Fire is the most common of all business disasters. Each year fires cause thousands of deaths and injuries and billions of dollars in damage.

• Work with the Orange County Fire Authority to keep your business fire safe.
• Get your office, plant or facility inspected for fire safety; ensure compliance with fire codes and regulations.
• Install smoke detectors and fire extinguishers in appropriate locations.
• Consider an automatic sprinkler system, fire hoses and fire-resistant doors and walls.
• Establish a system for warning your employees. Plan how you will communicate with people with hearing impairments or other disabilities and those who do not speak English.
• Put a process in place for alerting the fire department.
• Plan and practice how people will evacuate in a fire.

Workplace medical emergencies vary greatly depending on the disaster, type of job and the work site.

Heavy equipment operators face different safety risks than do office workers or food service personnel. Regardless of the type of work, there are steps which can give you the upper hand in responding to a medical emergency.

• Work with American Red Cross of Orange County to ensure your employees are trained in basic First Aid and CPR training. Offer on-site classes for your co-workers.
• Keep First Aid supplies in stock and easily accessible.
• Encourage employees to talk about medical conditions that may require support or special care in an emergency.
• Keep employee emergency contact information on file and up-to-date. Store a copy with other vital records in your emergency kit and another at an off-site location.