A fire alarm went off at a childcare location on Softwareweg in Amersfoort. De StadsAmersfoort reports. No information is currently available about the exact circumstances, the time, or whether there was an actual fire or smoke development.
Fire alarm procedure at childcare facilities
Childcare organizations in the Netherlands are legally required to have a properly functioning fire detection and evacuation system. Every childcare facility must have a risk inventory and evaluation (RI&E), in which fire risks have been identified. Staff are regularly trained in emergency procedures.
The standard procedure when a fire alarm sounds generally includes:
- Immediate evacuation of all children and staff present
- Following the designated evacuation route
- Gathering at the agreed assembly point
- Counting all present to verify that no one remains behind
- Alerting emergency services if this has not happened automatically
The Health and Youth Care Inspectorate (IGJ) can launch an investigation into the safety situation at a childcare facility in the event of serious incidents. Parents can always file a report with the IGJ themselves if they have concerns about safety at a childcare location.
Source: De StadsAmersfoort