Environmental Health & Safety

Fire Marshal's Office

River Campus Fire Safety

Eastman Campus Fire Safety

Residence Life Emergency Evacuation

The following are fire discovery, fire alarm, fire response and emergency evacuation procedures.

“Emergencies” can be defined as follows:

Visible flame or smoke; odor of smoke that cannot be readily identified; a smoke detector sounding in an unoccupied room; uncontrolled release of flammable gas or liquid; other potential fire hazards.

Rescue and Relocate anyone in immediate danger

Activate the building fire alarm. Fire alarm pull stations are usually located near exits and stair entries. Call security at 13 if it can be done quickly and safely.

Confine the fire by closing all doors.

Evacuate the building.

As you leave your room, close the room door, making sure you have your keys with you (heavy concentration of smoke may make your return necessary).

Do not take time to collect jewelry, money or other valuables.  They can be replaced—your life can’t!!

Do not attempt to use elevators to evacuate the building.

As you evacuate the building, do so in a calm and orderly fashion.  Walk, don’t run!  Keep conversation levels down.

After exiting the building, proceed immediately to your designated assembly area.  Remain there until released. Stand well clear of the building to allow maneuvering of emergency apparatus and emergency personnel.

At the assembly area, be as calm as possible and cooperate with residence life staff as they attempt to determine if everyone is out of the building.

Do not re-enter the building without direct authorization by a senior residence life staff member or a campus security officer.

Relocate anyone who is in immediate danger from the fire and close doors leading to the fire area. Depending on the individual’s condition, escort or direct them outside to the Safe Waiting Areas and/or to assistance.

Activate the building fire alarm at the nearest pull station.

Confine the fire by closing all doors where possible.

Evacuate your corridor(s); knock on all doors and direct residence to the nearest exit and safe waiting area. Do not use or direct residents to elevators.

Once outside of the building, go to the designated command post area for the building and report the areas you have secured. If students are to be relocated, go to the relocation site and conduct a by-name count of students from your area. Update this list as students arrive at the relocation site. Give this list to the Command Post when requested.

Respond to requests from the Command Post to help assist with access control or keeping residents at a safe distance until the “All Clear” has been declared.

Assist the Command Post as directed to notify residents when the building is reopened and they can return.

Do not attempt to use a fire extinguisher to put out the fire unless…

• The building fire alarm has been activated to alert others
• Security has been notified
• You have received annual specific training in the use of a fire extinguisher
• You know what is burning and what type of fire extinguisher to use
• It is a small fire – perhaps no larger than a wastebasket
• The fire is not spreading rapidly
• There is no toxic smoke present
• You know the fire extinguisher is fully charged
• There is an escape exit or route behind you

Evacuate the building immediately by the nearest safe exit

Responsibility of Residence Hall Staff

Residence hall staff is responsible for being thoroughly knowledgeable of emergency evacuation procedures and for knowing the primary and alternative routes of exit from their buildings.  They are also responsible for knowing the location of the sleeping rooms of resident students who are mobility impaired, visually impaired and hearing impaired. Each term or semester, supervisors or residence hall staff should notify University Security about the normal location or the sleeping rooms occupied by students with physical disabilities.

Once an alarm is activated, a Command Post will be established at the predetermined locations for each building. It will be staffed by Security and Residence Life staff for alarms and Environmental Health & Safety, Facilities and Public Relations for emergencies.

As Residence Life staff complete evacuation procedures for their immediate living areas, they will report the status to the Command Post. The Command Post will keep track of areas checked, assign staff to access control or Safe Waiting Areas as appropriate and determine if students should be relocated. If students are sent to the relocation areas, Residence Life staff will conduct a by-name count of students from their respective areas and give this list to the Command Post when requested.

Once the building is secured and no threat remains (“All Clear” status), Security will reset the alarm system and elevators, when authorized by the Fire Department.

Once the system reset is complete, the Command Post will dispatch staff to Safe Waiting Areas or the relocation area to allow re-entry to the building.

Pre-Emergency Preparation

• All members of the University community should become thoroughly familiar with their facility and the location of all its exits and areas of refuge.
• They should become familiar with the distinct sound of the fire alarm signal.
• Persons in need of assistance should seek out volunteers (“buddies”) who might be able to assist them in an emergency.
• Individuals who use a wheelchair should ask a member of the residence life staff about the safest method to be used to assist them. 
• Individuals who use a wheelchair and also have verbal communication difficulties, they should provide written instructions on how they can be assisted.
• They should carry a loud whistle, horn or similar device to alert people of their location if they become trapped or isolated.

During an Emergency Situation

• Remain as calm as possible.
• Never use an elevator in a fire situation.
• Treat every alarm as an actual emergency.
• Leave all material in your room to avoid wasting time.
• If the way to an exit is clear (not obstructed or smoke filled), and you are able to self-evacuate, do so immediately.
• If you are not able to self-evacuate, either proceed to an enclosed stairwell or to a designated “area of refuge,” depending upon your building. If you go to an enclosed stairwell, be sure to position yourself so as not to block pedestrian flow or access to the stairwell.
• If you go to a designated area of refuge, use the two-way communication device to contact University Security, giving your exact location – building, floor, and room number.
• After exiting the building, proceed immediately to your designated assembly area and remain there until released.

What To Do If Confined By Smoke or Fire

If there is an increase in room temperature or a strong smell of smoke, take the following steps:

• Never open a closed door without feeling it first.  Use the back of your hand to prevent burning your palm.
• If the door is hot, do not attempt to open it.
• If the door is not hot to the touch, brace the door with your foot and open it a crack.  If there is smoke in the hallway, close the door immediately.
• After closing the door, use available materials (towels, shirts, blouse, etc.) to seal threshold openings.  If a water source is available, soak materials before packing them in place.
• If breathing is difficult, open a window to let smoke out and fresh air in.  Don’t break the window.  You may need to close it if smoke enters the room from outside.
• Signal for help – Hang a brightly colored object (jacket, sheet, shirt, etc.) out the window to attract the fire department’s attention.  Shout for help, or if you have access to a telephone, call the security department at x13 and let them know where you are.  Be sure to provide them with your building name, floor and room number.
• Stay low in the room.  Heat and smoke rise.
• If necessary, cover your mouth and nose with a damp cloth to help you breathe.

What To Do If Someone Catches On Fire

If you catch on fire:

Stop – where you are

Drop – to the floor

Roll – around on the floor

This will smother the flames and possibly save your life.

If someone else catches on fire:

Attempt to smother the flames by grabbing a blanket or rug and wrapping them up on it.

Cool burn quickly with running water.  Never use ointments or butter on a burn.  Always seek medical attention for any large or serious burn.

Eastman Campus

Eastman Commons - Parking lot across from main entrance on Gibbs Street

Miller Center - Courtyard at corner of Main & Gibbs

Eastman Theater - Courtyard at corner of Main & Gibbs

Eastman School of Music - Courtyard at corner of Main & Gibbs

Eastman School of Music Annex/Old Sibley Library - Eastman Theater parking lot at Swan & Main

10 Gibbs Street - East Avenue & Gibbs

Hill Court Complex

Chambers – Grassy area between Chambers and Kendrick

Fairchild – Grassy area between Chambers and Kendrick

Gale - Grassy area between Chambers and Kendrick

Kendrick - Grassy area between Chambers and Kendrick

Munro – Grassy area other side of driveway, from main entrance, adjacent to Gale

Slater – Grassy area other side of driveway, from main entrance, adjacent to Gale

Towers Complex

Anderson Tower – Grassy area opposite front entrance between parking lot and Wilson Blvd.

Wilder Tower – Grassy area opposite front entrance between Towers Road and Intercampus Drive

Susan B. Anthony/Danforth

Grassy area across loop opposite main entrance

Residence Quad Buildings

Gilbert – Grassy area adjacent front entrance and towards Tiernan

Hoeing - Grassy area adjacent front entrance and towards Crosby

Lovejoy - Grassy area adjacent front entrance and towards Burton

Tiernan - Grassy area adjacent front entrance and towards Lovejoy

Crosby - Grassy area adjacent ground floor entrance and towards Hoeing

Burton - Grassy area adjacent ground floor entrance and towards Lovejoy

Drama Center - Grassy area adjacent front entrance and adjacent flagpole

Medieval House – Grassy area opposite front entrance and across sidewalk

Quad Annex – Grassy area opposite front entrance adjacent to Psi Upsilon and Wilson Blvd.

Fraternity Houses

Delta Kappa Epsilon – Grassy area opposite front entrance adjacent flagpole

Alpha Delta Phi - Grassy area opposite front entrance and across sidewalk

Theta Chi - Grassy area opposite front entrance and across sidewalk

Psi Upsilon - Grassy area opposite front entrance and across sidewalk

Sigma Alpha Mu – Grassy area across sidewalk and towards front of Psi Upsilon

Sigma Chi – Grassy area across sidewalk and adjacent to front of Psi Upsilon

South Campus Buildings

Towne House – Parking lot opposite center entrance facing Mt. Hope Professional Building

Goler House – Grassy area opposite front entrance adjacent flagpole

deKiewiet Tower – Grassy area across sidewalk in front of building

Valentine Tower - Grassy area across sidewalk in front of building

QUESTIONS? Contact the EH&S Fire Marshal's Office at (585) 275-3243 or e-mail EH&S Questions.

This page last updated 10/1/2007. Disclaimer.