Who this is for: general managers, duty managers, and health-and-safety or security leads at hotels, hotel groups, motels, resorts, and bed and breakfasts who need a written emergency plan.

A note before you use this: this template is general guidance, not legal advice. Fire and life-safety requirements differ by country and state, so follow your own policy and local law, and have a qualified professional review your plan and evacuation maps.

An emergency evacuation plan template gives your property one written emergency action plan: who does what, how an evacuation is raised, where everyone assembles, and the action steps for each scenario. Copy the plan, fill it for your property, post your floor-level evacuation maps, and drill it on a schedule.

What You Get

• A ready-to-fill emergency action plan for your property
• A general evacuation procedure with roles and muster points
• Scenario playbooks for fire, medical, severe weather, and security
• A power-failure response and an after-the-emergency review
• Downloadable PDF and Word files you can brand and post

Build the Plan

• Name an incident commander, fire wardens, and floor marshals.
• Post fire, police, medical, and management numbers at the desk.
• Mark primary and secondary exits and the muster point on each floor.
• Agree how an evacuation is raised and announced to all areas.
• Brief all staff on their roles and run a documented drill on a schedule.

General Evacuation Procedure

• Activate the alarm and call emergency services immediately.
• Direct guests to the nearest safe exit using the marked routes.
• Assist guests with mobility needs using the agreed refuge plan.
• Keep everyone on the stairs and never use elevators.
• Take the guest and staff roll call at the assembly point.
• Brief responders on anyone unaccounted for and on hazards.

Scenario Playbooks

Fire

• Close doors behind you and tackle only small fires if it is safe.
• Clear the affected floor first, then those above and below.
• Send a marshal to direct the fire service on arrival.
• Allow no re-entry until the fire service declares it safe.

Medical Emergency

• Dial emergency services and give the exact location.
• Dispatch a trained first aider with the kit and AED.
• Keep bystanders back and the access route open for medics.
• Have a staff member meet the ambulance and lead them in.

Severe Weather

• Track official alerts and decide early whether to shelter or evacuate.
• Move guests to interior rooms away from windows and glass.
• Bring in loose items and close storm shutters where fitted.
• Keep guests updated on the situation and next steps.

Security Threat

• Decide whether to lock down, evacuate, or shelter in place.
• Call the police and follow their instructions exactly.
• Secure entrances and move guests to safe, lockable areas if told to.
• On a bomb threat, do not touch any item and record every detail.

Power Failure and Recovery

• Confirm emergency lighting and the generator have engaged.
• Check no one is trapped in an elevator and release them.
• Keep fridges and freezers closed to hold temperature.
• Once the authorities declare it safe, do a final roll call, log the incident, and review the plan.

Keep Every Guest Accounted For When It Matters

A plan sets out who does what, but an evacuation only works if you know who is in the building. With roommaster, the front desk has a live in-house list of who is checked in and in which room, so your roll call at the muster point is accurate instead of guessing from a stale printout. See how it works on the roommaster platform.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What should a hotel emergency evacuation plan include?

An emergency team with clear roles, emergency contacts, marked primary and secondary exits, a muster point, how an evacuation is raised and announced, scenario action steps for fire, medical, severe weather, and security, and a procedure for accounting for guests and staff. Posted floor-level evacuation maps complete it.

2. How often should a hotel run an evacuation drill?

Run a documented drill on a regular schedule and after any change to the building, team, or plan. Many jurisdictions set a minimum frequency, so check your local fire regulations, and debrief after each drill to improve the plan.

3. Is this template a substitute for a professional fire safety assessment?

No. It is a practical framework for your written emergency action plan. Fire and life-safety requirements vary by location, so follow your local regulations and have a qualified professional review your plan and your posted evacuation maps.