What to do When Ordered to Evacuate

Notify all employees/visitors via the pre-selected notification system that an order to evacuate has been received and that they should put the evacuation component of the emergency action plan into action. Give them as much pertinent information as is available about the hazard: what it is, its location, where they are expected to evacuate to, and how to protect themselves as they evacuate.
Floor wardens should gather their tools (vests, flashlights, radios) and remind all employees and visitors to gather their belongings. Interviews with key contacts in Cuyahoga County revealed that one of the biggest challenges during an evacuation or an emergency drill is that people tend to leave quickly and forget to take key items such as car keys, purses, coats, etc. They must then go back for these items, delaying the evacuation.