Campus & Community

Evacuation Drills: Spring 2012

Friday, March 30, 2012, By News Staff

Environmental Health and Safety Services Office (EHSS) will conduct the spring 2012 evacuation drills in academic and administrative buildings from Monday, April 9, through Friday, April 20. The building drills will be conducted in the morning between 9-11:30 a.m. or in the afternoon between 12:30-3:30 p.m., according to building zone. A schedule of the evacuation drills by date and building can be viewed on the EHSS website at http://ehss.syr.edu

The drills are essential to enhance the effectiveness of the University’s building evacuation plans by reinforcing occupant awareness of the procedures to follow when a building evacuation is necessary.

EHSS has worked with Academic Affairs in scheduling the drills to minimize the disruption of classes and research in academic buildings. Each building drill should last approximately 15-20 minutes.

To enhance the effectiveness of the drills, below are procedures to follow when evacuating a building:

  • As an occupant, know at least two ways to exit a building as there could be times where your primarily means of egress is obstructed by smoke or material.
  • When the fire alarm sounds, lock your work area/office and then immediately exit the building.
  • When exiting a building, do so calmly and quickly via the nearest exit. Take your keys and personal belongings with you.
  • Once outside, move a safe distance away from the building so that in the event of an actual building fire, emergency crews can get into the building.
  • During an extended evacuation, you may be instructed by University emergency response personnel to a designated short-term emergency evacuation center (Hendricks Chapel or Schine Student Center for North Campus, or Goldstein Student Center for South Campus).
  • For the purposes of the drill, do not re-enter the building until an “all clear” is given by EHSS or when the fire alarm audible is silent. In the event of an actual fire, the “all clear” for the building re-entry will be given by the City Fire Department or authority having jurisdiction.
  • The procedure for emergency evacuation for persons with disabilities will be followed by University officials during the drill. Persons may be asked to remain in the building by uniformed University officials.
  • If you observe persons with disabilities in the building, please advise emergency response officials of their location once you are outside the building.

    Thank you in advance for your cooperation. If you have any questions,please contact EHSS at 443-5474 or 5475.

John Rossiter, Safety Manager
Environmental Health and Safety Services Office

Contact Person: Maureen Reilly, Environmental Health and Safety
Services Office, 443-5474, mlreilly@syr.edu