Evacuation Chair Operator Training Course

What Is Evac Chair Training?

Evac Chair Training teaches you how to safely operate an evacuation chair to assist people with reduced mobility during emergencies. The course covers the safe use of evacuation chairs on stairways when passenger lifts cannot be used, helping operators respond confidently during a fire or other building evacuation.

Combining essential theory with hands-on practical training, you'll learn how to carry out pre-use safety checks, assist passengers, and perform controlled stair evacuations while following safe emergency evacuation procedures. Whether you're a fire marshal, facilities manager, healthcare professional, or a designated evacuation chair operator, this course provides the practical skills needed to support safer workplace evacuations.

Who Should Attend Evac Chair Training?

Evac Chair Training is suitable for anyone responsible for assisting people with reduced mobility during an emergency evacuation. It is ideal for designated evacuation chair operators and staff involved in workplace emergency procedures.

This course is suitable for:

• Fire marshals and fire wardens
• Health and safety officers
• Facilities and building managers
• Security personnel
• Emergency response teams
• Care home staff
• NHS and healthcare staff
• School, college, and university staff
• Hotel and hospitality staff
• Anyone responsible for emergency evacuations

From healthcare settings to workplaces and public buildings, this training helps you develop the practical skills required to support safe evacuation using an evacuation chair.

What Will You Learn?

This Evac Chair Training course combines essential theory with practical instruction to help you operate an evacuation chair safely and confidently during emergency situations. By the end of the course, you'll be able to:

• Understand emergency evacuation principles and operator responsibilities.
• Carry out pre-use safety checks before using the evacuation chair.
• Set up and deploy the evacuation chair correctly.
• Transfer and secure a passenger safely.
• Perform controlled stair descents using the correct techniques.
• Maintain safe operator positioning and control throughout the evacuation.
• Communicate effectively with the passenger and other responders.
• Apply your skills through supervised practical evacuation exercises.
• Complete post-use checks and store the evacuation chair correctly.

Benefits of Evac Chair Training

• ✓ Build confidence in safe chair operation.
• ✓ Assist people with reduced mobility safely.
• ✓ Practise controlled stair evacuation techniques.
• ✓ Understand safe emergency evacuation procedures.
• ✓ Demonstrate practical competence and gain certification.

Entry Requirements

There are no formal entry requirements for this Evac Chair Training course, and no previous experience is needed. As the course includes practical exercises using an evacuation chair on stairs, learners should be physically able to operate the equipment safely and follow instructions throughout the training.

A reasonable understanding of spoken and written English is recommended to ensure safe participation, and learners must be 16 years of age or older.

Course Duration & Delivery

Evac Chair Training is typically delivered as a half-day course, combining classroom-based learning with practical, hands-on instruction. Learners develop their understanding of safe evacuation procedures before practising evacuation chair operation, including controlled movement on stairs. Training can be delivered on-site at your workplace, with the exact duration varying slightly depending on group size and practical training requirements.

How Is the Course Assessed?

Assessment is carried out continuously during the course to ensure you can operate an evacuation chair safely and effectively in an emergency. Your instructor will evaluate your practical ability to prepare the chair, assist a passenger, and perform a controlled stair evacuation using the correct techniques.

The assessment also includes verbal or written questions to check your understanding of safe evacuation procedures and chair operation. Learners who successfully demonstrate practical competence and a sound understanding of safe evacuation procedures will be awarded an Evac Chair Training certificate.

Certification

Upon successful completion of the Evac Chair Training course, you will receive a certificate from the training provider confirming that you have completed the required training and demonstrated safe evacuation chair operation. The certificate is typically valid for three years, with refresher training recommended every three years to maintain practical skills and confidence.

How Can You Progress After This Course?

After completing Evac Chair Training, you can continue developing your emergency evacuation and workplace safety skills through:

• Evacuation Chair Refresher Training: Maintain practical skills and confidence in chair operation.
• Fire Marshal Training: Develop skills for supporting workplace fire evacuations.
• NEBOSH Certificate in Fire Safety:  Build broader workplace fire safety and evacuation knowledge.
• Emergency First Aid at Work: Develop essential first-aid skills to help respond to workplace emergencies.