Background: I live in a multi-building condo complex. My building is two stories, wood frame construction, with 16 units. The complex suffered a fire last year, due to a resident being careless with fire. His unit was gutted, and seven neighboring units were heavily damaged by smoke and water.

This morning, while I was exiting the shower, I heard a truly obnoxious noise. A brief investigation determined that it was the fire alarm. Seeing that I was not in immediate danger, I quickly dressed and got out of the building. Once outside, I met one of the complex security guards. He informed me that he had already circled the building, and there was no sign of fire. He also told me that he had verified that the fire department was on the way.

What Went Right:

1) I successfully evacuated the building. I remembered to pickup my key ring (with house key, flashlight, and whistle), cell phone, and a knife on the way out the door.

2) Security was, in my opinion, doing everything right. They were on scene first, verifying that the fire department was on the way, while checking for fire or other serious threat. As he walked and checked the building, he was on the cell phone and facility radio at the same time.

3) The fire department responded quickly with two engines. All the fire fighters were in full turnouts, and two of them had their air packs on their backs and axes in their hands when they got off of the rigs.

What Went Wrong:

1) In my haste to get dressed, I grabbed my workout clothes, as they were on the top. I left my “regular” clothes, which had my wallet in the pocket (and all of my other EDC). If the condo had burned, I could have used my driver’s license and credit card (in my wallet) to get a nearby hotel room.

2) I did not grab the keys to my truck when I evacuated. I should have, because if the condo had burned, being able to drive somewhere would have been important. Also, in the truck was my BOB, as well as extra supplies and tools.

What I Learned:

1) The fire department responded first to a nearby building that houses the fire alarm control panel for several of the buildings. After reading that panel, they then responded to my building. It seems that the fire alarm control panel should be the rally point for the family in case of fire. We could communicate any important information to the fire fighters quickest at that location.

2) I need to learn more about the standard operating procedures that security uses. The day shift guard today told me that he has worked here almost 20 years, so there is some information there that I may need.

3) I need a better “grab it and go” mental check list.

4) I need a “hide-a-key” for the truck.

5) I now know what the building fire alarm sounds like, and will respond quicker to it next time.

Any additional suggestions from the group?

Sounds like you critiqued an event, and are altering your behavior based on your conclusions. Doesn't get much better than that...

I'd change #3 from a mental to a printed and posted check list, especially living in a wood frame condo... I was a classroom teacher for 30years and had a sign posted at both exits to my classroom as a reminder for students and myself...not much verbage and concise.... evacuation location, cell phone, epi-pen, inhaler,( for the kids) and roll book ( with attached whistle) for me

if I lived on the second floor... a length of good kernmantle climbing rope attached to a locking carabiner, and a pair of leather gloves with reinforced palms in a gym bag...secure line, put on gloves, di di mao...

When I get home all the pocket carry things wallet, keys, et al are removed from pockets and placed together where I know to find them. Cell phone is separate because it's plugged in. There is no wrong pair of pants. Whatever I put on, I then load the pockets, grab the backpack and go.

Second what Russ said, make a specific place where you always put your wallet, keys, phone, etc. Don't make it by the front door as a "landing zone" that some people suggest since you may not always be able to exit there.
Do not get a hide a key, I've seen so many people use those and find out their keys are lost because the hideakey fell off.
Find a place well hidden, vent line on top of the transmission or somehting and wire tie it there if you must have one on the truck.
My old truck, from that days when they didn't have carpet, had an access hole that was used when they dip the cab in paint at the factory back under the seat. I taped a key next to it and could reach up between the front drive shaft and frame and knock that plug out and get the key.

A few things I do regarding getting out of the house in a hurry. YMMV.

Every person in the house has a full set of clothes on the floor next to where they sleep. In case of night time emergency, we are fully clothed in moments without having to look for things. This changes with the seasons.

Next to our bedroom door is a cabinet. In the cabinet is a brightly colored folder keeper. Inside is a folder for each family member and one for the house. Inside is business cards for all our medical/insurance/warranty needs along with passports, SSN's, bank info., phone contacts, etc. ----Now before anyone begins sharpshooting me on putting all that on USB or too much information in one place. I do have it all scanned and on USB in a separate location and the benefit of all in one place is...its all in one place.

My cell phone is charged at the base of my stairs.

My EDC bag with EDC kit, wallet, keys, etc is always exactly in the exact same place when I am at home. I can get to it anywhere blindfolded and I never leave home without it.

Things like this are why I

1) Keep my EDC bag and shoes by the bed, and everything lives in it.
2) Park away from the building
3) Keep an overnight bag (with spare glasses), a spare jacket and a pair of boots on top of everything else in the back of the truck.

Had too many fire drills in college in winter.

I'll differ with most commenters here - don't worry about what you take from your apartment / condo / house while leaving. Get yourself and your family OUT. If it appears safe while evacuating, knock on your neighbors' doors, alert them to the fire alarm, and get them OUT.

In terms of pre-planning, try to be aware of who is home when - such as elderly or retired, or persons with disabilities who can have difficulty evacuating in a fire. You are not responsible for them, but people still in the building are the highest priority for fire fighters arriving on scene. You should tell the first available fire fighter about anyone you believe is still in the building (an apt number can help). Don't hold out to talk to the Captain or Incident Commander - they're busy, and any fire fighter can take your info and work it into their response.

The stuff you seem to want in your pockets will be handy if the apartment building is a total loss, but alot of times you can go back in, even into a fire damaged living space, and recover those things intact after the fire is put out. And if everything actually torches to the point of destruction, thank your lucky stars you didn't torch with it.

Besides excellent suggestions others have made for your personal safety, I'll add:

• Whether you're the condo-owner or renting, make sure you've got appropriate (dollar-wise) full replacement-cost coverage on your contents.

• Recommend shooting video of ALL of your belongings; open drawers, cupboards, closets etc. to show contents. Don't forget garage. Will make infinitely easier if ever need to file insurance claim. Who of us can remember everything we own, especially in aftermath of stressful event. Zoom-in on especially valuable items to show detail, and on model names/numbers if possible, or recite them in narrative while shooting. Consider including details on electronics and other high-dollar belongings in your narrative , e.g. approximate cost, when/where bought etc. Burn video to DVD(s); keep in safe deposit box and/or trusted friends/relatives.

• Consider a fireproof file box (typically, 1/2-hour protection) for selected documents and personal records if you don't keep in off-site safe deposit box. Good place, too, to keep external harddrive (if you have one vs USB stick) with (encrypted) back-up of PC's harddrive.

• Presume smoke/fire alarms in your unit's interior are up to speed.

• Any critical prescription medications for which provisions need to be made? Grab 'em or be confident timely replacement possible.

• If you are on second floor, I'll repeat LesSnyder's suggestion ... have means for alternate escape out window.

A trick I learned for hiding a car key is screwing it behind your license plate with the plate screw.