ACROSS Our PRESS DESK......

Sam Cahan, PE

People with Disabilities & Emergency Planning

Does your emergency plan fully address the safety of people with disabilities?

James M. Shannon, president, National Fire Protection Association recently observed, "We simply cannot leave people who have disabilities in a building during any emergency---whether it is a fire, power failure, or bomb threat---hoping that someone will go back to assist them. Clear procedures must be in place, ranging from relocation within the building to evacuation of the building."

In this connection:

- Have you identified all employees with disabilities?

- Exactly, how will you move or protect such persons in an emergency?

- Are such plans in writing, tested and evaluated?

- Do you periodically revise these plans to cover new disabled employees, retirements and the like?

In sum, careful planning, education and effective drills will help ensure the safety of disabled personnel