Fire In Swiss bar On New Year's Eve And Fire Safety Announcements

 The New Year's Eve Fire in Switzerland set me researching safety for my own home and buildings I manage, events I manage at club meetings, and places I visit.

Toastmasters Clubs Fire Exit Announcements

 Toastmasters Clubs worldwide, mostly, although not always, follow the American and British protocol of the Toastmasters of the Day starting the meeting by indicating the fire exits to use if we hear a fire alarm.

Sergeant At Arms

The Sergeant At Arms, in my opinion, should know the location of fire extinguishers in the kitchen. And any first aid box. And defibrulators near swimming pools and corridors and lobbies.

Emergency Numbers

Check the numbers for fire, police and ambulance are on the notice board. Memorize them. Numbers vary from country to country.

He or she should know of any second exit, and how to open the room or building windows.

Door Unlocking

If the building has double doors but only one is open, be the first to rush to the doors and open the second door.  

Inward Opening Doors

 If the doors open inwards, pull them inwards so that people don't rush out and get crushed against the door and prevent doors opening inwards.

Direct people to the fire muster safety point to do a head count.

Safety Centre

Ensure people do not return to the building, for belongings, or to search for others, until the all clear is given.

Ensure they do not leave without informing the convenor. We had a fire alarm at a meeting in Harrow. A visitor who lived nearby decided not to wait around at the muster point and went home. The SAA had thought to grab the guest list, which he had as it recorded which visitors were willing to speak in the impromptu speaking session (called table topics).

In a real fire, the fire brigade, or a volunteer, might have dashed back looking for the absent visitor, risking the rescuer's life unnecessarily.

Guest Lists At Conferences And Hotels

For the same reason, as an emergency checklist, a hotel guest list at reception should include everybody staying in the building, as well as day or evening visitors who have come in for a meeting or party.

It is helpful to know the locations, doors, windows and fire exits of nearby areas.  Your meeting may move to a larger or smaller room when your meeting or another has more or fewer guests.

Knowing the building's layout is handy to you and helpful for visitors who can quickly be directed to car parks, fire escapes, kitchens, toilets and reception areas. 

Entertaining And Escorting To Exits

If adults and children are kept entertained on the premises, welcomed at the entrance, and escorted to the exits, they feel happy, confident, entertained. They are less bored and inclined to unsupervised, annoying and potentially dangerous pranks.