What conditions may warrant evacuation of a building?
A wide variety of emergencies may cause an evacuation such as Fire, Bomb Threat, Hazardous Materials Spill, Hostile Intruder, Utility Failure, etc. In some instances, you may have time to prepare, while other situations might call for an immediate evacuation. Planning ahead is vital to ensuring that you can evacuate quickly and safely, no matter what the circumstances.
What should I know about the building evacuation plan?
- KNOW the evacuation plan of the building and where to find it.
- KNOW the location of all exits for the building
- KNOW the locations of emergency equipment (i.e., fire extinguishers, pull stations, etc.)
- KNOW the location of the assembly area(s) outside the building
- ASSIST and participate in fire drills
What should I do if the fire alarm has not already been activated due to smoke, heat or fire, or there is no evidence of fire or explosion threat in the building, but I discover an event or condition that may warrant building evacuations?
- NOTIFY University Police
- Activate the fire alarm
What should I do when I hear a fire alarm, or get an order to evacuate without an activated alarm?
- EVACUATE the building using the nearest exit or stairway. DO NOT USE ELEVATORS
- Call University Police from a safe area and provide your name, location, and nature of emergency
- PROCEED to a pre-determined assembly area for the building and remain there until you are told to re-enter by the emergency personnel in charge
- DO NOT IMPEDE access by the emergency personnel to the area.
Individuals Requiring Assistance
What should I know as an individual requiring assistance?
It is recommended that individuals requiring assistance prepare for emergencies ahead of time by:
- LEARNING the locations of exit corridors and exit stairways
- PLANNING an escape route
- SHOWING a co-worker or instructor how to assist you in case of emergency
What should I do as an individual requiring assistance during a building evacuation?
- SEEK REFUGE near the closest stairway and request assistance from others
What should I know in order to help individuals requiring assistance?
- BE FAMILIAR with the people requiring assistance who are routinely in your work area
- TO REDUCE THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY, attempts to carry immobilized persons are discouraged. Wherever stairs are part of the evacuation route, the following procedures are to be applied:
- BLIND, BUT MOBILE PERSONS, should first be moved out of the rush of traffic, and then promptly assisted to the nearest exit
- DEAF, BUT MOBILE PERSONS, may be unaware of the need to evacuate, and should be calmly advised and guided to the nearest available exit
- TEMPORARILY IMMOBILIZED PERSONS, including those wearing cast and/or using canes or crutches, should be given assistance based solely upon their ability to maneuver through doorways and up/down stairs. If they cannot easily move up and down stairs, temporarily immobilized persons must be assisted in the same manner as those who are permanently impaired
- PERMANENTLY IMMOBILIZED PERSONS are those who have either limited or no use of legs, and must rely upon crutches, wheelchairs, or walkers for transport in and through buildings. If they cannot easily move, they must be assisted.
What should I do to help individuals requiring assistance?
- MOVE TO PHYSICALLY IMPAIRED person quickly to reasonable safety, preferably to an enclosed room or space that smoke or flames cannot easily enter as soon as a fire alarm sounds or the order to evacuate is received by emergency or building safety personnel. ELEVATORS CANNOT BE USED. ACCOMPANY this by a verbal explanation so that the person being assisted understands what is happening and why these actions are being taken.
- CONTACT CAMPUS POLICE immediately if a phone is available, and provide the following:
- The individuals name and location within the building
- The phone number from which the call is made. If left alone, the disabled person may want to remain on the phone with Campus Police.
- IF AVAILABLE, A COMPANION, OR OTHER RESPONSIBLE PERSON may stand by to remain with and assist the physically challenged individual
- INFORM emergency personnel of the exact location of the immobilized person.
If it becomes necessary for removal from the building, trained and properly equipped emergency personnel will then carry out the removal.
What if all or part of the campus needs to be evacuated?
Evacuation of all or part of the campus grounds will be decided by the President and announced by University Police. All persons are to immediately vacate the area in question and move to another part of the campus grounds or local assembly area or shelter as directed.
What do I do when I have evacuated the building?
Stay in the designated assembly area until an accurate headcount is taken, and permission to return to the building is given by emergency personnel in charge.
Will I receive an evacuation notification?
There are situations where we would use the Wittenberg University Alert System as a means of evacuation notice. If this occurs, follow the instructions given by the message and alert others in your area to evacuate the building.