Fire safety and evacuation assistants

In order to ensure that evacuation works as it should and to enable injuries and damage to be prevented or kept to a minimum in the event of an emergency, staff members assume the role of fire safety and evacuation assistants. Their task is to support the Fire Safety Officer in matters relating to fire prevention, to fight fires and to assist in the evacuation of the individuals present. The required number of fire safety and evacuation assistants is derived from the risk assessment, which is the main document in occupational safety and health. In areas with an average risk of fire, e.g. in office contexts, at least 5% of staff must be trained as fire safety and evacuation assistants.

The course must be repeated every four years at the latest in order to refresh both theoretical knowledge and practical skills.

Skills

The fire safety and evacuation assistant training enables you to perform the following tasks to keep people safe at UDE:

• general preventive fire protection
• reporting issues
• initial assessment of an acute situation (including dangers)
• alerting the fire brigade and ambulance
• undertaking initial firefighting measures (if this is possible while ensuring your own safety)
• operating the fire safety equipment (fire extinguisher, wall hydrants, etc.)
• evacuating buildings and organisation at the assembly point
• briefing the fire brigade and ambulance staff
• supporting your line manager in the annual instruction of team members on fire safety

supporting the Fire Safety Officers in matters relating to preventive fire protection

Duties?

Fire safety and evacuation assistants

Fire safety and evacuation assistants are not assigned any additional duties in connection with this role!

However, in this context, we would like to point out that everyone has obligations under the law, such as:

• reporting obligation in accordance with Section 42 of the Fire Protection, Emergency Assistance and Disaster Relief Act (Gesetz über den Brandschutz, die Hilfeleistung und den Katastrophenschutz, BHKG)
• obligation to provide help Section 43 of the BHKG
• duty to render assistance Section 323c of the German Criminal Code (Strafgesetzbuch, StGB)

Required number

Is there a required number of fire safety and evacuation assistants per unit?

At UDE, we are faced with the changing requirements of today’s work environments – from part-time arrangements to working from home to flexible workspaces. These changes mean new organisational challenges for us.

In accordance with Section 10 of the German Occupational Health and Safety Act (Arbeitsschutzgesetz, ArbSchG), Technical Rule for the Workplace (Arbeitsstättenrichtlinie, ASR) 2.2 and DGUV Information 205-023, at least 5% of the staff present must be fire safety assistants at all times. 

Information about the relevant training

Requirements for the training

• current employment relationship with the University of Duisburg-Essen (fixed-term/permanent)
• minimum age: 18
• ability to lift at least 10 kg (fire extinguisher)
• German or English at B2 level
• student assistants can also take part by arrangement and if there is a particular need
• line managers are also eligible to take part in the training and act as fire safety and evacuation assistants

Content of the training

Fire safety and evacuation assistant training in accordance with DGUV Information 205-023 and ASR A2.2 consists of a theoretical and a practical part:

The theoretical part includes

• fire safety basics
• fire safety management in the workplace
• function and operation of firefighting equipment
• risks entailed by fire and smoke
• conduct in case of a fire

In the practical part, you will

• practice the handling and functions of firefighting equipment in a realistic exercise
• take part in an inspection of the specific fire safety and firefighting equipment on site and be instructed in their use

Training process

The training is divided into several steps:

1. Enter your personal details.
2. Complete the Moodle course on your own.
3. Register for the practical fire extinguisher exercise.
4. Complete the fire extinguisher exercise and conclude the fire safety and evacuation assistant training with a certificate.
5. Receive your designation as a fire safety and evacuation assistant at UDE (for permanent staff).

As soon as you have completed the training successfully, you can take up your duties as a fire safety and evacuation assistant on a voluntary basis.

Exclusive training option for your team

We will be happy to arrange special practice sessions for your team. Just get in touch with us via the notfallmanagement@uni-due.de group mailbox and we will reserve a suitable practice session for you.

We are making this option available to you as an efficient and time-saving solution to fulfil the legal requirements.

Registration for the fire safety and evacuation assistant training

You can register for the fire safety and evacuation assistant training using the following link:

https://lehre.moodle.uni-due.de/course/view.php?id=5342

To register in Moodle, use your University ID and the corresponding password, not Shibboleth.

Enrolment key for the Moodle course: 

• coming soon

‘Designation’ vs. ‘appointment’

In the past, fire safety and evacuation assistants were formally ‘appointed’ at UDE. This administrative process is currently being restructured. As a result, the term used for this assignment is to be changed to a ‘designation’. 

In order to ensure a smooth transition, all ongoing appointment and designation processes are currently suspended.

FAQs: fire safety and evacuation assistants

You can find answers to frequently asked questions about the fire safety and evacuation assistant role on the following webpage: LINK

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