ron hunter mentioned the case of contingency plans to get staff home after a fire. I've been thinking about this for quite a while but have been unable to get any sensible suggestions. Hence the new thread, and the question? All staff have left their place of work immediately without collecting personal belongings when the fire alarm goes off. How do they get home if the fire destroys the building. They have no coats, no car keys, no train tickets, no money. How do they get into their homes if their keys are in the building? Bearing in mind the employer has told them to leave their possessions behind the employer surely has some responsibility here. But what can the employer do, all the senior people will also be in the same position without access to money etc. Some have suggested senior people take out some credit cards. Which means we’re asking them to put themselves at risk when the alarm goes off. Others say ‘surely someone will have something on them that staff can use’ hardly a contingency plan. We've no other sites close by where people can get access to the wherewithall to get home. If the employer does not have a decent contingency plan, and it’s everyman for himself, then to hell with doing what the employer tells me I’ll look after myself in a fire and take my personal belongings out, easy for me they’re next to my desk. (Previous sentence inserted just to spark controversy... :-))

We have a process for this and it's relativley simple. The problem starts when you are dealing with large numbers of people. Bear in mind that even if you have evacuated several hundred people it doesn't mean you have several hundred people to worry about. Many will have their keys in their pocket, most will have grabbed their jacket and their hand bags regardless, some will live within walking distance, nearly all will have a mobile phone with which they can call friends and family. The important thing is that they understand they should let whoever is in charge know they are leaving before doing so. Once you have done this, those who are left truly stranded will become much easier to manage.

First steps usually involve finding a good neighbour to develop reciprocal arrangements with.

hi all of these issue whould be addressed in a Business continuity plan, what you do about getting home , keys etc, will depend on the company regards Dave

I too agree with Ron. Where necessary, arranging a plan with a (not too near) neighbour maybe essential (depending on your business continuity RA). One property I have been involved with with have several thousand staff - many wearing PPE which excludes the carrying of mobiles phones and outer coats. A problem during an evacuation in poor weather & at night. A reciprocal system was established with a large neighbour about 800m away, for a holding point to be established in their warehouse and canteen, if necessary - especially at night and during inclement weather. About 150 foil blankets are available in a grab pack at security to help staff reach the neighbour's location, and arrangements have been made with the neighbour to leave some kit at their premises & to 'borrow' cash to pay public transport fares home if required. I understand that the system was subject to it's 3 yearly test, last summer with 150 volunteers, and worked well (except for the evacuation of disabled staff which still needs some tweaking)

May be we should add in that its the employers responsibility to pay the mortgage of said employees because said business burned down and never re-opened. Does that sound reasonable to anyone...?