How to Conduct a Fire Drill: Step-by-Step Guide for Employers

Fire drills are often seen as a routine task but when done properly, they play a critical role in protecting your people, your customers, and your business. Whether you operate a retail store, childcare centre, office, or multi-site business, a well-executed fire drill ensures everyone knows what to do when it matters most.

For employers, it’s not just about compliance. It’s about confidence, creating muscle memory and making sure every person on site knows what to do if an emergency happens.

Start With a Simple Plan
A smooth fire drill starts with a bit of preparation. Take the time to:
 Check your emergency procedures
 Make sure exits are clear and easy to access
 Choose a safe assembly point
 Assign key roles like Wardens

Also think about the people who aren’t part of your regular team: customers, delivery drivers, or visitors. Your plan should work for them too, even if they’ve never been in your space before.

Guidance from Australian Standard AS 3745-2010 highlights the importance of site-specific planning to ensure procedures are practical and effective.

Communicate Expectations
Before running a drill, make sure your team understands what to expect. Staff should know:
 What the alarm sounds like or how the alarm is raised
 Where are there closest exist locations and pathways
 Where the assembly areas are located

For customer-facing businesses, consider how staff will guide customers or visitors during an evacuation. Clear communication is key to avoiding confusion or panic.

Run the Drill

When the drill begins, activate the alarm and start timing. Staff should:
 Stop work immediately
 Follow the instructions of the Wardens
 Generally, leave belongings behind (grab what’s there quickly and go)
 Exit via the nearest safe route

Wardens should take control by directing people, checking rooms (visual & verbal and conduct sweeps), and ensuring no one is left behind including in less obvious areas like bathrooms or storage rooms.

Importantly, staff should respond as if it were a real emergency. This is where drills provide the most value.

Observe What Happens
A fire drill is only useful if you learn from it. Assign observers to monitor:
 How quickly people evacuate
 Whether exits become congested
 How well staff communicate and follow procedures

This is especially important in busy environments where third parties are present, as their behaviour can highlight gaps in your process.

Account for Everyone
At the assembly area, conduct a headcount or roll call. This ensures all staff, visitors, and contractors are accounted for.

For workplaces with frequent external visitors, having a simple sign-in system or visitor tracking process can make this step far more effective.

Debrief and Improve
Once the drill is complete, hold a short debrief with your team. Focus on:
 What worked well
 What caused delays or confusion
 What can be improved next time

Documenting these can help to improving your emergency response over time.

Fire drills work best when they’re done regularly. They help build confidence and make responses feel more natural over time. Aim to run them at least once a year, or more often if your workplace is busy or has a lot of new staff.

A well-run fire drill isn’t about getting everything perfect, it’s about helping people feel ready and supported.
With a bit of planning and regular practice, you create a safer environment where everyone knows what to do and can act quickly if needed.