Have a plan

Nine firefighters lost their lives in South Carolina this week. That is tragic. The thing that makes it even more tragic is the reason that they were inside the building was the fact that they were looking for 2 workers that were unaccounted for. Had they not thought their were people trapped inside, they would have been outside. They would have lost the building, but not their lives.

It is important that EVERY business, no matter how large or small have a plan. If, God forbid, your place of employment catches fire (or even your home), you must have an agreed upon place where EVERYONE meets to take attendance. It is important that as soon as everyone gets out, they go immediately to that place. This makes it possible for the person in charge to meet with the fire officer in charge and let them know whether or not they need to send people into the burning building.

Please DON'T risk lives by heading home for the day, or wandering out to the meeting place at a leisurely pace, or stopping to chat with others nearby. Get to the spot and report in as fast as you can. Pretend it would be you that would have to enter the building.

In addition, the person in charge MUST have a roster that is accurate. It doesn't help if you "think" Johnny is here, but maybe he's at lunch, or maybe he's off today. You need to know.

Lastly, practice your evacuation plan. Preach it, learn it, live it. You may save someone's life and it may even be your own.

While you're at it, please say a prayer for those who have fallen and their families.

Thoughts anyone?