Saturday, January 11, 2014

Be Calm and Follow Me

I attended an emergency preparedness meeting this afternoon, at the church I attend.  The meeting was informative, and the small group in attendance walked the church to see where all of the exit and fire alarms are located throughout the church.  The church I attend is small, my LP and I joined about a year and a half ago and I have since joined the Usher Board, so I felt that it would behoove me to know all that I can about emergency preparedness.

Most of the conversation was around being prepared in case of a fire, but as I sat there I started to think about other types of emergency situations that have been in the news over the past few years.  I'm not sure why my mind went there, but I began to pray that we never are in a situation where we would have to use these tactics and I also wondered if I would be capable of behaving calm and directing parishioners to follow me.  I want to believe that I would be able to assist - without panic.

I also think I'll be more mindful of exits and persons who might need more assistance, even when I'm not on duty.


In due time the church will conduct a fire alarm and we all will have to demonstrate how to clear the building in an emergency.  Unfortunately, it will not take place during a regular Sunday service, but rather after a Sunday service, when most of the parishioners have left to go to brunch home.  I wish that wasn't the case because I believe everyone should know what to do and how to behave in case of an emergency.  But, like I said above, I hope we never need it.

Are you prepared?
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2 comments:

  1. UnknownJanuary 13, 2014 at 9:16 AM

    I think these type of drills are always needed but do we really use the information in a real emergency. A couple of years ago when we (DC residents) experienced the earthquake, I happen to sit near the exit door in my office and when the earthquake happened I was confused about what was going on because I had only been trained in what to do in the case of a fire. So I stood in the door frame (mimicking what I had seen in the movies of what Californians did during an earthquake) I was still unsure of what was actually going on. It was only when the floor warden for my group almost ran me over, with shoes in hand, trying to save her self while yelling "earthquake I am getting the hell out of here" did I grab my purse and head for the exit along with my other co workers. My point is what will we do in an actual emergency, will the instinct to save others above ourselves kick in before the instinct to save ourselves??? Something to think about.........I hope I am prepared.

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  2. Change-Of-SubjectJanuary 14, 2014 at 5:17 PM

    Good point Jacqui and I believe I was behind your co-worker with my shoes, laptop, iPad and purse - heading towards the stairwell (which I found out later was wrong). Oh, and our floor emergency warden, I believe she left the building first.

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