Is Your Business Prepared for a Fire?

7/2/2020 (Permalink)

Developing a contingency plan is a key first step

You certainly hope your business property in La Marque, TX  never experiences a fire. You still need to be ready for the possibility, however. The more prepared you are ahead of time, the more efficient you will be in getting all your employees to safety and minimizing the damages. Developing a contingency plan is a key first step.

What To Include in the Plan

A well-developed plan takes time. Establish a team of experts in your organization and meet with them regularly. Addressing each of the steps below will keep you on track.

Identify the potential risks in each area of the business. Focus on the highest threats first.
Decide on the best course of action to mitigate the risks. The contingency plan for each threat must include the steps needed to get operations back to normal. It must also address who should contact the fire department and the fire restoration service.
Determine who is responsible for implementing the plan for each threat. Depending on the size of your business, this may involve several employees.
Update the list as new risks are identified.

How To Implement the Plan

After the plan is finished and approved by top management, training each employee on the plan is critical to its success. The evacuation plan must be made clear to everyone. This includes understanding the alert system, knowing where to safely exit the building and knowing where to meet outside. Each employee must let their designated person know they are safe. Don’t forget any visitors or vendors in the building.
Conduct fire drills periodically so that everyone feels comfortable in case a true emergency hits. Drills may be frequent at first until all employees understand their roles. Evaluate and address any issues with implementation, and continue to test the system.
A comprehensive contingency plan can help to protect your employees and your business in the event of a real disaster.