Recently, there has been a rash of fire drills: one at my place of worship, another at my husband’s work and one at my daughter’s school. I heard that our evacuation was “slow” because one of our elderly members walked down the stairs. And we have a lot of stairs at our Meeting House. It is a complicated business, arranging a fire evacuation, requiring room sweeps, checklists and timings.
Our elevator is mainly there to help those less able. But, in the event of a fire, I have always been taught not to use the lift, only to use the stairs, the traditional fire escape with the steps round the back. I can manage them fine, but I take longer, so, l would normally be instructed to collect with other less able users, remain in a place of safety, and wait to be evacuated from the building last, so as not to hold up other able-bodied users on the stairs. If I hold up those behind me, I risk getting crushed.
Set test drills against what might really happen in a genuine emergency, and a whole new range of possibilities raise their heads. Less able users may be authorised to use the lift if the fire was well away from the lift shaft. In a ‘real fire’ scenario, I would be reluctant to await rescue, fearing that I might be overlooked.
My husband, who has arrested hydrocephalus, was, a propos of his disability (which is not something he ever discusses with anyone, not even me) instructed to move to a designated place and await collection, just as if he were a piece of lost luggage. His disability in no way affects his speed of travel, and, like me, he disliked being singled out for this dubious attention.
It might be possible to stipulate that every building should have two stairs, one for use by the able bodied, and the other reserved for use by the less able. But if there are two stairs, the users of the building will insist that they use both, and in a real emergency, I don’t fancy trying to stop them, do you? I would not want to, even if I could.
Perhaps it makes sense to evacuate the less able users first. Of course, that would take up precious minutes. So, I guess that means we less able users will just have to take our chances. Don’t fancy it, though.
Please share:
May 16, 2014 @ 11:54 am
Slightly disturbing. Couldn’t there be a partner system? If people are helping each other, that surely would work best.
May 16, 2014 @ 12:58 pm
I’m guessing that the Health & Safety manuals recommend a partnering system, but does it work, in an emergency? We have to hope that crises bring out the best in each other, but can’t guarantee it. 🙂 xx
May 16, 2014 @ 6:43 pm
In a hospital we worked at in Jordan the escape route was via a ramp which spiralled down and away from the building, this is a great idea, it is wide and trolleys and wheelchairs can be evacuated alongside able bodied patients. More thought should be given to these things but unfortunately so many old building just don’t lend themselves to alteration do they. I don’t think a drill can ever be really regarded as what would happen in real life because in real life we find heroes. I don’t believe anyone should be told to go away and wait though that is horrible. Running through my mind now are stories of those who carried the physically impaired down the stairs of the twin towers, and up unfortunately, believing the roof would be safe but also that brave brave man who held his baby by clamping its clothes in his teeth while he swam to safety from the cross channel ferry. No, real life is different.
May 16, 2014 @ 8:22 pm
Oh, wow, what lovely stories, Diane! Thanks for telling me about these. They cleanse the emotional palate so beautifully. xxx 🙂
May 24, 2014 @ 7:47 pm
I remember there was a real, thankfully small fire in high school which was started in the toilets by a disgruntled pupil. I was yards away from it. My classroom assistant and I were taken to the dining hall of all places and told to wait. I hated it: it was the not knowing what plans the school had, knowing very well I couldn’t use the lift in emergencies. They did tell me but my school was four stories high; a fire could’ve been started anywhere and I might’ve been stuck.
May 24, 2014 @ 8:32 pm
Yup! It is difficult, though, to know what the alternatives are. Any suggestions, Bernie?? xx 🙂
May 24, 2014 @ 8:50 pm
I wish I knew Fran! Short of not ever allowing us to be upstairs in places, it’s difficult to know what the solution is – as we all know, not everyone will be kind enough to help us in these situations. It’s one thing to have plans; it’s whether they stand up to the test if there were X amount of vulnerable people in a real situation. Does that then become a “Who do we save?” question? 🙂 xx
May 24, 2014 @ 9:00 pm
But as Diane has thoughtfully pointed out, real life emergencies bring out the best in people too. Just hope that your rescuer is a hunk, who lifts you as if he were lifting a feather and escorts you through flames to the cool shade beyond. xxx 😀