When ordered to leave the building everyone will do so immediately.

  • Do not stop to retrieve items such as laptops or pocketbooks.
  • A clear and distinctive signal will be used to notify everyone of the need to leave the facility.
  • This signal will be in stark contrast to the one used to signal an order to move to a shelter, or to immediately shelter-in-place.
  • Evacuation routes (primary and secondary) will be clearly marked and floor plans showing these routes will be posted throughout the facility.
  • Everyone will be notified of the location of the assembly area. If weather conditions dictate using an alternative assembly point, this will be made clear.
  • Safety Wardens will be charged with directing people to exits and providing assistance. All exits will be clearly marked according to local safety codes.
  • Exit routes will be checked monthly to insure that they are not blocked or inoperative.
  • Once at the assembly point, the Incident Commander, or designee(s), will take attendance and report these finding to the first responders.
  • The Incident Commander, or designee(s), will report to the first responders any hazardous or dangerous materials stored onsite
  • Safety Wardens will assist, or stay with, anyone needing help in evacuating.
  • If anyone is in need of special assistance, make sure that someone is tending to their needs.
  • If anyone is in a non-motorized wheelchair and needs assistance evacuating down as stairs, take these steps:
    • First find someone to assist you.
    • Next, unlock the brake, then gently lean the chair backwards and move to the chair to the edge of the first step.
    • Have the person in the front steady the chair by the footrest rods. Gently lower the chair down the stairs. Repeat as necessary.
  • If the person is in a motorized chair, transfer them to a sturdy office chair preferably with armrests.
  •  Follow the instruction above for non-motorized wheelchairs, taking effort to stabilize the chair and the individual as it moves down the steps.

The last person to leave the facility should be the Safety Warden or Security Officer assigned to that area.

This individual should assist in directing everyone to the proper exit. If someone is unable to leave, that individual should report the situation to a First Responder (Fire Department or Police) and decide if it is safe to stay with that person until help arrives.

If it is not, they should move quickly and report the situation to a First Responder.

If a staff member needs assistance in moving or overcoming an obstacle, only someone with proper training should attempt to move this individual. If no one has this training, efforts should be made to quickly get a request for help to a First Responder.