The Supported Needs and Disability Office and The Gibraltar Fire and Rescue Service have collaborated to promote the use of Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans (PEEP).

A PEEP is a document which serves as a plan for a person who may need assistance to evacuate a building or reach a place of safety in the event of an emergency.
A PEEP may be needed for someone with an impairment or disability such as:
• Mobility impairment
• Visual impairment
• Hearing impairment
• Cognitive impairment
• Dexterity impairment
• Breathing issues
• A medical condition or injury which might cause them to need assistance to evacuate safely.

Sometimes the requirement for a PEEP may be temporary, for instance, someone who is using a wheelchair because of a broken leg or someone in the late stages of pregnancy.

PEEP forms are particularly important at places of work.

A PEEP form must be completed during a discussion between the person with the disability and their line manager. This discussion will include key details such as whether you need specialist equipment to evacuate and who will help you in the event of an emergency.

It is important to note that the plan must not rely on The Gibraltar Fire and Rescue Service’s intervention to make the plan work as they need to focus on getting the emergency under control.

The Supported Needs and Disability Office and The Gibraltar Fire and Rescue Service urge persons with disabilities to fill in a PEEP form and discuss it with their line managers at work.

Minister for Equality, Employment, Culture and Tourism, The Hon Christian Santos GMD MP, said: “A PEEP could mean the difference between a safe evacuation and a potential tragedy. I am pleased to support this collaboration which will hopefully encourage those who need it, temporarily or longer term, to be prepared in case of an emergency. My thanks to the Supported Needs and Disability Office and The Gibraltar Fire and Rescue Service and I encourage people to have the conversation and complete the PEEP forms as soon as possible.”

PEEP forms can be downloaded from the Supported Needs and Disability Office website on: www.disability.gov.gi/forms

For further information, please contact the Supported Needs and Disability Office on:
• Email: Sndo@gibraltar.gov.gi
• WhatsApp: 56003195
• Phone: 20042196