The
acronym E.D.I.T.H. stands for Exit Drills In The Home. The purpose of the program
is to train occupants to develop an escape plan from their residence in case
of fire. Firefighters train students in how to develop a plan based on the floor
plan of their home. Emphasis is placed highly upon each room having at least
two exit ways out of them (exits can consist of a door or window).
It
is extremely important that everyone in the home understands how to open windows
that are designated as exits in their plan. Once the occupant has exited the
home there should be a meeting place where all occupants meet. This can be the
neighbor's yard or a mailbox by the street. But it is extremely important that
all occupants meet at the same location. This enables an exact count of occupants,
and in return, Firefighters will know upon their arrival if there are trapped
victims.
The
first person exiting the home should go to a predetermined location to call
9-1-1 for assistance. When developing the E.D.I.T.H. plan, the occupants should
advise their neighbors to call 9-1-1 and emphasize that they are the caller
location. This can help eliminate some confusion for the fire department in
finding a residence, especially in the late or early morning hours.
The E.D.I.T.H.
plan should be practiced with all occupants in the home at least twice a year.
We recommend that it take place when the time changes in the fall and spring.
This is also the same time that smoke detector(s)/batteries
should be checked or changed.
What
should you do now?
- Have
a family escape plan
- Install
and maintain smoke detectors
- Draw
a floor plan of your house with at least two ways out of every room, especially
sleeping areas
- Practice
crawling low in smoke
- Establish
a meeting place
- Practice
your family escape plan at least twice a year
