Which Emergency Response Kit Do I Need?
Different members of a building emergency team may have different responsibilities. More Prepared offers four levels of Floor Warden and emergency response kits so organizations can equip personnel according to their assigned roles.
Floor Warden Essentials Kit – A compact, economical option for equipping Floor Wardens with basic visibility, PPE, lighting and evacuation-support tools.
Floor Warden Emergency Kit – A more comprehensive option for individual Floor Wardens who need additional protective and response equipment.
Emergency Responder Kit – Designed for personnel with broader evacuation and emergency response-support responsibilities. Includes first aid, emergency lighting, PPE, documentation and scene-control supplies.
Building Emergency Coordinator Kit – The most comprehensive kit in the collection, designed for the person helping coordinate the overall facility response. Includes communication equipment, first aid, PPE, lighting and coordination tools.
Build a Coordinated Floor Warden & Emergency Response Program
An organized workplace evacuation program may involve multiple people with different responsibilities. Floor Wardens can help support evacuation within assigned floors, departments or areas, while designated Emergency Responders provide additional assistance and a Building Emergency Coordinator helps coordinate activities across the facility.
Using role-specific kits allows organizations to provide personnel with equipment appropriate to their responsibilities rather than issuing the same supplies to every member of the emergency team.
Equipping Floor Wardens
Floor Wardens are typically assigned responsibility for a particular floor, department or area. Depending on the organization's emergency plan, they may help direct occupants toward designated exits, check assigned areas and communicate information to other emergency response personnel.
Organizations equipping multiple wardens can choose the Floor Warden Essentials Kit for basic visibility, PPE, lighting and evacuation-support tools or the more comprehensive Floor Warden Emergency Kit for personnel requiring additional equipment.
Adding Emergency Response Support
Larger facilities or organizations with more structured emergency teams may designate additional personnel to support Floor Wardens and assist with response activities.
The Emergency Responder Kit adds first aid, portable emergency lighting, documentation materials and scene-control supplies to essential PPE and visibility equipment, providing a portable set of resources for designated response team members.
Coordinating the Building-Wide Response
The Building Emergency Coordinator Kit is designed for the individual responsible for helping coordinate emergency response activities across a building or facility. Communication equipment, including two-way radios and a megaphone, supplements first aid, PPE, lighting and scene-control supplies to support this broader role.
Organizations with multiple floors, departments or buildings can combine Building Emergency Coordinator, Emergency Responder and Floor Warden kits to create a tiered equipment program based on assigned responsibilities.
Planning Your Floor Warden Program
The appropriate number and type of kits will depend on factors such as facility size and layout, occupancy, staffing and established emergency procedures. Organizations should identify designated emergency personnel, define responsibilities for each role and provide appropriate training before an emergency occurs.
Kits should be stored in known, readily accessible locations and inspected periodically so designated personnel have access to complete, functional equipment when needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Floor Warden?
A Floor Warden is a designated person who helps support an organization's evacuation procedures within an assigned floor, department or area. Specific responsibilities vary according to the facility's emergency plan and procedures.
What equipment should a Floor Warden have?
Floor Warden equipment commonly includes high-visibility identification, emergency lighting, basic personal protective equipment and tools that support the organization's evacuation procedures. The appropriate equipment depends on the warden's assigned responsibilities and facility emergency plan.
What is the difference between a Floor Warden and an Emergency Responder?
Floor Wardens are generally assigned to support evacuation within a specific floor or area. Emergency Responders may have broader responsibilities and provide additional support using equipment for first aid, emergency lighting, documentation and scene control.
What is the role of a Building Emergency Coordinator?
A Building Emergency Coordinator helps oversee or coordinate emergency response activities across a facility and may communicate with Floor Wardens, Emergency Responders, building occupants or other designated personnel according to the organization's emergency plan.
How many Floor Warden Kits does a building need?
There is no single number appropriate for every facility. The number of Floor Wardens and kits should be based on factors such as building size and layout, number of floors or departments, occupancy, staffing and the organization's emergency procedures.
Should every Floor Warden have their own kit?
Providing designated Floor Wardens with readily accessible equipment helps ensure necessary supplies are available during an evacuation. Organizations may assign individual kits or place equipment at designated locations depending on their staffing and emergency procedures.
Do these kits include emergency food and water?
No. These kits are designed for personnel performing evacuation, coordination and emergency response roles. Emergency food, drinking water and other occupant survival supplies are available separately as part of a broader workplace emergency preparedness program.
Can the different Floor Warden and Emergency Response Kits be used together?
Yes. Organizations can use Floor Warden Kits for personnel assigned to individual floors or areas, Emergency Responder Kits for team members providing additional response support, and a Building Emergency Coordinator Kit for the person helping coordinate the broader facility response.
