You're facing a tenant who won't evacuate during a fire alarm. How do you ensure everyone's safety?

1 Assess Risks

Your first priority is to assess the risk to the tenant and others. Understand why they're refusing to leave—whether due to fear, confusion, or a physical inability to evacuate. Communicate clearly that their life is in danger and that emergency services are on their way. If they're physically unable to leave, you must inform firefighters immediately upon their arrival so they can prioritize rescue efforts.

2 Stay Calm

Remaining calm is essential. Your demeanor can greatly influence the tenant's willingness to cooperate. Use a soothing voice and reassure them that their safety is your top concern. Explain the risks in a non-threatening manner and encourage them to follow evacuation procedures. If the situation escalates, maintain your composure to avoid panic.

3 Engage Support

Don't hesitate to engage support from other tenants or emergency responders. If others are nearby, they may help persuade the reluctant tenant to evacuate. However, ensure that you do not put anyone else at risk in the process. The goal is to create a unified effort to encourage evacuation without causing further distress or danger.

4 Enforce Policies

It's important to have clear policies in place for such scenarios. These policies should outline the steps to take, including involving law enforcement if necessary. Make sure tenants are aware of these policies from the start of their lease. In the moment, remind the tenant of these agreements and the legal implications of not complying with an evacuation order.

5 Utilize Tools

Utilize available tools such as the building's intercom system to communicate with the tenant. This can be an effective way to maintain communication while keeping a safe distance. Additionally, if the tenant has a disability or language barrier, use any necessary tools or services, like translation apps or assistance devices, to facilitate understanding and compliance.

6 Evacuate Others

While dealing with the non-compliant tenant, ensure the rest of the building is being evacuated efficiently. Guide other tenants to safety, checking that all accessible areas are clear. Your responsibility is to minimize risk for everyone involved, so focus on completing a thorough evacuation while the authorities handle the individual case.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?