How one emergency plan works in a complex research facility

Evacuating a pharmaceutical research complex presents a multitude of challenges. The Pfizer Global Research and Development (PGRD) Ann Arbor Laboratories include a variety of building types and functions over eight distinct sites within a 20-mile radius. A single, comprehensive evacuation/severe weather shelter plan is used to ensure the life safety of all PGRD colleagues. The system utilizes volunteer Safety Wardens and Safety Monitors who are organized in a pyramid structure with the Chief Warden presiding at the top. The group strives to keep up with continuous change in the form of construction, demolition, staff relocation, and staff addition/departure. The safety department uses a diverse bag of tricks to recruit, retain, train and drill our program volunteers. PGRD Ann Arbor Laboratories has maintained an effective Emergency Evacuation Program in spite of the explosion in growth we have experienced in the last decade.