Evacuation Procedures
Emergency Evacuation Procedures of Persons with Disabilities
For complete information and training information see HSU Emergency Management Program Information & Training Bulleting 03-01 .
In a disaster or major emergency, evacuation of a specific building may be necessary. Classes, departments and offices in every building should know in advance the locations of the University's Emergency Assembly Points (EAPs), where information and assistance will be provided. A building evacuation will occur when a fire alarm sounds or upon notification by UPD, emergency personnel or the building's SAFE Response Team.
Assist persons with disabilities in exiting the building. Elevators may be used to evacuate persons with disabilities only after the elevator has been declared safe. Always evacuate mobility aids (wheelchairs, walkers, crutches) with the person, if possible.
- Persons with mobility impairments or using wheelchairs should prepare for emergencies ahead of time by instructing classmates or faculty on how to assist her/him in case of emergency. Persons with visual and hearing impairments should carry a note or tag identifying their disability. Persons with hearing impairments should carry a pen and/or pencil and note pad.
- In the case of fire or earthquake when the elevators should not be used, persons using wheelchairs or with mobility impairments should move toward the nearest staircase and request assistance from others in the area.
- If asistance is not immediately available, the person should remain in the area and call for help until assistance arrives. Persons who cannot speak loudly should carry a whistle or have other means of attracting the attention of others.
Rescue personnel, fire and police will first check all exit corridors and exit stairwells for trapped persons.
Guidelines To Consider When Evacuating Persons With Disabilities
- Communicate the nature of the emergency to the person.
- Ask the person how you can assist
- If possible, evacuate mobility aids (crutches, wheelchairs, walkers) with the person.
Visual Impairments
Describe the nature of the emergency and offer to guide the person to the nearest exit. Have the person take your elbow and escort him or her, advising of any obstacles, such as stairs, narrow passageways or overhanging objects. When you have reached safety, orient the person to where you are and ask if further assistance is needed.
Hearing Impairments
Many buildings are not equipped with flashing light alarms, and persons with impaired hearing may not perceive that an emergency exists. Communicate with the person by writing a note or using simple hand gestures.
Persons Using Wheelchairs
Ask the person what method of assistance he/she prefers. Some people have minimal ability to move, and lifting them may be dangerouse to them. Some persons using wheelchairs have respiratory complications; remove them from smoke or fumes immediately. If the disabled person wants to be moved in his or her wheelchair, keep the following considerations in mind:
With Their Wheelchair
- Do not attempt to move a person in a wheelchair by yourself; seek help.
- Ask if they want to move forward or backward down the stairs.
- Wheelchairs have many movable or weak parts.
- Some persons have no upper trunk or neck strength.
- Power wheelchairs have very heavy batteries; an evacuation chair may be needed and the chair retrieved later.
- If a seatbelt is available, use it!
Without Their Wheelchair
- Ask how to remove them from the wheelchair.
- Ask whether to move their extremities or not.
- Ask whether they want to be moved down the stairs forward or backward.
- Ask whether the seat cushion or pad should be brought.
- Ask what is necessary for after-care.
For Additional Information
Contact the HSU Student Disability Resource Center (SDRC) at (707) 826-4678 - voice or (707) 826-5392 - TDD.
