Introduction

People with disabilities face unique challenges that can impact their safety in emergencies and other situations. The following will provide information about Meredith College emergency procedures and offer some suggestions on how to deal with disability-related safety issues. Read the instructions thoroughly to be acquainted with the procedures that should be followed if a problem or emergency occurs. Meredith’s Major Incident Response Plan can be found by going to http://www.meredith.edu/marketing/crisis-plan-03.doc

You are encouraged to carry on you at all times emergency health information containing your critical health information and emergency contacts. Emergency health information communicates to emergency and rescue personnel what they need to know about you if they find you unconscious, confused, in shock, or just unable to provide information. Consider carrying a preprinted message such as “I have a panic condition. If I panic and appear very anxious, speak to me calmly and slowly. Be patient. Ask me if I need my medication and I will direct you. You may need to ask me more than once. Please stay with me until I calm down.”

Be prepared to give instructions to those assisting you in an emergency regarding your needs. Such as “I can manage steps independently. Carry my other crutch and walk in front of me.”

Consider carrying a cell phone with the number of Campus Police (760-8888) being programmed into your cell phone.

If you anticipate needing assistance during an evacuation, please identify yourself to residence life staff members, disability services, or classroom instructors.  A list of people who might need assistance during an evacuation will be provided regularly to Campus Police and the Raleigh Fire Department.  People who might need assistance during an evacuation include people with physical impairments, anxiety and panic disorders, asthma and related illnesses, and temporary activity restrictions (people temporarily using wheelchairs, crutches, etc.).

Fire Emergencies

Fire Evacuation Procedure

ELEVATORS ARE NOT TO BE USED DURING A FIRE EVACUATION.

The probability of a campus-wide evacuation is minimal. The most likely scenario is the evacuation of a single building.

In the event of a fire evacuation, a fire alarm will sound. In some locations such as residence hall rooms for students who are hearing impaired, alarm strobes will flash.

Residence Hall Staff will ensure evacuation of their buildings to an outside area. Faculty will ensure evacuation of their class to an outside area. College Personnel in charge of offices/classrooms/labs/etc. will ensure evacuation to an outside area. When on-campus evacuation is necessary, all persons will gather at Belk Dining Hall. If Belk Dining Hall is affected by an incident, Jones Auditorium will serve as the alternate evacuation site.

In case of fire, do not use elevators. People with disabilities who cannot walk or be assisted down the stairs by others, will remain in the stairwell landing with fire-rated doors (area of rescue) and await arrival of appropriate emergency personnel. The assisting individuals will advise Campus Police or other appropriate emergency personnel of a person with a disability remaining in an “area of rescue.” Stairwell landings are fire-rated and have fire-rated doors. They are among the safest places to wait for evacuation.

All Faculty/Staff/Students should:

• Learn about fire safety.
  
• Plan ahead for fire emergencies; give thought to how you would evacuate...determine nearest exit, etc.
  
• Be aware of your own capabilities and limitations.

“Areas Of Rescue”

An “area of rescue” is an area that has direct access to an exit, where people who are unable to use stairs may remain temporarily in safety to await further instructions or assistance during emergency evacuation. The stairwell landings in all buildings meet the criteria for a safe area of rescue. Stairwell doors are fire-rated to keep smoke and heat from entering when the doors are securely shut. There will be sufficient air even if the ventilation system in the building is shut down.

As soon as the Raleigh Fire Department arrives on the scene, locating individuals waiting in an area of rescue will be their priority. The Fire Department has specific training in safe evacuation of people with disabilities.

Tips For Individuals Who Move Slowly On Stairs

Think about what kind of assistance you may want in order to evacuate using the stairs. Be prepared to recruit helpers and give them specific instructions. For example, if you use crutches, you may want to have someone carry the extra crutch while you grasp the handrail. You may also want to have several volunteers surround you walking at your slower pace to act as a buffer from the faster moving crowd.

Another option is to wait until the crowd has cleared. Keep in mind that a crowd of people can descend at a speed of about three or four stories each minute. You can stand in the corners of the exit stairway without seriously obstructing others while you rest or wait. By doing so, you have a fire-rated door behind you and are in an area of rescue until you feel comfortable descending the stairs.

Whether to remain in the area of rescue or use the stairs with assistance is a decision that only you can make. It is NOT recommended that you have untrained people carry you down the stairs, as this can be very dangerous for all involved.

Evacuation Tips For Individuals With Visual Impairments

Become familiar with the buildings you frequent and the stairwell locations. If you are working with an Orientation and Mobility specialist to become familiar with campus, include training in escape routes.

Give thought in advance to whether you will need someone to guide you during an evacuation. Safety is the priority, whether or not you normally use a human guide. You are responsible for recruiting a volunteer and providing instructions on how to assist you. Your guide may feel that he or she is no longer needed once you are evacuated from the building. If you want someone to stay with you in the unfamiliar surroundings, let them know that you continue to need their help. Even if you feel that you do not need a guide, you may want to recruit a volunteer to walk alongside you in case something on the way out interferes with clear evacuation.

Be aware that emergency conditions may alter your normal mobility techniques. For example, you may be independent in mobility using a cane, but find that in the dense crowd of an evacuation you do not have enough space to tap the cane. A smoke-filled room could possibly impair a guide dog's sight or sense of smell. Low vision individuals may find their remaining vision decreased due to darkness or smoke

Evacuation Tips for People with Asthma and Respiratory Illnesses

Sometimes the traditional “fire fighter’s carry” is not appropriate for people with some respiratory conditions. Be prepared to tell fire fighters about your condition.

Evacuation Tips for People with Panic and Anxiety Disorders

Consider carrying a preprinted message such as “I have a panic condition. If I panic and appear very anxious, speak to me calmly and slowly. Be patient. Ask me if I need my medication and I will direct you. You may need to ask me more than once. Please stay with me until I calm down.”

Other Important Actions For Safety In A Fire Emergency

BECOME FAMILIAR WITH EVACUATION PROCEDURES! Don’t assume that those around you are familiar with the proper evacuation procedures for people with disabilities.

Participate fully in all fire drills. You will never know what is a drill, and what is a real fire. In addition, your behavior in the confusion of an emergency will be influenced by your familiarity with the proper procedures. For those who are unable to use the stairs, drill participation should include going to the area of rescue and ensuring that someone is taking the responsibility to inform Campus Police of your location. You should remain in the area of rescue until emergency personnel arrive or the drill is over.

Recruit assistance as needed. Be prepared to give specific instructions as to the type of assistance that you need. Be assertive with people who are trying to provide unnecessary assistance that may endanger you.

Individuals with disabilities who need to work in isolated areas should determine telephone availability; if none is available, you should notify Campus Police of your location in advance, giving the room and time.

Tornado Procedure

Upon receipt of a “Tornado Warning,” Campus Police will monitor the path of the threatening tornado and if Meredith College is within the projected path, the central emergency alarm will be activated.

Campus Police will make an “all clear” announcement when the warning has expired.

Whenever someone within an office hears the series of alarm tones, immediately step out into the corridor and listen to the message. Then notify the other people (within the office area) to take cover in the basement Tornado Safe Zone marked in red signage.

Do not leave the building you occupy whenever an alarm is sounded, instead proceed directly to the basement Tornado Safe Zone.

If you are outside a campus building, immediately enter into closest building and go directly to the basement Tornado Safe Zone.

If you cannot make it to a Tornado Safe Zone, take cover in a classroom or office away from outside walls and windows. Take cover under heavy furniture near an inside wall or inside a closet. Assume a curled position using your arms and hands to protect your head and eyes.

Stay away from large-open-inside-areas, e.g.: atriums, gymnasium, field house, or other wide span roof covered spaces.

Be aware of falling debris or downed electrical wires.

ELEVATORS MAY BE USED IN A TORNADO EMERGENCY! Those who have difficulty using the stairs because of a disability should assert their right to priority use of the elevators and should ask to be assisted to the nearest safe area where stairs do not need to be negotiated.

Faculty, students, employees, and visitors will, upon notification by Campus Police, move to the nearest Tornado Safe Zone.

In the event of a tornado or hurricane, everyone is advised to move to a basement or an interior windowless space. For the following buildings without basements, please evacuate accordingly:

• Cate and Park Centers move to the Science and Math Building
  
• Gaddy-Hamrick, Joyner, Harris, and Weatherspoon Gym move to the Library
  
• Tech Services and Copy Center move to Belk Dining Hall
  
• Hunter moves to the Carroll Health Center tunnel system
  
• Heilman and Barefoot move to Faircloth basement
  
• Mae-Grimmer House moves to Jones Chapel
  
• Johnson Hall moves to Jones Auditorium lower level (Studio Theater)
  

 

Evacuation Procedures For All Other Emergencies

Elevators may be used for emergencies other than fire evacuation, e.g., hazardous materials, explosion, bomb threat, etc. Those who have difficulty using the stairs because of a disability should assert their right to priority use of the elevators.

 

Sources

Farrell, M. L. (ed) (1995). Adapting Emergency Procedures on Campus for Individuals with Disabilities, Association on Higher Education and Disability, Columbus, OH. 1995.

Federal Emergency Management Agency (1995). Emergency Procedures for Employees with Disabilities in Office Occupancies.

Kailes, J. I. (2002). Emergency Evacuation Preparedness: Taking Responsibility for Your Safety, Center for Disability Issues and the Health Professions.

Occupational Safety and Health Administration (1995). How to Prepare for Workplace Emergencies.

Wells, D. Safety Information for People with Disabilities, Sinclair Community College (OH).