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Incident Response | EMBCP

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5.2.3 Fire and Facility Evacuation

Procedures to be followed:

  • If a fire is discovered in any building on campus, the individual shall immediately pull the closest fire alarm switch.
  • When a fire alarm is activated, all occupants will evacuate the building in a timely and responsive manner. Building Liaisons should be the last occupants to leave the building to ensure everyone has exited the building. A Building Liaison for each building will be appointed.
  • Should a person have to remain in the building due to circumstances beyond his/her control, the Building Liaison will notify the arriving fire officials of the person’s location and the condition of the individual (i.e., handicapped, wheelchair bound, injured, etc.).
  • The alarm systems should be designed to notify the monitoring company of a fire at the location in which the alarm was activated. Security will immediately contact the Incident Commander and inform him/her of the situation.
  • When feasible, Security will respond to the alarm panel of the building that has been activated and determine the exact location of the activation. Security will go to that location to determine the response needed and will inform the arriving emergency personnel of their findings and will assist with traffic and crowd control.

Evacuation

When an evacuation of a building is ordered, the evacuation will be done in an orderly and safe manner. All faculty, staff, and students are to assemble in areas designated by the Emergency Management and Business Continuity Plan Coordinator. Evacuation orders may be given for multiple purposes. Building Liaisons will be responsible for notifying building occupants where the assembly area is. Emergency evacuation routes for each building, including assembly areas, are identified on Appendix D and shall be utilized by the building liaison in an emergency situation requiring evacuation.

Building Liaisons are the safety committee members and other designated personnel for each building.

Building Liaisons:

  1. Initiate evacuation procedures.
  2. Conduct a sweep of his/her assigned area – be certain that everyone has evacuated.
  3. Close doors as areas are evacuated.
  4. Assist with the extraction of any physically challenged individuals. If necessary, record the location of any individual who requires emergency personnel to perform the extraction.
  5. Be the last one out.
  6. Maintain an orderly evacuation.
  7. Record inappropriate actions (panic, use of elevators, etc.).
  8. Assemble and account for individuals at a designated safe location.
  9. Record any missing individuals and their last known location.
  10. Document evacuation time.
  11. In the most minor of incidents, only Faculty and Staff with training in the use of fire extinguishers are permitted to actually fight a fire.

Evacuation Procedures

When an evacuation of a building is ordered, the evacuation will be done in an orderly and safe manner. All faculty, staff, and students are to assemble in designated areas. Evacuation orders may be given for multiple purposes. See Appendix D for evacuation routes and designated areas for assembly.

  1. Know where all emergency exits, alarm pulls, and fire extinguishers are located.
  2. Never assume the alarm is only a drill.
  3. When the alarm sounds, remain calm.
  4. Make sure employees/students in your area have heard the alarm and know to evacuate immediately.
  5. Turn off all equipment.
  6. Shut the door as you exit.
  7. Check restrooms and workrooms as you exit the building.
  8. Use exits away from any visible smoke or fire.
  9. Do not use the elevator.
  10. Anyone who is unable to exit on his or her own should be assisted to an area at the top of the stairs to await evacuation by the fire department. Do not block the stairs.
  11. Proceed to a previously designated area away from the building. Check class roll or have all students/employees sign a list so everyone is accounted for.
  12. Do not try to leave the parking area. Streets must remain clear to allow emergency vehicles access to the building.
  13. Do not return to the building until the Director of Security & Safety or Director of Physical Plant gives instructions to do so.

Procedures for evacuation and location of fire extinguishers and alarm pulls are posted in each classroom.

Fire

Minor Fire

Expected Impact

  • Building lighting, HVAC, possibly shut down.
  • Some immediate danger.
  • Some panic possible.

Expected Consequences

  • College operations in the affected building are shutdown.
  • Restricted areas.

Suggested Action Steps

  • EMBCP probably not activated
  • IRT probably not contacted
  • EMT notified at a later date
  • Building is evacuated (this should occur automatically)
  • Fire Department contacted
  • Building occupants gather a safe distance away – names are recorded and information is collected
  • Shut down utilities once the building is evacuated
  • Most Critical Plans / Resources:
    • Facilities

Major Fire

Expected Impact

  • Building lighting, HVAC, probably shut down.
  • Immediate danger.
  • Some panic probable.

Expected Consequences

  • College operations in the affected building are immediately shutdown.
  • College operations in the general area are shutdown.
  • Building contamination may prevent immediate re-occupancy.

Suggested Action Steps

  • EMBCP activated
  • IRT contacted
  • EMT notified
  • The EOC may be activated
  • Building is evacuated (this should occur automatically)
  • Fire Department contacted
  • Building occupants gather a safe distance away – names are recorded and information is collected
  • Shut down utilities once the building is evacuated
  • Most Critical Plans / Resources:
    • Facilities
    • Security
    • Public Relations
    • EH&S

Fire Accompanied with an Explosion

Expected Impact

  • Building lighting, HVAC, probably shut down.
  • Immediate danger.
  • General panic.
  • Injuries likely.
  • Fatalities possible.

Expected Consequences

  • College operations in the affected building are immediately shutdown.
  • College operations in the general area are shutdown.
  • Building contamination may prevent immediate re-occupancy.
  • All campus operations may be shutdown.

Suggested Action Steps

  • EMBCP activated
  • IRT contacted
  • EMT notified
  • Activate the EOC
  • Building is evacuated (this should occur automatically)
  • Fire Department contacted
  • Building occupants gather a safe distance away – names are recorded and information is collected
  • Shut down utilities once the building is evacuated
  • Eliminate a terrorist attack as a possibility
  • Consider closing the campus
  • Most Critical Plans / Resources:
    • Facilities
    • Security
    • Public Relations
    • EH&S
    • Student Health Services

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