When a smoke alarm sounds in your aged care nursing home, does panic cloud the judgment and responsiveness of your healthcare staff or do they respond in a concise, competent manner that prioritizes the safety and evacuation of the residents?
Obviously, the latter response is preferred. Lives are at risk and it is imperative that every staff member knows what to do.
Responding to a fire emergency in an effective way is facilitated by on-site fire safety training at your facility.
New employees should be trained in fire safety procedures upon hire and fire emergency exercises should be carried out with all staff on a regular basis.
The Role of Employees
Here are some key features that every staff member should know about fire emergency responses…
- The location of the emergency response manual in your facility
- The proper use of all fire equipment such as fire blankets and extinguishers and which type to use for a given situation
- Unfurling a fire hose reel and how to point the nozzle correctly at the fire
- Knowledge of Australian fire safety standards and regulations
- Correct evacuation procedures
Fire Wardens Leading the Way
In addition, facility fire wardens play an important role in coordinating the emergency efforts of fire control and evacuation.
Their emergency response training should also include…
- Knowledge and competent use of all fire equipment
- Familiarity of all communication systems in their facility, including emergency warning systems
- The correct identification of alarm zones from the fire panel
- Quick access to a fire evacuation pack that includes communication tools like a whistle or horn, a torch, first aid kit, current list of residents and staff, and instructions on what to do
- Ensuring that all staff are safe and accounted for during an evacuation
- The location of all escape and evacuation routes from specific areas
- Assisting those who need help during the evacuation process
Mistakes to Avoid with Fire Safety Training
- Only using desktop fire safety training – With the hustle and bustle of daily operations, some facilities are shortcutting the emergency training by using desktop simulations instead. This can be a tragic mistake as the physical evacuation components of training are not being practiced by staff. It is important that these physical practices are carried out to build competency and awareness that can be used during an actual emergency.
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Planning evacuation routes only on paper
It is imperative that you do an actual walk through of your designated evacuation routes. This helps you identify and solve potential problems that may prove to be detrimental during an actual fire evacuation. For example, residents with mobility challenges, physical obstacles like beds being too wide to pass through doorways or wheelchair ramps jamming in a certain position.
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Not including everyone in the planning process
Not letting everyone have a voice in what is important during fire emergencies may be detrimental to the success of the preparedness response. Patients and the healthcare team can offer valuable insights about accommodating for residents with physical, hearing, or vision impairments. Listen to their feedback and plan accordingly.
The competency and preparedness of your employees to respond to a fire emergency effectively hinges on offering exceptional fire safety training.
Make this a priority for your staff at your aged care nursing home and practice these emergency responses often.
References:
http://www.firesafetysunshinecoast.com.au/fire-safety-aged-care-facilities/
https://www.wormald.com.au/uploads/files/resources/Wormald-Fact-Sheet-Agedcare-Facility-Managers.pdf
http://www.hpw.qld.gov.au/construction/BuildingPlumbing/FireSafety/Pages/FireSafetyResidentialCareBuildings.aspx
http://www.architectureanddesign.com.au/suppliers/wormald/careful-fire-safety-planning-required-for-aged-car
Five aged care facility fire safety training mistakes to avoid