20 May 2023
One of the most frequent causes of office fires, apart from negligence and misuse, is defective electrical equipment including computers, microwaves, and other appliances. Loose wires and overloaded plug sockets can also contribute to the chances of a fire breaking out. However human activity is usually the cause of fire occurrence patterns. Luckily, the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) offices in Addis Ababa has not experienced a fire incident thanks to various factors including putting in place preventive measures such as fire safety and preparedness. To create awareness and enhance staff’s familiarity with fire safety, the Security and Safety Services conducted a building evacuation drill exercise on 10-11 May 2023.
“The exercise aimed to familiarize and reinforce proper evacuation routes and practices and ensure that personnel responds automatically whenever a fire alarm goes off and for everyone to leave the facilities in a timely and orderly manner,” said Mr. Ricardo Freitas da Silva, Chief of the Security and Safety Services (SSS). According to SSS Fire and Safety Unit supervisor, Lt. Wondu-Shita, fire drills in ECA compound will ensure that everyone in the UN understands how to react in case of an emergency in the building, identify weaknesses in the evacuation strategy and communications systems and revisit the protocols after any alterations in the workplace or the layout of the building. At the same time, occupants familiarize themselves with the procedures, test the arrangements for people with disabilities and ensure that evacuation times are reasonable.
The two-day exercise attracted more than 1,500 participants from the UN and external partners. Ana Deveza, an Associate Statistician who participated for the first time said, "it was an opportunity to learn the proper escape route and to reflect on what could go wrong in the case of a real emergency."
As part of gender and inclusivity efforts, two women recently joined the Fire and Safety Unit who are in training to facilitate future drills with one set for December 2023.