Face it; most people don’t like to spend time thinking about fire protection. The subject is uncomfortable, so many businesses try and avoid the topic whenever possible. The trouble with that approach is, training is the one thing that can help save lives and diminish the impact of a fire. Unless you prepare yourself to react when a fire breaks out, you won’t have the slightest clue what to do when your building is in flames. That could cost lives and will fire to wreak negative consequences.
Safeguarding your work environment is a sound investment because it shows your employees that you care about their well being. Not only that, but a good safety record helps your business save money and attract talented employees.

Old fire Alarm.
Employee Safety Produces Positive ROI
Employers with safe records cut their expenses. A loss by fire is a serious threat to any company because it can hurt personnel and property. In a severe enough blaze, an entire business can “go up in flames” rapidly. Managers who want to be able to sleep peacefully at night will not take that risk, even if training requires an investment. Consider how costly a penalty it is to be negligent in the event of a dangerous fire.
Training is the best way to ensure your staff knows what to do when disaster strikes. Without a plan in place, it’s likely workers will panic, which creates a whole subset of issues. A competent fire training provider will eliminate the guesswork to help employees handle this stressful situation flawlessly. With a plan in place, emotions are manageable, and the correct procedures are simple to follow.
Certification is a serious subject and one that manufacturing plants and other facility operators confront on a daily basis. Fire training certification helps the enterprise achieve compliance while substantially reducing insurance and related costs.Fire Training Is a Useful On-The-Job Skill
Fire training is a transferable skill that can save an employee’s life at home or work. The knowledge they gain from a corporate training program, along with any certification, can help them more easily land employment. That’s a reason that fire training programs are a must for any company that offers advancement opportunities for workers. A well-established program will attract qualified candidates who are looking to work with the best companies in the industry. Stand out from competitors who pay only a cursory glance at matters of public safety.
OHSA says that fires injure 5,000 workers, kill 200 more, and cause $2.6 billion in property damage. Those sobering numbers help put in perspective the importance of getting things right. There are no second chances when a fire breaks out. That’s why preparation matters and the details of attempting to contain the fire and how to escape must be common knowledge among a well-trained staff. Failure to meet these obligations can result in horrible consequences that can endanger any business.
Employees who know how to use fire containment devices such as extinguishers can help put out the blaze as first responders. If things get out of control, training will help them to keep their wits about them to make an orderly exit that keeps everyone safe.
Industry Specific Curriculum Saves Lives
Most likely, there’s specific fire protection training for your industry. Each type of business and sector requires variations in how the approach safeguards against disasters. The kind of equipment you use also plays a dramatic role in training. Fire suppression technology can be complicated to learn, and that’s the reason that certification becomes a necessity. It pays to have specific employees pass their training requirements to ensure that all of the right procedures are in place.
Businesses that deal with the public, especially in high volume, will have more stringent requirements than the average office. Work with a provider who will tailor the curriculum so that it offers the most significant impact. The employees that you appoint in crucial fire safety roles must share a commitment and passion for their work.
Even if you deal with an outside vendor who maintains the equipment, it will still be useful to gain additional training for the workforce. Refresher courses and periodic updates will serve as a reminder that to take the threat of fire seriously. It’s easy to forget information you learn one time, so reinforcement and testing will be necessary to ensure your workers are getting the most out of the safety program.
There’s Always Time to Improve Your Safety Record
If a disaster is not happening right now, it means you have plenty of time to implement preventive measures to downplay any impact. Training and equipment, as well as potentially contracting an outside party for maintenance and response, could pay dividends sooner than you guess.
Let’s recap the primary benefits for fire protection training:
- Safety programs gain compliance with regulations and industry best practices.
- Workers experience increased morale due to a safer work environment.
- Workers who receive training and certification receive the benefit of having transferable, in-demand skills.
- The company achieves savings on insurance.
- Management and workers achieve peace of mind, relieving stress from the environment.
Running a business has its share of issues, but fire protection training doesn’t have to be one of them. Deal with providers who know the subject and possess the necessary knowledge and certification to help you create a disaster-free workplace. They’ll be able to customize the best program for your environment to ensure all team members understand their roles during a fire. Evacuation procedures and prevention techniques give workers a leg up during a scary time. With training, they’re able to keep their heads about them, so they evacuate safely and take everyone with them.
A wide range of providers exist, so insist on dealing with the best in the field. Training is a surefire way to improve your safety record. With an appropriate program in place, you and your team will know which steps to take to evacuate in the event of a blaze.
October 11, 2018