You never know when a wildfire will impact your region, so it’s important for business owners and managers to be prepared. We suggest having a complete evacuation plan in place for your business, employees, and customers. This is essential in preventing confusion, injuries, and even death.
According to OSHA, an effective evacuation plan should be reviewed with workers and include:
- Conditions that will activate the plan
- Chain of command
- Emergency functions and who will perform them
- Specific evacuation procedures, including routes and exits
- Procedures to account for personnel, customers and visitors
- Equipment for personnel (safety glasses, respirators, hard hat, etc.)
We also recommend implementing these five best practices as part of your overall fire safety strategy:
- Establish a safety zone perimeter around your business—it will help prevent loss
- Clear out any vegetation and dry brush within 30 feet of the facility
- Remove any combustibles or other flammable materials from the building
- Train your team on what do in case of an emergency
- Have emergency drills throughout the year, and make any needed changes to your evacuation plan
ICW Group has compiled emergency preparedness checklists and guides to help. Visit our Policyholder Center for more on how to prepare for the next emergency.
