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Fire Evacuation Checklist for Schools

According to the U.S Fire Administration, close to 4,000 Americans are killed in fires every year. Having an escape or evacuation plan is extremely important as it can mean the difference between life or death. In a school, having an evacuation plan in place is essential as in the chaos that ensues from a fire, there is no room for error. Time is of the essence in emergency situations and being prepared can save time and lives. Children and teachers should be familiar with escape plans, and emergency evacuations should be routinely practiced.

  1. In the Event of Fire

    • The first item on any fire evacuation checklist should be what to do once fire, smoke or the smell of gas is noted. Any teacher who is alerted to the fire must pull the fire alarm.

    Fire Drill

    • The students at a school, under the guidance of the staff, should practice fire drills at least once a month. Practicing the fire drill allows teachers and students to become familiar with the designated escape routes. The drill should be practiced when children are in different classes so that they become familiar with escape routes from all points of the school. In the event of a fire, students should follow the normal routes unless they have become too dangerous to use. In this case, a teacher should calmly lead them along another route.

    Leave Promptly

    • Evacuation must take place as soon as the alarm has been sounded. In the panic that may follow, instruct students to leave all their belongings behind. There is no time to waste in saving property. When encountering smoke, tell students to cover their mouths and keep low to avoid inhaling the toxic particles that can cause disorientation. If doors are hot to the touch, they must never be opened. If such a door is encountered, take school children out via an alternate route.

    Class Roster

    • When evacuating, teachers must take a class list with them. This is essential for determining whether all students have safely left the building. Once all students and staff have evacuated, roll call should be read to make sure everyone is present.

    Emergency Services

    • The principal of the school must call 911 and notify the authorities. The fire department must only be notified once the building is evacuated. Students should be taught that they are not to go back into the school building until firefighters have put out the blaze and the building has been checked for safety hazards and declared safe by the authorities. Students can be moved to a designated relocation center if the school building is damaged. If students returned home, a system must be in place whereby the principal informs staff and students when normal school operations have resumed.

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