What is progressive vertical evacuation?

Progressive vertical evacuation is a disaster preparedness strategy that involves moving people to higher floors of a building or structure during an emergency, such as flooding or tsunami threats. Unlike traditional evacuation methods, which typically direct individuals to the nearest exit, this approach focuses on relocating occupants vertically within the same structure to ensure safety while minimizing the chaos of mass evacuations. This method can be particularly effective in urban areas where horizontal evacuation routes may be limited or hazardous. It emphasizes the importance of pre-planning and training to ensure occupants know safe evacuation routes within the building.