The Role of the File Guide, Definition and Training

During a crisis situation, it is important to be able to safely evacuate the people present on a site. The role of the fire warden is to act to optimize an emergency evacuation. Indeed, they work as a team with the deputy fire warden. Both are trained to secure an area of a building. The task is crucial because those involved in the evacuation must be competent and trained. The goal is to prevent a disaster from occurring or worsening. In this article, we will address several points:

• What is a fire warden and what is their role?
• What skills are needed to be a fire warden?
• Which organizations provide training for fire wardens?
• When to renew the training of a fire warden or an evacuation officer?
• What is the validity period of fire warden training?
• What is the regulation regarding fire wardens?
• How many fire wardens are needed?

What is a fire warden and what is their role?

During an evacuation, the fire warden, as the name suggests, guides people to the nearest assembly point. Paired with a deputy fire warden, they are responsible for directing all the people present in their area toward the nearest emergency exit.

What is the role of the fire warden?

This role is taken on by brave, dedicated individuals. Indeed, they are volunteer employees who are trained in the various rules and evacuation best practices. In practice, they are responsible for informing everyone present in their area to follow them in order to evacuate the premises. To prevent any panic, they must continuously reassure the people in their charge. Finally, they will guide them to the assembly point in order to bring everyone following them to safety. It is essential that they block access to elevators and rooms during their route to the exit. Once they and their group are at the assembly point, they must organize the people with them so they can count them and take roll call. If someone is missing, they must inform the crisis unit, which will be responsible for deciding what to do about the missing person. Finally, they must ensure that no one leaves the assembly point until the evacuation is complete.

What skills are needed to be a fire warden?

The first skill required of a fire warden is to stay calm during a period of crisis. They must avoid spreading panic, and must make decisions in extraordinary situations. As such, they must have a strong sense of responsibility and be a good communicator.

Which organizations provide fire warden training?

Today, in France and across its regions, many organizations offer fire warden and deputy fire warden training. Our company CountAct can help you train your evacuation officers in Grenoble, Lyon, and Paris. We can also train all of your safety personnel within a business or a facility open to the public. Feel free to request a quote :) Other organizations can also train your fire wardens and deputy fire wardens in regions where CountAct is not present; we have partnerships in Bourgogne Franche-Comté, in the PACA region... Feel free to send us an email: countact@countact.fr, and we will be able to recommend organizations to you or assist you in your search for a training organization or training center for your fire wardens, deputy fire wardens, first-aid workers, first responders, industrial firefighters...

When to renew the training of an evacuation officer? And what is the validity period of fire warden training?

Regarding the renewal of training for a fire warden and a deputy fire warden, no rule currently exists (unlike first-aid training). Indeed, the regulations of the French Labor Code and even the recommendations of the INRS remain without clear guidelines. In some companies, evacuation officers have their training renewed every 2 years, in others every 3 years. At CountAct, we first recommend having genuine management and visibility over your safety staff (CountAct addresses this). And in this same spirit, carrying out a training refresher every 2 years. CountAct also meets this need. Indeed, we set up various components ranging from theory to practice. It is important to understand the risks within a company in order to be able to anticipate them. The main goal is to guarantee the safety of all staff.

What is the regulation? And how many fire wardens are needed?

Today, every company is required to have employees involved in fire training, including evacuation team members (fire wardens, deputy fire wardens...). As such, the employer is required to have the necessary safety staff available in order to guarantee the safety of all employees during a crisis situation. Regarding the question of how many fire wardens are needed? We recommend having 4 evacuation team members per zone in order to address current flow management challenges (remote work, open-plan offices...). CountAct offers tooptimize the management of your safety personnel and lets you know in real time how many fire wardens you have available. Feel free to reach out to us; we will support you in your internal safety strategy.

To conclude on the fire warden and their role

You now know what a fire warden is, as well as the various tasks they perform during an evacuation. We invite you to read our article on safety personnel to further your knowledge of the important roles during a crisis situation, such as the Occupational First-Aid Worker,the First Responder, the Deputy Fire Warden, and much more :)