Fire Evacuation Practice
During the summer months we will carry out Fire Evacuation Practice. The following information will help you understand what is likely to happen and how you should re-act and help with the exercise.
At the beginning of the service you will be informed that we will be carrying out a fire evacuation at the end of the service – though you may find it comes as a surprise then anyway! Any other users of the premises will also be informed that this will be taking place and told what they should be doing as they may evacuate the building via a different route and have a different Assembly Point.
At the end of the service a steward will announce that a fire has been located in the building and which doors you should exit by. Please leave quickly and quietly via this exit. DO NOT STOP TO SPEAK TO ANYONE / DELAY AS YOU LEAVE. If you have impaired movement or have other difficulties, please wait until someone comes along to give you a hand. If you are able bodied, please offer assistance to the Stewarding Team on duty.
Where should you go? From the church, the Fire Assembly Point is at the far end of the car park near the library and the road. The preacher will be there to greet you and assist in that position
YOU SHOULD NOT GO HOME AT THIS POINT – You may be aware that we count the congregation each Sunday, and if we do not have the right number of people someone could well re-enter the building to find you in case of fire and incur danger to themselves. Should you decide to drive off at this moment, not only could you endager the lives of those evacuating, but should this be a real fire, you could obstruct the entrance way for the Emergency Services.
You should not re-enter the building or leave the grounds until you are told by a church official that it is safe to do so. In case of a practice, we will try to make this as quick as possible.
Please note that though we plan the days in advance, should the weather be inclement we will defer it until a future date.
The Stewards on duty are in charge of this exercise rather than the preacher, as, in a real fire, this could be a visiting preacher who would not be aware of the procedure.
Thank you for your co-operation when the time comes.
The Stewarding Team