HomeMy WebLinkAbout700-10POLICY & PROCEDURE
Subject:
Emergency Evacuation of City Buildings
Index: Safety
Number: 700-10
Effective Date:
11-15-2023
Supersedes:
11/1/1982
Page:
1 of 4
Staff Contact:
Ellen Bradley-Mak
Approved By:
1.0 PURPOSE
To establish policy and procedure for the evacuation of city buildings in the event of
an emergency.
2.0 ORGANIZATIONS AFFECTED
All departments/divisions.
3.0 REFERENCES
WAC 296.24.040
4.0 POLICY
4.1 State law requires that a program be developed to train employees in “the
proper actions to take in the event of emergencies, including the routes of
exiting from areas during emergencies.”
4.2 The City of Renton will hold annual training and drills.
4.3 At the time of such drills, it is mandatory that all employees and the public
evacuate from the building, returning only at the end of the drill.
4.4 Supervisors are responsible for ensuring employees have the information
necessary to safely evacuate their work area and report their whereabouts
following an emergency situation.
4.5 All Departments and Divisions must identify an evacuation lead and secondary
lead for each work area. Interested employees are encouraged to volunteer.
Supervisors, managers, directors, and administrators shall model evacuation
procedures in drills and support evacuation leads to encourage work area
participation.
Policy 700-10, Emergency Evacuation of City Buildings
p. 2
4.6 People with disabilities may require assistance from other occupants and/or
fire personnel to exit safely. An individual who can safely assist a person with a
disability is obligated to do so.
5.0 DEFINITIONS
5.1 City employee: All regularly budgeted employees and supplementals, elected
officials, and contracted employees. For purposes of this policy, volunteers,
contracted vendors, and guests are also included.
5.2 Evacuation Leads: City employees designated to lead workplace emergency
drills and evacuations for an assigned work area.
5.3 Workplace Emergency: A life-threatening situation or condition, for example,
fire, bomb threat, gas or chemical leak, toxic fumes, natural gas leak, or similar
hazardous condition.
5.4 Supervisor: Any position in the City that is responsible for direct reports.
6.0 PROCEDURES
6.1 Employee Evacuation Procedures
6.1.1 The Facilities Department shall maintain and post evacuation route
posters for all City facilities.
6.1.2 Employees shall use the nearest exit in their work area. Employees shall
use stairs and not elevators.
6.1.3 Employees responsible for and/or serving members of the public shall
encourage and model the evacuation route for all visitors.
6.1.4 An employee who can safely assist a person with a disability is
obligated to do so.
6.1.5 Employees shall follow any directions given by Evacuation Leads,
Emergency Responders, or city officials.
6.1.6 Employees shall meet-up at their pre-determined meet-up location.
6.1.7 Employees shall wait to re-enter the facility until deemed safe by the
appropriate Emergency Response Agency and/or City Official.
Policy 700-10, Emergency Evacuation of City Buildings
p. 3
6.2 Evacuation Leads Procedures
6.2.1 Evacuation Leads shall advise employees in their area of responsibility
of potential threats or emergencies and may initiate evacuation and
other emergency procedures.
6.2.2 Evacuation Leads may perform sweep of area of responsibility while
directing employees to the designated assembly area. The Leads’
personal safety takes precedence over assuring complete evacuation of
the floor.
6.2.3 Evacuation Leads shall report to a supervisor, manager, director,
administrator and/or Safety Officer at the evacuation meet-up location.
6.2.4 The Safety Officer or administrator (or designee) shall report the status
of evacuation efforts to First Responders, including the number and
location of any individuals unable to safely evacuate the building.
6.2.5 Evacuation Leads are responsible for identifying and training alternates
for drill activities.
6.3 Supervisor Responsibilities
6.3.1 Supervisors shall provide employee information, education, and
training to ensure all new and existing employees are familiar with the
closest evacuation route, meet-up location, and all relevant workplace
emergency procedures.
6.3.2 Supervisors shall develop and practice a post-evacuation
communication plan to check the whereabout and status of all direct
reports, following guidance from Risk Management.
6.3.3 Supervisors shall obtain information about employee accommodation
needs in the event of an emergency. The supervisor must not make
assumptions and communicate that sharing any information is
voluntary.
6.3.3.1 Ask a new employee after a job offer is made but before
employment begins whether they will need assistance during an
emergency, or
6.3.3.2 Ask a new employee during the onboarding process as part of
the safety checklist, or
6.3.3.3 Periodically survey all current employees to determine whether
they will require assistance in an emergency. Any survey must
be approved and/or administered by HRRM.
Policy 700-10, Emergency Evacuation of City Buildings
p. 4
6.4 Administrator Responsibilities
6.4.1 Administrators, or their designee(s), shall assign evacuation leads for
each work area, to include a minimum of one Department primary
representative and secondary representatives (alternates) from each
division. Administrators, or their designee(s), shall determine what
constitutes a work area.
6.4.2 Administrators shall ensure employees and supervisors are aware of
their responsibilities of this policy, including their required participation
in drills.
6.5 Safety Officer Responsibilities
6.5.1 The Safety Officer shall work with Evacuation Leads, Facilities, and
department administrators to implement an evacuation drill schedule
that meets the City’s responsibilities as an employer and needs of City
employees.
6.5.2 The Safety Officer shall work with department administrators to recruit
and maintain a roster of Evacuation Leads across the City.
6.5.3 The Safety Officer shall provide pre-drill training to Evacuation Leads.
As outlined in 6.2, the Safety Officer, or their designee, shall serve as
the primary point of contact for drills and evacuations for Evacuation
Leads, First Responders, and City leadership.