People tend to feel panic and confusion during emergencies. It’s only human: during disasters or stressful situations, we find it hard to think straight.
But emergency services and fire wardens need clear, concise information to manage the situation. Effective communication in a crisis isn’t easy, which is where an emergency evacuation plan can help in several practical ways:
Having this information on-hand is invaluable, both for affected staff and first responders. Here are 5 more tips for managing communication in a crisis.
When emergency services arrive, there is precious little time to go searching for the point-person. In your emergency evacuation plan, list key contact people and include salient details:
When you start drafting an emergency evacuation plan, think about how an outsider might interpret the information. Is there too much unnecessary detail? Is the chain of command clear? Is time-sensitive information easy to access?
That way, when emergency services arrive, they can get straight to work to resolve the situation safely.
Every employee should be familiar with emergency evacuation plans. The hope is they never need to execute the plan. However, in an emergency, this familiarity can save time and lead to a better outcome.
Panic and confusion are common. People are often searching for answers, and when information is hard to come by, they may fill in the gaps themselves.
Communicate clearly and empathetically with staff to ensure they are kept updated as new information comes in. Doing so will prevent rumours from causing panic.
It sometimes happens that a significantevacuation attracts media coverage. If the media arrive on the scene, they must be kept safe by adhering to the same evacuation rules as staff.
From there, it pays to be prepared when dealing with media:
Provided you have followed the emergency evacuation procedure, and the steps above, you should get through the situation safely. Once given the all-clear – by the fire department, building management or another competent person – the responsible person needs to communicate next steps to staff.
By this time, the panic will have faded, and staff may be restless. Be clear about your expectations and refer to re-entry procedures prepared ahead of time.Once again, outlining clear procedures in an emergency evacuation plan is the saving grace.
Not sure where to start with your emergency evacuation plan? We suggest reading more on our website or calling Fire Safe ANZ to speak with a fire safety expert.
With our track record and partnership approach to fire safety, we can help you to craft a comprehensive emergency evacuation plan that includes everything you need to navigate emergencies safely and without panic.
