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6 Steps to Creating an Effective Emergency Response Plan [+ Template]

Follow the six steps outlined in this article to create an emergency response plan for keeping your people, business, and assets safe during any critical event that may arise.

What Is an Emergency Response Plan?

• How to Conduct Response Planning
• Determine Your Response Plan Steps
• Develop a Communication Plan

As every emergency management professional will tell you, the best time to prepare for an emergency is well before it occurs. If a hurricane or other severe weather hits, you won’t have time to create an evacuation plan on the spot; you’ll be too busy focusing on immediate hazards. And if your building has a power outage , it’s probably too late to go searching for generators.

Taking a proactive approach to emergency planning helps you ensure the best possible outcomes for your people and business, and it allows you to think holistically about the situation, accounting for a multitude of variables. This approach boils down to a holistic emergency response plan for all the threats your business might face.

While we can’t necessarily predict when critical events will happen, emergencies are a reality for every business—so you need to be ready. We’ll explore what an emergency response plan is and highlight six steps every organization should take to ensure they’re prepared for any emergency or business interruption that may arise.

An emergency response plan is a document that lays out the series of steps your organization will take during a critical event, such as a fire or active shooter threat, to ensure employees’ safety and minimize the impact on critical operations.

Emergency response plans—just like other emergency management planning documents—are meant to help organizations address various types of emergencies, such as hurricanes, wildfires, winter weather, chemical spills, disease outbreaks, and other hazards. The goal is to reduce or prevent human injury and property damage during critical events. The planning phase involves documenting the steps your organization will take in each of these emergencies to ensure a timely response tailored to each scenario.

These plans also take the guesswork out of roles and responsibilities by specifying which staff members should be part of the response team and which first responders should be contacted.

You can create your own emergency response plan from scratch or use a pre-built template, like ours , to make the process easier.

Why use an emergency response plan template?

An emergency response plan template can make your planning process quicker and simpler. Every business has a unique range of emergencies they face, but there are some consistent response procedures that you can personalize to your individual risks. Templates also give you a single place to collect important contact information for your response team and first responders.

You can download this free template to get started building your plan today.

The best emergency response plans include a list of individuals to contact (and their contact information), evacuation routes, how to act during an emergency, how to mitigate risk to your people and facilities, and detailed communication procedures to follow during and after a specific emergency occurs.

That said, plans can vary widely depending on the setting and circumstances surrounding the crisis. It’s important to create a plan that accounts for life-saving actions, such as

• Building evacuations in case of events like fires
• Shelter-in-place orders during severe weather like tornadoes
• Complete lockdown in case of an active shooter situation

Now that you’re up to speed on why your organization needs a plan and what it should cover, let’s examine how to create an effective emergency response plan for your business.

How to Conduct Emergency Response Planning

Each organization is unique, so you may find that additional measures are warranted to protect your business from possible hazards—beyond the examples listed. However, by completing these steps, you will be well on your way to ensuring your team knows what is expected of them and when.

Step #1: Perform a threat assessment

The first step to creating an emergency response plan is to conduct a comprehensive threat assessment to identify the types of events that may affect your organization and analyze their likelihood and potential impact. Specific threats vary by location, sector, and company, and your mitigation strategies will vary depending on the scenario. You may need to plan for the following types of events:

• Natural disasters — Hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes, wildfires, etc.
• Severe weather — Winter storms, high winds, extreme heat waves , floods, etc.
• Pandemics and infectious diseases — COVID-19, influenza, etc.
• Facility emergencies — Structure fires, hazardous leaks or spills, etc.
• Acts of workplace violence — Active shooters, bomb threats, terrorist attacks, etc.
• Civil disturbances — Protests, demonstrations, riots, strikes, etc.

Even when lives may not be immediately at stake during a crisis, timely communication is just as important. Other events that require a planned response for the success of the business and safety of your team may include:

• IT events — Unplanned outages, planned downtime or maintenance, system testing, cyberattacks or security breaches, help desk escalations, etc.
• Operational events — Logistics coordination, power outages, equipment malfunctions, office closures, travel advisories, safety alerts, shift and overtime scheduling, etc.
• Corporate/ crisis communication events — Product recalls, negative publicity, layoffs, major company news, etc.

Using the all-hazards approach to your risk assessment is a great way to ensure you are covering all your bases, able to prepare for any kind of threat.

Step #2: Document contact information

In the event of an emergency that could cause physical harm to your employees, the first call you should make is to your local emergency responders. Aside from 9-1-1, you need to have numbers for emergency medical services (EMS), the fire department, healthcare providers/insurance agents, and local law enforcement/police department readily available.

Additionally, make sure you have emergency contact information documented for every employee in case someone goes unaccounted for or gets injured during the emergency.

Step #3: Assign roles and responsibilities

When an emergency occurs, employees will look to their leaders for reassurance and guidance. These leaders should be in charge of activating your emergency response plan, answering important questions, and ordering an evacuation if needed. When assigning roles, there are important considerations to acknowledge. You need to make sure your response team is present, reliable, and able to react quickly in the face of an emergency.

Here are the main roles to consider as part of your emergency response plan:

Incident commander

This employee has overall responsibility for an emergency, including planning and preparation. The incident commander is in charge of emergency response plan activation and is the one all critical decisions should go through.

Communication commander

This person should use the mass alert system to notify employees, call emergency services, and gather reports. If your company is using an emergency communication system, make sure this person is a system admin.

Scene supervisor

This person controls access to the emergency scene and keeps people away from unsafe areas.

Building utilities manager(s)

These team members need to be familiar with the locations and functions of controls for building utility and life safety and protection systems. These systems include ventilation, electrical shutoffs, water and sanitary systems, emergency power supplies, and alarm systems.

Route guide(s)

In the event of an evacuation, these guides play an important role in ensuring that routes are clear and evacuation is orderly and calm. They also help clear evacuation routes and assist those with mobility issues.

Step #4: Take stock of current resources within your organization

Have you inspected those dusty office fire extinguishers, alarm systems, or first aid kits lately? These are critical components to any emergency response plan, so examine them regularly.

Fire extinguishers and alarms

To support your fire safety, the National Fire Protection Association recommends refilling reusable fire extinguishers every 10 years and replacing disposable ones every 12 years. Periodically remind your employees where the fire extinguishers are located in the workplace. Maintain and test any fire alarms on your premises. Run regular fire drills to get your team used to the evacuation process.

This step-by-step video will guide you through the process of conducting a fire drill at work.

Alarm systems

Inspect fire alarm systems annually at the very least. OSHA recommends testing non-supervised employee alarm systems every two months. This inspection covers a host of details, depending on the type of alarm system, like inspection of control panel(s), tests of all associated devices such as smoke detectors and heat detectors, warning systems operations, and batteries and power.

First aid kit

OSHA requires that “employers provide medical and first aid supplies commensurate with the hazards of the workplace.” Since many items in a first aid kit have expiration dates—typically three to five years after manufacture—and can become damaged by frequent use, moisture, and exposure to the air, it is important to regularly check your first aid kit and replace any supplies as needed. As a proactive approach, restock items after use and inspect first aid supplies every three months. Provide the necessary first aid training so your team is prepared to use these supplies and help their coworkers in emergencies, big and small.

Step #5: Determine your response plan steps

Next, decide what steps to follow in an emergency. Customize each event response so the procedures are specific and clear.

As an example, here’s how you might go about planning for an evacuation response.

Emergency fire evacuation plan example

A good fire evacuation plan for your business will include primary and secondary escape routes. Clear signs should mark all the exit routes and fire escapes. Keep exit routes clear of furniture or other objects that could impede a direct means of egress for your employees. For large offices, make multiple maps of floor plans and diagrams and post them so employees know the evacuation routes. Best practice also calls for developing a separate evacuation plan for individuals with disabilities who may need additional assistance.

Once your people are out of the building, where do they go? Designate an assembly point for employees to gather. Your response team should be at the assembly point, collecting a headcount and providing updates. Ensure the escape routes and the assembly area can accommodate the expected number of employees who will be evacuating.

Be sure to also think about your disaster recovery efforts, or what you do once the emergency is done. With planning that extends to recovery, your business can move forward and get back to work as normal. For example, if you have a spill of hazardous materials, your emergency response plan will account for how to keep people safe and how to contain the spill. The recovery section of your template will explain how to clean up the spill and get that area of the building back to safe working conditions.

Step #6: Decide how to communicate with your employees

One of the most important parts of any emergency response plan is how you will communicate. When developing your emergency communication plan , consider how to notify employees of a critical event, how the information will be delivered and received, and how effective your communication channels will be at reaching every employee in harm’s way.

During critical events, phone calls and emails are no longer enough. Manual phone trees are prone to misinformation and long delays, and an email alert system alone just doesn’t cut it for emergency communication.

Research suggests that only 65% of employees open internal emails. For workers constantly inundated with messages, internal emails don’t create the sense of urgency needed for time-sensitive information. Hourly and frontline employees—such as retail associates and distribution center workers—often do not have a company email address at all or they don’t have access to it from their personal phones outside of business hours. And if phone lines are down or email is inaccessible—as can often be the case in emergency situations—your employees may never receive the message. If an organization is hit with an IT virus, for example, relying on email as the only communication channel would be useless and perhaps even counterproductive.

Include notification templates in your emergency response plan so you can send messages about an incident as quickly as hitting a button. Our template includes examples of what those messages might look like, as well as spaces to compose your own.

Leveraging Technology to Improve Emergency Preparedness

Today’s workforce is more distributed than ever before, especially with a drastic shift to remote and hybrid working environments. This makes emergency communication increasingly important—but also more challenging.

A modern emergency notification system enables the fast, reliable delivery of mass notifications to any-size audience, on any device, over any communication channel. And every organization—regardless of size, industry, or location—will face unexpected events that can be managed more effectively with the help of emergency communication software.

When evaluating mass notification solutions, it may be easy to fall into the trap of thinking a standalone text messaging tool is sufficient. But a simple mass texting system simply doesn’t have the functionality to communicate reliably with your people during critical events. When the health and safety of your people are at stake, only an enterprise-grade emergency communication system can offer the speed, reliability, and user experience you need.

A mass notification system with multichannel delivery, two-way communication , pre-built notification templates , and threat intelligence can help protect your people and business. With a modern emergency communication system, you can rapidly send and receive messages across multiple channels and ensure everyone gets the information they need when they need it. By automatically syncing with your HRIS or Active Directory, you’ll also never have to worry about inaccurate employee contact information, which is critical to safeguarding message deliverability.

Designing a Modern Emergency Response Plan

Every business needs a solid plan for how they will communicate with employees during emergencies and other business-critical events. In emergencies, minutes can mean the difference between minor impact and major disaster. The heat of a crisis is not the time to figure out how to effectively communicate and ensure the safety of your employees.

By building out your emergency response plan in advance, your business is prepared to act at the first signs of a crisis. Download this template to make your planning process as simple and effective as possible—so you can get back to leading safe everyday operations.

Download Our Emergency Response Plan Template

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10 Steps to Creating an Emergency Response Plan for Your Business

In an emergency, the actions you take within the first few minutes will largely dictate the severity of consequences to follow. Unexpected situations can happen at any time, which means your company needs a plan of action in order to minimize damage and loss.

This article walks you through the 10 steps involved in creating an effective emergency response plan for your business. You’ll learn how to effectively respond to emergencies, protect your staff and occupants, minimize downtime and fully recover operations. Here’s how to get started.

Running short on time?  Download the Safety and Security Plan Guide here.

Emergency Response Planning for Business Continuity Teams

Step 1: understand the importance of emergency response planning..

Planning for interruptions, emergencies and disasters is a crucial aspect of running a business. An emergency response plan is designed to help companies address various emergency situations that could occur within their organization. The best plans include who to contact, how to act in an emergency, how to mitigate risk and what resources to use to minimize loss.

The main objective of an emergency response plan is to reduce human injury and damage to property in an emergency. It also specifies which staff members should enact emergency response plans, as well as which local emergency teams (i.e. police, fire and rescue, etc.) should be contacted. Ideally, the final outcome of emergency planning is to protect a company’s finances, physical infrastructure, materials and occupants from harm.

Step 2: Brainstorm a list of potential risks, hazards and threat scenarios.

All organizations face risks, hazards and threats, which, left unchecked, can lead to financial loss, illness, injury or even death. It’s a good idea to review potentially dangerous scenarios in a risk assessment . A risk assessment identifies potential hazards and analyzes what could happen if the hazard were to occur.

Understanding your organization’s vulnerabilities is the first step towards proactive emergency response planning and will help you protect your staff and occupants from harm.

In your risk assessment, be sure to prioritize risks according to their severity. Consider the following examples of emergency scenarios:

Step 3: Collect contact information from local emergency personnel.

The list of potential risks you assembled in step #2 will help inform your organization of emergency services you’ll need to contact in a crisis. At a minimum, speak to your local fire department, police department and emergency medical services to determine their anticipated response times, their knowledge of your facility and its hazards, and their capabilities to stabilize an emergency at your facility.

The following list contains a more comprehensive list of emergency personnel you may want to contact :

Step 4: Assess your organization’s resources.

Resources are required to keep occupants safe , protect infrastructure and carry out recovery strategies during a disaster. You’ll want to assess the availability and capabilities of resources for incident stabilization within your organization. Resources can include people, systems and equipment, both within your business and from external sources. Here’s a list of resources you may want to consider:

Step 5: Create accurate egress plans and evacuation routes.

An egress plan is a map of a facility that houses critical indicators such as posted emergency routes, evacuation paths and red exit signs that lead to stairs and doorways. Even if occupants have never done a fire drill at the facility, it should be obvious where to go in an emergency.

Police officers, medical personnel and other emergency services also rely on accurate floor plans. They help notify emergency services of the best ways to enter a building to get to a threat quickly, safely and efficiently.

Free Resource: Create or update your facility plans in our free guide on “ How to Create An Egress Plan ”. If you’re looking for more insight on creating up-to-date floor plans, contact a professional facility management consultation company today for advice on how to get the most accurate floor plans.

• Pro Tip: No time to update your floor plans? A data collection service team can do the work for you. They will walk your current floor plans, collect space and asset data, and create two-dimensional models of your plans. An intuitive facility management software can also be used as a visual mapping tool to show the location of critical fire/life safety assets in an emergency. Show your business continuity team, building managers and local emergency personnel the locations of the following within and around your building:
• Emergency exits
• Exterior doors and windows
• Locations of fire extinguishers
• Fire alarm pull station locations
• Assembly points for personnel

Step 6: Create an emergency communications plan.

An emergency communications plan includes information on how both internal and external crisis communications will be handled. Internal communication alerts can be sent via email, paging systems, voice messages or text messages to mobile devices. Use these channels to instruct personnel on how to evacuate the building and relocate to assembly points. You may also send updates on the status of the situation and notification of when it’s safe to return.

External communication during an emergency should also be a part of business continuity planning . External alerts typically discuss the disaster with the media and provide status information to key clients and stakeholders. Your emergency communications plan must be flexible, have management support and be regularly reviewed and updated to address a variety of emergency situations.

Step 7: State required actions in the event of an emergency.

Develop protective, threat-specific emergency procedures for occupants, staff and visitors of your facility to follow in a disaster situation. This portion of your emergency response plan will detail life safety protocols , including evacuation, shelter, shelter-in-place and lock down actions. You’ll also want to determine the required actions that occupants should take during an emergency to protect themselves. Use the following example as a guide for required actions in an emergency:

• Declare an emergency.
• Alert personnel using an internal communication system (see step #6).
• Activate the emergency plan.
• Evacuate the danger zone, seek shelter-in-place or implement a lock down.
• Close main shutoffs, if applicable.
• Call for external aid from local emergency services.
• Initiate rescue operations.
• Attend to casualties, if applicable.

Step 8: Disperse responsibilities following the disaster event.

During and following an emergency, many tasks must be completed in order to continue business as usual and ensure occupants are both safe and comfortable. The following list contains responsibilities that will need to be taken care of following a disaster:

Step 9: Train and educate internal personnel on your emergency response plan.

Your business continuity team , as well as your emergency preparedness team, will require continuous training to stay up-to-date on the latest emergency protocols in your business. Education and hands-on training will help your team members fulfill their roles and responsibilities during and after a disaster.

Facilitate exercises that test your team’s knowledge of the emergency response plan. Your emergency preparedness team may also want to host corporate safety awareness programs, orientation exercises, emergency responder training or emergency communication exercises. Learn more about business continuity planning best practices here .

Step 10: Test and revise your emergency response plan.

Creating a comprehensive plan for handling emergencies is a major step toward preventing and recovering from disasters. However, it can be difficult to predict all situations that could occur until the plan is tested.

To put your plan into action, conduct exercises and drills to practice critical portions of the plan. This could involve sending test messages via your emergency notification systems, or practicing an evacuation or lock down. These tests will highlight areas of improvement before a disaster actually occurs.

When shortcomings become apparent, review and revise your plan. Revisit it at least once a year and note any changes to building infrastructure, processes, materials, resources and key personnel.

Discover More Ways to Protect Your Business from Disaster

When an unexpected disruption affects your business, it’s important to respond quickly. A business continuity plan can help you stay prepared (not to mention, it may make the difference between financial ruin and long-term survival of your company). Read tips for protecting your business from harm by reading AkitaBox’s five-step guide to Business Continuity Planning . This comprehensive article will help your organization achieve the following goals:

• Understand the importance of business continuity planning
• Conduct a business impact analysis
• Take steps to reduce identified risks and hazards
• Create risk mitigation guidelines
• Assemble recovery plans

You also may find it helpful to download the checklist version of this article for later reference. Click here to receive your free copy of “ 10 Steps to Creating an Emergency Response Plan ”.

Let Us Know: What steps has your organization taken to prepare for emergencies? Leave a comment below to let us know!

Meaghan Kelly

Former marketing content copywriter for AkitaBox.

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How to Prepare an Emergency Response Plan For Your Organization

Julia Tasiopoulos Corporate , Employee Safety , Rave 911 Suite , Rave Alert , Safety & Protection

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Businesses must create and implement a comprehensive emergency response plan in the event of an emergency in the workplace. No matter what industry your company is in and no matter what kind of work you do, having such a plan can prevent lasting physical and financial damage. Most importantly, an emergency response plan can protect the precious lives of your employees and customers. 

Having an emergency response plan means your company is prepared to respond to any emergency , whether it is a natural disaster event, severe weather , pandemic, facility emergency like fires, workplace violence or civil disturbances. 

Emergency response plans can be beneficial for non-hazardous situations as well. From IT events like unplanned outages and security breaches to power outages, travel advisories and equipment malfunctions, Rave Mobile Safety is here to help. 

Below, we’re sharing more about how to craft an emergency response plan that works for your organization and the people you employ.

What defines an emergency response plan?

An emergency response plan is a company-wide action plan with documented policies and procedures that employers will take during an emergency to preserve the safety of their employees and guests, and to maintain operations. 

Because it is the employer’s responsibility to keep their employees safe on the job, they must take every precaution to ensure safety during a variety of emergencies such as natural disasters, severe weather, chemical spills, pandemics , viral outbreaks, active assailants, mental health crises and more. 

Emergency response plans should detail the necessary steps required from each key stakeholder for a timely response specific to each emergency.

To be more specific, emergency response plans should include:

• Who employees should contact, along with their contact information
• Evacuation routes
• Steps to minimize risk for employees, operations and facilities
• Detailed communication plans for post-emergency preparedness

However, the specifics of such a plan vary greatly in the event of an emergency. Employers should be equipped with plans that encompass a variety of scenarios. 

Creating a response plan

Because every organization is unique, emergency response plans will be unique, too. Some organizations may need a more extensive plan than others, but it all comes down to focusing on protecting the safety and well-being of employees.

Creating an efficient emergency response plan requires the involvement of all key stakeholders, including leadership positions, PIOs , and department leads. Essentially, everyone must know their role and what their responsibilities are in any given scenario.

Risk assessments

Risk assessments are necessary for employers to identify the types of emergencies they are most likely to face. These risks include emergencies that could occur near the place of work, where employees live or risks that could jeopardize business operations. 

Risks vary by location, industry and event the company itself, but the following are the three stages each risk assessment should include :

• Hazard identification: Consider which hazards are most likely to affect your company, which include any natural disasters or man-made emergencies. 
• Vulnerability assessment: Consider which assets are at risk from each potential hazard. This includes the most valuable (employees) along with supply chain interruptions and possibly company reputation, depending on the emergency. 
• Impact analysis: This is the time to get clear on the damage that may result from the emergency. 

Identifying these risks helps emergency managers determine a business’ strengths and weaknesses in creating a more comprehensive response plan. 

Have contact information readily available

The first call made during any emergency should be to emergency responders. Following this, employers should have contact information for the fire department, local law enforcement, emergency medical services (EMS) and emergency or crisis managers at the company. 

Employees should also provide their contact information so that they may be contacted and accounted for during an emergency. 

Does your company have the right resources?

Part of emergency preparedness is making sure your businesses have the proper resources and tools such as up-to-date fire extinguishers, alarm systems and first aid kits. 

Per OSHA guidelines, employers must provide medical and first aid supplies in line with the hazards in the workplace. 

Evacuation procedures and escape routes

Does your company know where to go if they need to leave the area? Emergency plans should include a primary and secondary evacuation/escape route. 

Escape routes should be clearly marked, free of obstacles like furniture, and cater to the needs of individuals with disabilities who may require assistance. Evacuation routes should also include where to go once they have securely exited the building so everyone can easily be accounted for and receive updates. 

Your company should also be prepared for shelter-in-place or lockdown emergencies to protect employees from emergencies such as tornadoes, chemical spills, or violence in the area. 

Communication is key

Communication during an emergency is a must. Employees and visitors must be informed of potential emergencies and what to do in the event they happen. Communication should be a top priority when creating an emergency response plan. 

Strategizing communication efforts means including how critical information will be sent out by employers, how it will be received by employees and/or visitors, and what communication channels will be used to achieve this. 

A mass notification system that bridges the gaps in communication and emergency preparedness can help protect employees from various hazards. This system would allow employers to communicate with their employees before a disaster ever happens, during emergencies and in the aftermath. 

Communication is necessary for preparing for emergencies and delegating the next steps for the expected and unexpected events, providing information when seconds count. 

How technology can improve emergency response plans

With the proper technology, it is easier than ever to ensure employees are accounted for and protected during an emergency. A mass communications system would help employers deliver timely warnings and clear instructions before, during and after emergencies. 

Regardless of company size, every organization across all industries can benefit from preparing for emergencies. 

Rave Alert can leverage notifications from the National Weather Service (NWS) Storm-Based Warnings to alert employees whose addresses fall within the zone of notifications. This ensures that no matter where employees are, whether they are at home, on the road or at the job site, they are aware of the weather unfolding around them.

They can also help emergency managers and crisis managers delegate use and list management more easily. They can set the administrator’s scope, which controls the group of users that the admin can access with the system for sending alerts, building location-specific lists or managing user information with important contact details. 

With Rave 911 Suite, users can access two-way communications through the Chat Smartlet to contact emergency operators, know if there are any unread messages and indicate if messages fail to send. 

To find out how Rave Mobile can help your cooperation stay prepared for any type of emergency, please visit: ​​https://www.ravemobilesafety.com/critical-communication-collaboration-solutions/ .

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Emergency Preparedness and Response: Getting Started

General business preparedness for general, construction and maritime industries, evacuation & shelter-in-place, osha’s role in emergency response, ppe for emergency response and recovery workers, introduction.

Emergencies and disasters can strike anywhere and at any time bringing workplace injuries and illnesses with them. Employers and workers may be required to deal with an emergency when it is least expected and proper planning before an emergency is necessary to respond effectively.

This webpage is designed to help workers and employers plan for that possibility. The best way to protect workers is to expect the unexpected and to carefully develop an emergency action plan to guide everyone in the workplace when immediate action is necessary. Planning in advance helps ensure that everyone knows what to do when an emergency occurs.

What is a workplace emergency?

A workplace emergency is a situation that threatens workers, customers, or the public; disrupts or shuts down operations; or causes physical or environmental damage. Emergencies may be natural or man-made, and may include hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes, floods, wildfires, winter weather, chemical spills or releases, disease outbreaks, releases of biological agents, explosions involving nuclear or radiological sources, and many other hazards. Many types of emergencies can be anticipated in the planning process, which can help employers and workers plan for other unpredictable situations.

The Emergency Preparedness and Response landing page provides a listing of all of the specific hazards for which the Agency currently has information available on its website, as well as links to general emergency preparedness and response guidance.

What are OSHA's requirements for emergencies?

Some key OSHA requirements for emergencies can be found in the following sections of standards for general industry ( 29 CFR 1910 ), construction ( 29 CFR 1926 ), and maritime ( 29 CFR 1915 , 1917 , and 1918 ). The table may not list all standards that apply to all situations.

The following table is best viewed on a tablet or pc.

Additional OSHA standards may apply. The OSHA Law & Regulations web page provides a complete list of OSHA standards by industry.

What other OSHA standards address emergency planning requirements?

Several OSHA standards address emergency planning requirements, including 29 CFR 1910.38 ; 29 CFR 1926.35 ; Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response (HAZWOPER) ( 29 CFR 1910.120(q) ); Fire Brigades ( 29 CFR 1910.156 ); and Permit-Required Confined Spaces ( 29 CFR 1910.146(k) , 29 CFR 1926.1211). OSHA Publication 3122, Principal Emergency Response and Preparedness Requirements in OSHA Standards and Guidance for Safety and Health Problems , provides a broad overview of emergency planning requirements in OSHA standards.

Employers should also be familiar with the consensus standards of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) , American National Standards Institute (ANSI) , and other standards-setting organizations, as these may provide additional recommendations and requirements about emergency planning. The NFPA develops, publishes, and disseminates hundreds of consensus codes and standards intended to minimize the possibility and effects of fire and other risks. Virtually every building, process, service, design, and installation in society today is affected by NFPA documents. NFPA codes and standards are adopted and used throughout the world. For more information about NFPA and their codes and standards, visit their website at www.nfpa.org .

What is an emergency action plan?

An emergency action plan (EAP) is intended to facilitate and organize employer and worker actions during workplace emergencies and is recommended for all employers. Well-developed emergency plans and proper worker training (i.e., so that workers understand their roles and responsibilities within the plan) will result in fewer and less severe worker injuries and less damage to the facility during emergencies. A poorly prepared plan may lead to a disorganized evacuation or emergency response, resulting in confusion, injury, illness (due to chemical, biological and/or radiation exposure), and/or property damage.

Two OSHA standards ( 29 CFR 1910.38(a) and 29 CFR 1926.35 ) require written EAPs. Not all employers are required to establish an EAP (see section titled "Am I required to have an Emergency Action Plan (EAP)" to see if your business is required), but developing an EAP is a good way to protect workers and businesses during an emergency. Emergency preparedness is a well-known concept in protecting workers' safety and health.

Putting together a comprehensive emergency action plan involves conducting a hazard assessment to determine what, if any, physical or chemical hazards inside or from outside the workplaces could cause an emergency. The plan should describe how workers will respond to different types of emergencies, taking into account specific worksite layouts, structural features, and emergency systems. If there is more than one worksite, each site should have an emergency action plan.

Most organizations find it beneficial to include a diverse group of representatives (management, workers, local health departments and agencies, and public safety officials/members) in this planning process and to meet frequently to review progress and allocate development tasks. Outside representatives from federal, state and local agencies may be able to assist organizations with incorporating other requirements or guidelines into their EAPs. The commitment and support of all workers and employers is critical to the plan's success in the event of an emergency; ask for worker input in developing and implementing an EAP. For smaller organizations with 10 or fewer workers, the plan does not need to be written and may be communicated orally (General Industry Standard - 29 CFR 1910.38(b) , Construction Industry Standard - 29 CFR 1926.35(e)(3) ).

Am I required to have an Emergency Action Plan (EAP)?

Workplaces covered by the following standards may be required to have an EAP :

• Process Safety Management of Highly Hazardous Chemicals (in general industry, 29 CFR 1910.119 ; in construction, 29 CFR 1926.64 )
• Fixed Extinguishing Systems, General ( 29 CFR 1910.160 )
• Fire Detection Systems ( 29 CFR 1910.164 )
• Grain Handling ( 29 CFR 1910.272 )
• Ethylene Oxide ( 29 CFR 1910.1047 )
• Methylenedianiline (in general industry, 29 CFR 1910.1050 ; in construction, 29 CFR 1926.60 )
• 1,3-Butadiene ( 29 CFR 1910.1051 )

Under OSHA's fire extinguisher standard, 29 CFR 1910.157 , an EAP is required if the employer:

• wishes to comply with only paragraphs (e) and (f) of the standard when providing extinguishers that are not intended for employee use, or
• when the employer does not provide extinguishers and intends to totally evacuate the workplace on the sounding of the fire alarm.

If you are still unsure about whether you are required to have an EAP, use OSHA's Expert System to help you determine your EAP requirements.

At a minimum, for businesses that are required to have an emergency action plan (EAP), the plan must include:

• A preferred method and/or procedures for reporting fires and other emergencies ( 29 CFR 1910.38(c)(1) and 29 CFR 1926.35(b)(5) );
• Emergency escape procedures and route assignments, such as floor plans, workplace maps, and safe or refuge areas (example shown below) ( 29 CFR 1910.38(c)(2) and 29 CFR 1926.35(b)(1) );
• Procedures to account for all workers after an evacuation, such as designating an assembly location (e.g., a safe/refuge area) (29 CFR 1910.38(b)(4) and 29 CFR 1926.35(b)(3));

• Names, titles, departments, and telephone numbers of individuals both within and outside the company to contact for additional information or explanation of duties and responsibilities under the emergency plan ( 29 CFR 1910.38(c)(6) and 29 CFR 1926.35(b)(6) );
• Procedures for workers who remain to perform or shut down critical plant operations, operate fire extinguishers, or perform other essential services that cannot be shut down for every emergency alarm before evacuating ( 29 CFR 1910.38(c)(3) and 29 CFR 1926.35(b)(2) ); and
• Rescue and medical duties for any workers designated to perform them ( 29 CFR 1910.38(c)(5) and 29 CFR 1926.35(b)(4) ).

In addition, although not specifically required by OSHA's EAP standard, other emergency preparedness actions include:

• Posting emergency numbers in the workplace for the fire brigade, fire department, and other appropriate emergency responders;
• Inviting external emergency responders to tour the facility to learn about hazards, the facility’s processes, protective features and systems, and proper actions to take (or not to take) during emergencies. Tours should account for different shifts of firefighters;
• Coordinating tours for volunteer firefighters at times that accommodate their work schedules;
• Arranging training drills for responders and facility personnel to practice emergency procedures together;
• Designating a facility liaison to coordinate with emergency responders and keep them updated if hazards or processes change;
• Designating one or more emergency contact persons that are knowledgeable of the facility’s hazards and processes and ensure their contact information is quickly accessible during emergencies;
• Designating staff responsible to inventory and maintain emergency equipment and supplies;
• Including a description of the alarm system in the emergency plan to be used to notify workers (including disabled workers) to evacuate and/or take other actions. The alarms used for different actions should be distinctive and might include horn blasts, sirens, or even public address systems;
• Identifying the site of an alternative facility for communications to be used in the event the primary facility is inaccessible because of emergencies, such as a fire or explosion; and
• Storing original or duplicate copies of accounting records, legal documents, worker emergency contact lists, building plans, HAZMAT lists, and other essential records at a secure on-site or off-site location.

How to alert workers of an emergency?

If a business is required to have an EAP, the plan must include a way to alert workers, including disabled workers, to evacuate or take other action (see 29 CFR 1910.38(d) and 29 CFR 1926.35(c) ). These standards require:

• Employers to ensure that alarms are distinctive and recognized by all workers as a signal to evacuate the work area or perform actions identified in the plan; and
• Alarms to be able to be heard, seen, or otherwise perceived by everyone in the workplace. Local fire codes require an auxiliary power supply in the event that electricity is shut off. ( 29 CFR 1910.165(b)(2) offers requirements for alarms.)

The EAP must also state how employees are to report emergencies. Employers should consider making available an emergency communication system, such as a public address system, portable radios, or other communications tools to assist in contacting local law enforcement, the fire brigade (if provided), the fire service (e.g., local fire department), and others. These communication systems may also serve as additional means of notifying workers of an emergency. Employers should also provide an updated list of key personnel such as the plant manager or physician, in order of priority, to notify in the event of an emergency during off-duty hours.

The Employee Alarm Systems standard ( 29 CFR 1910.165 ) is also aimed at ensuring alarms are able to be perceived by all workers at a worksite, including those with physical impairments (see OSHA's 1990 interpretation of the standard). Accordingly:

• Use visual devices to alert hearing-impaired workers (in addition to audible devices); and
• Use tactile devices to alert visually-impaired workers (in addition to audible and visual devices).

Emergency Plan and Evacuation Coordinators

When drafting an emergency action plan, consider selecting a responsible individual to lead and coordinate the emergency plan and evacuation. It is critical that workers know who the coordinator is and understand that the coordinator has the authority to make decisions during emergencies.

The Coordinator should be responsible for:

• Assessing the situation to determine whether an emergency exists and if so, requiring activation of emergency procedures;
• Supervising all emergency efforts in the area, including evacuating personnel;
• Ensuring that external emergency services, such as the local fire department or emergency medical service, are available and notified when necessary; and coordinating these services when they arrive on site; and
• Directing the shutdown of plant operations when required;
• Ensuring that only trained workers use portable fire extinguishers;
• Ensuring that routes for emergency vehicles and paths for emergency responder access are clear;
• Informing arriving emergency responders of the incident location, conditions, and status of occupants; and
• Having knowledgeable workers available to advise emergency responders.

It may be beneficial to coordinate the action plan with other employers that share the worksite, although OSHA standards do not specifically require this.

Evacuation Wardens

In addition to a coordinator, designate and train workers as evacuation wardens to help move workers from danger to safe areas during an emergency (see 29 CFR 1910.38(e) and 1926.35(e)(1) ). Generally, one warden for every 20 workers should be adequate, and the appropriate number of wardens should be available at all times during working hours.

Workers (e.g. coordinators or wardens) designated to assist in emergency evacuation procedures should be trained in the complete workplace layout and various alternative escape routes. All workers should be made aware of workers with special needs who may require extra assistance; how to use the buddy system (i.e., procedure where two people, the "buddies", operate together as a single unit so that they are able to monitor and help each other); and hazardous areas to avoid during an emergency evacuation.

What type of training do workers need?

• Educate workers about the types of emergencies that may occur and train them in the proper course of action. The size of the workplace and workforce, processes used, materials handled, and the availability of on-site or outside resources will determine the specific training requirements.
• Ensure that all workers understand the function and elements of the emergency action plan, including types of potential emergencies, reporting procedures, alarm systems, evacuation plans, and shutdown procedures.
• Discuss any special hazards on site such as flammable materials, toxic chemicals, radioactive sources, or water-reactive substances.
• Clearly identify and communicate to workers specifically who will be in charge during an emergency to minimize confusion.

Topics for worker training:

• Individual roles and responsibilities;
• Threats, hazards, and protective actions;
• Notification, warning, and communications procedures;
• Means for contacting family members in an emergency;
• Any special tasks that workers may be called upon to perform during an emergency (if applicable);
• Evacuation, shelter, and accountability procedures;
• Location and use of common emergency equipment;
• Who is authorized to perform emergency shutdown procedures (if any);
• First-aid procedures;
• Protection against bloodborne pathogens (also see the Bloodborne Pathogens standard, 29 CFR 1910.1030 );
• Respiratory protection (also see the Respiratory Protection standards, 29 CFR 1910.134 and 29 CFR 1926.103 ); and
• Methods for preventing unauthorized access to the site.

After reviewing the emergency action plan with workers and ensuring everyone has completed the proper training, it is a good idea to hold practice drills as often as necessary to keep workers prepared. It is also a good idea to include outside resources, such as fire and police departments, in the practice drills whenever possible. After each drill, employers should: gather management and workers together to evaluate the effectiveness of the drill; identify the strengths and weaknesses of the plan; and ways to improve the plan.

How often to train workers?

Review the plan with all workers and consider requiring annual training on the plan. Also conduct training after:

• Development of the initial plan;
• Hiring of new workers;
• Introduction of new equipment, materials, or processes into the workplace that affect evacuation routes;
• Reassignment of workers or changing their job duties;
• Change of layout or design of the facility; and
• Revision or updating of emergency procedures.

Worker Protection during High-Hazard and/or Unique Emergency Operations

During high-hazard or other unique emergency operations, an employer should work with the incident commander*, unified command staff*, and other health and safety personnel to limit worker exposures to all hazards through a combination of engineering and administrative controls and safe work practices, supplemented by PPE (personal protective equipment).

*See the DHS/FEMA National Incident Management System (NIMS) page for guidance on implementing the ICS during an actual emergency response.

Employers should work with emergency response organizations in their jurisdictions to ensure the organizations are prepared to respond to and safely perform needed rescue operations that may pose unique or particularly hazardous conditions for emergency responders. This may include preparing, training, and exercising capabilities for response and rescue operations at steep angles or heights, or in the presence of chemical or other hazards such as in pits, tanks, manholes, boilers, furnaces, silos, hoppers, vaults, pipes, ducts, and bins or on slopes, communication towers, or other tall structures, including those under construction; in confined spaces, trenches, or underground; and over, near, or in water of various depths. Such operations may require special engineering and administrative controls, work practices, and PPE to protect emergency response and recovery workers.

Additional Resources

How to Plan for Workplace Emergencies and Evacuations , Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), U.S. Department of Labor (DOL).

Booklet to help employers and workers plan for evacuations following emergencies or disasters.

Emergency Response Resources , National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

Numerous emergency preparedness and response resources for business owners and managers, including links to:

• Management planning guides
• Facility protection instructions
• Emergency contacts

Prepare Your Workplace and Employees . American Red Cross (ARC). Website of the American Red Cross which links to resources on personal emergency kits, emergency planning, and communications.

Prepare Your Workplace . American Red Cross (ARC). The American Red Cross Ready Rating™, a first-of-its-kind membership program designed to help businesses, organizations and schools become better prepared for emergencies. Members join this free, self-paced program and complete a 123-point self-assessment of your business’ level of preparedness to identify areas for improvement.

Get Started: Emergency Preparedness Checklist for Small Business . American Red Cross (ARC).

Having an emergency preparedness plan in place is as important to the survival of your small business as your business plan. Ask yourself the questions in this checklist to help you get back in business after a disaster.

Preparedness Planning for Your Business . Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Includes specific suggestions for protecting businesses from disasters by taking precautionary actions, planning drills, and getting supplies. The resources includes several downloadable checklists, plans, and discussion topics.

Among the topics covered are:

• Emergency planning
• Involving workers in emergency planning and practices
• Protecting physical assets

Disaster Preparedness , Small Business Administration (SBA).

SBA publications on such topics as:

• Preparing a small business for disaster
• Planning to cut disaster recovery time, expense
• Disaster assistance

It also has a list of other websites that offer assistance in disaster planning and response for small businesses.

National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 1600, Standard on Disaster/Emergency Management and Business Continuity Programs , NFPA, 2013 Edition.

The NFPA 1600 standard establishes a common set of criteria for all hazards disaster/emergency management and business continuity programs. The emergency management and business continuity community comprises many different entities, including the government at distinct levels (e.g., federal, state/provincial, territorial, tribal, indigenous, and local levels); business and industry; nongovernmental organizations; and individual citizens. Each of these entities has its own focus, unique missions and responsibilities, varied resources and capabilities, and operating principles and procedures. Provisions of the standard cover the development, implementation, assessment, and maintenance of programs for prevention, mitigation, preparedness, response, continuity, and recovery.

National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 1620, Standard for Pre-Incident Planning , NFPA, 2015.

The NFPA 1620 standard provides criteria for developing pre-incident plans to help responders effectively manage emergencies so as to maximize protection for occupants, responding personnel, property, and the environment. It is a comprehensive guide covering the pre-incident planning process, physical and site considerations, occupant considerations, water supplies and fire protection systems, special hazards, emergency operations, and pre-incident plan testing and maintenance. Annexes contain case histories and information addressing special or unique characteristics of specific occupancy classifications, as well as sample forms for pre-incident planning.

Emergency evacuations are more common than many people realize, including evacuations in the workplace. According to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the most frequent causes of evacuations in the U.S. each year are fires and floods. In addition, a wide variety of emergencies, both man-made and natural, may require a workplace to be evacuated. These emergencies may include explosions, earthquakes, hurricanes, tornadoes, hazardous/toxic material releases, radiological and biological accidents, civil disturbances and workplace violence.

Emergency Evacuation is the immediate and urgent movement of people away from a threat or actual occurrence of a hazard.

This web page provides workers and employers guidance on planning for safe evacuations and shelter-in-place procedures during emergencies that may affect their workplace.

Deciding whether to shelter-in-place or evacuate to safety (i.e., get away from a threat or hazard) is among the most important decisions that must be made during an emergency. Employers should understand and plan for both scenarios. In any emergency, the local authorities may or may not be able to provide information immediately to assess the situation. Employers should consider how the situation might impact workers sheltering-in-place at a job site versus workers attempting to evacuate to safety.

If local authorities or the on-scene coordinator (e.g., incident commander or other official in charge) specifically give instructions to evacuate or seek medical treatment, do so immediately. In very hazardous situations, local officials may require mandatory evacuations. During other times, local officials may advise, or workers and employers may decide, to evacuate to avoid situations they believe are potentially dangerous.

Watch TV, listen to the radio, or check the Internet often for information or official instructions as it becomes available. Additionally, specific instructions and guidance from local officials may also be provided through mass media, sirens or other public address/alert systems, text alerts, emails, or telephone calls.

Develop a Plan Ahead of Time

Many disasters are no-notice events, meaning that there is no warning before they occur. These types of events do not allow time for people to gather even the most basic necessities. Therefore, pre-planning is critical.

Workers may need to be trained to respond differently to different threats. For example, workers may be required to assemble in one area inside the workplace if threatened by a tornado or on an adjacent highway if threatened by a chemical spill. Moreover, a fire may require workers to evacuate to a pre-determined exterior location.

Emergency evacuation plans are developed to ensure the safest and most efficient evacuation. The evacuation plan must identify when and how workers are to respond to different types of emergencies. When developing the plan, it is important to ask questions and plan for worst-case scenarios. What would happen if the worksite caught fire, the nearby river flooded, or a chemical release occurred in the facility?

When developing an emergency action plan , it is important to determine:

• Conditions under which an evacuation would be necessary
• Conditions under which it may be better to shelter-in-place
• A clear chain of command and designation of the person in the workplace authorized to order an evacuation or shutdown
• Specific evacuation procedures, including routes and exits

For Workers

For employers.

• Specific evacuation procedures on construction sites or non-fixed facilities
• Procedures for assisting visitors and workers to evacuate
• Designation of which, if any, workers will remain after the evacuation alarm to shut down critical operations or perform other duties before evacuating
• A means of accounting for workers after an evacuation
• Special equipment for workers, such as appropriate respiratory protection
• Appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE)
• Procedures that address special needs workers, such as those that may have physical limitations
• Any special actions for evacuation during an active shooter or other dangerous intruder situation

An Emergency Action Plan (EAP) is a written document required by some OSHA standards (including 29 CFR 1910.38(a) and 29 CFR 1926.35 ) to help facilitate and organize employer and employee actions during workplace emergencies. See OSHA's Emergency Action Plan Checklist for more assistance in developing an EAP.

When to Evacuate

The emergency evacuation plan should identify the different types of situations that will require an evacuation of the workplace. As mentioned before, these may include explosions; earthquakes, hurricanes, tornadoes, and other natural disasters; releases of chemical, radioactive, or biological agents; and civil disturbances and workplace violence. The extent of evacuation may be different for different types of hazards.

The type of building employees work in may be a factor in the decision to evacuate during an emergency. Most buildings are vulnerable to the effects of disasters, such as tornadoes, earthquakes, floods, or explosions. The extent of the damage depends on the type of emergency and the building's construction. Modern factories and office buildings, for example, are framed in steel and may be more structurally sound than older structures. In a major disaster, however, nearly every type of structure will be affected. Some buildings will collapse and others will be left with weakened floors, walls, and roofs.

Evacuations during an Active Shooter or other Dangerous Intruder Situation

Active shooter and other dangerous intruder situations are unpredictable and evolve quickly. Typically, the immediate deployment of law enforcement is required to stop the shooting and mitigate harm to victims. Because active shooter situations are often over within 10 to 15 minutes, before law enforcement arrives on the scene, individuals must be prepared both mentally and physically to deal with an active shooter situation. Evacuation may be one option during an active shooter situation. This web page also describes sheltering in place during an active shooter situation in the "Shelter-in-Place" section below.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) provides the following guidance for evacuation during an active shooter situation :

If there is an accessible escape path, attempt to evacuate the premises. Be sure to:

• Have an escape route and plan in mind
• Evacuate regardless of whether others agree to follow
• Leave your belongings behind
• Help others escape, if possible
• Prevent individuals from entering an area where the active shooter may be
• Keep your hands visible
• Follow the instructions of any police officers
• Do not attempt to move wounded people
• Call 911 when you are safe

For more information, visit DHS's website for Active Shooter Preparedness.

Clear Chain of Command

It is common practice to select a responsible individual, with appropriate training or certifications, to lead and coordinate the workplace emergency plan and evacuation. It is critical that the employer ensures that the workers know the identity of the coordinator, as well as understand that the coordinator has the responsibility for making life saving decisions during an emergency. The coordinator should be responsible for assessing the situation to determine whether an emergency exists, activating the emergency procedures, overseeing emergency procedures, notifying and coordinating with outside emergency services, and directing the shutdown of utilities or plant operations, if necessary.

Routes and Exits

Most employers create floor diagrams with arrows that designate all exit route(s). These diagrams should include locations of exits, assembly points, and equipment (such as fire extinguishers, first aid kits, automated external defibrillators (AEDs), and spill kits) that may be needed in an emergency.

Exit routes must be:

• Clearly marked and well lit
• Wide enough to accommodate the number of evacuating personnel
• Unobstructed at all times
• Unlikely to expose evacuating personnel to additional hazards
• Designed to avoid potentially hazardous areas or operations

For more information on exit routes, required heights and widths for ceilings and exit routes, and door access and hinges, see Design and Construction Requirements for Exit Routes .

When preparing drawings that show evacuation routes and exits, employers should post them prominently for all workers to see. See OSHA's floor plan diagram example and OSHA's interactive floor plan demonstration for more information.

The Maintenance, Safeguards, and Operational Features for Exit Routes section of OSHA's Evacuation eTool provides additional information about exit route safety.

What should Employers Do Before and During an Emergency Evacuation?

When there is an emergency, getting workers out of buildings (including high-rise buildings) may pose challenges. Preparing in advance to safely evacuate the building is critical to the safety of workers who work there.

Before an emergency occurs:

• Employers must ensure doors are not locked from the inside and ensure that doorways, hallways, and stairways remain unobstructed or unblocked at all times (see 29 CFR 1910.36(d) and 29 CFR 1910.37(a) ).
• Regularly test all back-up systems and safety systems, such as emergency lighting and communication systems, and repair them as needed.
• Develop a workplace evacuation plan, post it prominently on each floor, and review it periodically to ensure its effectiveness.
• Identify and train floor wardens, including back-up personnel, who will be responsible for sounding alarms and helping to evacuate workers.
• Conduct emergency evacuation drills periodically.
• Establish designated meeting locations outside the building for workers to gather following an evacuation. The locations should be a safe distance from the building and in an area where people can assemble safely without interfering with emergency response teams.
• Identify personnel with special needs or disabilities who may need help evacuating and assign one or more people, including back-up personnel, to help them during an emergency.
• Ensure that during off-hour periods, systems are in place to notify, evacuate, and account for off-hour building occupants.
• Post emergency numbers on or near telephones.

Some businesses may be required to establish Emergency Action Plans meeting certain requirements (see 29 CFR 1910.38 and OSHA's compliance policy for emergency action plans and fire prevention plans, CPL 2-1.037 , for more information).

When an emergency occurs:

• Sound appropriate alarms and instruct workers to leave the building.
• Notify police, firefighters, building security, and other appropriate emergency personnel.
• Ensure a person is designated to account for workers at pre-determined meeting locations, and promptly notify emergency response personnel of any workers that are absent.
• Report to arriving responders the incident location, conditions, and the status of occupants (including any missing workers).
• Ensure that routes for emergency vehicles and paths for emergency responder access are clear.
• Inform arriving emergency responders of the incident location and conditions.
• Have knowledgeable workers available to advise emergency responders.

What should Workers Know Before and Do During an Emergency Evacuation?

What should workers know before an emergency occurs?

• Be familiar with the worksite's emergency evacuation plan.
• Know the pathway to at least two exits from every room/area at the workplace.
• Recognize the sound/signaling method of the evacuation or other alarms and their different meanings.
• Understand who to contact in an emergency, as well as the specific procedures they will be expected to use.
• Know how many desks or cubicles are between their workstations and two of the nearest exits to escape in the dark, if necessary.
• Know where the fire/evacuation alarms are located and how to use them.
• Report damaged or malfunctioning safety systems and back-up systems.
• Report changes in health that may affect their ability to safely evacuate, to their supervisor.

What should workers do when an emergency occurs?

• Listen carefully for instructions over the building's internal communication system and follow the instructions.
• When instructed, leave the area quickly, but in an orderly manner, following the work site's emergency evacuation plan.
• Do not use elevators when evacuating a burning building, unless they are properly designed and designated "occupant evacuation elevators."
• Report to the designated meeting place, and ensure they make contact with the person charged with worker accountability.
• Do not re-enter the building until directed to do so by authorities.

What should workers do if trapped?

• Stay calm and take steps to protect yourself.
• Go to a room with an outside window.
• Use a telephone/cell phone to call for help if possible.
• Stay where rescuers can see you and wave a light-colored cloth to attract attention.
• Go directly to the nearest fire- and smoke-free stairwell, recognizing that in some circumstances the only available exit route may contain smoke or fire.
• Crawl low, under the smoke, to breathe cleaner air. Test doors for heat before opening them by placing the back of your hand against the door so you do not burn your palm and fingers. Do not open a hot door. Find another exit route. Keep "fire doors" closed to slow the spread of smoke and fire.
• Stuff wet clothing, towels, or newspapers around the cracks in doors to prevent smoke from entering your room.
• Do not open or break windows unless absolutely necessary. Doing so could draw heat or smoke towards you.

This section covers only some of the basic considerations for safe evacuation. High-rise buildings may have unique characteristics involving location, design, construction, and occupancy to be taken into consideration. This information is not a substitute for a site-specific evacuation program nor does it detail specific OSHA or OSHA-approved State Plan standards that may be applicable to individual work sites.

OSHA's " Evacuating High-Rise Buildings " Fact Sheet provides all of these tips in a downloadable format.

Employers should also be familiar with the consensus standards of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and other standards-setting organizations such as the International Code Council (ICC) and the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) . These organizations provide additional recommendations and requirements on evacuations and emergency planning. Furthermore, there may be additional state and local fire and building codes that employers must follow. Visit their websites for more information.

Evacuation Procedures on Construction Sites or Non-Fixed Facilities

Typical construction site locations and the workers on such job sites are constantly changing, which in turn poses unique challenges during emergency evacuations. In this section, there are some specific emergency evacuation procedures for construction sites. An evacuation plan should meet the requirements of OSHA's Employee Emergency Action Plans standard ( 29 CFR 1926.35 ).

Construction employers subject to 29 CFR 1926.35 (including at multi-employer worksites) are required to establish a plan for the types of evacuation to be used in an emergency. Every attempt should be made to ensure that all exposed employees are safely evacuated in the event of an emergency. Employers subject to 29 CFR 1926.35 must designate and train personnel to assist in the safe and orderly emergency evacuation of employees.

All employers should ensure:

• All workers on the site are trained and aware of evacuation alarms, evacuation routes, and emergency assembly areas
• Personnel are designated who will sound the evacuation alarms
• The primary routes needed for egress and for responding emergency vehicles are not blocked
• Personnel are designated who will be responsible for making sure the job site /structure is cleared of all workers
• A head count is taken at the assembly areas to account for all workers
• Personnel are designated to notify emergency services/facilities during any emergency activity that warrants an evacuation
• Workers do not re-enter the job site/structure without clear indication that the area/facility is safe for re-entry
• Workers do not leave the job site (emergency assembly area) unless advised to do so by a designated foreman/supervisor
• Designated personnel are certified or trained in rescue and medical duties to promptly respond to identified emergencies

Effective method(s) of alerting and communicating with workers is a critical element on construction sites. These communication methods must be understood by all workers. It is recommended that employers train and drill workers (including contractors) and volunteers on these emergency communication methods and procedures to reduce injuries and fatalities, thereby saving lives on the job site.

Types of Alarm Systems that may be used on a construction site include:

• Verbal Communication
• Vehicle Horn
• Hand Signal

An emergency action plan on a construction site must be developed but may also require modification as conditions at the worksite change. All workers should be adequately trained on the importance of effective communication during emergencies, including those involving worksite evacuations. Training should be provided when the workers are initially assigned to the site and whenever there is a change on the site, which would affect the plan.

Assisting Visitors and Workers to Evacuate

Many employers designate individuals as evacuation wardens to help move workers from danger to safe areas during an emergency. Generally, one warden for every 20 workers should be adequate, and the appropriate number of wardens should be available at all times during working hours.

Wardens may be responsible for checking offices, bathrooms, and other spaces before being the last person to exit an area. They might also be tasked with ensuring that fire doors are closed when exiting. All workers designated to assist in emergency evacuation procedures should be trained in the complete workplace layout and various alternative escape routes if the primary evacuation route becomes blocked.

Workers designated to assist in emergencies should be made aware of workers with special needs (who may require extra assistance during an evacuation), how to use and instruct others to use the buddy system, and any hazardous areas to avoid during an emergency evacuation. Special tools such as evacuation chairs are available and may be used to assist workers with special needs.

Visitors also should be accounted for following an evacuation and may need additional assistance when exiting. Some employers require all visitors and contractors to sign in when entering the workplace; employers then use this list when accounting for all persons in the assembly area. The hosts and/or area wardens, if established, are often tasked with helping visitors safely evacuate.

OSHA recommends that employers coordinate their action plan with other employers that share the same worksite.

Workers Who May Remain at the Worksite Before Evacuating

Some businesses may require designated workers to remain behind briefly to operate fire extinguishers or shut down gas, electrical, and other systems or special equipment that could be damaged or create additional hazards to emergency responders (such as releasing hazardous materials) if left operating. Employers may be required to comply with OSHA's Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response (HAZWOPER) standard ( 29 CFR 1910.120 ) when workers are expected to perform shut down processes.

Each employer must review its business operations and processes and determine whether total and immediate evacuation is possible for various types of emergencies, or whether shutdown procedures are necessary. The preferred approach, and the one most often taken by small businesses, is immediate evacuation of all workers when the decision is made to evacuate. Larger industrial operations may have special fire brigades or emergency response units trained to undertake shutdown and other emergency procedures when other workers need to evacuate.

All workers remaining behind must be capable of recognizing when to abandon the operation or task and evacuate before the egress (exit) path is blocked. In small establishments, it is common to include in the plan locations where utilities (such as electrical and gas) can be shut down for all or part of the facility, by either workers or emergency response personnel.

Accounting for Workers after an Evacuation

To ensure the fastest, most accurate accountability of all workers, consider including these steps in the workplace emergency evacuation plan:

• Designate assembly areas both inside and outside the workplace. Assembly locations within the building are often referred to as "areas of refuge." Make sure that each assembly area has sufficient space to accommodate all workers reporting to it. Exterior assembly areas, used when the building must be partially or completely evacuated, are typically located in parking lots or other open areas away from busy streets. Try to designate assembly areas up-wind of the building from the most common (i.e., prevailing) wind direction. When designating an assembly area, consider (and try to minimize) the possibility of workers interfering with emergency response operations. The most effective method to evaluate potential area(s) of refuge is to conduct a pre-evacuation drill.
• Take a head count after the evacuation. Identify the names and last known locations of anyone not accounted for and pass them to the official in charge or to emergency responders. Accounting for all workers following an evacuation is critical. Confusion in the assembly areas can lead to delays in rescuing anyone trapped in the building, or unnecessary and dangerous search-and-rescue operations.
• Establish a method for accounting for non-workers, such as suppliers, clients, outside contractors, customers, and other visitors to the work site.
• Establish procedures for further evacuation in case the incident expands. This may consist of sending workers home by normal means or providing them with transportation to an off-site location.

Personal Protective Equipment during Evacuations

Workers may need PPE in order to protect themselves from hazards during an emergency evacuation. PPE must be based on the potential hazards in the workplace. Assess the workplace to determine potential hazards and identify the appropriate controls, including PPE, for those hazards. PPE may include items such as:

• Safety glasses, goggles, or face shields for eye protection
• Hard hats and safety shoes for head and foot protection
• Proper respirators*
• Chemical suits, gloves, hoods, and boots for body protection from chemicals
• Special body protection (e.g., fire-retardant clothing) for abnormal environmental conditions, such as extreme temperatures
• Any other special equipment or warning devices necessary for hazards associated with the worksite

*Respirators selected must be appropriate to the hazards in the workplace, meet OSHA standards' criteria, and be certified by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) ( 29 CFR 1910.134(d) ).

OSHA's Safety and Health Topic page on Personal Protective Equipment provides information on PPE for various hazards across a range of industries and links to relevant OSHA standards and more specific Safety and Health Topic web pages.

Shelter-in-Place

Chemical, biological, or radiological contaminants may be released into the environment in such quantity and/or proximity to a place of business that it is safer to remain indoors rather than to evacuate workers. Such releases may be either accidental or intentional.

Examples of situations that might result in a decision to institute shelter-in-place include an explosion in a nearby ammonia refrigeration facility or a derailed and leaking tank car of chlorine. In many cases, local authorities will issue advice to shelter-in-place via TV or radio.

When planning to shelter-in-place as part of an emergency plan, keep the following in mind:

Shelter-in-Place means selecting an interior room(s) within a facility, potentially with no or few windows, and taking refuge there.

• Implement a means of alerting workers to shelter-in-place that is easily distinguishable from that used to signal an evacuation.
• Train workers in the shelter-in-place procedures and their roles in implementing them.

Shelter-in-Place Procedures

Specific procedures for shelter-in-place at a worksite may include the following:

• Close the business.
• When authorities provide direction to shelter-in-place, everyone should do so immediately. Do not drive or walk outdoors.
• If there are clients, customers, or visitors in the building, provide for their safety by asking them to stay, not leave.
• Unless there is an imminent threat, ask workers, clients, customers, and visitors to call their emergency contact to let them know where they are and that they are safe.
• Turn on call-forwarding or alternative telephone answering systems or services. If the business has voice mail or an automated attendant, change the recording to indicate that the business is currently closed, and that staff and visitors are remaining in the building until authorities advise that it is safe to leave.
• Close exterior doors and close windows, air vents, and fireplace dampers. Workers familiar with the building's mechanical systems should turn off all fans, heating and air conditioning systems, and clothes dryers. Some systems automatically provide for exchange of inside air with outside air. These systems, in particular, need to be turned off, sealed, or disabled.
• If sheltering in place due to an external threat, such as a dangerous intruder or active shooter situation, consider locking exterior doors. Ensure that locking mechanisms allow workers to exit the work site if necessary.
• If there is danger of explosion, close the window shades, blinds, or curtains.
• Ensure workers are positioned away from exterior windows, and seek shelter in areas that offer adequate protection.
• Gather essential disaster supplies, such as nonperishable food, bottled water, battery-powered radios, first-aid supplies, flashlights, batteries, duct tape, plastic sheeting, plastic garbage bags, medications, and other personal items.
• Select an interior room(s) above the ground floor (selecting a room above ground floor does not apply to tornadoes or hurricanes), with the fewest windows or vents. The room(s) should have adequate space for everyone to be able to sit. Avoid overcrowding by selecting several rooms if necessary. Large storage closets, utility rooms, pantries, copy rooms and conference rooms without exterior windows are ideal. Avoid selecting a room with mechanical equipment like ventilation blowers or pipes, because this equipment may not be able to be sealed from the outdoors.
• It is ideal to have a hard-wired telephone in the room(s) selected. Call emergency contacts and have the phone available if there is a need to report a life-threatening condition. Cellular telephone equipment may be overwhelmed or damaged during an emergency.
• Take emergency supplies and go into the designated room. Seal all windows, doors, and vents with plastic sheeting and duct tape or anything else on hand.
• Consider pre-cutting plastic sheeting (heavier than food wrap) to seal windows, doors, and air vents. Each piece should be several inches larger than the space to be covered so that it lies flat against the surrounding surface (e.g., wall, ceiling). Label each piece with the location of where it fits.
• Write down the names of everyone in the room, and call designated emergency contacts to report who is in the room and their affiliation (employee, visitor, client, customer).
• Listen to the radio, watch television, or use the Internet for further instructions until it is safe or until instructed to evacuate. Local officials may call for evacuation in specific areas at greatest risk in the community.

Employers should also be familiar with the consensus standards of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and other standards-setting organizations such as the International Code Council (ICC) and the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) . These organizations provide additional recommendations and requirements on shelter-in-place and emergency planning. Furthermore, there may be additional state and local fire and building codes that you must follow. Visit their websites for more information.

Additional Information and Resources:

Evacuations.

• Evacuation Guidelines for Families . Ready.gov, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
• Basic Guidelines and steps to help individuals to plan for emergencies, including steps for evacuation. American Red Cross (ARC).
• Safety Checklist Programs for Schools . National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Online resources with ready-to-fill templates for designing an emergency action plan for a facility which covers: Emergency Personnel, Evacuation Routes, Emergency Phone numbers, Utility Company Emergency Contacts, Emergency Reporting and Evacuation Procedures for Medical, and Fire emergencies, Extended Power Loss, Chemical Spill, Structure Climbing/Descending emergencies, Bomb-Threat Checklist, Severe Weather and Natural Disaster emergencies. (Developed by Lewis Payton, Auburn University, AL; used with permission.)
• Emergency Evacuation Planning Guide for People with Disabilities . National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). Developed with input from the disability community to provide general information on evacuation planning for people with disabilities. In addition to providing information on the five general categories of disabilities (mobility impairments, visual impairments, hearing impairments, speech impairments, and cognitive impairments), the Guide outlines the four elements of evacuation information that occupants need: notification, way finding, use of the way, and assistance. Also included is a Personal Emergency Evacuation Planning Checklist that building services managers and people with disabilities can use to design a personalized evacuation plan. The annexes give government resources and text based on the relevant code requirements and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) criteria.
• Accessible Means of Egress . U.S. Access Board. This guide explains requirements in the ADA Standards and referenced sections of the International Building Code (IBC) and was developed in cooperation with the International Code Council.
• Active Shooter - How to Respond . U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Preparing for and managing an active shooter situation including guidelines for evacuation.

Shelter-In-Place

• Design Guidance for Shelters and Safe Rooms (Publication 453). U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Covers a range of protective options, from low-cost expedient protection (what is commonly referred to as sheltering-in-place) to safe rooms ventilated and pressurized with air purified by ultra-high-efficiency filters. These safe rooms protect against toxic gases, vapors, and aerosols (finely divided solid or liquid particles).
• Learn How to Shelter in Place . Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). This page provides additional information on ways to shelter-in-place.
• Fact Sheet on Shelter-in-Place . American Red Cross (ARC).
• Chemical Stockpile Emergency Preparedness Program (CSEPP) . Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Describes the Chemical Stockpile Emergency Preparedness Program (CSEPP) as a unique partnership between FEMA and the U.S. Army, given FEMA's long-standing experience in preparing for and dealing with all types of emergencies and the U.S. Army's role as custodian of the U.S. chemical stockpile.

Assistance for Small Businesses

OSHA's On-site Consultation Program offers free and confidential advice to small and medium-sized businesses in all states across the country, with priority given to high-hazard worksites. On-site Consultation services are separate from enforcement and do not result in penalties or citations. Consultants from state agencies or universities work with employers to identify workplace hazards, provide advice on compliance with OSHA standards, and assist in establishing injury and illness prevention programs. To locate the OSHA On-site Consultation Program nearest you, call 1-800-321-6742 (OSHA) or visit the small business web page .

OSHA State Plans

There are twenty-eight OSHA-approved State Plans , operating state-wide occupational safety and health programs. State Plans are required to have standard and enforcement programs that are at least as effective as OSHA's and may have different or more stringent requirements.

Response organizations (i.e., entities responding to an emergency) typically have ways to protect their workers from foreseeable emergencies. However, some emergencies or disasters overwhelm the safety and health capabilities of response organizations because of the severity of the hazards, the geographic area, and/or the number of workers needed for the response. When large-scale emergencies occur, OSHA can be a critical resource to help response and recovery organizations protect their workers

OSHA's primary authority comes from powers assigned to the Secretary of Labor in the Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Act of 1970 (Pub. L. 91-596). OSHA standards are codified in various parts of Title 29 of the Code of Federal Regulations. The OSHA Law & Regulations page provides additional information about the OSH Act and OSHA standards.

While the OSH Act itself generally applies to private sector employers, it allows states to assume responsibility for occupational safety and health for private sector employers and workers, as well as state and local employers and workers in the state.

OSHA can be activated by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to lead implementation of the National Response Framework (NRF) Worker Safety and Health Support Annex to protect the safety and health of response and recovery workers. Under this Annex, OSHA has the authority to provide technical assistance and support to local, state, federal, tribal, territorial, and insular area agencies.

OSHA and the cooperating agencies listed in the Worker Safety and Health Support Annex can assist such agencies with:

• risk assessment and management
• identification, assessment, and control of health and safety hazards
• development and oversight of health and safety plans (HASPs)
• worker exposure monitoring, sampling, and analysis
• personal protective equipment (PPE) program development and implementation, including monitoring, selection, fit-testing (e.g., for respirators), and decontamination
• incident-specific worker safety and health training
• communication of safety and health information to workers and employers

Under the National Contingency Plan , OSHA, as the Department of Labor's representative on the National Response Team (NRT) and Regional Response Teams (RRT) , provides technical assistance and support, resources, and coordination on preparedness, planning, response and recovery activities for emergencies involving hazardous substances, pollutants and contaminants, oil, and weapons of mass destruction in natural and technological disasters and other environmental incidents of national significance. Section 300.175 of the National Contingency Plan details OSHA's responsibilities under the plan.

OSHA Resource

The " Emergency Response: Protecting Worker Safety and Health Under the National Response Framework " QuickCard™ describes OSHA's activities during emergency response operations.

As disaster response efforts transition to recovery work, the National Disaster Recovery Framework (NDRF) provides context for how the whole community—including OSHA—works together to restore, redevelop and revitalize the health, social, economic, natural and environmental fabric of the community.

Under the authority of the OSH Act and the other planning frameworks in which it operates, described above, OSHA can provide coordination, technical assistance, and support from the National Office in Washington, DC, regional offices, and area offices across the nation. Additionally, OSHA has a Specialized Response Team (SRT) that maintains and rapidly deploys with special response equipment and incident management skills, and provides technical expertise in worker protection during incidents. Specific technical expertise and support capabilities of the SRT include: toxic chemicals (including chemical warfare agents), biological agents, ionizing and non-ionizing radiation, collapsed structures, demolition, and other construction-type activities.

During disaster response and recovery operations, even when OSHA is operating in a technical assistance and support mode, OSHA standards remain in effect and OSHA retains its ability to enforce the OSHA standards under the OSH Act. Enforcement of OSHA standards follows the jurisdiction in place before the emergency, such as in states operating OSHA-approved occupational safety and health programs called State Plans. There are 28 states and U.S. territories with OSHA State Plans . State Plans have and enforce their own occupational safety and health standards that are required to be at least as effective as OSHA's but may have different or additional requirements. OSHA's federal offices provide coordination, technical assistance, support services, and oversight in all 50 states, U.S. territories, and the District of Columbia.

OSHA's On-site Consultation Program offers free and confidential advice to small and medium-sized businesses in all states across the country, with priority given to high-hazard worksites. On-site Consultation services are separate from enforcement and do not result in penalties or citations. Consultants from state agencies or universities work with employers to identify workplace hazards, provide advice on compliance with OSHA standards, and assist in establishing injury and illness prevention programs. To locate the OSHA On-site Consultation Program nearest you, call 1-800-321-OSHA (3742) or visit OSHA's small business web page .

Additionally, OSHA Compliance Assistance Specialists , located in OSHA area offices throughout the nation, can provide information to workers and employers about OSHA standards, educational programs on specific hazards or OSHA rights and responsibilities, and additional compliance assistance resources. Compliance Assistance Specialists also promote OSHA's training resources and the tools available on the OSHA web site.

Note: This page discusses Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for emergency response and recovery workers, particularly those responding to natural disaster and chemical (including oil), biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) events. The page is not intended to address PPE for all emergency response situations, including certain operations specific to law enforcement, firefighting, and emergency medical personnel.

Introduction to PPE for Emergency Response Workers

Worker exposures to many types of hazards can be prevented or minimized by using engineering controls, administrative controls, and safe work practices. When controls are not feasible, or when such controls are insufficient to reduce worker exposures to certain hazards to or below safe levels (e.g., an OSHA permissible exposure limit [PEL] or other recognized limit), employers must ensure that their workers are provided at no cost and correctly use appropriate PPE. PPE is only one component of a comprehensive worker protection program, and, by itself, does not eliminate a hazard. For PPE to be effective, workers must properly put on, use, and take off appropriate equipment.

Employers of emergency response and recovery workers are responsible for ensuring that their workers have and properly use PPE when necessary. PPE can include respiratory protection, protective clothing, and protective barriers used to protect workers from exposure to chemical (including oil), biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) materials and other hazards. The selection of PPE is based on anticipated hazards and PPE selection may need to be modified as a result of monitoring and assessing actual working conditions. In planning for worker PPE needs, employers should consider the full range of a particular hazard a worker may experience (e.g., respirator cartridges suitable for both chemical and particulate exposures even if workers may only need protection from particulates most of the time).

Different types and levels of PPE may be used depending on the specific hazard or hazards present. PPE also may be needed to protect workers from other hazards, such as electric shock hazards or hazards associated with exposures to hazardous substances that may be encountered during emergency response and recovery operations.

The following are some of the important steps employers with emergency response and recovery workers need to take with respect to PPE:

• Conduct a hazard assessment to determine what safety and health hazards workers may encounter;
• Follow the hierarchy of controls—including elimination/substitution and engineering, work practice, and administrative controls—before relying on PPE to protect workers;
• Determine what PPE workers need;
• Provide the proper PPE to workers;
• Train workers in the proper use of PPE, including how to put it on and take it off correctly, and how to clean, maintain and dispose of it after or between uses;
• Ensure that PPE is used properly and whenever necessary;
• Provide medical exams and/or fit testing, as required by OSHA standards, prior to using certain types of PPE (e.g., respirators); and
• Regularly review and update the PPE program as hazards change.

It is crucial that employers plan in advance of an emergency for the PPE needs of their workers. During and immediately after an emergency, there may be limited supplies of PPE available for purchase, so it is important to have the necessary PPE on hand in advance. In an emergency situation, employers may have little or no time to train or fit workers (e.g., perform fit testing for respirators) for certain types of equipment, so it can be critical to have those tasks completed before an emergency occurs.

Selecting PPE for Emergency Response Workers

In selecting PPE for workers, employers should match the PPE to a worker's specific job tasks and working conditions. Select PPE based on a thorough hazard assessment at the worksite. Consider the durability of PPE materials, such as tear resistance and seam strength, in relation to the worker's tasks. Evaluate other aspects of PPE use, including its impact on heat stress, length of time a worker is able to wear a specific combination of equipment, the physical condition of the worker, demands of the specific work activity, and any effects on worker mobility or dexterity. In some cases, layers of PPE may be necessary to provide sufficient protection.

Combinations or ensembles of PPE are classified generally into four levels, ranging from the most protective (Level A) to the least protective (Level D). Each level of PPE, described in the table below and detailed in Appendix B of the Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response (HAZWOPER) standard (29 CFR 1910.120), consists of a combination of protective equipment and clothing that help reduce respiratory, eye, skin, and other types of exposures. The table includes a description of the respiratory protection devices associated with each PPE level. However, respiratory protection also is discussed in greater detail in the "Respiratory Protection" [anchor link to section below] section of this page.

Four Levels of PPE

In addition to items listed in the table above, other types of PPE may be added, including but not limited to eye protection, hearing protection, fall and falling object protection, high visibility clothing, or U.S. Coast Guard-approved personal flotation devices, depending on anticipated hazards and specific worker tasks. OSHA's Safety and Health Topic page on Personal Protective Equipment provides information on PPE for various hazards across a range of industries, and links to relevant OSHA standards and more specific Safety and Health Topics web pages. These pages may help employers and workers identify the types of PPE necessary to prevent and reduce exposure to specific chemical, biological, radiological, electrical, and physical hazards.

Employers should also be familiar with the consensus standards of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and other standards-setting organizations, as these may provide additional recommendations about PPE selection and use.

During an emergency involving a release of a hazardous substance, emergency response workers conducting operations outside of the contaminated areas, but who are anticipated to have contact with contaminated victims, may require Level C or D PPE. PPE selection may depend on a worker's anticipated proximity to the contamination zone perimeter, as well as anticipated contact with other potential sources of contamination (e.g., victims, other workers, or materials and equipment coming from contaminated areas). These workers may include healthcare professionals in hospitals or clinics receiving and treating patients from the site of an emergency or the surrounding contaminated areas. The OSHA Best Practices for Hospital-Based First Receivers of Victims document provides guidance in this area. Appendix B of the HAZWOPER standard ( 29 CFR 1910.120 ) also provides information about PPE levels and compliance with PPE requirements during emergency response operations.

Whenever an emergency event involves environmental contamination, the incident commander or unified command staff should communicate to workers and employers the boundaries between contaminated and uncontaminated areas. Employers should be aware that movement of workers, equipment, and members of the public between contaminated and uncontaminated areas may result in low levels of contamination outside of established boundaries.

Additional resources for assistance with PPE selection include:

• Emergency Response Resources: Personal Protective Equipment . Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).
• OSHA/NIOSH Interim Guidance: Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (CBRN) Personal Protective Equipment Selection Matrix for Emergency Responders . Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), U.S. Department of Labor; and National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).
• Guidance documents for protecting responders . National Personal Protective Technology Laboratory (NPPTL), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

If workers provide their own protective equipment, employers must ensure that the equipment is adequate to protect the worker from hazards at the worksite and properly used at all times. Employers also must ensure that the equipment is properly maintained and decontaminated after/between use(s). Paragraph (h) of the Respiratory Protection standard ( 29 CFR 1910.134 ) and paragraphs (a) and (b) of the PPE standard ( 29 CFR 1910.132 ) outline this requirement.

Respiratory Protection

Operations that expose workers to harmful levels of particulates, chemical vapors, biological agents, and other airborne contaminants require implementation of a comprehensive respiratory protection program that meets the requirements of the Respiratory Protection standard ( 29 CFR 1910.134 ). Respiratory protection may also be necessary if workers must pass through or may encounter toxic atmospheres (such as dust, mists, gases, or vapors) or oxygen-deficient areas, including while conducting rescue operations and during evacuations. Respiratory protection programs require fit testing and training for workers, medical evaluation and monitoring and selection of appropriate respirators (and cartridges, if required).

Several categories of respiratory protection devices (i.e., respirators) are available to protect workers from inhalation hazards. The table below describes some of these categories.

Use respiratory protection specifically approved by NIOSH for CBRN exposures during such events, if possible. If NIOSH-approved CBRN-specific respirators are not available, the incident commander may allow alternative NIOSH-approved respirators. The table of assigned protection factors (Table 1) of the Respiratory Protection standard (29 CFR 1910.134) may help employers select appropriate respirators for particular operations.

Specifically for CBRN events, there is additional guidance on respiratory requirements in OSHA's Safety and Health Information Bulletin on CBRN Escape Respirators (SHIB 03-08-29 (A). Also, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) has a fact sheet to help respiratory protection program administrators, safety officers, managers, and APR wearers understand the special features of a NIOSH-approved CBRN APR: What's special about Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (CBRN) air-purifying respirators (APR)?

OSHA's Respiratory Protection eTool and Respiratory Protection Safety and Health Topics web page provide additional information about selection and use of various types of air-purifying respirators and other respiratory protection equipment. Several OSHA training videos cover fit testing, maintenance and care, and other important aspects of respiratory protection program management.

Note that surgical masks are not designed or approved for protection against particulates or chemical vapors. In some situations, such as during outbreaks of communicable diseases, surgical masks may help to reduce transmission to other people when worn by infected individuals.

PPE Requirements in OSHA Standards

Emergency responses to hazardous substance releases are covered under OSHA's Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response (HAZWOPER) standard ( 29 CFR 1910.120 ). Recommended PPE in the OSHA/NIOSH PPE Selection Matrix for Emergency Responders is selected to meet the requirements of this standard and Subpart I (Personal Protective Equipment). In order to use the guidance effectively, an employer must assess the risk of a hazardous substance release to the emergency response workers and base PPE selection on that risk.

State Standards

There are 28 OSHA-approved State Plans , operating state-wide occupational safety and health programs. State Plans are required to have standard and enforcement programs that are at least as effective as OSHA's and may have different or more stringent requirements.

Section 5(a)(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Act of 1970 , often referred to as the General Duty Clause, requires employers to "furnish to each of his employees employment and a place of employment which are free from recognized hazards that are causing or are likely to cause death or serious physical harm to his employees." This section may be used to address hazards for which there are no specific standards (e.g., exposure to certain biological or chemical agents).

Paragraph 11(c) of the OSH Act prohibits employers from retaliating against workers for raising concerns about safety and health conditions. OSHA encourages workers who suffer such discrimination to submit a complaint to OSHA . Such complaints must be filed within 30 days.

Depending on the specific work task, setting, and exposure to various hazards, additional OSHA standards may also apply. The list below includes general industry standards that commonly apply to emergency response and recovery operations. However, employers in the construction ( 29 CFR 1926 ); shipyard, maritime, and longshoring ( 29 CFR 1915, 1917, and 1918 ); and agriculture ( 29 CFR 1928 ) industries should be familiar with the OSHA standards that cover their workers, including those for HAZWOPER, PPE, and respiratory protection. In particular, standards for the construction industry are likely to apply during demolition, rebuilding, and other aspects of recovery following a disaster or other emergency event.

General Industry ( 29 CFR 1910 )

• 1910.132 , General requirements [ related topics page ]
• 1910.133 , Eye and face protection [ related topics page ]
• Appendix A , Fit testing procedures (Mandatory)
• Appendix B-1 , User seal check procedures (Mandatory)
• Appendix B-2 , Respiratory cleaning procedures (Mandatory)
• Appendix C , OSHA respirator medical evaluation questionnaire (Mandatory)
• Appendix D , Information for employees using respirators when not required under standard (Mandatory)
• 1910.135 , Occupational head protection
• 1910.136 , Occupational foot protection
• 1910.137 , Electrical protective devices
• 1910.138 , Hand protection
• 1910.141 , Sanitation
• 1910.1000 , Air contaminants (also see related substance-specific standards in 1910 Subpart Z )
• Also see 29 CFR 1904 , Recording and Reporting Occupational Injuries and Illness
• 1910.1030 , Bloodborne pathogens [ related topics page ]

Worker Protection during High-Hazard Emergency Operations

Certain emergency operations may require balancing worker protection with the need to conduct critical missions, such as those necessary for life-saving or critical infrastructure protection. In these instances, an employer should work with the incident commander , unified command staff , and other health and safety personnel to limit worker exposures to all hazards through a combination of engineering and administrative controls and safe work practices, supplemented by PPE.

Emergency response organizations should coordinate with employers in their jurisdictions to ensure they are prepared to respond to and safely perform rescue operations as needed at worksites that may pose unique or particularly hazardous conditions for emergency responders. This may include preparing, training, and exercising capabilities for response and rescue operations at steep angles or heights, such as in pits, tanks, manholes, boilers, furnaces, silos, hoppers, vaults, pipes, ducts, and bins or on slopes, communication towers, or other tall structures, including those under construction; in confined spaces, trenches, or underground; and over, near, or in water of various depths. Such operations may require special engineering and administrative controls, work practices, and PPE to protect emergency response and recovery workers. Employers may need to select and provide workers with, for example, special safety harnesses, ropes or cables, and respirators and cartridges appropriate for the hazards they may encounter. As always, PPE should be used as the final level of protection in the hierarchy of engineering (e.g., ventilating equipment, barriers, shields) and administrative controls and safer work practices.

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Home » Topics » Safety » Create Your Organization’s Emergency Response Plan Today (Free Tools Inside)

Create Your Organization’s Emergency Response Plan Today (Free Tools Inside)

In an emergency, the actions you take within the first few minutes will largely dictate the severity of consequences to follow. Unexpected situations can happen at any time, which means your company needs a plan of action in order to minimize damage and loss. Learn how to create an effective emergency response plan for your business today.

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Emergency Response Planning For Facility And Operations Teams

Planning for interruptions, emergencies, and disasters is a crucial aspect of running a business. An emergency response plan is designed to help companies address various emergency situations that could occur within their organization. The best plans include who to contact, how to act in an emergency, how to mitigate risk and what resources to use to minimize loss.

The main objective of an emergency response plan is to reduce human injury and damage to property in an emergency. It also specifies which staff members should enact emergency response plans, as well as which local emergency teams (i.e. police, fire and rescue, etc.) should be contacted. Ideally, the final outcome of emergency planning is to protect a company’s finances, physical infrastructure, materials and occupants from harm.

Step 2: Brainstorm a list of potential risks, hazards, and threat scenarios.

All organizations face risks, hazards, and threats, which, left unchecked, can lead to financial loss, illness, injury or even death. It’s a good idea to review potentially dangerous scenarios in a risk assessment. A risk assessment identifies potential hazards and analyzes what could happen if the hazard were to occur. Understanding your organization’s vulnerabilities is the first step towards proactive emergency response planning and will help you protect your staff and occupants from harm.

In your risk assessment, consider the following examples of emergency scenarios. Prioritize risks according to severity.

Step 3: Collect contact information from local emergency personnel.

The list of potential risks you assembled in step #2 will help inform your organization of emergency services you’ll need to contact in a crisis. At a minimum, speak to your local fire department, police department, and emergency medical services to determine their anticipated response times, their knowledge of your facility and its hazards, and their capabilities to stabilize an emergency at your facility. The following list contains a more comprehensive list of emergency personnel you may want to contact:

Step 4: Assess your organization’s resources.

Resources are required to keep occupants safe, protect infrastructure and carry out recovery strategies during a disaster. You’ll want to assess the availability and capabilities of resources for incident stabilization within your organization. Resources can include people, systems and equipment, both within your business and from external sources. Here’s a list of resources you may want to consider:

Step 5: Create accurate egress plans and evacuation routes.

An egress plan is a map of a facility that houses critical indicators such as posted emergency routes, evacuation paths and red exit signs that lead to stairs and doorways. Even if occupants have never done a fire drill at the facility, it should be obvious where to go in an emergency. Police officers, medical personnel and other emergency services also rely on accurate floor plans. They help notify emergency services of the best ways to enter a building to get to a threat quickly, safely and efficiently.

Step 6: Create an emergency communications plan.

An emergency communications plan includes information on how both internal and external crisis communications will be handled. Internal communication alerts can be sent via email, paging systems, voice messages or text messages to mobile devices. Use these channels to instruct personnel on how to evacuate the building and relocate to assembly points. You may also send updates on the status of the situation and notification of when it’s safe to return.

External communication during an emergency should also be a part of business continuity planning. External alerts typically discuss the disaster with the media and provide status information to key clients and stakeholders.

Step 7: State required actions in the event of an emergency.

Develop protective, threat-specific emergency procedures for occupants, staff and visitors of your facility to follow in a disaster situation. This portion of your emergency response plan will detail life safety protocols, including evacuation, shelter, shelter-in-place and lockdown actions. You’ll also want to determine the required actions that occupants should take during an emergency to protect themselves. Use the following example as a guide for required actions in an emergency:

• Declare an emergency.
• Alert personnel using an internal communication system (see step #6).
• Activate the emergency plan.
• Evacuate the danger zone, seek shelter-in-place or implement a lockdown.
• Close main shutoffs, if applicable.
• Call for external aid from local emergency services.
• Initiate rescue operations.

Step 8: Disperse responsibilities following the disaster event.

During and following an emergency, many tasks must be completed in order to continue business as usual and ensure occupants are both safe and comfortable. The following list contains responsibilities that will need to be taken care of following a disaster:

Step 9: Train and educate internal personnel on your emergency response plan.

Your business continuity team, as well as your emergency preparedness team, will require continuous training to stay up-to-date on the latest emergency protocols in your business. Education and hands-on training will help your team members fulfill their roles and responsibilities during and after a disaster.

Facilitate exercises that test your team’s knowledge of the emergency response plan. Your emergency preparedness team may also want to host corporate safety awareness programs, orientation exercises, emergency responder training or emergency communication exercises. Click here to learn more.

Step 10: Test and revise your emergency response plan.

Creating a comprehensive plan for handling emergencies is a major step toward preventing and recovering from disasters. However, it can be difficult to predict all situations that could occur until the plan is tested. To put your plan into action, conduct exercises and drills to practice critical portions of the plan.

Get started on your organization’s emergency response plan today with a free downloadable checklist .

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Crisis Communications Plan

When an emergency occurs, the need to communicate is immediate. If business operations are disrupted, customers will want to know how they will be impacted. Regulators may need to be notified and local government officials will want to know what is going on in their community. Employees and their families will be concerned and want information. Neighbors living near the facility may need information—especially if they are threatened by the incident. All of these “audiences” will want information before the business has a chance to begin communicating.

An important component of the preparedness program is the crisis communications plan. A business must be able to respond promptly, accurately and confidently during an emergency in the hours and days that follow. Many different audiences must be reached with information specific to their interests and needs. The image of the business can be positively or negatively impacted by public perceptions of the handling of the incident.

This step of Ready Business provides direction for developing a crisis communications plan. Understanding potential audiences is key, as each audience wants to know: “How does it affect me?” Guidance for scripting messages that are specific to the interests of the audience is another element of the plan. The Contact & Information Center tab explains how to use existing resources to gather and disseminate information during and following an incident.

Understanding the audiences that a business needs to reach during an emergency is one of the first steps in the development of a crisis communications plan. There are many potential audiences that will want information during and following an incident and each has its own needs for information. The challenge is to identify potential audiences, determine their need for information and then identify who within the business is best able to communicate with that audience.

The following is a list of potential audiences.

• Survivors impacted by the incident and their families
• Employees and their families
• Community—especially neighbors living near the facility
• Company management, directors and investors
• Government elected officials, regulators and other authorities

Contact Information

Contact information for each audience should be compiled and immediately accessible during an incident. Existing information such as customer, supplier and employee contact information may be exportable from existing databases. Include as much information for each contact as possible (e.g., organization name, contact name, business telephone number, cell number, fax number and email address). Lists should be updated regularly, secured to protect confidential information and available to authorized users at the emergency operations center or an alternate location for use by members of the crisis communications team. Electronic lists can also be hosted on a secure server for remote access with a web browser. Hard copies of lists should also be available at the alternate location.

Customers are the life of a business, so contact with customers is a top priority. Customers may become aware of a problem as soon as their phone calls are not answered or their electronic orders are not processed. The business continuity plan should include action to redirect incoming telephone calls to a second call center (if available) or to a voice message indicating that the business is experiencing a temporary problem. The business continuity plan should also include procedures to ensure that customers are properly informed about the status of orders in process at the time of the incident.

Customer service or sales staff normally assigned to work with customers should be assigned to communicate with customers if there is an incident. If there are a lot of customers, then the list should be prioritized to reach the most important customers first.

The crisis communication or business continuity plan should include documented procedures for notification of suppliers. The procedures should identify when and how they should be notified.

Protocols for when to notify management should be clearly understood and documented. Consider events that occur on a holiday weekend or in the middle of the night. It should be clear to staff what situations require immediate notification of management regardless of the time of day. Similar protocols and procedures should be established for notification of directors, investors and other important stakeholders. Management does not want to learn about a problem from the news media.

Government Officials & Regulators

Communications with government officials depends upon the nature and severity of the incident and regulatory requirements. Businesses that fail to notify a regulator within the prescribed time risk incurring a fine. OSHA regulations require notification to OSHA when there are three or more hospitalizations from an accident or if there is a fatality. Environmental regulations require notification if there is chemical spill or release that exceeds threshold quantities. Other regulators may need to be notified if there is an incident involving product tampering, contamination or quality. Notification requirements specified in regulations should be documented in the crisis communications plan.

A major incident in the community will capture the attention of elected officials. A senior manager should be assigned to communicate with elected officials and public safety officials.

Employees, Victims and Their Families

Human Resources (HR) is responsible for the day-to-day communications with employees regarding employment issues and benefits administration. HR management should assume a similar role on the crisis communications team. HR should coordinate communications with management, supervisors, employees and families. HR should also coordinate communications with those involved with the care of employees and the provision of benefits to employees and their families. Close coordination between management, company spokesperson, public agencies and HR is needed when managing the sensitive nature of communications related to an incident involving death or serious injury.

The Community

If there are hazards at a facility that could impact the surrounding community, then the community becomes an important audience. If so, community outreach should be part of the crisis communications plan. The plan should include coordination with public safety officials to develop protocols and procedures for advising the public of any hazards and the most appropriate protective action that should be taken if warned.

If the incident is serious, then the news media will be on scene or calling to obtain details. There may be numerous requests for information from local, regional or national media. The challenge of managing large numbers of requests for information, interviews and public statements can be overwhelming. Prioritization of requests for information and development of press releases and talking points can assist with the need to communicate quickly and effectively.

Develop a company policy that only authorized spokespersons are permitted to speak to the news media. Communicate the policy to all employees explaining that it is best to speak with one informed voice.

Determine in advance who will speak to the news media and prepare that spokesperson with talking points, so they can speak clearly and effectively in terms that can be easily understood.

During and following an incident, each audience will seek information that is specific to them. “How does the incident affect my order, job, safety, community…?” These questions need to be answered when communicating with each audience.

After identifying the audiences and the spokesperson assigned to communicate with each audience, the next step is to script messages. Writing messages during an incident can be challenging due to the pressure caused by “too much to do” and “too little time.” Therefore, it is best to script message templates in advance if possible.

Pre-scripted messages should be prepared using information developed during the risk assessment . The risk assessment process should identify scenarios that would require communications with stakeholders. There may be many different scenarios but the need for communications will relate more to the impacts or potential impacts of an incident:

• accidents that injure employees or others
• property damage to company facilities
• liability associated injury to or damage sustained by others
• production or service interruptions
• chemical spills or releases with potential off-site consequences, including environmental
• product quality issues

Messages should be scripted to address the specific needs of each audience, which may include:

Customer - “When will I receive my order?” “What will you give me to compensate for the delay?”

Employee - “When should I report to work?” “Will I have a job?” “Will I get paid during the shutdown or can I collect unemployment?” “What happened to my co-worker?” “What are you going to do to address my safety?” “Is it safe to go back to work?”

Government Regulator - “When did it happen?” “What happened (details about the incident)?” “What are the impacts (injuries, deaths, environmental contamination, safety of consumers, etc.)?”

Elected Official - “What is the impact on the community (hazards and economy)?” “How many employees will be affected?” “When will you be back up and running?”

Suppliers - “When should we resume deliveries and where should we ship to?”

Management - “What happened?” “When did it happen?” “Was anyone injured?” “How bad is the property damage?” “How long do you think production will be down?”

Neighbors in the Community - “How can I be sure it’s safe to go outside?” “What are you going to do to prevent this from happening again?” “How do I get paid for the loss I incurred?”

News Media - “What happened?” “Who was injured?” “What is the estimated loss?” “What caused the incident?” “What are you going to do to prevent it from happening again?” “Who is responsible?”

Messages can be pre-scripted as templates with blanks to be filled in when needed. Pre-scripted messages can be developed, approved by the management team and stored on a remotely accessible server for quick editing and release when needed.

Another important element of the crisis communications plan is the need to coordinate the release of information. When there is an emergency or a major impact on the business, there may be limited information about the incident or its potential impacts. The “story” may change many times as new information becomes available.

One of the aims of the crisis communication plan is to ensure consistency of message. If you tell one audience one story and another audience a different story, it will raise questions of competency and credibility. Protocols need to be established to ensure that the core of each message is consistent while addressing the specific questions from each audience.

Another important goal of the crisis communications plan is to move from reacting to the incident, to managing a strategy, to overcome the incident. Management needs to develop the strategy and the crisis communications team needs to implement that strategy by allaying the concerns of each audience and positioning the organization to emerge from the incident with its reputation intact.

Contact & Information Centers

Communications before, during and following an emergency is bi-directional. Stakeholders or audiences will ask questions and request information. The business will answer questions and provide information. This flow of information should be managed through a communications hub.

Crisis Communications Hub & Spoke Diagram - Text Version

Contact and Information Centers form the “hub” of the crisis communications plan. The centers receive requests for information from each audience and disseminate information to each audience. Employees from multiple departments may be assigned to communicate with a specific audience.

The “contact center” fields inquiries from customers, suppliers, the news media and others. The contact center should be properly equipped and staffed by personnel to answer requests for information. The staff working within the contact center should be provided with scripts and a “frequently asked questions” (FAQ) document to answer questions consistently and accurately.

The “information center” consists of existing staff and technologies (e.g., website, call center, bulletin boards, etc.) that field requests for information from customers, employees and others during normal business hours. The information center and its technologies can be used to push information out to audiences and post information for online reading.

The crisis communications team, consisting of members of the management team, should operate in an office environment to support the contact and information centers. The offices may be clustered near the emergency operations center or at an alternate site if the primary site cannot be occupied. The goal of the crisis communications team is to gather information about the incident. This should include monitoring the types of questions posed to call center operators or staff in the office; emails received by customer service; social media chatter or stories broadcast by the news media. Using this input, the crisis communications team can inform management about the issues that are being raised by stakeholders. In turn, management should provide input into the messages generated by the crisis communications team. The team can then create appropriate messages and disseminate information approved for release.

Resources for Crisis Communications

Resources should be available within the primary business site and provisions should be made to set up similar capabilities within an alternate site in case the primary site cannot be occupied.

• Telephones with dedicated or addressable lines for incoming calls and separate lines for outgoing calls
• Access to any electronic notification system used to inform employees
• Electronic mail (with access to “info@” inbox and ability to send messages)
• Fax machine (one for receiving and one for sending)
• Webmaster access to company website to post updates
• Access to social media accounts
• Access to local area network, secure remote server, message template library and printers
• Hard copies of emergency response, business continuity and crisis communications plan
• Site and building diagrams, information related to business processes and loss prevention programs (e.g., safety and health, property loss prevention, physical and information/cyber security, fleet safety, environmental management and product quality)
• Forms for documenting events as they unfold
• Message boards (flipcharts, white boards, etc.)
• Pens, pencils, paper, clipboards and other stationery supplies

Last Updated: 02/17/2021

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6 Stair to Creating an Effective Emergency Response Map [+ Template]

Follow who six steps outlined are this article to create at emergency response plan for keeping your human, commercial, and inventory safe during no serious event that may arise.

• What Is an Emergency Response Plan?
• How go Conduct Response System
• Determine Your Response Plan Steps
• Developments a Communicating Plan

As every emergency management professional desire tell to, the best time to prepare for an medical is well before it occurs. If a hurricane with other severe weather hits, you won’t have time to establish an evacuation plan switch the spot; you’ll be too busy focusing on immediate hazards. And if your built has ampere power failure, it’s probably too late to geh searching for generators. MAJOR: To following Incident Response Plan is intended to provide an example away how a rule and plan can be written. It a not intended into.

Taking a proactive procedure until emergency program serves i making the best possible outcomes for your people and business, and it allows you to think holistically about the context, bookkeeping for a multitude of relative. This approximate boils down to a holistic emergency response plan for all to threatening your business might face.

Whereas we can’t imperative predicting when critical tour becoming happen, emergencies are a reality for everyone business—so you need until breathe ready. We’ll explore what an emergency response plan is both highlight sixth steps ever organization should capture to ensure they’re prepared for any distress or commercial interruption that may arise. Sample Plan

What Is einen Emergency Response Plan?

An emergency response plan is a document the lays out of series of stairs your organization willing take during a critical event, such as one fire or active shooter threat, toward ensure employees’ safety and minimize the impact on critical operations.

Emergency response plans—just like other emergency management planning documents—are meant on helping organizations address various types of emergencies, such as hurricanes, wildfires, frost meteorology, chemical spills, disease outbreaks, and other hazards. The goal is to decrease or prevent human injury both besitz damage through critical events. The planning phase involves documenting to steps your organization will take in everyone of these emergencies to ensure a timely response bespoke to each scenario.

These plans or take the gambling out of roles and your by specifying which staff members have be part of the response team and whatever first responders should be contacted. Develop or Update an Contingency Response Planned | US EPA

You can produce your own urgent response plan from scratch or use a pre-built template, like yours , till make the process light.

Why use an emergency response plan template?

An emergency response plan preset can make your program process quicker and simpler. Every business must a single range of emergencies they face, but there are some consistent response procedures ensure you can personalize to your individual risks. Templates see give you a single place to gather vital contact information for your show team and first responders.

You can download this free template to get started building your plan today.

Of finest emergency response plans include a list of individuals the contact (and their contact information), evacuation routes, how to act during an emergency, how to mitigate risk to owner people and facilities, and detailed communikation methods to follow during furthermore after a specific emergency occurs.

That says, plans can vary widely depending on one setting furthermore circumstances surrounding the crisis. It’s important the creation a plan that accounts for life-saving actions, such as

• Building evacuations in case of events like fires
• Shelter-in-place orders during severe weather like hurrikans
• Total lockdown in case of an active gunman current

Start that you’re up the speed on why your organization needs a plan additionally thing computer should cover, let’s examine instructions to create an effective emergency response layout for your business. Identify every legal covered by your plan (e.g., OSHA, fire code, etc.) Page 2. Emergency Response Plan. Evacuation Plan. Vacuum allowed is required if ...

How to Conduct Emergency Response Planning

Each organization is unique, so you may seek that additional measures are assured to protect your business from possible hazards—beyond the examples listed. However, by completing these steps, yours will be well on your way to ensuring your team knows what is expected on theirs and when.

Take #1: Execute a threat assessment

The first pace to creating an emergency response plan is to conduct a comprehensive threatology assessment to identify and types of events that may affect your organization and analyze their likelihood and potential impact. Specific threats vary by location, area, plus company, and your mitigation strategies wish vary depending turn the scenario. You allowed need to plan on the following product are social:

• Native disasters — Hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes, wildfires, etc.
• Severe climate — Winter storms, high winds, extreme heat waves, floods, etc.
• Contagions and infectious diseases — COVID-19, influenza, etc.
• Facility emergencies — Structure fires, hazardous leaks or leak, etc.
• Act of workplace violent — Aktiv shotgun, bomb threats, terrorist attacks, etc.
• Civil disturbances — Protests, showing, riots, beating, et.

Evened whereas lives may not be immediately at peg during a crunch, timely telecommunications is just as important. Other proceedings that require a planned response for the success of an business or product of your team may include: Prepare in any medical with expert planning when it’s business for usual. Download you free emergency response plan template to get started.

• IT events — Spontaneous outages, planned downtime or maintenance, system tests, cyberattacks or security breaches, aid desk escalations, etc.
• Operational events — Supply coordination, energy outages, equipment malfunctions, office closures, travel advisories, safety alarm, shift both overtime scheduling, etc.
• Corporate/ crisis communication circumstances — Effect recalls, negative publicity, staff, major company news, etc.

Using the all-hazards approach on your risk assessment is a great way to ensure you are covering all your bases, proficient the prepare for anything kind away threatness.

Move #2: Get contact intelligence

In this choose of an emergency so could cause corporeal harm to your human, the first call you should make is to your local contingency responders. Aside from 9-1-1, you need to have numbers for emergency medical services (EMS), the fire department, healthcare providers/insurance agents, and local legislation enforcement/police department readily available. Any urgency action set (EAP) is intended to facilitate press organize ... how as soil plans, business maps, and safe or refuge areas (example shown ...

Additionally, make sure you have emergency contact info documented for every employee in case individual goes uncontrolled for or got casualties during the emergency. An Emergency Action Plan describes which actions employees should take in case of burning or other emergency situations. Most workplaces must have an emergency ...

Step #3: Assign choose press responsibilities

When an distress occurs, workers wishes look to their leaders for calm furthermore guidance. These leaders should be in charge of activating your emergency response plan, replying major questions, and ordering an evacuation if needed. When assigning roles, there are important considerations to acknowledge. You what to make sure yours response team is present, reliable, and skillful to react quickly in the face of an emergency.

Here are the main cast to note as part of their emergency response planner:

Incident commander

This collaborator has overall responsibility for an emergency, including planning and preparation. The happening commander is inbound load to emergency response flat activation and is the one sum kritik decisions should go through. Spot Emergency Action Plan ... Employees have been informed of the company's planned response to emergency contexts, ... I. Medical evacuation plan.

Communication commander

This person should use the mass alert system to alert employees, call alarm services, and gather reports. Supposing your enterprise is uses an emergency communication system, make sure this person has a system admin.

Theme supervisor

This person controls access to the emergency scene and keeps men away off unsafe areas.

Building utilities manager(s)

These team members need to be familiar with the locations and responsibilities of controls for building useful press lived safety also guard systems. These systems include ventilation, electrical shutoffs, water and sanitaryware systems, emergency power supplies, and alarm systems. This Emergency Deed Plan (EAP) established guidelines for all inexpensive foreseeable workplace emergencies. Due each emergency situation involves ...

Distance guide(s)

In the event in an elimination, these guides play an important function in ensuring this routes are clearer and evacuation is orderly and calm. They other help clear air routes and supporting those over mobility issues. EMERGENCY ACTION PLAN

Walk #4: Take total of current assets during your system

Have you inspected those dusty office fire extinguishers, alarm systems, other first aid kits lately? Like are critical components to any emergency response floor, accordingly examine them regularly.

Fire extinguishers and wake-up

To support your fireplace safety, the National Fire Protection Club recommends topping reusable burn dry every 10 years and replacing disposable ones anything 12 yearning. Periodically remind your employees where the burn extinguishers are located in the workplace. Maintain and run any fire alarms on your premises. Walk regular fire drills to get thine team used to the evacuation process.

This step-by-step video leave guide you through the process about conducting a open drill at work.

Alarm procedures

Inspect flame alarm systems annualized at one very least. OSHA recommends testing non-supervised employee alarm systems every double months. This checking covers a host of particulars, depending on the type out alarm system, like visit of command panel(s), tests of all associated device such when smoke detectors and thermal detectors, warning systems operations, and batteries real power.

First aid kit

OSHA requires that “employers provide medical furthermore primary auxiliary supplies commensurate with the hazards of the workplace.” Been many items by ampere first aid kit have expiration dates—typically threesome to five years after manufacture—and cannot become damaged by frequently use, moisture, and exposure to the mien, it is crucial to regularly check your first aid kit real replace any supplies as needed. As a actively approach, restock items after use and inspect first aid provisions every three months. Provide the necessary first encourage training so your team are prepared to use above-mentioned stock and help their coworkers in medical, big and small.

Step #5: Setting thy response plan steps

Next, decide what stages to follow-up in an emergency. Customize each event response so the procedures are specific also clear.

Since an example, here’s methods you might go nearly planning forward einem evacuation response.

Emergency fire evacuation plan example

A good fire evacuation scheme by your business will include primary and secondary escape routes. Clear signs should mark all the exit routes and fire escapes. Keep exit routes cleared von furniture or different objects this could impede a direct means of egress for your employees. For large bureaus, make multiple maps of deck plans the diagrams and post them like workforce know the evacuation routes. Best habit also calls for developing a separate evacuation plan for individuals with disables who may need additional assistance.

Once you people is out of the built, somewhere do they go? Designate an assembly point required employees to gather. Your respond team should be at the assembly points, collected a poll and providing updates. Ensure the escape routes and the assembly area can accommodate the expected number of employees any will be evacuating.

To sure to also think about your disaster recovery efforts, press something you do once the emergency is done. Is planning that extends to recovery, your business canister move forward and get rear to work as normalized. For example, if you have a spill of hazardous textiles, your emergencies response plan intention account for how to keep people security press how in contain the overflow. The recovery section concerning your template will explain how to clean up the spilling and get that area of the building back to safe working conditions. Example Incident Response Plan

Step #6: Decide how to communicate with your employees

One of the most importantly parts of any emergency response plan belongs how you will communicate. When developing your emergency communication plan , consider how to notified employees of a critical event, how the information desire been released furthermore received, and how effective your contact channels will being at reaching every employee in harm’s way.

During critical events, phone calls press emails are no longer sufficiency. Manual phone trees are belly to untruth and long breaks, and an communication attentive system solitary just doesn’t cut it for emergency communication.

Research insinuates such for 65% about employees clear internal emails. Used labor constantly afloat with messages, internal emails don’t create the use by urgency needs for time-sensitive information. Hourly and frontline employees—such while retail associates and distribution center workers—often do not has adenine corporation email address at every or they don’t have accessories to it from hers personal phones outside of business hours. The if your lines are down or email a inaccessible—as can oft be the case in emergencies situations—your collaborators may almost receiving one message. If an organization is get with an IT virus, for example, relying over email as the only communication channel would live useless and perhaps even counterproductive.

Include declaration templates in your emergency response plan so you can send messages about an incident as quickly as hitting a touch. Our template features past of what those messages might look like, as well as spaces to compose your own.

Leveraging Technology to Improve Emergency Your

Today’s employees is more distributed for even before, notably with a drastic shift to remote and hybrid working environments. This makes emergency communication increasingly important—but also more challenging. Contingency Action Plan (Template) ... Withdrawal route maps take been posts in each work domain. The following product is marked on evacuate maps:.

A modern emergency notification system enables the fastest, reliable delivery of mass message to any-size community, on any unit, over any corporate channel. And every organization—regardless of size, industry, or location—will back unexpected events the can may operated more actually with an help of emergency corporate software.

When evaluating mass notification custom, it may be easy to fall into an fallen of thinking a standalone video messaging tool exists sufficient. However a simple mass texting system simply doesn’t have the functionality to communicate reliably in thy people while critical events. At the health and safety of your people are at stake, only an enterprise-grade emergency communication system can range the speed, solid, and user experience you need.

A mass notification system- with multichannel delivery, two-way communication , pre-built subscription templates , and threat intelligence can related protect your people and trade. With ampere modern emergencies communication system, you can schnell send furthermore receive messages throughout plural channels and ensure everyone getting the information few need when they need it. By automatically syncing because your HRIS or Active Menu, you’ll also never do toward worry around inaccurate employee contact contact, which is critical to safeguarding message deliverability.

Designing a Modern Emergency Retort Plan

Every business needs a sound plan for how they will communicate with employees through emergencies and other business-critical events. In emergencies, minutes can mean to dissimilarity between minor impact and major disaster. The heat of a crash is not the time to think out how for effectively communicate plus ensure aforementioned security of our employees. Effective Emergency Response Plan [+ Template] — Step-by-Step Guide

Over buildings out your emergency response plan included advance, your business is prepared to act during the first signs of a extremity. Download this template for make your planning process as simple and powerful as possible—so you can received back the leading safe everyday operations.

Download Is Emergency Response Plan Template

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Business Emergency Response Plan Template

Every business should develop and implelement an emergency plan for protecting employees, visitors, contractors, and anyone else on site. An emergency response plan is a written document that enables business to plan for incident response and is included in part of a business continuity program. It should be drafted with known resources available, and include a process for assessing damage, protecting property, and minimizing damage and business disruptions.

More information on emergency response plans can be found at Ready.gov

Emergency Response Plan http://www.ready.gov/business/implementation/emergency

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What an Emergency Response Plan (ERP) is

Actions taken within the initial minutes of an emergency can largely dictate the severity of consequences. In this case, “severity of consequences” can involve terrible financial, environmental, material, and/or human losses. Your company needs a plan of action to follow when emergencies strike in order to minimize damages.

An emergency response plan is something that companies use to address many different types of emergency situations. It will include:

• Who to contact;
• How to act; and
• Resources to use.

The priorities for any ERP are, in this order:

• Protection and safe conduct;
• Mitigation/stabilization of the dangerous condition; and
• Cleanup of incident, whether this be physical cleanup or conceptual.

ERPs should address only the highest risk situations. They are critical for high quality responsive risk management You might call an “emergency response plan” a “catastrophic situation plan.”

What an ERP Should Include

Emergency response plans should be organized into chapters and sub-chapters. Each chapter will categorize a type of emergency. Within each chapter will be numerous sub-chapters, each of which cover a specific emergency OR a separate task.

As said, emergency response plans need to include who to contact, how to act, and resources to use. In more detail, this means that each chapter should:

• Have a list of people to contact, in order, with contact numbers;
• The list of contact people might be organized by their response category, such as Hangar Fire Contacts, Aircraft Fire Contacts, etc.
• The safety duties and responsibilities of each role in the company for a given emergency, such as CEO responsibilities, safety manager responsibilities, etc.;
• Actions required to maintain safety;
• Actions required to mitigate the danger;
• Actions required cleanup incident, if applicable; and
• What resources are best used to mitigate the emergency.

This “manual” can be an actual physical copy of your ERP, one documented in aviation safety software, or one documented on a server.

Related Articles on ERP

• Steps to Create an Emergency Response Plan in Aviation SMS [With Free Checklists]
• What Your Emergency Response Plan Should Include

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42nd Tagilskaya Missile Division

42 -я ракетная Тагильская дивизия

Military Unit: 34103

Commanders:

• Major-General Oleg Ivanovich Mayskiy, 27.8.60 - 15.1.65
• Major-General Vladimir Mikhaylovich Vishenkov, 15.1.65 - 7.5.68
• Major-General Nikolay Timofeevich Panin, 7.5.68 - 27.11.74
• Major-General Vladimir Leontevich Ivanov, 27.11.74 - 9.7.76
• Major-General Evgeny Pavlovich Linovitskiy, 9.7.76 - 4.1.82
• Major-General Aleksey Leontevich Kryzhko, 4.1.82 - 1985
• Colonel Nikolay Ivanovich Basamykin, 1985 - 1986
• Major-General Sergey Pavlovich Kudrin, 1986 - 30.12.94
• Major-General Vladimir Leonidovich Zakharov, 30.12.94 - 21.12.96
• Major-General Aleksandr Vasilevich Kot, 21.12.96 - 7.2000
• Major-General Aleksandr Grigorevich Ponomarenko, 7.2000 - 15.2.2003
• Major-General Aleksandr Ivanovich Bolgarskiy, 15.2.2003 - 10.07
• Colonel Valery Evgenevich Tarazevich, 10.07 - 2010
• Colonel Farid Navelevich Shigmardanov, 2010 - today

Activated 5.60 in Nizhniy Tagil, Sverdlovsk Oblast, as the 202nd Missile Brigade , from the 18th Howitzer Artillery Brigade and the 19th Tank Training Regiment.

Initial organisation:

• 677th Missile Regiment (Nizhniy Tagil, Sverdlovsk Oblast) with sites BSP-1, 3 and 12
• 686th Missile Regiment (Nizhniy Tagil, Sverdlovsk Oblast) with sites BSP-2, 5 and 11
• 680th Missile Regiment (Nizhniy Tagil, Sverdlovsk Oblast) with sites BSP-21, 22 and 23
• 688th Missile Regiment (Nizhniy Tagil, Sverdlovsk Oblast) with no sites

30.5.61 renamed 42nd Missile Division .

The 688th Missile Regiment was transferred to Belokorovichi ( 50th Missile Division ) in September 1962 - the three other regiments were all disbanded 15.4.63, and each BSP site became an independent Missile Battalion (ordn).

In March 1964 all the independent R-16 battalions were upgraded to regiments:

• 601st Missile Regiment (Nizhniy Tagil, Sverdlovsk Oblast) with 2 R-16 pads (BSP-1)
• 595th Missile Regiment (Nizhniy Tagil, Sverdlovsk Oblast) with 2 R-16 pads (BSP-2)
• 767th Missile Regiment (Nizhniy Tagil, Sverdlovsk Oblast) with 2 R-16 pads (BSP-3)
• 175th Missile Regiment (Nizhniy Tagil, Sverdlovsk Oblast) with 2 R-16 pads (BSP-5)
• 580th Missile Regiment (Nizhniy Tagil, Sverdlovsk Oblast) with 2 R-16 pads (BSP-11)
• 617th Missile Regiment (Nizhniy Tagil, Sverdlovsk Oblast) with 2 R-16 pads (BSP-12)
• 808th Missile Regiment (Nizhniy Tagil, Sverdlovsk Oblast) with 3 R-16 silos (BSP-21)
• 804th Missile Regiment (Nizhniy Tagil, Sverdlovsk Oblast) with 3 R-16 silos (BSP-22)
• 146th Guards Missile Regiment (Nizhniy Tagil, Sverdlovsk Oblast) with 2 R-16 pads (BSP-23)

The 535th Missile Regiment was activated 20.12.66, but was transferred to Zhangiz Tobe, Semipalatinsk Oblast, on 17.11.67 ( 57th Missile Division ) - the 539th Missile Regiment was activated in 1966, but in 1967 would move to Derzhavinsk, Turgay Oblast, under the 38th Missile Division .

Four missile regiments left the division in 1969:

• 175th Missiles Regiment to Dombarovskiy, Orenburg Oblast ( 13th Missile Division )
• 767th Missiles Regiment to Dombarovskiy, Orenburg Oblast ( 13th Missile Division )
• 601st Missile Regiment to Kartaly, Chelyabinsk Oblast ( 59th Missile Division )
• 595th Missile Regiment to Dzerzhavinsk, Turgay Oblast ( 38th Missile Division )

Organisation 1970:

• 580th Missile Regiment (Nizhniy Tagil, Sverdlovsk Oblast) with 6 R-16 pads (BSP-2, 5 and 11)
• 617th Missile Regiment (Nizhniy Tagil, Sverdlovsk Oblast) with 6 R-16 pads (BSP-1, 3 and 12)

The 146th Guards Missile Regiment was disbanded in 1975.

The R-16 missile was phased out in 1977.

Three Missile Regiments arrived at Nizhniy Tagil, Sverdlovsk Oblast, during the 1978-1981 period.

Organisation 1982 (45 RSD-10 Pioner-K missiles):

• 617th Missile Regiment (Nizhniy Tagil, Sverdlovsk Oblast) with 9 RSD-10 Pioner-K missiles
• 804th Missile Regiment (Nizhniy Tagil, Sverdlovsk Oblast) with 9 RSD-10 Pioner-K missiles
• 308th Guards Missile Regiment (Nizhniy Tagil, Sverdlovsk Oblast) with 9 RSD-10 Pioner-K missiles
• 433rd Guards Missile Regiment (Nizhniy Tagil, Sverdlovsk Oblast) with 9 RSD-10 Pioner-K missiles
• 142nd Guards Missile Regiment (Nizhniy Tagil, Sverdlovsk Oblast) with 9 RSD-10 Pioner-K missiles

The division converted to the RT-2PM Topol (SS-25) missile in 1985.

Organisation 1998 (45 RT-2PM Topol missiles) :

• 617th Missile Regiment (Nizhniy Tagil, Sverdlovsk Oblast) with 9 RT-2PM Topol missiles
• 804th Missile Regiment (Nizhniy Tagil, Sverdlovsk Oblast) with 9 RT-2PM Topol missiles
• 308th Guards Missile Regiment (Nizhniy Tagil, Sverdlovsk Oblast) with 9 RT-2PM Topol missiles
• 433rd Guards Missile Regiment (Nizhniy Tagil, Sverdlovsk Oblast) with 9 RT-2PM Topol missiles
• 142nd Guards Missile Regiment (Nizhniy Tagil, Sverdlovsk Oblast) with 9 RT-2PM Topol missiles

1999 honoured with the name "Tagilskaya".

The 308th Guards Missile Regiment was disbanded in 2003.

The 617th Missile Regiment was disbanded 2008.

Subordination:

• 24th Artilley Range Administration, 5.60 - 3.61
• 5th independent Missile Corps , 10.3.61 - 6.70
• 31st Missile Army , 8.6.70 - today

Support Units:

• 225th independent Helicopter Squadron
• 0000 Repair-Technical Base
• 2446th Technical Missile Base
• 294th Communications Center

Verkhnaya Salda ICBM complex coordinates:

• Verkhnyaya Salda ICBM Complex - 1964 map
• Verkhnyaya Salda ICBM Division Command Post Bunker (58 02 10N, 60 23 25E)
• Verkhnyaya Salda ICBM HQ Radcom Transmitter Station (57 53 41N, 60 11 04E)
• Verkhnyaya Salda ICBM HQ Radcom Receiver Bunker Hardened (58 04 23N, 60 24 43E)
• Verkhnyaya Salda ICBM Division Support Facility (58 02 28N, 60 23 44E) - drawing support & rail (1964)
• Verkhnyaya Salda ICBM Division Nuclear Payload Handling Facility (58 05 57N, 60 25 44E)
• Verkhnyaya Salda ICBM Division Technical Missile Base (58 03 19N, 60 24 33E)
• Verkhnyaya Salda ICBM Division Administration and Housing Area (58 02 13N, 60 23 25E)
• Verkhnyaya Salda ICBM Division Rail-to-Road Transfer Point (58 03 05N, 60 24 14E) - drawing (1964) - see above
• Auxiliary Support Facility (58 12 33N, 60 41 32E) - drawing 1964
• Helicopter Base (58 02 06N, 60 24 15E)

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Stay near popular Nizhny Tagil attractions

Nizhniy tagil museum of fine arts.

You can spend an afternoon browsing the exhibits at Nizhniy Tagil Museum of Fine Arts during your travels in Nizhny Tagil. Amble around the area's parks or experience its museums.

Nature and Environmental Protection Museum

You can enjoy some culture when you stop by Nature and Environmental Protection Museum in Nizhny Tagil. Amble around the area's parks or experience its museums.

Holy Trinity Church

Find out about the history of Nizhny Tagil with a stop at Holy Trinity Church. Experience the area's theater scene and museums.

Nizhny Tagil Drama Theater

You can make plans for a show at Nizhny Tagil Drama Theater during your stay in Nizhny Tagil. Experience the area's theater scene and museums.

Nizhny Tagil Park of Culture and Leisure

Explore the great outdoors at Nizhny Tagil Park of Culture and Leisure, a lovely green space in Nizhny Tagil. Experience the area's museums and theater scene.

Nizhny Tagil Travel Info

Frequently asked questions.

Yes! Most hotel reservations are refundable provided that you cancel before the accommodation's cancellation deadline, which is usually within 24-48 hours of check in. If you have a non-refundable reservation, it might still be possible to cancel it and be given a refund within a 24-hour period of booking. Filter your search by fully refundable to find flexible hotel deals in Nizhny Tagil.

To access more information about updating your trip to Nizhny Tagil or cancelling it, click here .

Hotel Metallurg is one of the top choices for your stay based on our traveler data, and this 3.5-star inn offers 2 restaurants and free breakfast. It's located 3 mi (4.8 km) from Nizhny Tagil Circus. Another good choice is Podushkinn , located 1 mi (1.6 km) away.

One of the top choices for your stay is Hotel Metallurg , located 3.3 mi (5.3 km) from Nizhniy Tagil Museum of Fine Arts, and this 3.5-star inn offers 2 restaurants and free breakfast. Podushkinn , located 1.5 mi (2.3 km) away, is another good choice for your stay.

Angelo by Vienna House Ekaterinburg is a popular 4-star hotel featuring free extended parking and free breakfast. It's located a short 0.1 mi (0.2 km) from Koltsovo Airport. Another top choice near the airport is Liner Airporthotel Ekaterinburg , located just 0.3 mi (0.4 km) away.

Visitors can enjoy all that Nizhny Tagil has to offer including the parks, theaters, and museums. In Nizhny Tagil, there are 2 hotels and other accommodations to choose from. Find out more about Nizhny Tagil .

Cultural venues include Nizhniy Tagil Museum of Fine Arts and Nizhny Tagil Drama Theater . A couple of additional sights to add to your agenda are Nature and Environmental Protection Museum and Holy Trinity Church . Check out what more to see and do in Expedia's Nizhny Tagil guide .

To venture out into the surrounding area, hop on a train at Nizhniy Tagil Station. If you want to venture out around the area, you may want a rental car in Nizhny Tagil for your journey.

The hottest months are usually July and August with an average temp of 59°F, while the coldest months are January and February with an average of 12°F. The snowiest months in Nizhny Tagil are December, March, January, and February, with each month seeing an average of 50 inches of snowfall.

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Mercenary leader Yevgeny Prigozhin is presumed dead in a plane crash outside Moscow

A private jet crashed in Russia on Wednesday, killing all 10 people aboard, emergency officials said. Mercenary chief Yevgeny Prigozhin was on the passenger list, but it wasn’t immediately clear if he was on board. (Aug. 23)

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TALLINN, Estonia (AP) — Mercenary leader Yevgeny Prigozhin, who led a brief armed rebellion against the Russian military earlier this year, was presumed dead Wednesday after a plane crash north of Moscow that killed all 10 people on board.

Prigozhin was on the plane, according to Russia’s civil aviation agency, which cited the airline. The crash immediately raised suspicions since the fate of the founder of the Wagner private military company has been the subject of intense speculation ever since he mounted the mutiny.

At the time, President Vladimir Putin denounced the rebellion as “treason” and a “stab in the back” and vowed to avenge it. But the charges against Prigozhin were soon dropped. The Wagner chief, whose troops were some of the best fighting forces for Russia in Ukraine, was allowed to retreat to Belarus, while reportedly popping up in Russia from time to time.

The crash also comes after Russian media reported that a top general linked to Prigozhin was dismissed from his position as commander of the air force.

A plane carrying three crew members and seven passengers that was en route from Moscow to St. Petersburg went down almost 300 kilometers (185 miles) north of the capital, according to officials cited by Russia’s state news agency Tass.

Russia’s civilian aviation agency, Rosaviatsia, quickly reported that he was on the manifest and later said that, according to the airline, he was indeed on board.

Earlier, Vladimir Rogov, a Russia-appointed official in the partially occupied Zaporizhzhia region in Ukraine, said he talked to Wagner commanders who also confirmed that Prigozhin was aboard, as was Dmitry Utkin, whose call sign Wagner became the company’s name.

“I don’t know for a fact what happened but I’m not surprised,” U.S. President Joe Biden said.

Keir Giles, a Russia expert with the international affairs think tank Chatham House, had urged caution about reports of Prigozhin’s death. He said “multiple individuals have changed their name to Yevgeniy Prigozhin, as part of his efforts to obfuscate his travels.”

Flight tracking data reviewed by The Associated Press showed a private jet that Prigozhin had used previously took off from Moscow on Wednesday evening and its transponder signal disappeared minutes later.

The signal stopped suddenly while the plane was at altitude and traveling at speed. In an image posted by a pro-Wagner social media account showing burning wreckage, a partial tail number matching a jet previously used by Prigozhin could be seen.

Videos shared by the pro-Wagner Telegram channel Grey Zone showed a plane dropping like a stone from a large cloud of smoke, twisting wildly as it fell. Such freefalls can occur when an aircraft sustains severe damage, and a frame-by-frame AP analysis of two videos was consistent with some sort of explosion mid-flight. The images appeared to show the plane was missing a wing.

A business jet en route from Moscow to St. Petersburg crashed Wednesday, killing all 10 people on board, Russian emergency officials said. Mercenary chief Yevgeny Prigozhin was on the passenger list, officials said, but it wasn’t immediately clear if he was on board. (Aug. 23)

Russia’s Investigative Committee opened an investigation into the crash on charges of violating air safety rules, as is typical when they open such probes. Interfax, citing emergency officials, reported early Thursday that all 10 bodies had been recovered at the site of the crash and the search operation had ended.

Even if confirmed, Prigozhin’s death is unlikely to have an effect on Russia’s war in Ukraine, where his forces fought some of the fiercest battles over the past 18 months.

His troops pulled back from front-line action after capturing Bakhmut, a city in the eastern Donetsk region, in late May. Bakhmut had been the subject of arguably the bloodiest battles in the entire war, with the Russian forces struggling to seize it for months.

After the rebellion, Russian officials said his fighters would only be able to return to Ukraine as part of the regular army.

This week, Prigozhin posted his first recruitment video since the mutiny , saying that Wagner is conducting reconnaissance and search activities, and “making Russia even greater on all continents, and Africa even more free. ”

Also this week, Russian media reported, citing anonymous sources, that Gen. Sergei Surovikin was dismissed from his position of the commander of Russia’s air force. Surovikin, who at one point led Russia’s operation in Ukraine, hasn’t been seen in public since the mutiny, when he recorded a video address urging Prigozhin’s forces to pull back.

As news of the crash was breaking, Putin spoke at an event commemorating the Battle of Kursk, hailing the heroes of Russia’s war in Ukraine.

Tatiana Stanovaya, a senior fellow at the Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center, said on Telegram that “no matter what caused the plane crash, everyone will see it as an act of vengeance and retribution” by the Kremlin, and “the Kremlin wouldn’t really stand in the way of that.”

“From Putin’s point of view, as well as the security forces and the military — Prigozhin’s death must be a lesson to any potential followers,” Stanovaya said in a Telegram post. According to her, after the mutiny, Prigozhin “stopped being the authorities’ partner and could not, under any circumstances, get that status back.”

“He also wasn’t forgiven,” Stanovaya wrote. “Prigozhin was needed for some time after the mutiny to painlessly complete the dismantling of Wagner in Russia.” But overall, “alive, happy, full-of-strength and full-of-ideas Prigozhin was, definitely, a walking source of threats for the authorities, the embodiment of Putin’s political humiliation.”

Stanovaya doesn’t expect much public outcry over Prigozhin’s death. She said those who supported him will be “more scared than inspired to protest,” while others would see it as a “deserved outcome.”

This story has been updated to correct that the crash site is almost 300 kilometers from Moscow, not more than 100 kilometers.

Associated Press writers Jill Lawless in London, Michael Biesecker in Washington, Jon Gambrell in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, and Seung Min Kim in South Lake Tahoe, California, contributed to this report.

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Is masking coming back? As new COVID variants emerge, here's what experts say.

By Sara Moniuszko

Updated on: August 25, 2023 / 11:12 AM / CBS News

As three new COVID-19 variants are spreading across the country, many people are wondering: Are masks coming back?

While the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have not announced new mask mandates, some schools and businesses are reinstating this familiar pandemic-era rule - and depending on your situation, experts say you may want to consider it too.

"People 65-plus and people who are immunocompromised should strongly consider masking during flu, RSV, COVID season while in indoor public spaces," said Dr. Céline Gounder, a CBS News medical contributor and editor-at-large for public health at KFF Health News. "And for everyone else — it all depends on what their risk tolerance is."

CBS News chief medical correspondent Dr. Jon LaPook says he likes to use the "weather report analogy" for the general public.

"What's the weather out today? If it's raining, you will probably want to bring an umbrella. If you are in an area where there is an uptick in airborne respiratory infections like COVID, flu or RSV , you may want to take extra precautions, such as wearing a high-quality mask in indoor public spaces," he said.

COVID variants and masks

After COVID hospitalizations climbed nearly 22% this week, the CDC is predicting further increases over the coming month as new variants spread. This replaces previous projections from the agency that admissions would "remain stable or have an uncertain trend."

In a 2021 "60 Minutes" interview , virologist Paul Duprex explained the current (and future) emergence of new variants — a concept applicable to the current situation.

"Is there anything we can do to stop the virus from mutating so much?" LaPook asked Duprex at the time.

"We can certainly stop it making as many mutations by stopping it infecting as many people - if we block its transmission, if we wear a mask, if we get vaccinated, if we do social distancing," Duprex said.

After news broke about the BA.2.86 variant earlier this month, the CDC said the agency's advice on protecting yourself from COVID-19 — which includes wearing a high-quality mask among  other recommendations  listed on its website — "remains the same."

When determining when to be especially careful, LaPook said he thinks about what he'll be doing the next two weeks.

"If I really cannot afford to get sick, or I am going to be seeing somebody who is at increased risk for a bad outcome if infected, I will take extra precautions," he said.

Still, some experts fear it could be hard to convince Americans to don masks again even if COVID cases continue to rise. Dr. Danielle Ompad , an epidemiologist at the NYU School of Global Public Health, said "It's a bit like putting the genie back in the bottle." Still, she has personally started wearing a mask again recently in crowded places, where the risk of exposure is greater.

"If I were with people who aren't public health-trained, I would wear a mask, particularly in crowded situations, because I really don't have time for COVID. Mask mandates are challenging because they make people really bent out of shape out of proportion to the ask."

On "CBS Mornings" Friday , Gounder added she'll be masking up for an upcoming flight — and says others may want to do the same.

"Who wants to get sick while on vacation?" she says. "If you're going to be in a crowded public place — the subway, an airplane, a crowded theater — those are the kind of places I would at least consider wearing a mask."

Though increased cases and hospitalizations are prompting precautions, Gounder says she doesn't see another lockdown in our future.

"That ship has sailed. Has sailed for years now," she said. 

• Virus season is approaching. Here's expert advice for protection against COVID, flu and RSV.
• What is RSV, and why is it on the rise among children?

-Megan Cerullo contributed to this report.

• Mask Guidelines
• COVID-19 Pandemic

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Hurricane Idalia: Surge warnings and evacuations in Sarasota-Manatee

This post is no longer being updated. Read Tuesday's live Hurricane Idalia updates here.

Tropical Storm Idalia  is expected to become a strong Category 3 hurricane with sustained winds of about 115 mph with Sarasota and Manatee counties near the forecast zone .

Although it's projected to make landfall between the Big Bend area of Florida and Tampa Bay, western Manatee County and northern Sarasota County could see hurricane-force winds, with 6 to 8 inches of rain in the region.

A supermoon will contribute to higher-than-normal tides, bringing a projected storm surge of 4-7 feet to Tampa Bay and 3-5 feet above normal in Sarasota.

More Idalia coverage: Idalia: Hurricane force winds could brush Sarasota and Manatee as storm intensifies

Storm prep: Manatee County opening self-serve sandbag stations Monday as hurricane, surge watches set

Follow along for the latest updates on the storm's impact in Sarasota and Manatee counties.

NWS: Tropical Storm Idalia barrelling toward Florida

As of 7 p.m., the National Weather Service said Tropical Storm Idalia will become a major Hurricane with life-threatening storm surge to make landfall in Florida on Wednesday.

Tropical Storm Idalia is forecast to become a Category 3 hurricane with 120 mph sustained winds. The NWS expects landfall Wednesday between the Big Bend Area of Florida and Tampa Bay. Expect heavy rain and freshwater flooding along the coast on Tuesday and Wednesday, especially at high tide.

The impact will be isolated inland south of Interstate 4, and the storm will bring 6-10 inches of rain with higher amounts along the coast and north of I-4, according to the NWS.

The forecast models are clustering their landfall locations around Cedar Key, increasing the confidence thestorm will make landfall north of Tarpon Springs. As of Monday evening, Tropical Storm Idalia remained 550miles southwest of Cedar Key.

-- Staff Report

Blood needed for looming storm

In the face of Idalia, Suncoast Blood Centers is issuing a call for action to ensure the blood center's shelves are stocked and ready to meet the demands of any emergency situation that may arise. The organization asks that if you feel safe and can donate blood at this time, please consider visiting one of the donation centers in the next 48 hours, providing essential support to those who may require life-saving blood transfusions.

Suncoast Blood Centers has donation centers at the following locations:

Bayshore Shopping Center6026 14th Street W.Bradenton, FL 34207

Lakewood Ranch3025 Lakewood Ranch Blvd. – Suite 111Bradenton, FL 34211

Charlotte Square2150 Tamiami Trail, Unit 17Port Charlotte, FL 33948

Sarasota1760 Mound StreetSarasota, FL 34236

Venice – Bird Bay Plaza539 US Hwy 41 BypassVenice, FL 34285

What to know for an evacuation

Manatee County public safety officials issued a mandatory evacuation for residents who live in the Level A evacuation area ahead of a potential six to 10-foot storm surge, and a voluntary evacuation for residents of Level B areas.

Level A includes Manatee County barrier islands, low-lying areas, and all mobile homes or RVs regardless of location. Residents can look up their evacuation level at mymanatee.org/manateeready.

Residents can take emergency shelter at Virgil Mills Elementary School at 7200 69th Street E. Palmetto, Jesse P. Miller Elementary School at 60143rd St. W, Bradenton, and Freedom Elementary School at 9515 FL 64, Bradenton.

What to Bring

Emergency supplies, pillows, blankets, sleeping bags or air mattresses, clothing, toiletries, chairs, important documents and irreplaceable keepsakes

Pet Shelter Requirements

Pets must arrive and remain in a carrier or cage except at scheduled exercise times. Owners must bring pet food and supplies as needed.Owners must provide proof of rabies vaccination and are responsible for the care of their own pets.

-- Jesse Mendoza

Sandbags available at Ed Smith

Residents began showing up at Ed Smith Stadium in Sarasota after the end of the business day Monday ahead of Hurricane Idalia's anticipated landfall.

Around two dozen residents filled sandbags for their homes at the Sarasota County government-run sandbag station around 6 p.m.

County road and bridge employee Chris Dooley said residents were slowly beginning to trickle in the evening.

"We're running about 3,000 bags today. We were at 10 to 12,000 bags each day last year (for Hurricane Ian)," Dooley said. "It's obviously a lot slower than last year so far, but we are open tomorrow for residents."

Residents will be able to collect and bag up to 10 bags of sand per household again on Tuesday. from 7 a.m. until noon.

-- Samantha Gholar

Residents chime in on storm preparations

Ray Rios, 33, a central Sarasota resident, said "I feel like everybody's paranoid. Everybody's a lot more getting more prepared at the same time though."

For Destiney Lejander, 29, a Sarasota renter, the impending Hurricane Idalia is her first hurricane having previously lived in Tennessee.

"I live 10 minutes from Siesta Key Beach. I have sliding glass doors in my bedroom, so I'm going to take these and pack that down to try to keep everything together," she said. "I feel prepared. I made sure I had flashlights, batteries, and I got groceries today, pet supplies, and even bug spray in case there is standing water. I thought about heading out, but I think I'm just going to hunker down."

-- Samantha J. Gholar

Longboat Key town manager: 'Stay away,' as surge concerns grow

Longboat Key Town Manager Howard Tipton said town offices would be closed on Tuesday and that people visiting the island should stay away due to the threat of high water.

Tipton, who has been the chief executive for the Town of Longboat Key for about six months, said some low-lying roads already flood when King Tides happen without a hurricane threatening to swamp the barrier island.

A King Tide is a non-scientific term used to describe abnormally high tides experienced during a new or full moon.

Tipton said the town is bracing for winds from the storm between 50 to 70 mph, with between four to six inches of rain and the potential for five feet of storm surge.

"The storm surge is the biggest concern," he said.

Tipton expected some streets to begin flooding by late Tuesday morning and urged anyone to avoid Longboat Key for the next couple days.

"There is no reason to be out on Longboat on Tuesday or Wednesday," Tipton said. "We will look forward to seeing visitors on the other side of the storm."

He noted that all low-lying areas were being evacuated with both Sarasota and Manatee county officials urging residents or visitors of the barrier islands to get off the islands. 

Bridges, the town manager said, will close when winds become dangerous for emergency personnel — typically when winds reach 45 mph.

He said Manatee County officials would be the authority to decide whether turning the barrier island's water off would be necessary during the Hurricane. He said he has not heard if or when that could happen.

Tipton said he and his staff will assess conditions on Tuesday evening to decide if the town's government will be open on Wednesday.

- - Derek Gilliam

Sarasota County transportation info, request for foster homes for animals

People who need transportation to Sarasota County evacuation centers which open at 8 a.m. can call 311 after 7 a.m. Tuesday to schedule pickup. Signs will be posted at rally centers such as Buchan Airport Community Park, the Englewood Sports Complex and the Venice Community Center.

For a complete list of rally points, visit  https://www.scgov.net/government/emergency-services/emergency-management/transportation-plan-hurricane-evacuation-centers  

The Suncoast Humane Society, 6781 San Casa Drive, Englewood, is seeking foster homes in Zone C or higher for all animals in its shelter, so they can be safe from storm impacts.

Anyone can stop by the shelter from 8 a.m. to noon Tuesday, to foster an animal. For more information call 941-474-7884.

The foster animals can be returned Thursday, after the storm passes.

Manatee County residents warned to be careful with storm surge

Manatee County officials sent a release, warning that with storm surge forecasts topping six to 10 feet, they had ordered mandatory evacuations for residents in “Level A” areas and voluntary Level B evacuations. Also, all residents and visitors in mobile homes, manufactured homes, RVs or travel trailers must evacuate. Details of evacuation levels are at  mymanatee.org/manateeready .

“Our primary concern at this point is storm surge,” said Manatee County Commission Chair Kevin Van Ostenbridge. “Coastal residents need to heed our warnings.”

The following locations have been identified as Storm Shelters for those who must leave their homes (all are pet friendly): Mills Elementary School, Miller Elementary School, Freedom Elementary School. 

Public shelters should be a last option. It is always recommended to stay with family and friends if possible if you evacuate.

In addition to your  emergency supplies  (food, water, medicine, flashlights, batteries, first aid kit, etc.), the following are good items to bring with you if you must evacuate to a shelter:

• Pillows, blankets, sleeping bags or air mattresses
• Extra clothing, shoes, eyeglasses, hearing aids (and batteries), etc.
• Personal toiletries, towels
• Folding chairs, lawn chairs or cots
• Personal hygiene items (toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, etc.)
• Quiet games, books, playing cards and favorite toys for children
• Important papers and irreplaceable keepsakes (driver’s license, special medical information, insurance policies and property inventories, photographs)

Pet sheltering requirements and rules are important during disaster situations.

• Pet(s) must arrive with a carrier or cage. Cages will not be available on site.
• Pet(s) must remain in carrier (except at scheduled exercise times).
• Owners must provide pet food and other pet supplies as needed.
• Owners must provide certification that pet(s) are current with rabies vaccination
• Owners will not permit other shelter occupants to handle or approach pet(s).
• Owners are responsible for the care, feeding and handling of their own pet(s).

Pet Survival Kit for Pet-Friendly Shelters

• Proper ID collar and rabies license tag
• Carrier or cage
• Water and food bowls
• Medications
• Food supply to last about three days
• Special care instructions
• Newspapers/plastic bags for waste disposal
• Toys and comfort items
• Muzzles, if necessary
• First aid supplies
• Manual can opener
• Proper ID on all belongings

--Jesse Mendoza

Manatee County closes schools

The School District of Manatee County will close all schools and support sites on Tuesday and Wednesday in preparation for Tropical Storm Idalia, which is expected to develop into a hurricane in the following days and produce a dangerous storm surge.

The decision to close the district was made in close collaboration with Manatee County Emergency Management. Three schools opened Monday afternoon for those seeking shelter from the storm.

Those shelters were set up at Virgil Mills Elementary School at 7200 69th Street E. Palmetto, Jesse P. Miller Elementary School at 60143rd St. W, Bradenton, and Freedom Elementary School at 9515 FL 64, Bradenton.

Officials at the former Piney Point fertilizer plant told the Herald-Tribune that operation of the underground injection well will be stopped during the storm.

They said that there are no concerns about the impact rainfall would have on the facility because the well has been used to inject about 85 million gallons of pre-treated wastewater from the facility deep underground since early April.

'Better safe than sorry'

The Home True Value Hardware store in Holmes Beach has been humming with people stopping in and preparing for the storm, head cashier Gloria Creighton said Monday. The store’s sales have doubled, selling more than usual.

No one’s really panicking about the oncoming storm, but everyone is preparing, Creighton said.

So far, the hardware store, located at 5324 Marina Drive, has run out of sandbags, bungee cords and tarps, and many customers have bought flashlights, batteries and all different sizes of propane canisters — which the store had a delivery of Monday.

Creighton added the store will probably be closed on Tuesday. This comes as other stores throughout Holmes Beach began closing Monday, including several stores along Pine Avenue which were closed, some with sandbags before the doors and others boarded up.

“Everybody’s getting ready, is what it is,” Creighton said. “Better safe than sorry.”

--Gabriela Szymanowska

College classes canceled

Ringling College and USF Sarasota-Manatee both canceled classes for Tuesday and Wednesday ahead of Hurricane Idalia, according to announcements sent to each of the college’s students on Monday.

USF expects to reopen on Thursday, but a final decision will be made Wednesday, the college said in an email.

-Steven Walker

People load sandbags in Bradenton ahead of Idalia

-Dan Wagner

Sarasota County media briefing on Tropical Storm Idalia

-Earle Kimel

No apparent frenzy for supplies in many Sarasota County areas as Idalia threatens

There did not appear to be a rush for supplies by worried residents of south Venice or Siesta Key, at least not yet. 

A sign on copy paper near the plywood at a Lowe's Home Improvement store along Tamiami Trial issued a warning to future buyers that waterlogged material was not returnable.

A woman and her daughter stood at checkout ringing up a case of water and a generator.

But the store, while busy, did not seem to hum with the anxious energy that sometimes builds prior to a major hurricane making landfall. 

Morton's Siesta Market, a small grocery store on Siesta Key, did not appear to have a rush of customers and tourists still strolled Beach Road. 

The public parking lot to Siesta Beach appeared mostly full on a slightly windy, but clear-blue-sky day. 

Hailey Malone and her mother Shelly Wiggins spent Monday morning at Siesta Key Beach.

They've come to Siesta Key from Illinois while visiting family in Acardia.

Malone said her Acardia relatives aren't worried about the storm, noting they lived through the flooding that came after Hurricane Ian.

Both plan to leave Siesta Key on Tuesday before the winds pick up.

They fly back to Illinois on Thursday. Malone, who had a 13-month-old baby, was a bit worried the storm could impact flights but was hopeful that since her flight was out of Central Florida, it might not be delayed. 

-Derek Gilliam

Manatee County Schools closing Tuesday and Wednesday

Manatee County Schools will close all schools and support locations Tuesday and Wednesday ahead of Hurricane Idalia, the district wrote in a statement Monday afternoon.

After-school activities for Monday will end by 6 p.m. as the district moves to open select schools as hurricane shelters.

Those shelters were set up at Virgil Mills Elementary School at 7200 69th Street E. Palmetto, Jesse P. Miller Elementary School at 60143rd St. W, Bradenton, and Freedom Elementary School at 9515 FL 64, Bradenton. Other shelters could open as needed, the district said.

The decision to close the district was made in close collaboration with Manatee County Emergency Management.

Officials at the former Piney Point fertilizer plant told the Herald-Tribune that operation of the underground injection well will be stopped during the storm. 

-- Steven Walker and Jesus Mendoza

Sarasota County declares evacuation for barrier islands and other areas, opening shelters Tuesday

Sarasota County declared an evacuation Monday afternoon for Level A zones – which include low-lying areas, barrier islands, manufactured homes, and liveaboard vessels.

Sarasota County schools will be closed both Tuesday and Wednesday, as all 12 Sarasota County emergency evacuation shelters will open at 8 a.m. Tuesday.

All 12 Sarasota County emergency shelters will open at 8 a.m. Tuesday, while shelters for medically dependent residents will open at 7 a.m.

As of Monday afternoon, Sarasota County was still finalizing details of transportation from rally points such as the Venice Community Center on Tuesday morning to evacuation centers.

A county spokeswoman said via email that for now, transportation can be arranged through Breeze Plus and Breeze On Demand by calling 311. There’s more information on those services on  scgov.net . 

Sarasota County suspended regular governmental operations as of 1 p.m. Monday, to support emergency operations. Regular operations will remain closed on Tuesday and Wednesday.

“We’re taking those actions out of an abundance of caution related to things like surge and storm winds,” Sarasota County Emergency Services Director Rich Collins said at a Monday afternoon press conference. “Homeowners who live in safe homes outside of the evacuation area built in 2002 or later with shutters can shelter at home with supplies.”

Collins urged that anyone who shelters in place have a hurricane kit with food, water and medication for 10 days and a battery-operated radio.

Sarasota County School Superintendent Terrence Connor said schools and after-school programs will be closed both Tuesday and Wednesday, with district officials monitoring the storm in anticipation of reopening Thursday.

Sarasota County will offer sandbag filling stations form 2 to 7 p.m. Monday and 7 a.m. to 4 .m. Tuesday at Ed Smith Stadium, 2700 12th Street, Sarasota; Twin Lakes Park, 6700 Clark Road, Sarasota, and the South County Fleet Maintenance Facility at 4571 State Road 776 in South Venice.

Shovels and sandbags will be provided. There is a 10-bag limit per vehicle.

Sarasota County Solid Waste pickup will be suspended Tuesday. The Sarasota County Landfill will also be closed Tuesday.

To receive regular text updates from Sarasota County, text SRQCOUNTY to 888777.

-- Earle Kimel

Latest forecast: What weather Sarasota-Manatee can expect from Idalia?

Takeaways from the latest update from the National Weather Service office in Ruskin:

Wind: Gusts over 115 mph at coast of Pinellas, Levy, Citrus, 50-80 mph elsewhere in Hurricane Warning area, which includes Sarasota and Manatee. There is an 84% probability of tropical storm winds in Sarasota, as early as 1 p.m. Tuesday but more likely by 7 p.m. In Manatee there is a 95% chance around roughly the same times. Coastal counties can expect tropical storm force winds to last for 18 to 24 hours: 50 mph, gusting to 75 mph north of Longboat Key; 40 gusting 60 mph in rain bands to the south. Winds should be departing Sarasota-Manatee around 6 to 7 a.m. Wednesday.

Surge: Widespread deep salt water flooding, possibly reaching several miles inland for the most impacted areas, which expected to be near Cedar Key. The Tampa Bay area is expected to see waters rise 4 to 7 feet above ground level, and in Sarasota County 3 to 5 feet. Charlotte and Lee: 2 to 4 feet.

Waters will begin to increase Tuesday night, possibly flooding coastal roads. The peak surge is expected onWednesday. The highest surge potential is on Wednesday near and after the eye wall passes and winds become onshore.

Rain: Flooding rain is possible in Sarasota and Manatee counties Tuesday evening and Wednesday in which small streams, canals, and ditches overflow. Rapid flooding of underpasses, low-lying spots, and poor drainage areas, especially near coast at high tide.

Landfall: Expected in Florida Tuesday night or Wednesday around Cedar Key to Tampa, with forecast models clustering their expectations around Cedar Key, increasing the confidence the storm will make landfall north ofTarpon Springs.

-- Staff report

Sarasota County libraries closed

Sarasota County Library branches and the History Center will closed at 12:30 p.m. on Monday because of the storm.All library programs scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday were canceled. Due dates for materials currently checked out will be extended for one week to accommodate reduced hours. For more information including updated hours of operation, call 311 or visit the website at scgov.net.

Sarasota County Schools closing Tuesday and Wednesday

Sarasota Schools will close traditional public schools for Tuesday and Wednesday in preparation for Hurricane Idalia, the district announced Monday afternoon "out of an abundance of caution" and so that schools can serve as Evacuation Centers, according to an alert from the district.

Shelters in schools being used for that purpose will open at 8 a.m. Tuesday, and include Atwater Elementary, Booker High, Brookside Middle, Fruitville Elementary, Gulf Gate Elementary, Heron Creek Middle, North Port High, Phillippi Shores Elementary, Riverview High, Southside Elementary, Taylor Ranch Elementary and Woodland Middle. 

After school activities on Monday, Aug. 28, will take place as scheduled, the district said. More info is available at www.scgov.net and www.sarasotacountyschools.net/hurricane.

-- Steven Walker

Venice declares emergency, offers sandbags takes other hurricane prep steps

The city of Venice has declared a state of emergency. This enables the city to request funds, resources and support at the county, state and federal levels.

Sandbag Operations

Sand is available, first-come, first-served at Wellfield Park, 1400 Lucaya Ave., Venice.Pick up bags at the Public Works building, 1350 Ridgewood Ave.; City Hall, 401 W. Venice Ave., or bring your own.Self service; shovels provided. Limit 10 bags per household.

Trash & Recycling Collections

Tuesday, Aug. 29 - There will be NO pickups of trash, recyclables or yard waste in the city on Tuesday, Aug. 29, as the Sarasota County landfill will be closed. Whether there will be collections on Wednesday will be announced.Thursday, Aug. 31 - TBD

Facility Closures

Monday, Aug. 28 - City Hall and other City buildings and services are operating normal business.Tuesday, Aug. 29 - Humphries Park and the South Jetty will be closed.

- - Staff report

New College closing Tuesday because of hurricane

New College of Florida, which just started its fall semester on Monday, will close Tuesday in anticipation of the hurricane, the college announced. 

Classes were tentatively scheduled to resume on Wednesday, the release said.

Shoveling sand to prepare

Bo Barber, a resident of Manatee County, recalled waiting until the last minute to prepare for Hurricane Ian — there hadn't been any sandbags left and he had to wait three hours at G.T. Bray Park. This year, he's preparing early.

Barber drove to Coquina Beach just after 9:30 a.m. to fill sandbags. He said that later in the day or tomorrow, there could be even more people stopping by. Barber used a 20-gallon bucket to help steady the bags as he shoveled the sand into them and even took a page from another resident's book who placed the bags up higher on the sand pile and shoveled from closer to the top instead of bending down to shovel from the bottom.

Sarasota, Manatee in storm surge warning area; hurricane warning now covers from mid-Longboat Key north

The latest National Hurricane Center forecast update has resulted in a Storm Surge Warning being issued from Englewood north to the Ochlockonee River, including Tampa Bay.

A Hurricane Warning has been issued from the Middle of Longboat Key northward to the Ochlockonee River, including Tampa Bay.

A Tropical Storm Warning has been issued from Chokoloskee northward to the Middle of Longboat Key, and from west of the Lockheed River westward to Indian Pass.

The combination of a dangerous storm surge and the tide will cause normally dry areas near the coast to be flooded by rising waters moving inland from the shoreline, according to the hurricane center. The water could reach the following heights above ground somewhere in the indicated areas if the peak surge occurs at the time of high tide:

Anclote River to Middle of Longboat Key, FL…4-7 ftTampa Bay…4-7 ftMiddle of Longboat Key to Englewood...3-5 ftEnglewood to Chokoloskee, FL…2-4 ftCharlotte Harbor…2-4 ft

On the forecast track, the center of Idalia is forecast to pass near or over western Cuba tonight, over the extreme southeastern Gulf of Mexico by early Tuesday, and reach the Gulf coast of Florida on Wednesday.

Maximum sustained winds are near 65 mph with higher gusts. Idalia is forecast to become a hurricane later today and a dangerous major hurricane over the northeastern Gulf of Mexico by early Wednesday.

Tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 105 miles from the center.

Manatee County island residents ready for storm

Shortly after 9:30 a.m. Monday, two Manatee County dump trucks pulled into Coquina Beach, a third still on route after its tire blew out on the way, according to one of the drivers.

The heat of the day was already rising as the sand was dumped in two piles, a few shovels and sandbags placed nearby. As the morning progressed, dark clouds could be seen unfurling over the Gulf, and an occasional rumble of thunder could be heard in the distance.

Community members trickled into the parking lot near the sand piles and began filling bags to take with them to place around their homes, businesses, and neighbor’s homes. By 10:30 a.m., some 20 or so people had stopped by to grab sandbags.

Alanna Massey and her husband, Fletcher Anderton, made the drive up from the north end of Longboat Key to fill bags with their 1.5-year-old daughter, Ivory.

Massey said their biggest concern is the storm surge and flooding, so their goal is to work all day placing sandbags around the home, bringing in patio furniture, and raising furniture.

The family will most likely leave depending on the direction the storm takes, as they don’t want to get stuck on the island because of the surge, Massey said. While the family had left about a week before Hurricane Ian swept across the area, returning to Arizona, the place they stayed at was fine. She hopes they’ll fare well this year too.

Dave Clement, 66, lives on the second level of a condo in Bradenton Beach but made the drive out to Coquina Beach to shovel sandbags for his downstairs neighbor who’s away.

Clement said he spoke with his neighbors this morning, and while it’s still unclear where the storm will hit, it’s better to be safe than sorry.

“Well I look at it this way, when you live in a condo association, you know, you’re all connected,” Clement said. “That’s how I look at it. You want to make sure your neighbor’s going to be okay.”

Clement, who’s from Erie, Pennsylvania, said when he first moved here and experienced Hurricane Irma, he hadn’t prepared until the last minute. This year, he’s prepared for whatever may come.

Manatee braces for intensifying Idalia

Manatee County declared a state of local emergency and announced plans to open three emergency shelters as the community  braces for the expectation that Tropical Storm Idalia  could turn into a major hurricane before making landfall. 

The county is opening emergency shelters at Virgil Mills, Miller, and Freedom Elementary schools at 2 p.m. on Monday.

"Today is a beautiful day in Manatee County, but of course, we are preparing for a Tropical Storm and eventually Hurricane Idalia," Chairman Kevin Van Ostenbridge said during Monday morning’s emergency meeting.

Acting County Administrator Charlie Bishop announced that the county is preparing as if Idalia could brew in the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico, and turn into a Category 3 hurricane before making landfall.

"(It’s) expected currently to be a Cat 3 with 115 MPH sustained winds,” Bishop said. “The current arrival time for winds could potentially be around 7 p.m. tomorrow, but that is subject to change. There is the potential for flooding on coastal roads as early as tonight due to the high tides." 

The landfill will remain open until 6 p.m. Transit will operate until conditions are unsafe for operation. Trash Pickup will cease after today and will not be operational on Tuesday or Wednesday. County government will shut down Monday at noon.

Manatee County also announced a Level A mandatory evacuation and a Level B voluntary evacuation.

The Piney Point underground injection well will also be stopped for the duration of the storm, according to officials at the former Piney Point fertilizer plant. 

Manatee County has opened its self-serve sandbag stations at Manatee Beach at 4000 Gulf Drive; Coquina Beach at 2650 Gulf Drive; Bayfront Park at 310 North Bay Blvd.; Rubonia at 1309 72nd St E.; the 66th Street West fleet building at 4700 66th Street West; and Pride Park 6032 9th Street East.

The city of Bradenton has also made sandbags available at the Public Works Annex building at 1411 9th St. West to city residents as well, as long as they present a valid ID to verify residence.Residents can visit  mymanatee.org/manateeready  for up-to-date information including evacuation orders, location, and status of nearby shelters, to check their flood zone, and to register with the county if they have special medical needs in case an evacuation is necessary.

--Jesus Mendoza

North Port opening sandbag station

The city of North Port is opening a self-serve sandbag station at 10 a.m. Monday at the Larry Thoennissen Athletic Fields behind the George Mullen Activity Center, 1602 Kramer way – at the end of City Center Boulevard.

Bags, sand and shovels will be provided and there is a limit of 10 bags per vehicle.

City officials urge residents to store those bags in a dry location out of the sun so they will be ready for future hurricanes or next hurricane season.

Do not place sandbags in garbage or storm drainage swales.

Levels of the Myakkahatchee Creek, the primary route for water through the city, are at 17.42 feet – lower than the typical average of 18.55 feet for this time of year.

North Port Public Works employees are continuing to lower levels citywide.

With the current forecast calling for localized roadway flooding, city officials do not anticipate widespread flooding.

Water may stay in swales for up to 72 hours from the last rainfall as the city’s stormwater system filters the water.

Manatee declares emergency, plans mandatory Level A evacuation and voluntary Level B; shelters opening

Manatee County declared a local state of emergency Monday morning, and public safety officials are announcing plans for evacuations, beginning with a MANDATORY Level A evacuation (including all mobile home parks) and VOLUNTARY Level B evacuation, effective at 2 p.m. today.

"We’re expecting significant storm surge along the barrier islands and coastal communities for Idalia, with the earliest arrival predicted for Tuesday,” said Manatee County Public Safety Director Jodie Fiske. “This is a very dangerous track that we all need to be aware of.”

Here is the information in a county news release:

COUNTY SHELTER LOCATIONS (opening at 2 p.m.):

• Virgil Mills Elementary School  7200 69th Street E. Palmetto 34211 
• Jesse P. Miller Elementary School  60143rd St. W, Bradenton 34209 
• Freedom Elementary School  9515 FL 64, Bradenton 34212 

Citizens with special needs who are not registered for this event are encouraged to immediately contact  Manatee  3-1-1 and provide their name and phone number.

CITIZEN’S INFORMATION CENTER (3-1-1) Manatee County’s 3-1-1 call center will be open and fully staffed 24/7 to field calls from citizens about sandbag locations, storm preparedness, evacuation levels and more.

COUNTY CLOSURES The approach of the storm will change County operations beginning at noon today. Normal operations and duties will be suspended for County Employees to be reassigned during the emergency. There will be no yard waste or recycling collections on Tuesday, August 29, or Wednesday, August 30. Residents should monitor local media, the County's Website, and social media for updates. Manatee County Parks and Preserves will be closed until further notice. Manatee County Public Libraries will be closed until further notice. Manatee County Animal Welfare facilities will be closed until further notice. Manatee County’s Emergency Operations Center will also move to a Level One activation at 12 noon today.

SANDBAGS Manatee County Public Works and Property Management Departments are providing sandbags (limit 10 per household) at numerous locations around Manatee County. Each self-service site opened at 9 a.m. today and will continue to operate as weather permits. Residents should plan to show an ID or Manatee County Utilities Department water bill indicating they are a resident of Manatee County. Visit  mymanatee.org/sandbags  for more information.

TRANSIT All Manatee County Area Transit (MCAT) fixed-route Bus and Trolley service will be suspended Tuesday, August 29 (once winds reach tropical-storm force).

For more information about Manatee County Government, visit  mymanatee. org  or call (941) 748-4501. Follow them on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @ManateeGov. 

-Staff report

Sarasota, Manatee Schools monitoring storm; Four Manatee schools release students early for shelter prep

Sarasota Schools shared an update Sunday afternoon that said schools would be open as normal on Monday, and that the district was monitoring the storm.

District spokesman Craig Maniglia said an update could be expected later Monday afternoon.

In Manatee County, the district announced Monday morning that it will release students early from four schools as they prepare hurricane shelters. Nolan Middle School, Freedom Elementary School, Miller Elementary School and Mills Elementary School will dismiss students at noon Monday, and all after school programs were cancelled as well.

All other Manatee County schools were open as scheduled as of Monday morning, a district spokesperson said.

Holmes Beach makes sandbags available

The Holmes Beach Police Department announced the agency will have empty sandbags available for residents and business owners at Manatee Beach, Coquina Beach, Bayfront Park, Rubonia, 66th ST W (non-ADA), and Pride Park starting at 9 a.m.

There will be a limited number of shovels available, so they're recommending to bring your own.