Emergency evacuation and tactical withdrawal of responders

As part of the incident command system, any safe system of work should include plans for emergency evacuation and tactical withdrawal of responders; these plans should consider fire and rescue service personnel and other responders.

The plans should enable emergency evacuation or tactical withdrawal of responders which:

• Evacuates the responders who are at highest risk, while protecting escape routes
• Removes responders from areas where the risk has become too high

The plans should also include:

• The method of initiating an emergency evacuation or tactical withdrawal of responders
• The method for carrying out a roll call
• The communications that are required when an emergency evacuation or tactical withdrawal of responders have been initiated
• The actions that would need to be taken if personnel are unaccounted for after an emergency evacuation or tactical withdrawal of responders
• The procedure for recommencing activity after an emergency evacuation or tactical withdrawal of responders

Emergency evacuation of responders

A muster point should be established and its location provided to all personnel. However, the location of the muster point may change during an incident. All personnel should be notified about the change of its location.

The usual evacuation of responders signal in the UK fire and rescue service is repeated short blasts using a suitable whistle. This signal tells everyone that they need to evacuate the hazard area. On hearing the agreed evacuation signal, all other personnel with whistles should relay the warning to amplify its importance and reach additional personnel.

If it is a multi-agency incident, all responders should be advised of the evacuation signal and the muster point as part of the joint agency briefing. If the fire and rescue service initiates an emergency evacuation of responders, other agencies should be advised as soon as possible.

If personnel are working in a noisy environment, a remote area or at a sensitive incident, using other methods for the evacuation of responders signal should be considered, for example repeated flashing of a torch.

As personnel will still be in the hazard area during the evacuation, the tactical mode will still be ‘Offensive’. Informative messages should use the phrase ‘Emergency evacuation of responders in progress’ to timestamp the dynamic risk assessment.

Following an emergency evacuation of responders there should be a roll call of personnel at a suitable location. A check should be made to ensure that other agencies have carried out a roll call of their own personnel.

After an emergency evacuation of responders or an evacuation signal, personnel should not re-enter the hazard area unless it is under the instructions of the incident commander.

If any personnel or other responders remain unaccounted for after an emergency evacuation of responders, search and rescue activity may need to commence. For further information refer to Firefighter emergencies.

Tactical withdrawal of responders

If it is necessary to redeploy resources or move personnel away from risks, a tactical withdrawal of responders can be initiated. A tactical withdrawal does not require an evacuation signal or a full roll call.

As personnel will still be in the hazard area, the tactical mode will still be ‘Offensive’. Informative messages should use the phrase ‘Tactical withdrawal of responders in progress’ to timestamp the dynamic risk assessment.