentation of their patrol and all actions taken during the emergency. This is in addition to answering questions from the Fire Marshal, police, and medics.
Post-event, they’re available for additional questions from you, your team, OSHA, insurance, and your legal team.
Our Services Include Fire Watch Evacuation Duties
As you can see above, fire watch evacuation duties go beyond sounding an alarm. It’s a strategic process that can save lives. That’s in addition to the proactive role of assessing fire risk and patrolling for fire safety. Scout Security provides trained and certified fireguards in The Springs and Denver Metro area. Reach out 24/7 for compliant fire monitoring.
