Berks County Youth Center

BERKS COUNTY YOUTH CENTER

Re: Fire Drill Evacuation Policy (I.N.S. Shelters) RIV: 1-30-02

Fire Drill Evacuation Policy: The paramount duty of the Berks County Youth Center employee is the safety of the residents in our care. All staff except office support staff will provide supplementary security when the drills/emergencies occur. The following procedures will assist staff in safely escorting residents to a safe and secure area during a fire drill / emergency.

1. Designation of emergency duties will be determined at each shift briefing. 2. Staff will turn up the volume on the radio and hold the radio close their ear and listen for the fire location. 3. Evacuees will then proceed to the closest route of egress away from the fire location. 4. All staff will act in a professional manner during a drill / emergency. 5. All I.N.S. Shelter residents will be counted and escorted to two possible staging areas, depending on the location of the fire. If the fire is located near or in the main corridor of the building the staff will escort the residents to the front yard, via the emergency exits near the day rooms, classrooms and/or patio areas of the building. If the fire is located near the classrooms, day rooms and patio area of building, the staff will escort the residents out one of the main entrances of the building. The residents will stay in a single file line and will be instructed not to speak. The staff will position themselves around the residents. All C wing residents and all D wing residents will stay separated from each other at all times. All visitors will be escorted outside. 6. If the building and evacuation areas become dangerous, management will authorize immediate evacuation of the area to the Berks agriculture center. 7. Management or a Lead Worker will designate and determine safe distance (a minimum of 150 yards) and location from the building or emergency response activity for the residents to stand. 8. When the residents are at the designated location a head count will be taken. 9. Staff will check all resident rooms, offices and common areas in their department to assure everyone has been evacuated. 10. Management or a Lead Worker will then contact the control room with their appropriate counts. Please note, when contacting the control room monitor the airway prior to transmitting, to minimize staff transmitting over each other. 11. When the drill / emergency is secure the control room operator or a member of management will announce the facility is secured and reentry is permitted. 12. Staff will take a head count of the residents and return to the building.