Key Responsibilities of a Fire Warden in the Workplace

What defines a fire warden is their ability to effectively uphold the safety and security of individuals and businesses during a fire. They make sure that they protect people from the devastating effects of such accidents.

Promoting fire prevention, especially in the workplace, should be a priority, as without any preparation, businesses and people could be at serious risk. And what’s more is that businesses will struggle to pull through after such a tragedy. It’s situations like these that become the reason why a warden has to be appointed to fully understand the proper procedures that come with fire prevention. With that, also comes appropriate systems to establish and maintain fire prevention measures that are specific to the establishment or the building it is in.

With Fire Warden training, an individual who is fit for the title will have the following duties:

•         Implement and improve effective emergency measures in the workplace.
•         Prevent emergencies by making sure the fire risk control measures meet the specified standards.
•         Make other staff aware of the fire hazards that can occur in the workplace.
•         Educate employers on how to respond to emergencies.
•         Run fire drills and evacuation simulations; with the warden’s guide, employees should be able to identify all emergency exit routes from their area.
•         Make sure that all people in the workplace are accounted for in an evacuation.
•         Assist all employers and patrons during an emergency, including those who have special needs (i.e. people in wheelchairs or who are physically challenged).

In the event of an emergency, especially when the fire alarm has been sounded, a fire warden will have been trained to assist the safe evacuation of all employees and patrons in the workplace as soon as possible. This is to clear the area immediately and ensure the safety of the people.

Here is a fire warden’s checklist during an evacuation:

•         Instruct everyone to exit the premises through the nearest routes and exits, informing and advising not to use the lifts.
•         Clear the area, making sure that everyone has exited the building safely. That includes checking all spaces, such as bathrooms, and other areas. It’s important that they do this on the way to the exits, as the safety of the warden is at risk when they have to re-enter the building.
•         Close all doors on the way out to help isolate the fire.
•         Guide people to the assembly area, whilst making sure they are safe.

A warden is given full authority to lead an evacuation, and the employees must be fully aware of this responsibility.

Even when there are no emergencies, a fire warden is duty-bound to check on the fire exits on a regular basis.

Also, in keeping with the Fire Warden training, they must also be involved in these actions in order to report emergencies:

•         Report all significant details to the fire department through either radio or a fire phone.
•         Communicate with the fire department every three minutes for as long as there are new updates on the state of the emergency.
•         Inform them of the cleared areas and any issues that may occur during the fire.
•         Send a runner to report any information regarding the crisis in case there is no radio or phone accessibility.

Anyone can earn the title of Fire Warden provided that they complete a Fire Warden course, where they gain the skills required to provide safety for the people in their care.

Club Training Australia offers Fire Warden training online, covering a wide range of general topics on prevention and safety for aspiring fire wardens and floor or area wardens. For more information on the training duration, and the course itself, visit the official Club Training Australia website today.