The first item in a response plan should be the Site Plan. The site plan should include the following (if applicable):
- Alarm panel Location
- Annunciator Location
- Sprinkler Room
- Extinguisher Location(s)
- Evacuation Routes
- Assembly Areas
- Areas of Refuge
The Director/Department Head/Primary Emergency Coordinator is responsible for the review and implementation of this plan, and should be the primary contact on scene for emergency personnel.
Employees are held responsible for:
- Reading and understanding this plan.
- Attending assigned training.
- Following all procedures in the plan.
- Assisting patrons and other personnel with the evacuation of the building.
All personnel should exercise sound judgment during an emergency, if conditions warrant an immediate evacuation, please do so immediately. Do not delay evacuation to mitigate any hazardous conditions that constitute an immediate danger to life or health.
If you discover a fire, you should activate the Fire Alarm System.
From a safe location call the Fire Department (911). Give the nature and location of the fire.
DO NOT HANG UP UNTIL 911 STAFF HAVE ALREADY HUNG UP!
Evacuate the building utilizing the escape routes outlined in the Plan. You may collect valuables, i.e. purse, coats, etc., if within a reasonable reach and will not interfere with the evacuation of the building. Doors should be closed but not locked upon evacuating. DO NOT use elevators unless directed by emergency personnel.
If you are trapped by smoke, stay low, cover your mouth with wet cloth, stay near a window, open the window but do not break it, hang something out the window to let fire personnel know you are there and put something in cracks around the door, phone 911 if possible.
Only use a fire extinguisher, if feasible to do so without jeopardizing personal well-being.
Never use water on an electrical or flammable liquid fire. Use a dry chemical or carbon dioxide extinguisher only.
When using a dry chemical extinguisher on a flammable liquid fire, stay back a minimum of 10 feet from the fire.
Start at the leading edge of the fire and use a side to side sweeping action to extinguish the fire
Remember the acronym P.A.S.S.
- Pull the pin.
- Aim at the base of the fire.
- Squeeze the discharge handle.
- Sweep from side to side.
Once out of the building, gather at the ASSEMBLY POINT as per the Fire Response Plan. A Secondary Assembly Point should be chosen in advance in the event that the primary assembly area is not safe or available. Upon gathering at the Assembly Point, assigned personnel will conduct a brief Roll Call of all present to determine if anyone is potentially missing and possibly still in the building. You should not leave the assembly area, either to re-enter the building, go to another area of campus or leave the campus, until advised to do so by the Building Emergency Coordinator.
The following points are critical to a well managed Plan:
- All Alarms are considered to be emergency activations until proven otherwise. There are no false alarms; all occupants other than essential personnel will be directed to evacuate the structure.
- Under no circumstances should the alarm be silenced prior to the arrival of the Fire Department.
- Assigned personnel can investigate the source of the alarm if conditions are safe. If conditions are hazardous the employee will evacuate the area immediately.
- Report the conditions found to the Director/Department Head/Primary Emergency Coordinator on duty.
- Escort emergency personnel to the location of the alarm if necessary.
- Once the all clear has been given by Fire Department personnel the alarm may be silenced and reset.
- If the system cannot be returned to normal operation a Fire Watch will begin upon the direction of the Fire Department. A log will be kept of the Fire Watch and will be available to the Fire Department upon request.