Safety Procedures at Knox

Fire Safety

  • The fire alarm will sound. It is very loud and distinctive. You won’t miss it.

    Also, announcements will be made from the pulpit and PA system.

  • Exit the building through the nearest external door and move to the nearest Marshalling Area. If you exit through the main entrance under the canopy, use the left doors, because the Nursery and Toddler Classrooms will exit through the right door.

  • The Safety Team will oversee the evacuation, with Ushers and Elders guiding people toward appropriate exits and assisting those with mobility issues. Pastors will move to Marshalling Areas to offer assistance. As soon as the fire alarm is activated, the fire department will be dispatched. Upon their arrival, the FIRE MARSHAL is in charge.

  • Children’s Ministry staff and Deacons will move children safely out of the building. Procedures for this have been well thought-out and practiced. Children will be taken to designated Marshalling Areas. After the all-clear signal is given, you will find them there. Do not leave with your children until they have been checked out on the teachers’ attendance sheet.

    • Do not use the main staircase or the elevator when evacuating;

    • Do not go back into the building for any reason;

    • Do not leave the property until the all-clear signal has been given. First responders and emergency vehicles have priority and need clear access to all Knox driveways and parking lots.

    • Do not go to your children’s classrooms. They will be well cared-for. We know it’s counter-intuitive, but having parents go to children’s classrooms actually hinders safe removal of children from the building.

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Tornado Safety

    • A tornado warning notification on our phones.

    • Tornado siren will sound.

      • Closest siren is 1 mile south on Waters Rd.

    • Safety Team member will announce over the PA system.

    • Move to the Lower Level and into a room with no exterior windows.

      • If in the Worship Center, take either the stairs at the center of the Atrium or go through Knox Hall and the Kitchen to take those stairs.

      • Stairwell at the end of the Early Childhood wing is reserved for Early Childhood and Children’s Worship rooms.

    • If all of the interior rooms are full, hallways can be used as long as you are 25 feet away from any exits.

    • Elders, Ushers, Pastors, and Safety Team members will assist everyone to muster safely in the Lower Level.

    • Do not use the elevator. Assistance will be provided for those who need it.

    • Do not go to pick up your Children in Early Childhood or Children’s Worship.

      • Our Children’s Ministry staff with the support of the deacons will be getting your children downstairs – their procedure has been well thought-out and practiced – they know what they are doing – please trust them. The children will gather in the Hillside Room – you may go find them there.

    • Children and youth that are in CE will gather in the 3rd/4th Grade and Pre-K/Kindergarten Rooms.

    • Do not go back upstairs for any reason.

    • If you have forgotten your purse, briefcase, cell phone, or other belongings don’t worry – we will try to retrieve those later

    • Wait in the Lower Level until we have received confirmation the tornado warning is no longer active.

    • These directions apply to both our time of Worship and afterward during fellowship and Christian Education.

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