Every year, our team practices fire drills to prepare for emergencies. Knowing how to react during a fire is essential because we work with elderly residents, many of whom use wheelchairs or are bed-bound. We need to know how to act quickly and safely, keeping our residents calm and getting them to safety. This is my sixth year learning how to handle fire emergencies, and I believe these skills could truly save lives.
In a nursing home, many residents may not be able to move on their own, especially at night when most are in bed. If a fire breaks out, the elevators stop working, leaving the stairways as the only way out. This means we must act fast to get residents out of bed, into wheelchairs, and to the stairwell. But how can just a few workers evacuate so many residents in time? This question is why fire drills are so necessary,they teach us the steps to follow, even under pressure.
When the fire alarm sounds, the system automatically notifies the fire department. The firefighters arrive within minutes, ready to handle the flames. Meanwhile, the alarm system also sends alerts to our work phones, showing exactly where the fire is—whether in a room, the dining area, or another location. This information helps us prioritize. We focus first on evacuating residents near the fire while firefighters deal with the flames.
During the drill, we practice how to,
Evacuate residents - taking them from beds to wheelchairs or evacuation chairs designed for stairs.
Calming residents - many elderly people feel scared or confused during emergencies. We talk to them gently, explaining what is happening to keep them calm.
Moving to stairways - since we can’t use elevators, we bring residents to the stairwell. This is a safe waiting area where firefighters can help carry residents down if needed.
Here are some important things I’ve learned over the years!
We need to stay calm beacuse panic can slow us down. Breathe deeply and focus on what needs to be done.
You need to know the plan, so we need to be familiar with the evacuation routes and procedures. Always know where the closest stairwell and fire exits are.
We need to work together and communicate with our team. It’s important to assign roles, some workers focus on moving residents, while others check rooms or guide residents to safety.
Many nursing homes have special chairs or mats to help move residents who can’t sit in a wheelchair. ( we still don’t have this, maybe is time to buy)
Most important is that residents closest to the fire must be evacuated first. We need to make sure doors to other rooms are closed to slow the spread of smoke and fire.
One thing that stood out to me during our drill was how fast the firefighters worked. In just five minutes, they set up ladders, climbed to the balconies, and “put out the fire.” Watching them reassured me that while our job is to keep residents safe and calm, they are there to take over and handle the fire.
In emergencies, preparation makes all the difference. Fire drills teach us how to act quickly, communicate well, and keep everyone safe.
We never know when an emergency might happen, but being prepared means we’re ready to face it. Every drill we practice is another step toward ensuring that, if the time ever comes, we can make a difference. In the end, it’s about more than just following procedures, it’s about saving lives and showing our residents that they are always in safe hands.
(Our little helper) ☺️
“Dare to reach out your hand into the darkness, to pull another hand into the light.” —Norman B. Rice
With love, @tinabrezpike❤️
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Fire drills practice is very important. Firefighters contribute a lot to make every life safer. My respect to you
Yes, that's regular practise here, too.
!INDEED
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@tinabrezpike! @seckorama Totally agrees with your content! so I just sent 1 IDD to your account on behalf of @seckorama.