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The Role of Chief Wardens in Managing Workplace Evacuation Drills

I have led and participated in a full range of emergency exercises. From full 5-day emergency incident exercises, to your standard “alarm test” style fire drills.

From my experience in these exercises, the most critical role is the Chief Warden. If the person taking on this role in the exercise gets it right, then the exercise runs smoothly. But if they aren’t up to the job, if they don’t have a good understanding of the site or the procedures, the exercise can go wrong very quickly. It leaves staff (and customers!) confused and worried about what might happen in a real incident. And it can be a huge waste of time, if the actual procedures are being tested – which is the whole point.

Let me share with you, my top tips for what a Chief Warden needs to do to pull-off an emergency exercise at your workplace.

 

What Does a Chief Warden Do During an Evacuation Drill?

So, what does a Chief Warden actually do during an evacuation drill? Well, it starts long before the alarms sound. One of the main tasks is making sure everyone on the team knows their role. This includes other wardens who make up the emergency control organisation (ECO). Everyone needs to be on the same page, and it’s the Chief Warden’s job to coordinate that.

During the drill, the Chief Warden leads the charge. This means directing the evacuation, communicating with everyone on-site, and ensuring that all emergency procedures are followed to the letter. You’re also responsible for checking that all exits are accessible, that assembly points are clear, and that no one gets left behind. And if the situation calls for it, you’ll be the one communicating with emergency services.

No pressure, right?


Preparing for the Evacuation Drill: Pre-Drill Planning

Planning is everything. Before the drill even begins, a Chief Warden needs to assess the building layout and confirm an evacuation plan for the scenario. It’s like putting together a puzzle. You’ve got to think about the fastest, safest routes for everyone to exit, how to avoid bottlenecks, and even how to help people with special needs.

Scheduling regular evacuation drills is a must to stay compliant with safety standards like AS3745. And the key is not to give away the exact timing of the drill—otherwise, people won’t take it seriously. Assign roles to your team beforehand and make sure they know what they’re doing. Hold a quick briefing before the drill starts to make sure everyone’s clear on their duties. Trust me, it’ll make the whole thing go much smoother.


Leading the Evacuation Drill: What Happens on the Day

When the day of the drill arrives, it’s game time! As the Chief Warden, you’re the one announcing the start of the drill. Stay calm—if you freak out, everyone else will too. It’s your job to make sure that the wardens guide everyone safely to the assembly points.

You also need to monitor the pace of the evacuation. People will naturally want to rush, but you need to ensure it’s done safely and without panic. There’s nothing worse than someone getting hurt during a drill. Make sure you’ve got eyes on everyone, and that includes checking areas that people tend to forget—like bathrooms or storage rooms.

If there’s anyone with special needs, you’ll want to make sure they’re safely escorted. And remember, you’re not just leading; you’re observing how the whole thing unfolds. If anything’s going wrong, like a blocked exit or miscommunication, you’ll need to address it in real-time.


Post-Drill Debrief: Evaluating the Effectiveness of the Evacuation

Once the drill is done and dusted, it’s time for a debrief. This is where you get to assess what went right and what didn’t. Gather feedback from your wardens and other staff members—this is a team effort, after all. Were there any bottlenecks during the evacuation? Did people know where to go? Were the assembly points clear? These are the kinds of questions you need to ask.

Your job as Chief Warden is to report to the Emergency Planning Committee on the drill’s success and highlight any areas for improvement. If there were any issues, you need to update the emergency plan accordingly. And don’t forget to schedule any follow-up training if you find that there are gaps in your team’s preparedness. Trust me, the more you practice, the better you’ll get.


Best Practices for Chief Wardens Managing Evacuation Drills

As a Chief Warden, it’s essential to regularly update your emergency plan. Things change, whether it’s building layouts or the size of your team, and your plan needs to reflect that. Make sure you have clear communication channels in place, both with your staff and with emergency services. In a real emergency, clear and calm communication can be the difference between life and death.

Another tip? Stay calm. I know, easier said than done, but if you lose your cool, so will everyone else. And always, always have a backup plan. Emergencies are unpredictable, so you need to be prepared for anything.

Finally, don’t let your team get too comfortable. It’s easy for people to go through the motions during drills, but it’s your job to make sure they take it seriously. Rehearse for different scenarios—fire, earthquake, even a lockdown—so that your team is ready for anything.


Conclusion

At the end of the day, being a Chief Warden is a big responsibility. But it’s also incredibly rewarding. Leading evacuation drills not only helps keep people safe, but it also builds a culture of preparedness in the workplace. By taking the time to prepare, communicate, and evaluate, you’re making sure that when an emergency does happen, your team knows exactly what to do.

So, if you’re a Chief Warden, take pride in your role. Keep improving your processes, and remember that your efforts could be saving lives. If you need help refining your evacuation plan or want advice on how to handle tricky drills, reach out and schedule a session with an emergency planning expert. You’ve got this!

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