QIIB holds fire emergency evacuation drill

QIIB employees “evacuated” as part of the bank’s emergency evacuation drill at its Grand Hamad Street branch recently.

Within the framework of its Emergency Response Plan and in order to reinforce its safety and security protocols, QIIB recently conducted an emergency evacuation drill at its main branch on Grand Hamad Street, enacting a virtual fire scenario.The drill simulated actual procedures that should be exercised during fire incidents, such as sounding sirens and evacuation of employees based on the safety and security protocols approved by the bank.QIIB said staff entrusted with the implementation of security and safety procedures carried out the instructions they were trained to perform.They supervised the evacuation operations inside the building by guiding the employees to the emergency exit, making sure they used the allocated routes, stopping elevators, and directing employees to predetermined assembly points for emergencies as well as ensuring the evacuation of all personnel from their offices and departments.Ali al-Mesaifri, QIIB chief (human resources and general services) said: “This drill, which was not the first one, showed distinct co-operation among the members of the bank’s security and safety team and their fellow employees. However, we were keen to conduct a very realistic and unexpected simulation so we can benefit from the lessons learnt, God forbid, in case of an actual fire.” He added: “Risk management is one of our top priorities and cases of emergency should be taken into account and anticipated through similar drills conducted in accordance with highly co-ordinated response plans.”Al-Mesaifri also affirmed that QIIB gives great attention to safety equipment and ensures that all buildings, in which it functions, meet potential risk requirements and are equipped with sirens, emergency exits, fire extinguishers and signage in all paths as per the relevant international standards.