Life Safety: Evacuation Team Members and Duties

Fire Safety Director

The primary responsibility is to ensure the safety of all building occupants.
Be familiar with the building's written EAP and evacuation procedures.
Ensure that a system for notification of the Fire Department is in place, working, and is understood by all persons involved, both staff and tenants.
Ensure that the building's Fire Command Station is manned in an emergency. Conduct operations in an emergency evacuation. Report to the Fire Department conditions including areas of refuge for people with assistance as well as location of the Fire Command Station. Assume the role of the Evacuation Supervisor ASAP.
Ensure monthly and daily building safety inspections are being conducted to detect hazards, impediments to egress, or circumstances that may hinder firefighting/rescue operations.
Ensure all Emergency Evacuation Team Members understand procedures for emergency evacuation and emergency evacuation drills.
Assist in the assignment of Fire/Floor Wardens if required/recommended by the Municipal Code of Chicago pursuant to Section 13-78-050.
Notify the person having responsibility for the building when any designated individual is neglecting his responsibilities contained in the Fire/Emergency Evacuation Plan. The person in charge of the building shall bring the matter to the attention of the SFPC and the firm employing the individual for correction.

Building Evacuation Supervisor

During fire emergencies, the primary responsibility of the Building Evacuation Supervisor shall be to man the Fire Command Station, direct and execute evacuation as provided in the EAP and communicate all known information to the first arriving fire companies.
Information to be reported to the Fire Department utilizing the incident information form, located in the front pocket of this plan, to include:
- Operation of the Fire Command Station
- What floor(s) are being evacuated
- Where the evacuees are to re-enter or assemble
- What the nature is of the fire or emergency
- Location of any persons needing assistance
- Provide a copy of the Fire/Evacuation Plan to the Fire Department
The Building Evacuation Supervisor's training and related activities shall be under the direction of the Fire Safety Director in accordance with the EAP. All activities shall be subject to Fire Department Control.

Deputy Fire Safety Director

Subordinate to the Fire Safety Director
Perform the duties of the Fire Safety Director in his/her absence.

Fire/ Wardens and Evacuation Team Members

Know the locations of all exits leading from occupied areas and train personnel as directed during Fire/Floor Warden Seminar Trainings.
Direct emergency evacuations and drills from their assigned floor in accordance with the Plan. (Training will be provided in accordance with the Plan.)
Each Fire/Floor Warden/Evacuation Team Member shall be trained and familiar with the Fire/Emergency Evacuation Plan, along with the location and operation of any available fire alarm system.
Be aware of persons who have self identified themselves as unable to use the stairs and in need of assistance due to physical disabilities and ensure that there is an updated listing of all such personnel provided to the office of the building. 2 assistants shall also be named and assigned to render assistance to such personnel in placing the individual in a safe area of rescue/refuge. When either or both assistants are not available on a given day, a substitution shall be made for that day.
Don Fire/Floor Warden identification during any evacuation or drill.
Ensure that all persons on the floor are notified of fire/evacuation and that all are evacuated to safe areas. A search must be conducted of lavatories to ensure all are out. Personnel assigned as searchers can promptly and efficiently perform this duty.
In the event of a fire or fire alarm, the Fire/Floor Warden shall ascertain the location of the fire and/or emergency, ensure that 9-1-1 has been notified and direct the evacuation of the floor in accordance with directions received or personal observations, considering the following guidelines:
- Fire/Floor Wardens and/or Deputies shall see that all occupants are notified.
- Upon report and reasonable confirmation of fire or smoke, the Fire/Floor Warden shall assess the situation per his/her training and direct the evacuation on his/her floor to the safest stairwell or alternate egress unless directed differently via information received from the Evacuation Supervisor or directly from the Fire Department.
- Evacuation should be via an uncontaminated stairwell.
- The Fire/Floor Warden on the fire floor shall notify the Fire Command Station of particulars as soon as practical. Some of the information that should be reported to the Fire Command Station is as follows, but not limited to:
  - An evacuation is underway
  - The nature of the emergency
  - The stairwell(s) being used for evacuation
  - Unaccounted for personnel
  - Locked or blocked egress routes
  - Persons in need of assistance
  - Where evacuees have been directed to re-enter
  - Rapidly increasing volumes of smoke or contaminate
Fire/Floor Wardens shall at all times be alert to instructions from the Fire Command Station, Fire Safety Director or Fire Department.
The most critical areas for evacuation are the fire floor and the floors immediately above. Evacuation from other floors shall be instituted upon instruction from the Fire Command Station, the Fire Department or if conditions indicate such action is warranted.
After evacuation to a safe area, perform a head count to ensure that all regular occupants known to have occupied the floor have been evacuated and notify the FSD and/or the Fire Department of unaccounted for personnel.

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