Arm Your Employees With Fire Extinguisher Training | SERVPRO® of Rockwall/Rowlett

1/14/2025 (Permalink)

Dealing with the aftermath of a commercial fire? SERVPRO of Rockwall/Rowlett is your local restoration expert.

As business owners and commercial property owners, avoiding emergencies and disasters is always a top priority. Not only can emergencies cause widespread devastation, but they can be a danger to your employees as well! This is certainly true when it comes to fire in the workplace.

If your employees don’t have the basic fire safety skills they need, it could create a chaotic situation that can easily get out of control. By focusing your efforts on training them on fire extinguisher use, you can greatly increase your chances of your employees responding appropriately and efficiently.

The Basics of Fire Safety

Did you know that OSHA requires all businesses that have a fire extinguisher on the premises to train their employees on its use? Since every business should have a fire extinguisher, that means you should be explaining how to use one, when to use one and what the different kinds mean.

Don’t be afraid to let your employees get hands-on with your fire extinguisher! Let them hold it, practice aiming and even pretend to fight a fire by sweeping across some imaginary flames. Make sure they understand to stand back at a safe distance, which is usually about six to eight feet.

Teaching an acronym like PASS is a great way for your employees to have better memory retention when an emergency situation arises. Once your training is complete, you shouldn’t stop there! Review this information annually with your team, especially as employees come and go and roles change.

Having a trusted and confident staff member be in charge of the situation can also help with task delegation. If your employees only have to focus on one or two jobs in an emergency, it greatly increases the chances that your crew will respond appropriately and work as a team.

When to Call Authorities

Not all fires are created equal, and not all of them will become widespread or a dangerous situation. A small break room fire is much different than a warehouse fire or a chemical spill that caught on fire. No matter if your business is off of Bethany Drive in the business district or on the outskirts of town, having a plan in place will help you reduce your risk of experiencing a fire.

That being said, your employees’ safety is the most important thing! Reassure your employees that if they ever feel unsafe or uncomfortable in an emergency situation, it is OK to back away and find an exit quickly and safely. Our local fire department can take over and help tackle the flames.

A fire in the workplace is never something you hope for, but it does happen. If you experience a fire, no matter how big or destructive, our team is here to help you fully recover.

Dealing with the aftermath of a commercial fire? Our SERVPRO specialists can restore your losses and return your workplace to its pre-fire condition.