Emergency Preparedness
Here you will find:
- Tips for Students
- Tips for Faculty
- Guidelines for Evacuating Persons with Disabilities
It is very important for all students to be prepared in the event of an emergency. The following are suggestions for how students with disabilities can become better prepared for emergencies and how faculty and staff can assist them.
Tips for Students
- Talk to instructors at the beginning of
each quarter to let them know you may need assistance getting out of the
classroom and building in the case of a fire, earthquake or other disaster.
Ask for their assistance in working out an evacuation plan. Find out the
location of the emergency exit or stairwell nearest to the classroom. For
additional assistance refer faculty to either SDS
or the UCSF Police Department-Campus Emergency Preparedness Coordinator.
- It is advisable to get to know other students in the class and to ask
them to assist you in exiting the building if an emergency occurs. Refer
them to the Campus Evacuation Policy for People with Disabilities.
- If you are unable to evacuate a building safely because of lack of assistance
or inability to use an elevator, and you do not have an evacuation plan,
look for a building Floor Warden (wearing an orange reflective ID vest)
and make your need for assistance known. Go to the nearest stairway exit
and wait for rescue personnel. In emergency situations rescue workers will
go first to stairways to search for people who need assistance. If other
people are present when the emergency occurs, ask someone to send help
for you when safely outside.
- Inform rescue workers of the safest and most comfortable way of evacuating
you. If you use a wheelchair and need to be carried downstairs let rescuers
know how you prefer to be carried and explain any special precautions they
need to take in order to avoid causing you any discomfort or injury. Emergency
exit stairwells also provide protection from heat and smoke for a limited
period of time.
- If you take prescription medications on a daily basis, carry a three
to five-day supply with you at all times. In an emergency situation you
may not be able to get to your home or a pharmacy for several days.
- If you have any medical conditions or drug allergies that emergency personnel
would need to know about, keep written information in your wallet, purse,
backpack, etc. Include the names and phone numbers of friends or relatives
who can be contacted in an emergency.
- If an emergency occurs outside of class, use a campus courtesy telephone and dial 9-911 for assistance. If on UCSF property or surrounding area, cell phone callers should call 476-1414 (UC Police) and state “this is an emergency”. If away from the campus, call 911.
Tips for Faculty
-
Inform all students of the nearest emergency exit to use in case of an
emergency. Faculty can print this information in the course syllabus
and announce it on the first day of class.
- Encourage students who may need assistance in an emergency to identify
themselves and to make an evacuation plan.
- Develop a “buddy system” by recruiting at least two volunteers to assist each person with a disability requesting evacuation assistance.
Guidelines for Evacuating Persons with Disabilities
-
Be aware of all marked exits from your area and building. Maps showing
emergency exit routes are posted in all buildings.
- In all emergencies, evacuate people with disabilities only if safe to
do so.
- Do not use elevators (unless authorized) since they could fail during
a fire or a major earthquake.
- It may be necessary to help clear the exit route of debris (if possible)
so that a person with a disability can move out or to a safer area.
- Always ask someone with a disability how you can help before giving assistance.
Ask how the person can be best assisted or moved and whether there are
any special considerations or items that need to come with the person.
- Do not grasp a visually impaired person’s arm; ask if he or she would
like to hold on to your arm to exit. Warn the person about steps. Be specific
in your verbal instructions (i.e. “ to the right” rather than “this way”).
Keep guide dogs with owners whenever possible.
- Get the attention of a person with a hearing disability by touch and
eye contact. Use facial expressions, gestures and body movements to help
in communicating your message. Offer visual instructions to advise of the
safest route or direction by pointing towards exits or evacuation maps.
- If people with mobility impairments cannot exit, assist them in moving
into the nearest stairway exit to await rescue personnel.
- Attempt a rescue evacuation only if you have had rescue training or the
person is in immediate danger and cannot wait for professional assistance.
Evacuating a disabled or injured person yourself is the last resort. Consider
your options and the risks of injuring yourself and others in an evacuation
attempt. Do not make an emergency situation worse.
- Once outside, move handicapped individuals to a clear area that is at least 500 feet away from the affected building. Keep streets and walkways clear for emergency vehicles and personnel.
For more information, refer to:
UCSF Police Department Emergency Preparedness
Web site
www.police.ucsf.edu/emergency.htm