The Evacuation Equipment Training Course from Phoenix STS is a 100% practical, hands-on programme designed for clinical staff responsible for evacuating residents during emergencies. This intensive skills-based training teaches staff to safely and efficiently operate evacuation aids, including Ski Evacuation Sheets and Ski Pads. Compliant with HIQA Regulation 28 (Fire Precautions) and the Fire Safety Handbook (2025), this course ensures your team can confidently execute evacuations when every second counts. Phoenix STS is the only company authorised in Ireland to deliver train-the-trainer courses on the full range of “Ski” evacuation products.
Need More Information
Why Choose This Evacuation Equipment Training Course
Ireland’s Only Authorised Provider: Phoenix STS is the only company authorised in Ireland to deliver train-the-trainer courses on the full range of “Ski” evacuation products and the Elite Emergency Evacuation Chair. This exclusive authorisation ensures your staff receive training from recognised experts.
100% Practical Training
Every minute of this course is hands-on. Staff gain real experience operating evacuation equipment in controlled conditions, building the muscle memory and confidence needed for emergency situations.
Flexible Scheduling Options
Choose morning sessions (up to 30 staff), afternoon sessions (up to 20 staff), or full-day training (up to 50 staff). Sessions are structured to minimise disruption to care schedules while maximising training throughput.
Equipment Provided
All training is conducted using Phoenix STS equipment, including rescue training manikins. This protects your facility’s evacuation aids, keeping them undamaged and ready for genuine emergencies.
Small Group Sizes
A maximum of 10 learners per session ensures that every participant receives adequate hands-on practice time with each piece of evacuation equipment.
Expert Instructors
Learn from tutors with extensive experience in healthcare fire safety. All instructors are qualified People Moving Instructors and Evacuation Aid Instructors with specialist expertise in residential care settings.
HIQA Regulation 28 Compliant
Training content aligns with HIQA’s Fire Safety Handbook (2025) and Regulation 28 requirements, ensuring your facility demonstrates compliance with evacuation competency standards.
Pre-requisites: English language proficiency is required. Learners must hold a valid People Moving and Handling certification. Disclosure of relevant medical conditions is required for practical modules. Appropriate attire for practical training is essential.
Who Should Attend This Evacuation Equipment Training Course
This course is designed specifically for clinical staff who assist residents during emergency evacuations as part of the Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan (PEEP). Staff completing this training will be competent to operate evacuation aids safely and efficiently.
- Healthcare Assistants
- Nurses (all grades)
- Clinical Nurse Managers
- Care Assistants
- Senior Care Workers
- Night Staff
Essential Pre-requisite: All learners must have completed People Moving and Handling training before attending this course. This ensures safe manual handling techniques are already established.
What You’ll Learn on the Evacuation Equipment Training Course
This 100% practical course focuses entirely on hands-on skills development. Each session combines demonstration with supervised practice using rescue training manikins.
Equipment Introduction and Safety
- Introduction to evacuation aids available at your facility
- Description, purpose, and limitations of each device
- Safety considerations before, during, and after use
- Equipment inspection and maintenance checks
- Storage requirements and accessibility
Ski Evacuation Sheet Training
- Correct positioning and securing of residents
- Safe transfer techniques from bed to evacuation sheet
- Horizontal evacuation along corridors
- Controlled descent down staircases
- Two-person and single-person operation methods
Ski Pad Training
- Appropriate use cases for ski pads
- Rapid deployment techniques
- Safe manoeuvring over different floor surfaces
- Integration with progressive horizontal evacuation
Practical Assessment
- Supervised practice with rescue training manikins
- Demonstration of safe evacuation to a place of safety
- Feedback and technique correction
- Confirmation of competency
Important Safety Note: All practical training is conducted using rescue training manikins. Staff should never be placed on an evacuation device for training purposes. This protects both staff and ensures realistic weight simulation for effective learning.
What You Will Master on the Evacuation Equipment Training Course
By the end of this course, participants will have developed practical competency in operating evacuation equipment.
Benefits of Completing This Evacuation Equipment Training Course
For Resident Safety
- Faster Evacuation Times: Staff trained in equipment operation can evacuate residents more quickly, reducing exposure to smoke and fire
- Reduced Risk of Injury: Correct technique minimises risk of injury to both residents and staff during evacuation procedures
- Confident Emergency Response: Practical training builds muscle memory and confidence, enabling calm and effective action under pressure
For HIQA Compliance
- Demonstrable Staff Competency: Training records provide evidence that staff can operate evacuation equipment as required by Regulation 28
- Supports Evacuation Drills: Equipment-trained staff can participate meaningfully in compartment drills, demonstrating realistic evacuation capability
- Fire Safety Handbook Alignment: Training content reflects HIQA’s Fire Safety Handbook (2025) guidance on evacuation competency
For Your Organisation
High Training Throughput:m Full-day sessions can train up to 50 staff, maximising value and minimising scheduling complexity
Equipment Protection: Training uses Phoenix STS equipment, keeping your evacuation aids undamaged and available for emergencies
Evacuation Equipment Training Course Details
Training Schedule Options
| Option | Time | Sessions | Max Staff Trained |
|---|---|---|---|
| Morning Only | 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM | 3 sessions | 30 staff |
| Afternoon Only | 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM | 2 sessions | 20 staff |
| Full Day | 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM | 5 sessions | 50 staff |
Note: Afternoon sessions are limited to 2 groups to allow for preparation and debriefing time between sessions.
Pre-Requisites
- People Moving certification: A valid certification in people moving and handling is required
- English language proficiency: Ability to understand, speak, read, and write in English
- Medical disclosure: Confidential disclosure of conditions affecting participation in practical modules
- Appropriate attire: Comfortable clothing allowing free movement during practical sessions
Facility Requirements
- Profiling bed with bed linen for transfer practice
- Access to corridors and staircases for evacuation practice
- Suitable training area with adequate space for equipment deployment
- Multi-storey buildings: the training area should be near the lift and the stairwell
Certification
Upon successful completion, participants receive:
- Phoenix STS Training Certificate: Confirms competency in evacuation equipment operation
- Certificate validity: 1 year (annual refresher training required per HIQA guidelines)
- Assessment method: Practical demonstration of safe evacuation using a rescue training manikin
Our Instructors
Our instructors bring extensive fire safety experience and hold memberships with leading professional bodies:
- NAHFO (National Association of Healthcare Fire Officers)
- IFE (Institution of Fire Engineers)
- IOSH (Institution of Occupational Safety and Health)
- IIESMS (Irish Institute of Emergency and Safety Management Services)
- IIRSM (International Institute of Risk and Safety Management)
- IHEEM (Institute of Healthcare Engineering and Estate Management)
- L&DI (Learning & Development Institute)
Our instructors combine theoretical knowledge with practical application, ensuring participants gain skills they can use immediately.
Need More Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. HIQA Regulation 28 requires that staff are trained in evacuation procedures and can demonstrate competency in operating evacuation equipment. The Fire Safety Handbook (2025) specifies that staff must be able to evacuate residents safely, which requires practical training with the equipment available at your facility.
Evacuation equipment training builds upon safe manual handling principles. Staff must understand correct posture, lifting techniques, and body mechanics before operating evacuation aids to prevent injury to themselves and residents.
Using staff as training subjects poses significant safety and legal risks. The Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 requires employers to avoid exposing staff to unnecessary risks. HIQA’s Fire Safety Handbook states drills must use “realistic but safe methods.” Rescue training manikins provide realistic weight and body mechanics without risk of injury.
Using Phoenix STS equipment ensures your facility’s evacuation aids remain undamaged and available for genuine emergencies. Training wears down equipment, and keeping your operational equipment pristine is essential for emergency readiness.
This course is designed specifically for clinical staff responsible for evacuating residents under the Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan (PEEP). Non-clinical staff may benefit from general fire safety awareness training or the Nursing Home Fire Safety Training Course instead.
Afternoon sessions are limited to 2 groups (compared to 3 in the morning) to allow adequate time for equipment preparation, participant briefing, and instructor debriefing between sessions. This ensures consistent training quality throughout the day.
The course covers Ski Evacuation Sheets and Ski Pads, which are the most common evacuation aids used in Irish nursing homes. Training can be tailored to the specific equipment available at your facility. Phoenix STS is the only company authorised in Ireland to deliver train-the-trainer courses on the full range of “Ski” evacuation products.
No. This course teaches staff to operate evacuation equipment competently, but it does not replace the requirement for timed compartment drills demonstrating evacuation of the largest compartment with reflective dependency levels and nighttime staffing. Equipment training and evacuation drills serve different compliance purposes
The skills learned are transferable, but staff moving to a new facility should receive familiarisation training on that facility’s specific equipment, layout, and evacuation procedures. Different facilities may use different brands or models of evacuation equipment.
Related Services
- Nursing Home Fire Safety Training Course – Comprehensive fire safety training, including evacuation equipment practice
- Healthcare Fire Compartment Drills – Timed compartment drills demonstrating HIQA Regulation 28 compliance
- Evacuation Planning – Development of evacuation procedures tailored to your facility
- People Moving Course – Pre-requisite training for safe manual handling of residents
- Nursing Home PAS 79-1 Fire Risk Assessment – Comprehensive fire risk assessments for residential care facilities
- Ski Evacuation Sheet – Purchase evacuation equipment from Phoenix STS
Page last updated: January 2026
