University of Rochester

ACCESS Rochester

Evacuation Procedures

It is the goal of the University of Rochester to plan for the safe and orderly evacuation of all individuals, including persons with disabilities, during an emergency.

Members of the University community should prepare for emergencies ahead of time by learning the locations of exit routes, exit stairwells, and areas of rescue in all buildings routinely used. Those in supervisory positions, including faculty, instructors and teaching assistants, should discuss emergency procedures with all individuals they supervise or teach. Supervisors and instructors should learn in advance the needs of anyone who may need assistance during an emergency.

The main responsibility of anyone in the area of an emergency condition is life safety, not fire fighting or combating other adverse conditions. If conditions allow action without personal risk, assisting other individuals in need of assistance is expected of employees during an emergency. No attempt should be made by anyone other than fire service personnel to rescue anyone from adverse conditions regardless of knowledge or training.

If the emergency condition is a fire or explosion:
Rescue anyone in immediate danger;
Activate the fire alarm;
Confine the fire by closing all doors;
Evacuate using a horizontal or vertical exit route. Emergency horizontal exits are located at the end of each corridor. Emergency vertical exits are stairwells located adjacent to the corridor.

Staff should report to their predetermined site and remain there until the all clear.

Evacuation Guidelines for Individuals in Need of Assistance

Individuals who may need assistance should advise supervisors, co-workers, roommates, resident advisors and instructors in advance what assistance may be needed in case of emergency.

Individuals who have a visual impairment: tell the individual the nature of the emergency. Ask him or her to take your elbow and then escort him or her to an exit. As you walk, tell the individual where you are and the location of any obstacles. When you have reached safety, orient the person to where you are.
Individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing: individuals with impaired hearing may not perceive an emergency and may require visual cues to alert them to the situation. This may be accomplished by first turning a light switch off and on to gain the individual's attention. Then write a brief note or use gestures to explain the emergency and identify the nearest exit.
Individuals who are non-ambulatory: some people have minimal ability to move independently. Moving or lifting them may be dangerous to their health. Always ask the individual to tell you the best way to be of assistance to them.
Assist the individual to an exit, a stairwell, or an area of rescue. Be sure to take any associated equipment such as respirators and cushions. Individuals should remain with their mobility equipment until fire or rescue personnel arrive. Arrangements will be made by fire service personnel to return mobility equipment to the individual when she or he has been transported to safety.
Rescue: factual information related to the location of individuals in need of assistance and their specific circumstances should be reported to the first arriving emergency personnel from an official agency such as University Security or the Rochester Fire Department.

Fire Marshall's Office: 275-3249

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