Fire Evacuation at Work Today

We had a fire at work today.  When the alarms went off at 6:45 this morning, me and my coworkers looked at each other and suspected that it must have been a false alarm until we were notified on the speaker system that it was not a drill or false alarm.  I got my sneakers on as quickly as I could, grabbed my purse and headed to the elevator. Before I got to the end of the hall, 4 people stopped me and told me elevators aren't supposed to be used during a fire. Silly me, I knew that but wasn't thinking.  At that point everyone got in a frenzy about how I was going to get down the 3 long flights of stairs.  

What an ordeal for everyone and really scary for me too.  I haven't did that many stairs in nearly a year and was petrified especially with everyone trying to get down them at the same time.  My boss wanted to use the slide chair thing we have in every stairwell but no one knew how to use it.  We finally did make it down with me holding the rails and walking down sideways, one person in front and one behind and no one at all complained about having to go around me or that it was taking too long.  

This was a lesson learned for me and everyone in my office.  We had to have a plan in place next time because if this had happened an hour later when everyone was already at work or if the fire had been in my end of the building and there was panic, then it might not have been as under control as it was.  

I hope everyone has a plan for a fire emergency whether it is at your work or at home.  I know I have one now.

-Julie

[HVAC]

I am glad you are okay.

Alex

[Lulu54]

what an important safety message, Julie.  Thanks for sharing it.  I'm so glad that you have coworkers that you can count on to assist you.  

gotta get my plan,
Lulu

[Ojibajo]

Julie~

Thanks for posting this. This is good to keep in mind. I am lucky enough to work have most of my mobility back and be on the first floor but had something like this happened a few weeks ago say when I was meeting with my dean on the 9th floor, it could have been a mess!

These are definitely things to keep in mind.

Thanks again!

Amy