Building Marshal Program

It is vital that Building Marshals unite as a team within the building you work. Department Marshals will work with other departments in the building until all floors are represented.

Form a Building Emergency Team

• Organize Building Marshals that work in each building in a unified team.
• Each team should select a Building Leader and alternate. In an emergency, they will serve as the building's Emergency Director and oversee the incident with Public Safety.
• Assign specific Building Marshal duties to the other members.
• Meet with the Team to decide who will be the Lead Building Marshal on each floor. 
• Search Monitor and Disability Assistant. After the initial search phase, the Search Monitor may then serve as a Relocation Monitor and lead floor occupants to relocation site.
  • Search Monitor
  • Disability Assistant
  • Relocation Monitor
• A floor with two Building Marshals can split these duties – Search Monitor and Disability Assistant. After the initial search phase, the Search Monitor may then serve as a Relocation Monitor and lead floor occupants to relocation site.

Additional Items to Remember for Building Emergency Teams

• Know the people who work in your immediate area. Identify occupants that may require special assistance in an emergency.
• Maintain an up-to-date list of all mobility-impaired persons on the floor.
• Make a wallet contact card with cell phone numbers for each Building Marshal Team.
• Know the location of the fire extinguishers and how to use them.
• Take emergency training, including first aid, CPR, and Neighborhood Emergency Response Team (NERT) classes (voluntary).
• Know the location of any first aid cabinets and emergency supplies.
• Know the location of stairwell exits and a direct route to each.
• Know the relocation site and routes to the site.
• Know how to contact Public Safety in an emergency: 415-422-2911 (Emergency Dispatch)
• Periodically conduct an inspection of exits, exit pathways, exit lighting, extinguishers, and door-closing devices. Report deficiencies to the building management and department of management.
• Maintain a current list of department employees.
• Establish a system of replacements for Building Emergency Teams to account for personnel absences and departures.
• Practice as a BUILDING TEAM! Conduct walk-throughs, cell phone tests, etc.

Lead Building Marshal

• Manage Building Marshals and maintain control of occupants.
• Last person off the floor in an evacuation or relocation.
• In evacuation, ensure that the door to sidewalk / relocated floor is closed.
• Notify Public Safety that evacuation / relocation is complete.
• Go to the designated assembly point and conduct a head count of the evacuees from your floor or building. Report the count to Public Safety.
• Give first aid if necessary, if trained and wait for further instructions.
• Report injuries and damage to Public Safety.

Deputy Building Marshal

• Assume the duties of the Lead Building Marshal in his/her absence.
• Perform all tasks as assigned by the Lead Building Marshal.

Floor/Search Marshal

• Knock and notice occupants to immediately and quickly evacuate - Walk, don't run
• Determine safe availability of exit stairwells. Identify alternative exists as needed.
• Maintain control of occupants and direct them to exits.
• Do not use elevators.  If the power goes out or the elevator machine room is compromised, the elevators will stop working.
• Search all enclosed spaces and restrooms to ensure occupants have left the floor.
• Work in pairs, if possible, to avoid repetitive searching and losing track of each other.
• Keep calm and set the example.
• Know the location of fire extinguishers, pull stations, and exits.
• Evacuate away from the building to your designated emergency evacuation area.
• Inform the Lead Building Marshal when the floor is evacuated.

Relocation Marshal

• Direct personnel away from elevator lobbies and toward exit stairwells.
• Begin relocation when directed by alarm or announcement.
• Make certain that the relocation path is clear and position yourself at the lower door to direct traffic.
• If possible, report to Lead Building Marshal before exiting, and do NOT prop the relocation floor door open.
• Assist the Lead Building Marshal in any way directed.

Disability Assistant Marshal

• The disabled person should be allowed to pick their assistant.
• The Disability Assistant and disabled person should know the location of the exits and stairwells.
• In a fire emergency, the Disability Assistant will accompany the disabled person to the exit location. The Assistant will wait with the disabled person out of the path of travel of exiting occupants and await the arrival of the first responders.
• Alert Public Safety of your presence in the stairwell or other location.
• The Disability Assistant will remain with the disabled person until first responders arrive. For their own safety, individuals in wheelchairs should remain in the fresh air stairwell with an Assistant until fire department personnel can carry them down the stairs. If properly trained, the Assistant may use an evacuation device, if available.

A fully-prepared Building Marshal is responsible for the following which are in compliance with The California Health and Safety Code, The California Code of Regulations, and the California Fire Code.

Know the behavior objectives of Emergency Response Procedures. Proper handling of an emergency saves lives. Critical success factors include:

• Clear thinking
• Quick actions
• Calm leadership

Form a building emergency team and know the other Building Marshals on your floor and in your building. Meet with them to decide who will be the Lead Building Marshal. Also, make sure your floor and building has the following Emergency Assistants: an Assistant Building Marshal, a Disability Assistant, a Relocation Monitor, and Search Monitors.

• Know the various Building Marshal roles
• Know the people who work in your immediate area. Identify employees who may require special assistance in an emergency
• Know the location of the fire extinguishers and how to use them
• Take emergency training, including first aid, CPR, and Neighborhood Emergency Response Team (NERT) classes (voluntary)
• Know the location of any first aid cabinets and emergency supplies
• Know the location of stairwell exits and a direct route to each
• Know the alternate evacuation routes if you encounter obstacles
• Know the relocation site and routes to them
• Know how to contact Public Safety in an emergency: 415-422-2911 (Emergency Dispatch)
• Periodically conduct an inspection of exits, exit pathways, exit lighting, extinguishers, and door closing devices. Report deficiencies to the building management and department management.
• Maintain a current list of Department employees to facilitate in verifying staff at a relocation or a shelter-in-place site.
• Establish a system of replacements for Building Marshals to account for personnel absences and departures (vacations, class, turnover, etc.)
• Direct an evacuation or a shelter-in-place situation.