Evacuation

If an emergency situation arises and the University must evacuate any of its facilities, our goal will be to keep unaffected campuses open and operating on a normal class and business schedule.  The University is prepared to evacuate any campus, and will do so if it becomes aware of potential danger.  Evacuation will be conducted according the procedures set forth in the Evacuation Annex (2.6). Click the Campus Emergency Operations Plan link to the right for further information.

The entire University or any campus should be considered for closure when 1) there is significant physical threat of injury or harm to employees and/or students; 2) there is widespread inaccessibility or malfunctioning of transportation systems; 3) the City of Chicago advises businesses to cease operations; or 4) a physical disaster has occurred and the buildings are uninhabitable.  The senior-ranking EERT member should consider for each campus whether classes should be cancelled and whether business operations should close.  The decision to close the University or any campus will be made for a period of one business day unless there is physical destruction of a building.  Each day a new decision will be made regarding the need to remain closed.

Building or Campus Evacuation Procedure

In the event of an emergency situation requiring evacuation, students, faculty, staff and visitors will be instructed to leave personal belongings and evacuate the building quickly. Students, faculty, staff and visitors will be allowed back in the building as soon as the appropriate authorities issue an “all-clear.”

Residence Hall Evacuation Procedure

Upon hearing a building alarm, students must leave the residence halls immediately.  Exits are clearly marked in each housing facility.  Students should leave using the most direct and safe route. Evacuation procedures are posted near the entrances of University buildings and affixed to the back door of each residence hall or apartment unit. 

Persons Requiring Assistance with Evacuation Procedure

In the event of an emergency building or campus evacuation, City of Chicago emergency personnel are the only personnel formally trained and authorized to provide physical evacuation assistance to an individual with a mobility impairment.  In the event danger is imminent and there is no time to wait for City of Chicago personnel, the University suggests the following evacuation options for students, faculty, and staff with such impairments: 

·“Buddy System” Evacuation Option—Inform a student, staff and/or faculty acquaintance (a “Buddy”) of the need for special assistance in the event of a fire alarm. When the fire alarm sounds, the “Buddy” should make sure of the individual’s location, then go outside and inform City of Chicago emergency personnel of a person in a specific location who needs assistance in leaving the building. Such personnel will then enter the building and evacuate that person. 

·Horizontal Evacuation Option—Move a safe distance away from the area of imminent danger to another wing of the building or opposite end of the corridor.

·Vertical (Stairway) Evacuation Option—Those who are able to evacuate with or without minor assistance may evacuate via stairways. 

·Stay in Place Evacuation Option—Unless danger is imminent, remain in a room with an exterior window, closing the door if possible. If possible, dial 9-1-1. The individual should be prepared to tell the 9-1-1 operator his or her name, location and the nature of the emergency.

Most buildings on campus are equipped with fire alarm horns/strobes that sound an alarm and flash strobe lights.  However, persons with hearing and/or vision impairments may not immediately notice or hear emergency alarms and may need to be alerted of emergency situations.  Some persons may need to be alerted to the situation by gestures or by turning the light switch off and on.  Emergency instructions can be given by verbalizing, mouthing or by a short, explicit written note. University faculty and staff are encouraged to offer such assistance, as appropriate.

Fire Alarm

Any fire alarm calls for an immediate and full building evacuation.  In the event of an actual fire-related emergency, 9-1-1 should be called immediately.  Additionally, evacuation procedures as set forth in Evacuation (3.8) should be followed. Click the Campus Emergency Operations Plan link to the right for further information.

False Alarms

False alarms are serious pranks that have the potential for creating panic situations, as well as being the cause of unintentional injury.  Anyone apprehended in the act of triggering a false alarm or reported to have been the cause of a false alarm should be turned in to the proper authorities for disciplinary action and/or criminal prosecution.

Fire Prevention

In the interest of fire prevention and safety, faculty and staff must maintain an awareness of various potential building hazards in their respective areas.  Always remove clutter; properly dispose of old papers, books, boxes, printouts, etc; keep halls and doorways clear; and properly store volatile or flammable substances in approved containers. 

All University personnel should also make an effort to familiarize themselves with the locations of stairwells, fire escapes, and emergency equipment, such as fire extinguishers and hoses, in and around the areas of the University they frequent.