White Plains has some of the largest high-rise buildings situated between New York City and Albany. People live and/or work daily in these buildings. Did you know that the Fire Code of New York State requires that an approved fire safety and evacuation plan shall be prepared and maintained in all high rise buildings? The code also requires that all commercial high rise occupants be familiar with the plan and participate in fire evacuation drills.
High-rise buildings are designed to be safe, but if a full-scale evacuation is required occupants need to be ready to act quickly and take responsibility for their own safety. The City of White Plains Residential and Commercial High-Rise Fire Safety and Evacuation DVD teach occupants of high rise buildings their role in the evacuation plan. The program provides recommendations for emergency response planning and evacuation procedures based on recognized best practices.
The Residential High Rise program was produced in 2008 and use of this informative training tool will help viewers appreciate the importance of:
- Knowing the emergency plan and their role in it
- Being aware of building safety features
- Taking immediate action if smoke, fire, or other emergency conditions are evident
- Understanding evacuation procedures, especially when to exercise judgment regarding the best alternate course of action in extreme conditions.
The Commercial High Rise Fire Safety and Evacuation produced in 2010 was developed to educate office workers, staff and visitors about what to do if a fire occurs in their building. The use of this informative training tool will help viewers appreciate the importance of knowing their role in their building’s fire safety and evacuation plan. High-rise buildings are designed to be safe, but if full-scale evacuation is required, employers, employees and visitors need to be ready to act quickly and take responsibility for their safety. The DVD presentation will provide information for emergency response planning and evacuation procedures based on recognized best practices. It is extremely important to be prepared to respond to any emergency especially in a high rise building.
The program was made possible by a grant directed by NFP Property and Casualty Service Incorporated located at 707 Westchester Avenue, White Plains New York, in conjunction with the Fireman’s Fund Heritage® program, Fireman’s Fund Insurance Company’s social mission to support firefighters for safer communities. Under the program, agents across the country who sell Fireman’s Fund products, like NFP Property and Casualty Services, have the opportunity to direct grants to fire departments for needed equipment, training and community education. The filming and production of the project was accomplished with the assistance of the White Plains Cable TV Public Access Studio.
We are very grateful to the Property Management Agent Cushman and Wakefield in allowing us to use their building at 44 South Broadway to shoot the production. Please contact the Fire Prevention Bureau at 422-6313 if you have any questions regarding the program. We can also assist you with updating your plan or provide training for building occupants. This program and the Residential High Rise Fire Safety and Evacuation program is also available for viewing at www.cityofwhiteplains.com .
The New York State Association of Fire Chiefs awarded the 2011 James W. Wright Public Education Award to the White Plains Fire Bureau for our production of the Commercial High Rise Fire Safety and Evacuation program. The Association’s Public Education Committee commended us for our efforts in protecting the residents of our community. The program shows the time and commitment that is needed to provide the safety information our communities need in a time of emergency.
This year’s award was given during the opening ceremonies at The 38th New York Association of Fire Chiefs Annual Public Fire Safety Educators’ Conference. The Fire Bureau had the opportunity to show the program to a large number of other public educators attending the conference. The Fire Bureau program will also receive recognition in the Association’s magazine Size Up which is sent to over 10,000 members.
