Helping Everyone Get Out: Emergency Plans for Members With Disabilities and Limited Mobility
Picture a fire alarm going off mid-service. Most of the room stands and heads for the doors. But a man in a wheelchair is in the third row, a woman with a walker is halfway down an aisle, and a teenager with autism is covering his ears because of the noise. If your plan assumes everyone can simply walk out quickly, these are the people it quietly leaves behind.
Planning for them doesn't take specialized training. It takes noticing who's in your congregation and deciding ahead of time who helps.
Start by knowing who might need help
You can't plan for needs you haven't thought about. Consider the range of people who may need assistance in an emergency:
- People who use wheelchairs, scooters, walkers, or canes
- Older members who move slowly or tire easily
- People with hearing or vision loss who may not notice an alarm or instructions
- Members with cognitive or sensory conditions who may be overwhelmed by noise and crowds
- Parents with strollers, and anyone recovering from surgery or injury
Many churches have a good sense of who regularly attends. A quiet, respectful conversation works better than a public sign-up. Ask, "If we ever had to leave the building quickly, what would help you?" Most people have thought about it and have clear, practical answers.
Walk your exit routes with a wheelchair in mind
Take a hard look at your building the way a wheelchair user would. Are the main exits accessible, or only the ones with steps? Is the ramp clear of clutter, and does a door at the bottom open easily? Are aisles wide enough for a chair to move against the flow of foot traffic?
Make a list of the accessible exits and mark them on your response plan. Then check that they're never blocked by stacked chairs, decorations, or snow. If your sanctuary has a raised platform or a balcony, think specifically about how someone would get down from there.
Use "assist partners," not heroes
The most effective approach is simple: assign a trusted person to each member who has said they'd like help. This isn't about hovering. It's a quiet agreement that "if something happens, I'll make sure you're okay."
Good practice for assist partners:
- Ask first. Never grab or lift someone without their say-so. Ask what they prefer.
- Know the person's preferences. Some want to stay in their chair and be guided to an accessible exit. Others prefer another method.
- Don't carry unless there's no alternative. Improvised carries can hurt both people. Trained responders can handle elevator or stair evacuations.
- Have a backup. Partners get sick or travel, so name two.
If someone can't safely exit, an area of refuge, typically a stairwell landing or a protected zone near an exit, can be an option. Check with your local fire department about what's appropriate for your building and how to report the person's location.
Think about communication, not just mobility
Alarms and verbal instructions don't reach everyone. A member who is deaf may not hear an announcement, and someone with low vision may not see a signal. Make sure greeters and nearby volunteers know to personally alert and guide people who may have missed the message. Short, simple, calm language helps everyone, and it matters even more for people who are anxious or have cognitive differences.
For those sensitive to noise or crowds, a designated quiet spot and a familiar volunteer can make a stressful moment manageable.
Practice it, even a little
Include accessibility in your regular drills. Run a walk-through where assist partners practice their route to the accessible exit. You'll often find issues no one expected, such as a heavy door or a threshold that's too high.
Tell the first responders
When police, fire, or EMS arrive, make sure someone tells them who is still inside or in a refuge area, and where. Keep a simple list at the front desk with names, locations, and needs for people who've agreed to be on it.
An inclusive plan isn't extra work added on top of your safety plan. It's what makes the plan work for the whole congregation.