Online Course · Emergency Planning
Emergency and Fire Preparedness Training
When an alarm sounds, there is no time to read the plan. This course makes sure employees already know how to get out, where to go and who to tell, and how to keep fires from starting in the first place.
What Emergency and Fire Preparedness Training Covers
Fires, severe weather, chemical releases, medical emergencies and violent incidents all call for fast, organized action. This emergency and fire preparedness training course gives employees the general knowledge behind a good emergency action plan: how warnings are given, how to evacuate or shelter, how to account for everyone, and how everyday behavior prevents fires.
It is a planning-and-response course. Learning how to use a portable extinguisher is covered in our separate fire extinguisher safety course.
When the Alarm Sounds
-
Stop and go
Stop work, shut down equipment only if your plan says to and it is quick, and leave immediately.
-
Use the nearest safe exit
Know at least two ways out of your area; avoid elevators during a fire.
-
Help others as assigned
Follow evacuation wardens and assist visitors or coworkers who need help, as your plan directs.
-
Report to the assembly point
Check in so the head count is accurate, and tell responders about anyone missing.
-
Wait for the all-clear
Do not go back inside for belongings until authorized.
Emergencies the Course Prepares For
-
Fire and smoke
Recognizing alarms, staying low under smoke and checking doors for heat before opening them.
-
Severe weather
Tornado, hurricane and flood procedures, including interior refuge areas.
-
Hazardous releases
When to evacuate upwind and when to shelter in place with doors and ventilation closed.
-
Medical emergencies
Calling for help, locating the AED and first aid kit and meeting responders.
-
Violent incidents
How lockdown differs from evacuation, with a pointer to dedicated training.
Preventing Fires Before They Start
Prevention gets equal time. Learners review common ignition sources at work, such as overloaded outlets and extension cords, damaged wiring, space heaters, smoking materials, hot work and poorly stored flammable liquids, along with the housekeeping that keeps fuel away from heat. They also learn why exits, extinguishers, sprinkler heads and electrical panels must never be blocked.
OSHA Emergency Action and Fire Prevention Plans
OSHA's emergency action plan standard, 29 CFR 1910.38, applies when another OSHA standard requires a plan, and the fire prevention plan standard, 1910.39, works the same way. Both call for written plans (employers with 10 or fewer employees may communicate them orally) and for reviewing the plan with each employee when it is developed, when their responsibilities change and when the plan changes. Exit route requirements in 1910.36 and 1910.37 apply broadly.
Even where a written plan is not strictly required, most employers benefit from one. This course supports the training piece; you still need to walk employees through your own exits, alarms, assembly points and roles. Our emergency preparedness checklist is a helpful starting point.
Who Should Take It
- Every employee, at hire and when emergency procedures change
- Evacuation wardens, floor captains and assembly-point coordinators
- Front-desk and reception staff who manage visitors
- Supervisors responsible for head counts
- Staff in schools, healthcare, hospitality and other buildings with members of the public
Emergency and Fire Preparedness FAQs
How often should we run drills?
OSHA does not set a single drill frequency for all workplaces, but fire codes and some industries do. Many employers practise at least annually and after major changes to the building or staffing.
Does this course cover active shooter response?
It introduces how lockdown differs from evacuation. For full preparation, see our active shooter safety training and AVIRT program.
How do we roll it out?
Assign the course online, record completions, then hold a short walkthrough of exits and assembly points and follow up with a drill.
What if an employee needs help evacuating?
Plans should identify people who may need assistance, such as those with mobility limitations, and assign trained helpers or refuge areas in advance. The course encourages employees to share their needs confidentially with whoever manages the plan.