DRAFT – Evacuation Procedures

General Building Evacuation

Every department should have a specific Emergency Evacuation Plan and Assembly Area where employees, students, and visitors should meet to check in with the supervisor. The police or other emergency response personnel should be notified of missing persons so that a search can be made.

Some Emergencies May Require Evacuation Of The Building. In This Event:

    1. Fire alarms or verbal notice will USUALLY be used to sound the evacuation.
    2. Safely stop your work. Remain calm and orderly.
    3. If it is safe to do so and does not impede your evacuation, quickly gather your personal belongings.
    4. If safe to do so, close doors and windows, but do not lock them.
    5. Never block stairwell doors open.
    6. Walk quickly, but do not run to the nearest safe exit via the stairway. NEVER USE ELEVATORS.
    7. Follow instructions from OU Police or other properly identified emergency personnel.
    8. Go to your pre-determined Emergency Assembly Area and report to your supervisor. If you don’t know about your departmental emergency assembly area, ask your supervisor.
    9. Keep all roadways and walkways clear for emergency vehicles.
    10. NEVER RE-ENTER ANY BUILDING until instructed to do so by OU Police or other properly identified emergency personnel

Emergency Evacuations of Persons with Special Needs

IF YOUR MOBILITY IS LIMITED:

Pre-planning is essential for a safe evacuation. If you are a person who has special needs, know your limitations and consider what you would do in an emergency. If you need to evacuate, help yourself and your rescuers by providing them with the information they need about the best ways they can assist you, since people may not be aware of your circumstances or how to help. Consider having a primary person to assist, but have a back-up person just in case the primary person may not be available in an emergency.

Offering Assistance To Others:

VISUALLY IMPAIRED PERSON
In an emergency, tell the person the nature of the emergency and offer to guide them to the nearest emergency exit. Have the person take your arm and escort them out. This is the preferred method when acting as a “sighted guide.”

HEARING IMPAIRED PERSONS
Write a note, telling what the emergency is and the nearest evacuation route. For example: “Fire, go out rear door to the right, and down, NOW.” Turn light switch off and on to gain the person’s attention and use gestures to show what to do.

AMBULATORY PERSONS USING CRUTCHES, CANES, OR WALKERS
Carrying options include a two-person locked arm position or having the person sit in a sturdy chair, preferable one with arms. If time permits call OU Police for assistance.

NON-AMBULATORY PERSONS (e.g., wheelchairs)
Contact OU Police, then move to an area of refuge such as a stairwell, if possible. For assistance in identifying areas of refuge (shelter-in-place) for your area before an emergency occurs, contact ***.

There are many considerations when moving someone who is in a wheelchair. For example, wheelchairs have moveable parts and some are not designed to withstand the stress of lifting a person. You may have to remove chair batteries. Life support equipment may also be attached. Because lifting a person with minimal ability to move may be dangerous to them, pre-planning for individual needs is best.

WHEN LIFTING A PERSON, REMEMBER TO USE PROPER LIFTING TECHNIQUES

  1. Never try to lift someone alone. Always get two persons to help lift a person.
  2. Place one foot a little ahead of the other with toes pointed out slightly.
  3. Place your feet about shoulder-width apart.
  4. Bend at your knees and lift yourself and the person with your legs, keeping your back straight.