Evacuation Equipment Training Course

The Evacuation Aid Training Course (Evacuation Practice Drill) will provide learners with knowledge in the safe use of evacuation aids such as Evacuation Sheets, Ski Mats, Sled Pads

Evacuation Equipment Training Course

Evacuation Equipment Training Course | Ski Sheet Training Ireland | Phoenix STS

Evacuation Equipment Training Course

100% practical, hands-on training in the safe operation of Ski Evacuation Sheets and Ski Pads for nursing home clinical staff. This intensive skills-based programme builds the muscle memory and confidence needed for emergency evacuations. Compliant with HIQA Regulation 28 and the Fire Safety Handbook. On-site delivery with 1-year certification.

1 Hour Per Session
10 Max Per Session
50 Staff (Full Day)
100% Practical

🏆 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.


Course Overview

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.

Evacuation Equipment Training Course details - 1 hour per group, max 10 per session, 1 year certificate, 100% practical training

Evacuation Equipment Training Course service details from Phoenix STS.

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 when every second counts.


Why Choose This Course

🎯 100% Practical Training

Every minute is hands-on. Staff gain real experience operating evacuation equipment, building muscle memory and confidence for emergencies.

📅 Flexible Scheduling

Choose morning sessions (up to 30 staff), afternoon sessions (up to 20 staff), or full-day training (up to 50 staff) to minimise care schedule disruption.

🛠️ Equipment Provided

All training uses Phoenix STS equipment, including rescue manikins. Your facility’s evacuation aids stay undamaged and ready for emergencies.

👥 Small Group Sizes

Maximum 10 learners per session ensures every participant receives adequate hands-on practice time with each piece of equipment.

🎓 Expert Instructors

Learn from 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 and Regulation 28 requirements for evacuation competency.


Who Should Attend

This course is designed specifically for clinical staff who assist residents during emergency evacuations as part of the Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan (PEEP):

👩‍⚕️ 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.
💡 Note: This course is designed specifically for clinical staff responsible for evacuating residents. Non-clinical staff may benefit from general fire safety awareness training or the Nursing Home Fire Safety Training Course instead.

What You’ll Learn

This 100% practical course focuses entirely on hands-on skills development. Each session combines demonstration with supervised practice using rescue training manikins.

Equipment Introduction & Safety

  • Introduction to evacuation aids 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 sheet
  • Horizontal evacuation along corridors
  • Controlled descent down staircases
  • Two-person and single-person operation

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 manikins
  • Demonstration of safe evacuation to place of safety
  • Feedback and technique correction
  • Confirmation of competency

Skills You’ll Master

By the end of this course, participants will have developed practical competency in operating evacuation equipment:

Evacuation Equipment Training Course skills - Ski Sheet Operation, Horizontal Evacuation, Stair Descent, Team Coordination, Rapid Deployment, Safety Protocols

Skills mastered on the Evacuation Equipment Training Course.

🛏️ Ski Sheet Operation

Competent operation of Ski Evacuation Sheets including positioning, securing, and safe movement of residents.

🚶 Horizontal Evacuation

Safe movement of residents along corridors and through fire doors to places of relative safety.

🪜 Stair Descent

Controlled descent techniques for moving residents down staircases safely when vertical evacuation is required.

👥 Team Coordination

Effective communication and coordination with colleagues during two-person evacuation procedures.

⚡ Rapid Deployment

Quick and efficient deployment of evacuation equipment under time pressure.

🛡️ Safety Protocols

Adherence to safety protocols throughout the evacuation process to protect both residents and staff.


Benefits of This 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 guidance on evacuation competency.

🏢 For Your Organisation

High Training Throughput

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.

Flexible Scheduling

Morning, afternoon, or full-day options accommodate different staffing patterns and operational needs.


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 (compared to 3 in the morning) to allow adequate time for equipment preparation, participant briefing, and instructor debriefing between sessions.


Pre-Course Requirements

Before Attending

  • People Moving certification: A valid certification in people moving and handling is required (essential pre-requisite)
  • 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

Training Space

  • Profiling bed with bed linen for transfer practice
  • Access to corridors for horizontal evacuation practice
  • Access to staircases for descent practice
  • Suitable training area with adequate space

Multi-Storey Buildings

  • Training area should be near the lift and stairwell
  • Access to representative staircase
  • Clear corridor access for practice
  • Adequate lighting in training areas

Certification

Your Certification

Upon successful completion, participants receive a Phoenix STS Training Certificate confirming competency in evacuation equipment operation.

Valid for 1 Year

Annual refresher training is required per HIQA guidelines. Assessment is by practical demonstration of safe evacuation using a rescue training manikin.


Our Instructors

Our instructors bring extensive fire safety experience in healthcare settings. All are qualified People Moving Instructors and Evacuation Aid Instructors with specialist expertise in residential care settings. They hold memberships with leading professional bodies:

Our instructors combine theoretical knowledge with practical application, ensuring participants gain skills they can use immediately.


Frequently Asked Questions

Is evacuation equipment training mandatory for nursing homes?
Yes. HIQA Regulation 28 requires that staff are trained in evacuation procedures and can demonstrate competency in operating evacuation equipment. The Fire Safety Handbook (March 2025) specifies that staff must be able to evacuate residents safely, which requires practical training with the equipment available at your facility.
Why do learners need a People Moving certification first?
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. The People Moving and Handling Course provides this essential foundation.
Why are training manikins used instead of staff members?
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.
Why does Phoenix STS provide the training equipment?
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.
Can non-clinical staff attend this training?
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.
How often should evacuation equipment training be refreshed?
Certification is valid for 1 year. Annual refresher training is required per HIQA guidelines to maintain competency and ensure staff remain confident in equipment operation.
Why are afternoon sessions limited to 2 groups?
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.
What evacuation equipment is covered in the training?
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.
Does this training replace compartment fire drills?
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.
Is the certificate transferable between nursing homes?
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.

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Page last updated: January 2026