Fire : Assistants for the Physically Impaired
ASSISTANTS FOR THE PHYSICALLY IMPAIRED: responsible for assisting occupants who
are physically impaired in times of emergency. Physically impaired is defined as anyone
who will need assistance walking down the stairs.
PRE-EMERGENCY PLANNING:
- Read Floor Response Team Manual.
- Two Assistants (or buddies) will be assigned by the Suite/Floor Warden to aid anyone with a physical disability. Know location and type of disability. Meet with the individual and discuss the best method in assisting them. Make sure they receive a copy of Section E 1-4 from the Floor Response Team Manual.
- Designate primary meeting place and alternate. For example: primary meeting location at occupant’s work station or alternate meeting place at Stairwell #1.
- Methods for transporting occupants with restricted mobility are available from the Fire Safety Director. Ask for Evacuation Procedures for the Physically Impaired.
- Develop an awareness of safety conditions, fire violations and potential hazards. For example: corridor or stairwell doors blocked open, improper lighting, frayed cords, overloaded outlets, obstructed halls and corridors, trash build-ups, etc.
EMERGENCY ACTIONS: Upon notification of an emergency:
- Proceed to meet assigned person and assist to stairwell. The person who is physically disabled and the one Assistant will enter stairwell last and remain in the stairwell. The second Assistant must walk down the stairs and immediately notify the Fire Safety Director or Fire Department Personnel of their location; for example: a pregnant woman and her Assistant are in Stairwell #1 on the 7th floor. NOTE: Wheelchairs shall enter stairwells last, so as not to block evacuation traffic flow and/or Emergency Personnel.
- Remain with occupant until emergency is over or given instructions by the Fire Department.
REMEMBER: The audible/visual alarm sounds on ONE FLOOR, the floor of device
activation and in the stairwells. The occupants’ procedures are: upon hearing the alarm on
their floor, all occupants will walk down the stairs, evacuate the building and proceed to an
outside Area of Safe Refuge.
ASSUME ALL ALARMS ARE REAL.