Use the following checklist to review the core elements of your Emergency Action Plan. Indicate with a checkmark that you have addressed each issue.

Section 1: Preparedness Program Completeness

  • Does the program have the support of management?
  • Is there a written Emergency Action Plan (EAP)?
  • Is there an active training program for employees?
  • Has the organization formed an Emergency Planning Committee?
  • Has the organization completed a Ready Rating™ Assessment?
  • Has the organization coordinated its EAP with its facility’s management company?
  • Has the organization coordinated its EAP with its facility’s security?
  • Have personnel been given emergency preparedness information and encouraged that they have emergency plans for their home and family?
  • Does the EAP include a procedure for responding to a medical emergency?
  • Is someone trained to assess safety and security needs?
  • Is there a procedure for tracking employee attendance?
  • Is there a procedure for tracking contractor attendance?
  • Is there a procedure for tracking visitor attendance?
  • Is there a procedure on how Safety Wardens are to report when arriving at an assembly area?
  • Is there guidance specifying when to declare an ‘all clear’ after it is safe??
  • Is there guidance on how to handle media inquiries?

 Section 2: Adequacy of the Facility and Assembly Areas

  • Does the facility have signs showing evacuation and shelter-in-place locations? Is the facility free of any hazardous or flammable materials?
  • Is the facility located near any hazardous sites (e.g., fireworks factory, airplane landing route, fuel refinery)?
  • Does the facility post warning signage and announcements during emergencies?
  • Are there adequate sanitation facilities in the assembly areas?
  • Are stairwells adequately sized to handle the facility’s population, including visitors?
  • Are doorways adequately sized to handle the facility’s population. including visitors?
  • Are evacuation routes to exits and shelters obvious, clear, and easy to navigate for people with a range of physical abilities?
  • Are the evacuation and shelter-in-place assembly areas well-marked?
  • Is there a greeting area at each assembly area?
  • Does the shelter provide adequate protection against anticipated threats?
  • Are communication systems in the assembly areas in good working condition?
  • Are assembly areas clean and well-lit with no loose objects in the immediate area?
  • Are radios capable of receiving emergency alerts located in the assembly areas?
  • Are the evacuation and shelter-in-place assembly areas large enough to accommodate evacuees?
  • Are the assembly areas clear of obstructions that would impede the flow of evacuees?
  • Can announcements be heard throughout the assembly areas?
  • Are the evacuation and shelter-in-place assembly areas suitable for a range of people with disabilities?

Section 3: Safety Wardens and Support Staff Training Evaluation

  • Does the organization have volunteers willing to work as safety staff (i.e., Safety Warden?)
  • Have the Safety Wardens been given formal training in their duties?
  • Is there a written description of the duties of a Safety Warden?
  • Is there an overall incident commander who takes charge during a disruption?
  • Do Safety Wardens always operate in groups of two or more?
  • Are Safety Wardens trained to assume specific roles at each location to which they are assigned?
  • Are Safety Wardens easy to identify?
  • Are there enough Safety Wardens to provide coverage of the facility?
  • Are Safety Wardens trained to provide clear directions to evacuees?
  • Are Safety Wardens properly equipped to do their job?
  • Are Safety Wardens given a checklist of duties to perform (e.g., floor sweeper, stairwell monitor)?
  • Are Safety Wardens equipped and trained to communicate continuously with each other during an emergency?
  • Are Safety Wardens trained to perform their duties calmly and professionally?
  • Have Safety Wardens been instructed to be the last to leave a work area during an emergency?
  • Have Safety Wardens been trained in how to manage an ‘all clear’ announcement?
  • Have Safety Wardens been trained to help employees return to their work areas after an ‘all clear’?