Workplace Emergency Preparedness Guide

Why Workplace Preparedness Matters

When disaster strikes, you're statistically more likely to be at work than at home. The average American spends 90,000 hours at work over their lifetime. Yet most people focus their emergency preparedness exclusively on their homes, leaving themselves vulnerable during a significant portion of their lives.

According to FEMA, workplace emergencies account for thousands of injuries annually—and that's just reported incidents. The reality is that emergencies at work present unique challenges:

• You don't control the environment: Building maintenance, safety equipment, and evacuation plans are managed by others
• You may be far from home: Getting to your family could take hours or be impossible
• Limited personal supplies: Unlike home, you likely don't have extensive emergency supplies at your desk
• Unfamiliar with building layout: You may not know all exits, stairwells, or safe areas
• Reliance on employer protocols: Your safety depends partly on company emergency planning

Building Your Workplace Emergency Kit

You can't bring your entire home emergency supply to work, but you can maintain a compact kit that addresses the most likely scenarios. The goal is to sustain yourself for 24-72 hours if you're stuck at work, or support a safe journey home.

Desk Drawer Essentials

These items fit in a standard desk drawer and address immediate needs:

• Water: 1-2 liters (collapsible bottles save space)
• Food: Energy bars, nuts, dried fruit (500+ calories, rotate every 6 months)
• Flashlight: Small LED with extra batteries
• Phone charger: Cable and portable battery bank
• Cash: $20-50 in small bills (ATMs may be down)
• First aid basics: Bandages, pain reliever, personal medications (3-day supply)
• Emergency contact list: Written copy—phones may die
• N95 mask: For dust, smoke, or airborne hazards

Extended Kit (Bag/Cabinet)

If you have more storage space, add these items:

• Walking shoes: Essential if you wear heels or dress shoes—you may need to walk miles
• Comfortable clothing: Change of socks at minimum; pants and shirt if space allows
• Rain poncho: Compact protection for evacuation in weather
• Emergency blanket: Mylar blanket is thin but warm
• Whistle: Signal for help if trapped
• Work gloves: Protect hands if navigating debris
• Local area map: Paper map of your city/region
• Prescription medications: 3-day supply plus glasses/contacts

Commuter Considerations

Your daily commute creates additional vulnerabilities:

• Public transit users: Keep walking shoes and a small supply kit in your work bag daily
• Car commuters: Maintain a vehicle emergency kit
• Long commutes: Multiple routes home memorized, paper map in car/bag
• Remote workers: Different challenges—ensure home office is part of your home emergency plan

Understanding Your Workplace Emergency Plan

What You Need to Know

Don't wait for a drill to learn these critical details:

• Primary and alternate evacuation routes: Know at least two ways out from your usual location
• Assembly points: Where does your team gather after evacuation?
• Floor wardens/safety officers: Who leads emergency response on your floor?
• AED and first aid locations: Know where emergency equipment is stored
• Fire extinguisher locations: Closest one to your desk
• Shelter-in-place locations: Interior rooms for tornado, chemical, or other hazards
• Rally point for reuniting: If separated during evacuation

Questions to Ask Facilities/HR

• What emergency supplies does the company maintain?
• Is there an emergency notification system?
• What's the policy for employees with disabilities during evacuation?
• Are there emergency generators or backup systems?
• Who makes the decision to close the office during emergencies?
• What's the communication plan if phones/email are down?

Fire Emergency Response

Fire remains one of the most common workplace emergencies. According to OSHA, there are approximately 200 workplace fire deaths and 5,000 injuries annually in the United States.

When the Fire Alarm Sounds

1. Stop immediately. Don't finish "one more thing"—seconds matter.
2. Leave belongings. Grab only your phone if within reach. Don't go back for purse, laptop, etc.
3. Alert others nearby. Call out "Fire alarm! Evacuate!" as you leave.
4. Check doors before opening. Feel with the back of your hand. If hot, use alternate route.
5. Close doors behind you. Don't lock—others may need to pass through. Closed doors slow fire spread.
6. Use stairs, never elevators. Elevators can stop at the fire floor or lose power.
7. Stay low if there's smoke. Cleaner air is near the floor. Crawl if necessary.
8. Proceed to assembly point. Follow your designated route. Don't stop at the building entrance.
9. Report to your floor warden. Account for all team members. Report anyone missing.
10. Do not re-enter. Wait for official all-clear from fire department.

If You're Trapped

• Close all doors between you and the fire
• Seal gaps under doors with cloth (wet if possible)
• Call 911 and report your exact location
• Signal from window with light or cloth
• Stay near the floor where air is cleaner
• Do not break windows unless absolutely necessary (removes barrier to smoke)

Active Shooter Response: Run-Hide-Fight

While statistically rare, workplace violence incidents have increased attention on active shooter preparedness. The Department of Homeland Security recommends the Run-Hide-Fight protocol.

RUN: Evacuate If Possible

Your first priority is escape. If you can get out safely:

• Have an escape route in mind at all times
• Evacuate regardless of whether others agree to follow
• Leave your belongings behind
• Help others escape if possible, but don't let them slow you down
• Do not attempt to move wounded people—call 911 once safe
• Keep your hands visible at all times
• Follow instructions of any police officers
• Call 911 when safe

HIDE: If Evacuation Is Not Possible

If you cannot get out safely, find a place to hide:

• Lock the door if possible
• Barricade the door with heavy furniture
• Turn off lights
• Silence your phone completely (not just vibrate)
• Hide behind large objects (filing cabinets, desks)
• Stay away from doors and windows
• Remain quiet
• Do not open the door for anyone—police will use keys or break through

FIGHT: As Absolute Last Resort

Only when your life is in imminent danger and you cannot run or hide:

• Act with aggression and commitment
• Improvise weapons (fire extinguisher, chair, scissors, hot coffee)
• Throw items to distract
• Attempt to incapacitate the shooter
• Work as a team with others if possible
• Commit fully—half-measures increase danger

When Law Enforcement Arrives

• Remain calm and follow instructions
• Put down any items in your hands
• Raise hands and spread fingers
• Keep hands visible at all times
• Avoid quick movements, pointing, or screaming
• Do not grab officers or try to give them information while they're securing the area
• Proceed in the direction officers indicate

Natural Disaster Response at Work

Earthquake

During shaking:

• DROP to hands and knees
• COVER under a sturdy desk or table
• HOLD ON until shaking stops
• Stay away from windows, exterior walls, heavy objects
• If no shelter available, crouch against interior wall, protect head
• Do NOT stand in doorways (a myth) or run outside

After shaking stops:

• Expect aftershocks—be ready to drop, cover, hold again
• Check yourself and others for injuries
• Do not use elevators
• Evacuate only if building appears damaged or ordered to
• Stay away from damaged buildings
• Text don't call—networks will be congested

Tornado

Tornado Warning at work:

• Move immediately to designated tornado shelter area
• Interior rooms, lowest floor, away from windows
• Hallways, bathrooms, or stairwells (interior)
• Get under sturdy furniture if possible
• Cover your head and neck with arms
• Do NOT stay near windows or in large open areas (cafeterias, atriums)
• Do NOT try to outrun tornado in vehicle

Severe Weather and Flooding

• Monitor weather alerts via phone or NOAA radio
• Know your area's flood risk
• Never walk through standing water (6 inches can knock you down)
• Never drive through flooded roads (2 feet can float most vehicles)
• Stay off bridges over fast-moving water
• If flash flood warning during commute, seek high ground immediately

Medical Emergencies at Work

Responding to Medical Emergencies

You don't need to be a medical professional to help. Basic response:

1. Assess the scene for safety. Don't become a second victim.
2. Call 911 or have someone call. Be specific: address, floor, nearest entrance.
3. Stay with the person. Provide reassurance, monitor breathing.
4. Do not move them unless there's immediate danger (fire, etc.).
5. Get the AED if cardiac arrest is suspected.
6. Begin CPR if trained and person is unresponsive without normal breathing.
7. Send someone to meet EMS and guide them to the location.

AED (Automated External Defibrillator)

AEDs are designed for untrained users. If someone collapses and isn't breathing:

• Send someone for the AED while you call 911
• Turn on AED and follow voice prompts
• Apply pads as shown in diagrams
• Stand clear when device analyzes and shocks
• Resume CPR immediately after shock

Know your AED locations. Every workplace should have them, and you should know where they are.

Getting Home After Disaster

The "Get Home" Challenge

Depending on the disaster, getting home might be your biggest challenge. Considerations:

• Roads may be impassable: Damaged bridges, flooding, debris, accidents
• Public transit may stop: Subways, buses, trains could be suspended
• Cell networks may be overwhelmed: Text works better than calls
• Your family may have evacuated: Have a prearranged meeting point
• It could take hours or days: Major disasters may require sheltering at work

Get Home Plan

Create a plan now, before you need it:

1. Know multiple routes home. Primary, secondary, and walking routes.
2. Paper maps. GPS may not work—have printed maps of your area.
3. Walking distance. Calculate how far you'd need to walk. Most people can walk 3-4 miles per hour on flat ground.
4. Way points. Identify rest stops, friends' homes, or shelter options along routes.
5. Family communication plan. Designated out-of-area contact, meeting points.
6. Shoes and supplies. Walking shoes at work, supplies in your kit.

Family Communication During Emergencies

• Text, don't call. Texts use less bandwidth and are more likely to get through.
• Out-of-area contact. Designate someone outside your region as a message hub.
• Meeting points. Primary (home), secondary (school, relative), tertiary (out of area).
• Social media check-in. Facebook Safety Check, Google Person Finder.
• ICE contacts. "In Case of Emergency" contacts in your phone.

Remote Worker Considerations

Working from home has unique emergency preparedness implications:

Home Office Safety

• Ensure home office is part of your overall home emergency plan
• Have emergency supplies accessible during work hours
• Know your home's evacuation routes and meeting points
• Test smoke detectors in or near your workspace
• Keep work laptop charged (for communication if power fails)

Communication Considerations

• Know your company's emergency communication channels
• Have alternative contact methods for colleagues
• Understand policies for remote work during emergencies
• Cell phone backup charger essential

Industry-Specific Considerations

Office Workers

• High-rise evacuation procedures
• Elevator vs. stair considerations
• Large building assembly points

Retail Workers

• Customer management during emergencies
• Lockdown procedures
• Cash handling during power outages

Healthcare Workers

• Patient evacuation responsibilities
• Shelter-in-place for healthcare settings
• Surge capacity planning

Manufacturing/Warehouse

• Hazardous material response
• Heavy equipment lockout during evacuation
• Large facility evacuation routes

Construction/Outdoor

• Weather monitoring protocols
• Lightning safety
• Heat illness prevention
• Remote site communication

Taking Action: Your Workplace Preparedness Checklist

Today

• ☐ Identify your two closest evacuation routes
• ☐ Locate nearest fire extinguisher and AED
• ☐ Save emergency contacts (building security, floor warden) in phone

This Week

• ☐ Build or purchase a desk emergency kit
• ☐ Put walking shoes at your workspace
• ☐ Review company emergency procedures (ask HR if unsure)
• ☐ Map your "get home" route(s)

This Month

• ☐ Participate actively in next fire drill (don't just go through motions)
• ☐ Have conversation with family about workplace emergency scenarios
• ☐ Learn basic first aid and CPR if not already trained
• ☐ Update emergency contacts in HR system

Ongoing

• ☐ Rotate food and water in your desk kit every 6 months
• ☐ Check flashlight batteries quarterly
• ☐ Update medications as prescriptions change
• ☐ Re-familiarize yourself with routes after office moves or changes