Emergency Response is one of the TEN Health and Safety Program Elements reflecting best practices and well functioning health and safety programs established by the Government of Alberta.
Reviewing emergency response procedures is critical to ensure the plan works and everyone knows their role and expectations. During an emergency situation, when every minute counts, continuing care workers should be confident putting the Emergency Response Plan (ERP) into action.
Emergency Response drills are one of the most effective ways to prepare your facility to deal with an emergency —without having to learn the hard way. Drills put your emergency response plans to the test, reveal details you may have missed and give your team an opportunity to practice for any given scenario.
Here are the key steps to effective emergency drills: communicate the plan, establish goals, practice the emergency scenarios, collect and analyze results.
Let’s go through the most frequently used emergency drills by Code for workplace safety:
Bomb Threat | Code Black
1. Policy Procedure Template
2.ER Code Training: Emergency Scenarios
Exercise – Telephone Call
Exercise – Suspicious Letter
Exercise – Delivery Vehicle
Mini-Tabletop “Bomb Threat” Exercise Facilitator Guide
Mini-Tabletop “Suspicious Package” Exercise Facilitator Guide
Code Red: Fire
1. Policy Procedure Template
2. ER Code Training: Emergency Scenarios
Exercise – Laundry Cart
Exercise – Fluorescent Light
Exercise – Happy Birthday
Exercise – What’s Cookin?
Exercise – Cardboard Recycle Bin
3. Safety Segments Team Activities
Code Yellow: Missing Person
1. Policy Procedure Template
2. ER Code Training: Emergency Scenarios
Exercise – Alzheimer’s/Dementia Patient
Exercise – Missing Child
Exercise – Geriatric Patient
Exercise – Waiting for Discharge
Exercise – Diabetic/Dementia Patient
3. Safety Segments Team Activity
Code White: Violence
1. Policy Procedure Template
2. ER Code Training: Emergency Scenarios
Exercise – Physio Incident
Exercise – Cafeteria Incident
Exercise – Acting Out Employee
Exercise – Threating Relative
Exercise – Isolated in Locked Room
Exercise – Agitated on the Ward
3. Safety Segments Team Activity
Code Green: Evacuation
1. Policy Procedure Template
2. ER Code Training: Emergency Scenarios
Exercise – Smoke from Elevator
Exercise – Laundry Cart Fire
Exercise – Train Derailment
Exercise – Water Main Break
3. Safety Segments Team Activity
Code Blue: Medical Emergency
1. Policy Procedure Template
2.ER Code Training: Emergency Scenarios
Exercise – Visitor Fall
Exercise – Chocking
Exercise – Pediatric Anaphylaxis
Exercise – No Response
Exercise – Contractor Fall
Code Purple: Hostage
1. Policy Procedure Template
2.ER Code Training: Emergency Scenarios
Exercise – Armed Robbery
Exercise – Domestic Dispute
Exercise – Aggravated Employee
Exercise – Aggressive Relative
Exercise – Isolated in Locked Room
Exercise – Conflict in the Hall
Code Grey: Shelter in Place
1. Policy Procedure Template
2. ER Code Training: Emergency Scenarios
Exercise – Tire Fire
Exercise – Highway Incident
Exercise – Refinery Explosion
Exercise – Wildland Fire
Exercise – Vinyl Chloride Plume
Exercise – Building Fire
3. Safety Segments Team Activities
Code Brown: Spill Release of Hazardous Material
1. Policy Procedure Template
2. ER Code Training: Emergency Scenarios
Exercise: Blood (Biohazard)
Exercise: Radiator Leak
Exercise: Virox/Disinfectant Spill
Exercise: Diesel Spill
Exercise: Unknown Liquid
Code Orange: Mass Casualty
1. Policy Procedure Template
Severe Weather
1.ER Code Training: Emergency Scenarios
Exercise – Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Exercise – Tornado Watch
Exercise – Tornado Warning
Exercise – Severe Wind Warning
2. Safety Segments Team Activities
Contingency Drill Tracking and Plan Templates
1. Contingency Drill Tracking
2. Contingency Plan Templates
4. Video “Five Tabletop Exercise Tips”
5. Safety Segments Team Activities
- Tips on How to Include Residents and Family in Emergency Drills
- Why being prepared is important