Business Emergency Preparedness
Protecting Your Business, Your Employees & Your Community
Every business in Baldwin Borough — regardless of size — faces potential emergencies that can threaten employees, damage property, and disrupt operations. Fire, severe weather, medical emergencies, and utility failures can strike without warning. A little planning goes a long way toward protecting your people and your livelihood.
Work With Baldwin Fire Rescue
How We Help Local Businesses Stay Safe
Baldwin Fire Rescue works with local businesses to improve fire safety and emergency readiness. Here’s what we offer:
Fire Safety Inspections
We conduct fire safety inspections for commercial buildings in Baldwin Borough to identify hazards, verify fire protection systems, and ensure compliance with fire codes.
Pre-Incident Planning
We survey commercial properties to document building layout, hazards, fire protection systems, utility shutoffs, and access points. This information helps us respond faster and more effectively if an emergency occurs at your business.
Fire Safety Education
We can visit your business to talk with employees about fire prevention, evacuation procedures, and what to do in an emergency. Learn more about our education programs.
Knox Boxes
Rapid Access When It Matters Most
A Knox Box is a small, wall-mounted safe installed near your building entrance that holds keys, access cards, gate remotes, and other items firefighters need to enter your building during an emergency. Only the fire department has the master key.
Why It Matters
Faster entry
No waiting for a keyholder to arrive at 2 AM. We get in immediately.
Less damage
We don’t have to force a door or break a window to get inside.
Alarm response
Fire alarm activation after hours? We can investigate without forcing entry.
What Goes in the Knox Box
- Building keys (exterior doors, interior access, mechanical rooms)
- Access cards or fobs for electronic locks
- Gate remotes for parking lots or fenced areas
- Alarm panel information and codes
- Any special access instructions
Get a Knox Box
Knox Boxes are purchased directly from knoxbox.com. Contact Baldwin Fire Rescue at (412) 881-9704 to coordinate installation and to register your box with our department.
Keyholder Contact Information
Help Us Reach You After Hours
If we respond to your business after hours — whether for a fire alarm, water leak, broken window, or any other issue — we need to be able to reach someone. We strongly encourage every business in Baldwin Borough to provide us with keyholder contact information.
What We Need
- Business name and address
- Primary keyholder — name and cell phone number
- Secondary keyholder — name and cell phone number
- Alarm company name and phone number (if applicable)
- Any special hazards or access notes
Submit Your Info
Call (412) 881-9704 or stop by Station 106-2 (825 Streets Run Road) to provide or update your keyholder information. Keep it current — if your contacts change, let us know.
Emergency Planning Basics
Steps Every Business Should Take
Assess Your Risks
Identify potential emergencies based on your business type and location. Consider fire, weather, medical incidents, utility failures, and hazardous materials.
Write a Plan
Document evacuation routes, emergency contacts, shutdown procedures, and who does what. OSHA requires written plans for businesses with 10+ employees.
Train Your People
Make sure every employee knows the evacuation routes, where to meet outside, and how to call 911. Train new hires during onboarding.
Practice & Update
Run evacuation drills at least once a year. Review and update your plan when your business, building, or staff changes.
Fire Safety Checklist
Is Your Business Ready?
Fire Protection
- ☐ Fire alarm system inspected annually
- ☐ Sprinkler system maintained (if equipped)
- ☐ Fire extinguishers inspected and charged
- ☐ Emergency lighting functional
- ☐ Exit signs illuminated and visible
- ☐ Fire doors close and latch properly
- ☐ All exits clear and unobstructed
Planning & Training
- ☐ Written emergency plan completed
- ☐ Evacuation routes posted
- ☐ All employees trained on procedures
- ☐ Evacuation drill conducted this year
- ☐ Emergency contacts list current
- ☐ New employee orientation includes safety
- ☐ Knox Box installed with current keys
Building & Access
- ☐ Address numbers visible from street
- ☐ Emergency vehicle access unobstructed
- ☐ Utility shutoffs clearly marked
- ☐ Flammable materials stored properly
- ☐ Electrical systems up to code
- ☐ Keyholder info on file with fire dept
- ☐ Alarm company info on file with fire dept
What To Do in an Emergency
Fire
- Activate the fire alarm
- Call 911
- Evacuate using designated routes
- Close doors behind you
- Account for all employees at the meeting point
- Never re-enter until cleared by the fire department
Medical Emergency
- Call 911 immediately
- Provide first aid if trained
- Use AED for cardiac arrest if available
- Do not move the injured person unless in immediate danger
- Send someone to meet and direct responders
Gas Leak or Hazmat
- Evacuate immediately
- Call 911 from outside
- Do not use light switches or anything that could create a spark
- Move upwind from the building
- Provide Safety Data Sheets to responders if available
Severe Weather
- Move to interior rooms on the lowest floor for tornados
- Stay away from windows
- Shelter in place until all-clear
- Account for all employees
- Inspect for damage before resuming operations
Resources
OSHA
Workplace emergency planning, fire safety, and employee protection requirements. osha.gov
FEMA Ready.gov
Business continuity planning tools and disaster recovery resources. ready.gov/business
NFPA
Fire safety codes, standards, and educational materials for businesses. nfpa.org
Let’s Make Your Business Safer
Schedule a pre-incident survey, provide keyholder info, or ask about Knox Boxes — give us a call.