Leave, Alert, Go, Inform

Leave: Evacuate the building immediately using the nearest safe exit. Before opening doors, feel the door first using the back of your hand. If the door is hot, do not open it. If it is not hot, brace yourself against it and open it slowly to check for flames and smoke.

• Do not waste time gathering belongings, but if within your reach, gather essential items such as keys, phone, medications, and jacket.
• Exit the building through the nearest exit. Use stairs to exit the building. DO NOT use the elevator.
• Always know multiple ways out of a building in case an exit is blocked.
• Close doors behind you if it is safe to do so, but do not delay evacuation.
• NEVER ignore a fire alarm or assume it is a false alarm.

Alert: Direct others to evacuate by knocking on doors and shouting while you are leaving.

• Do not delay your own evacuation by trying to get others out; rather, proceed in an orderly manner as quickly as possible to the nearest exit and on the way out you should alert others to exit the building immediately.

Go: Go to designated emergency evacuation assembly area.

• Once at assembly area, begin to account for occupants. Alert emergency personnel if someone is not accounted for or you know someone cannot evacuate.
• Fire alarms that are turned off DOES NOT mean the building is clear and safe to re-enter. Emergency personnel silence alarms to communicate easier. DO NOT RE-ENTER THE BUILDING for any reason until instructed that it is safe to do so by emergency personnel or university officials.
• Assembly Areas are a designated safe distance from the building being evacuated, out of the way of emergency responder traffic, away from fire hydrants, and in an area that will accommodate a large number of people.

Inform: Call 911 if you have information about the cause of the building evacuation.

• Employees should make appropriate notifications up their chain.

Persons With Disabilities and/or Mobility Challenges

Before an Emergency

Establish a plan and learn about your space:

• Become familiar with building layout, safety equipment, and all exits.
  • Find the evacuation map and an assembly area map located on your floor.
    • Learn where your assembly area location is.
  • Locate the nearest fire extinguisher. Each floor has one or more fire extinguishers.
  • Locate the nearest pull station. Pull stations activate the fire alarm system.
  • Locate the nearest horn and strobe locations near your room or apartment. These devices will alert you both visually and audibly that the fire alarm is active.
• Establish at least two exits from building.
  • In some cases, sheltering-in-place will be the safest plan, although you should be aware of two ways out of the building.
• Establish a buddy system with someone in the building.
  • Creating a network of people will help to ensure you are accounted for during an evacuation. Your buddy system can voluntarily assist you in getting out if you have those conversations ahead of time.
  • Be aware, though, depending on the nature and timing of the situation, your buddy(s) may not be able to enter the building if the emergency is already underway. Have a plan for this possibility as well.
• Have a personal go-kit created to take with you when you evacuate.
  • Items to include in the kit include, but are not limited to: CSU ID, emergency phone numbers, prescriptions/medications, necessary medical equipment, cell phone and charger, and any other essential items you may need if you must remain away from your room for an extended time.

During an Emergency

Based on your established plan and familiarity with your space, commit to taking the best action for you based on the situation and your needs:

• If you are able, evacuate using the stairway to get outside. Do not use elevators as they do not operate as normal during a fire alarm activation. Once outside, report to assembly area and check in with your buddy system network.
• If evacuation down stairwells is not possible, use a horizontal evacuation plan by getting to an enclosed stairwell tower. Assistance to open door may be required. From the stairwell call 9-1-1 or CSUPD to alert them of your location and needs.
• If you cannot evacuate, shelter-in-place. Stay inside your room, close your door, and get near the window. Call 9-1-1 or CSUPD to alert them of your location and needs.
• Follow all instructions given by emergency responders.
• Never re-enter a building until authorized to do so my emergency responders.

Service and Emotional Support Animals

If you have a service or emotional support animal, review the following information:

• As your service animal is usually with you, participate in evacuation exercises for your building or residence hall as a time to practice. The fire alarm will be loud and may disorient your service animal at first.
• If you evacuate with your emotional support animal, ensure you have a carrier and essential items to keep the animal comfortable during evacuation.
• If you evacuate and your emotional support animal remains inside the building, you can alert emergency responders of the type of animal and its location. Emergency responders must prioritize human safety and stabilization of the incident over possible rescue of an animal. Please note that university buildings have many safeguards in place that will reduce the impact on the animal. Never enter an alarmed building to retrieve animals or personal items.

Return to Emergency Procedures.