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Evacuation Procedures


Building Evacuation

  • All building evacuations will occur when an alarm is sounded and/or upon notification from Maintenance/Security or Administration.
  • When the building evacuation alarm is activated during an emergency, leave by the nearest marked exit and alert others to do the same. If emergency personnel direct you to another exit based on the type of emergency, follow their directions.
  • Do not use elevators in case of fire, tornado, or earthquake
  • Once outside, proceed to a clear area that is at least 500 feet away from the affected building. Keep streets, fire lanes, hydrant areas, and walkways clear for emergency vehicles and personnel. Evacuate further if directed by emergency personnel.
  • Do not return to an evacuated building until all clear is given by emergency personnel.

Campus Evacuation

  • Evacuation of all or part of the campus grounds will be announced and directed by Campus Security/Maintenance/ and/or Administration. All persons (student and staff) may be asked to immediately vacate the site in question and relocate to another part of the campus grounds as directed. Take wallet, purse, book bag, jackets, etc. with you.

Handicapped Evacuation Procedures

  • Individuals should be advised to wait until most of the population of the building has exited before proceeding to the nearest operable stairwell.
  • The individual should have someone immediately notify rescue personnel at the crisis command post of his/her location in the building.
  • Check on people with disabilities and evacuate people with disabilities when necessary.
  • Do not use elevators, unless authorized to do so by police, fire or other emergency personnel.
  • Attempt a rescue evacuation ONLY if you have had rescue training, or the person is in immediate danger, and cannot wait for professional assistance.
  • If you are permanently or temporarily disabled please inform your department head or classroom instructor. They will help you determine an action plan based upon your specific needs. Persons who cannot leave a building on their own should ask a classmate, co-worker, roommate, resident assistant, Hall Director, etc. to assist them. Do not assume that someone will voluntarily help. The person needing assistance must be specific in arranging assistance, preferably in advance of an emergency.

The person assisting the disabled person should exit the building and locate a police officer, fireman, or other emergency personnel and provide them with the exact location of the individual needing assistance.

Shelter-in-Place

One of the instructions you may be given in an emergency where hazardous materials may have been released into the atmosphere is to shelter-in-place. This is a precaution aimed to keep you safe while remaining indoors. (This is not the same thing as going to a shelter in case of a storm). Shelter-in-place means selecting a small, interior room, with not or few windows, and taking refuge there.

Depending on the type of emergency and directives received from authorities and emergency personnel the following options are available depending upon the emergency.

  • Close the school, activate the school's crisis plan
  • Follow reverse evacuation procedures and bring students, faculty, and staff inside.
  • Monitor television, radio, and other forms of communication for information regarding the threat/emergency and follow their directions.
  • Bring everyone in the building. Shut and lock the door.
  • Gather emergency supplies if possible.
  • Close windows, secure doors, and duct tape if told to do so.

When necessary the Incident Commander shall determine locations where students, faculty, and staff are relocated to in the event of an emergency and/or disaster. The Incident Commander shall also be responsible for:

  • Inform emergency workers of missing students, faculty, and staff
  • Assist emergency authorities on request
  • Arrange housing, transportation, and/or provide access to alternate facilities.
  • Provide security of evacuation and evacuation sites.
  • Establish where appropriate a recovery room and coordinate medical assistance when necessary.
  • Transmit necessary information concerning the evacuation and location of evacuees.
  • Perform any other duty as directed by the President (or designee)

Evacuation for People with Disabilities

The most important factor in emergency safety for people with disabilities is advanced planning.

  • In All Emergencies - After an evacuation is ordered
    • Evacuate people with disabilities if possible.
    • Do not use elevators, unless authorized to do so by police or fire personnel. Elevators can fail in certain situations
    • If situation is life threatening call the police (911)
    • Check on people with special needs during an evacuation. A buddy system, where people with disabilities arrange for volunteers to alert them and assist them in an emergency, is a good method.
    • Always ask someone with a disability how you can help before attempting any rescue technique or giving assistance. Ask how he or she can best be assisted or moved and whether there are any special considerations or items that need to come with the person.
    • Response to Emergencies (Blindness and Visual Impairment) - Bomb Threat, Fire, Hazardous Materials Release, and Power Outages.
    • Offer to lead them out of the building to safety.
    • Give verbal instructions about the safest route or direction using compass directions, estimated distances, and directional terms.
    • Do not grasp a visually impaired person's arm. Ask if he or she would like to hold onto your arm as you exit, especially if there is debris or a crowd.
    • Giver other verbal instructions or information (e.g. elevators cannot be used)
     
  • Deafness or Hearing Loss - Bomb Threats, Fire, Hazardous Materials Release, and Power Outages
    • Get the attention of a person with a hearing disability by touch and eye contact. Clearly state the problem. Gestures and pointing are helpful, but be prepared to write a brief statement if the person does not seem to understand.
    • Offer visual instructions to advise of safest route or direction by pointing toward exists or evacuations maps.
     
  • Mobility Impairment - Bomb Threat, Fire, and Hazardous Materials Releases.
    • It may be necessary to clear the exit route of debris (if possible) so that the person with a disability can move out or to a safer area.
    • If people with mobility impairments cannot exit, they should move to a safer area, for example
    • Most enclosed stairwells
    • An office with the door closed, which is a good distance from the hazard
    • Notify police or fire personnel immediately about any people remaining in the building and their locations.
    • Police or fire personnel will decide whether people are safe where they are and will evacuate them as necessary.
    • If people are in immediate danger and cannot be moved to a safer area to wait for assistance, it may be necessary to evacuate them using an evacuation chair or a carry technique.
     
  • Power Outages
    • If an outage occurs during the day and people with disabilities choose to wait in the building for electricity to be restored, they can move near a window with natural light. During regular hours, faculty/staff should be notified so they can advise emergency personnel.
    • Some campus telephones may not operate during a power outage.