Inclusive Event Procedures for Emergencies

Inclusive Safety Briefing

This is an example of inclusive emergency safety briefing for attendees.

• In case of a fire emergency the fire alarm makes a loud high frequency three beeps and a pause sound. (or slow whoop or other sound) and the strobe lights will flash the visible alert

  • The alarm system in this facility automatically calls the fire department (or does not – systems vary)

  • The alarm system alert sound is followed by voice messages

• If the emergency fire alarm sounds, take the stairs, marked EXIT located in back corners of this room, where you entered. For example:

  • Go down two flights and exit on the ground level, or

  • You are on the ground level. All exits are accessible except the exit to the left of this stage, in back of me. That exit has four steps.

• The exits located in the back two corners of this room, where you entered are accessible and have no steps.

• Once outside, go to the only parking lot and wait by the 10 wheelchair accessible parking spaces for more information.

• Offer assistance to people who may have difficulty hearing, seeing or understanding the alarm or instructions, and to people who may need assistance using the stairwells.

• if you need assistance due to mobility, seeing, hearing or any other conditions. seek help from others I’ll pause here for a moment to allow those of you who anticipate needing help, if you choose to, to privately or publicly identify yourself to others.

• If you are not able to use stairs go to the area of evacuation assistance or area of refuge (See Note 1 below) located at (insert - for example: located on your right, go out the back doors of this room and turn left. This area of evacuation assistance is directly in front of the elevators. Staff will provide you with further direction and assistance.]]

• The nearest fire alarm, fire extinguisher, and automatic external defibrillator (AED) is located at the back of this room to left of the door. Be aware that when you remove the AED from the holder/cabinet, an alarm will sound.

In addition to the above information, include more information if the number of attendees with disabilities adds greater complexity to emergency evacuations. For example:

We are 2 levels below the ground level. Exit the back doors of this ballroom and wait for staff to direct you to “back of the house” accessible paths of travel that have been determined safe to use. (note to reader this may include “back of the house” staff-only large elevators.)

In Case of Earthquake

In case of an earthquake, duck under a table (or another stable object) if available and hold on. If not clasp your hands and use them to cover and protect the back of your neck. If you cannot duck cover your head and neck with your arms or a book until the shaking stops.

Note 2: Area of refuge / area of rescue assistance (required in non-sprinkler buildings) are fire-resistant spaces where people unable to use stairs can call for help by way of two-way communication devices to tell responders of their location, while waiting for evacuation assistance.

These space serves as a temporary haven from the effects of a fire or other emergency. People with disabilities must have the ability to travel from this area to an outside safe area, although such travel might depend on the assistance of others. If elevation differences are involved, an elevator or other evacuation device might be used, or the person might be moved by other people using a cradle carry, a swing (seat) carry, or an in-chair carry or by a stair descent device or other evacuation device. (See 7.2.12 of NFPA 101^®, Life Safety Code^®, for more information.)