Booking your evacuation training doesn’t need to be stressful or confusing. Read on for more clarification on the differences between our training packages. We’ll also cover how to choose the best delegates for evacuation training, as well as overall best practices for drills and refreshers.
Our training packages
All of our packages include:
- Evacuation training that has been specifically designed for your site and end users
- Hands-on practice
- Training literature for your future reference
- A certificate once you have completed the course, valid for up to 2 years
Our evacuation training packages are designed for between 2 and 4 participants.
Operator Training
Duration: 2 hours
Operator training includes everything detailed above. While it is a hands-on training session, it is not PEEP-specific. You will learn general movements and best practices only.
Cascade Training
Duration: 3.5 hours minimum
Cascade Training goes further than Operator, including hands-on transfer work that has been tailored for specific passengers. If you want, the training can be based around one of your own PEEPs (Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans).
We provide in-depth evacuation training, as well as supporting templates. This course provides your delegates with the knowledge required to train others to an Operator standard. Cascade Training provides you with an in-house evacuation trainer who is qualified to lead all future training sessions in your organisation.
Cascade Plus Training
Duration: 1 day
This is our most comprehensive training course. Your delegate first learns from our trainer, then puts their new knowledge into practice while we observe and give feedback. In the morning, your delegates cover everything we offer in our Cascade course. In the afternoon, they hold their own evacuation training session with some of your other employees.
Giving your delegates space and time to carry out a training session of their own immediately can help with memory retention. In addition, receiving feedback from our trainer means that all future sessions will be of the highest quality. Our trainer will also help your delegate to write up their own evacuation training schedule and plan for the future.
Choosing the right evacuation training course
Some premises have a small number of staff and/or an uncomplicated layout without any stairs. In other cases there are no regulars on the premises with limited mobility, but some organisations choose to keep evacuation equipment on site for visitors or special cases. In these situations, it may be sufficient for a handful of delegates to learn only the basic movements offered under our Operator Training.
If you need to practise how to transfer a passenger onto an evacuation chair or evacuation aid, then you should choose Cascade or Cascade Plus. Operator does not offer full transfer work.
Are your candidates happy to become trainers? Do you have employees that would like to take on more of a leadership role? If so, choose Cascade or Cascade Plus so your delegates can go on to teach others. Both of these courses are suited for larger premises with more people, so you can have in-house trainers available at all times.
Everybody learns differently, and some prefer to practise and receive feedback before they go on to do things independently. If your delegates don’t feel very confident about their abilities, choose Cascade Plus. This allows your delegates to receive direct feedback from one of our trainers and conduct their first session with our support.
If you manage many employees or have a high staff turnover, we recommend Cascade Plus so you can hold refresher courses or onboard new members whenever you need to. Cascade Plus offers the opportunity to plan and write your evacuation training schedule with our trainer, setting your organisation up for the future.
Choosing the right candidates for evacuation training
Everyone on your premises should undergo some form of evacuation training, as well as regular fire drills for practice. But you will need to choose a few candidates to participate in specific evacuation training to assist those with mobility impairments.
It’s important to pick appropriate delegates. They should be in a position to attend the entire training without being interrupted or called away for any reason. You might want to prioritise those who work full time on your premises (as opposed to part time or weekends). If you have day and night workers, try to represent both shifts at your evacuation training.
Check with your potential delegates about their health. Have they got any medical problems, or have they recently undergone surgery? The right candidates should be capable of reacting quickly and helping others if needed. They should be able to handle some physical challenges, such as opening heavy doors and moving someone with limited mobility.
Delegates should be willing and able to step up and take on more of a responsible role within your organisation. A pre-existing first aid qualification or general interest in safety can be helpful, but this isn’t a strict rule. If you don’t have anyone with a background or interest in this area, choose delegates who can demonstrate calmness under stress.
How often should you practise in-house evacuation training?
The amount of training you should schedule for your organisation depends on the amount your fire risk assessment calls for. At Evacu8, we recommend practising on the equipment at least quarterly, to ensure you refresh yourself as well as other possible users of the equipment.
New staff members should be trained before they are allowed to begin working, or at least shown where equipment is stored and who can operate as part of onboarding. If you have day and night staff, you need to schedule training for both. Night staff may require more training because evacuating at this time can be challenging (less visibility, fewer people on site, limited access to supervisors, etc). Training carried out with night staff should pay special attention to the risks inherent in night shifts.
Why have regular evacuation drills?
Emergency situations can cause panic. In extreme cases, people go into fight or flight mode. Fight or flight has many physical and mental effects. People’s ability to think clearly and rationally can be impaired. Similarly, those with physical conditions may respond badly to heightened stress levels, which can be bad for their health. If there are more chances to practice, there are more chances of an automatic response instead of a panicked one. Ideally, people should go into autopilot instead of fight or flight because they know exactly what needs to be done and have done it before.
Why book evacuation training with us?
We come directly to you
There’s no need to go through the hassle of booking travel and hotel stays for your staff. Not only is this easier – and cheaper – for you to organise, it also allows us to provide a level of personalised detail that would not otherwise be possible. On-site evacuation training means we can prepare you to use your own evacuation equipment on your own stairs, through your own corridors and around your own building.
We’re knowledgeable and informative
Since 2005, we’ve been bringing our evacuation knowledge to organisations all across the country. With nearly 20 years of experience in the evacuation industry, we’ve garnered huge amounts of knowledge to pass on to you and your team. We always aim to tailor our solutions to your specific requirements. We listen to you and gather as much information as we can about your needs, the needs of your end users and the specificities of your site before we make recommendations or proceed with training.
Our training is product-specific
We can customise our evacuation training sessions around your PEEPs. Because we’re not affiliated with any specific evacuation equipment brand, we are familiar with all of them. That means we can provide product-specific training for your team, every single time. An evacuation training session with us covers every aspect of your chosen equipment.
Our training is hands-on
There are many things that can’t be effectively taught by a PDF file or an informative video. Hands-on experience improves response times and allows your delegates to develop muscle memory. It’s also the best way to get people feeling confident in their abilities – practice makes perfect, after all.
Our reviews speak for themselves
So far we’ve earned 180 5-star reviews on Google Maps, with more coming in all the time! Over the years, we’ve worked with high-profile clients like the NHS, Natural History Museum, Brunel University London, Royal College of Pediatrics and Child Health, and many more. Many of our clients choose to work with us again and again – whether that’s for a specific annual event, for regular evacuation equipment maintenance, or general on-site training.
Book your evacuation training
Hopefully now you have enough information to choose the right evacuation training for your team. If you still feel confused or have any other questions, we’re only a phone call or an email away. Get in contact with our team for an informal chat about your requirements.