Familiarize yourself with the nearest exits to your classroom or office. This may include a door or office.
Know your designated meeting point/safe zone (fire = 50 ft away from the building). Going to the meeting point allows for a designated emergency staff to do a head count and know if all have exited safely.
If you find yourself in a critical situation where you need to exit the building,
- Notify other people in the area – if it is a fire and you see flame, pull the fire alarm.
- Proceed to the nearest exit – leave your things, don’t try to take a bunch of items with you
- Go to the designated meeting point
- Wait for the all clear – this will most likely come from your supervisor, faculty, or law enforcement
Assisting those with Disabilities, Evacuation Guidelines
It is recommended that for residents of Garbee Hall, Hofmaster Apartments, Lee Towers and South Village I, II and III a "Buddy System" be implemented. A volunteer, along with alternate volunteers, be paired with a person with disabilities to assist them with evacuating the building. Staff personnel should be made aware of these arrangements. For all other buildings on campus, a "Buddy System" can be implemented with staff and faculty assistance.
Persons with Visual Impairments
Inform the individual of the nature of the emergency, offer to guide him/her. As you evacuate the building advise the individual that you are with where you are at, where you are going, obstacle in the way and any other important information. Do not take the individual that you are guiding by the arm, offer your arm instead.
Persons with Hearing Impairments
Not all fire alarm systems have visual indicators, a great deal are audio only a alternate means of warning may be necessary.
1. Write a note telling the individual of the danger and the safest evacuation route
2. Tapping the person he shoulder or turning the light switch on and off to gain attention, then indicating through gestures, or in writing, what is happening and what to do.
Persons using Crutches, Cane or Walkers
If the individual is having trouble exiting the building in a quick and safe manner then they may be carried out of the building. Options such as the fireman’s carry, two-person locked arm carry may be used. Also the person can be carried out while simply sitting in a chair.
Most of the time non-ambulatory individuals will be able to evacuate a building on their own. If assistance is needed remember lifting someone is this state may be painful and may cause injury. Frequently, non-ambulatory individuals have respiratory complications. Remove them from smoke or fumes immediately. Always consult the persons that is being evacuated so to their preference with regard to:
1. Ways of being removed from the wheelchair.
2. The number of people necessary for assistance.
3. Whether to extend or move extremities when lifting because of pain, catheter bags, braces, etc.
4. Whether a seat cushion or pad should be brought along if he-she is removed from the chair.
5. Being carried forwarded or backward on a flight of stairs.
6. After-care, if removed from the wheelchair.
7. Once outside meet the Fire Department so that you can give them information about the fire.
8. Once outside you are not to reenter the structure for any reason.
9. Once the Fayette Fire Department is on scene the Fire Chief or the next highest-ranking official will be in charge of the scene. The fire official will determine when or if it is safe to return to a building. The fire official will also be the one to turn the fire scene back over to the university.