EMERGENCY EVACUATION PLAN

Introduction: It is evident throughout the campus that most of the ULM Faculty and Staff very seriously accept their responsibilities concerning workers, students and other people having business on the campus. Many, on their own initiative, have done their best to meet or exceed administrative, safety and fire requirements; never-the-less, there are some who have little or no concept of what may be required or necessary for specific situations which might jeopardize personnel or students. The following guidelines and procedures are minimum actions for assuring the safety and welfare of all concerned in the case of a fire or other emergency and should be implemented as quickly as practical.
 

CLASSROOM EMERGENCY PLAN

Action: Department Heads are requested to have all instructors include in the syllabus for the first class session procedures to follow in emergency situations which may occur while classes are in session. All fire extinguishers shall be checked at least once a month to ensure the seals are intact and the extinguisher has not been discharged or leaking. The tag will be signed for verification. Problems should be directed to the Safety Office at extension 5177.

Instructors should:

1. Determine most convenient evacuation route and any alternates (other than elevators) for everyone in that classroom when an alarm is sounded

2. Identify students or personnel with disabilities who may require assistance in making an evacuation

3. Determine and note locations of fire extinguishers in the immediate and adjacent areas

4. Make certain that each person is aware that in case of any fire everyone evacuates the building until an all clear is given

5. Determine an assembly point outside the building and assure that everyone knows where to assemble away from firefighting equipment

6. Assign aides to assist any/all disabled who need assistance

7. Report anyone unaccounted for to the firefighter in charge of the operation

8. No one should attempt to put out a fire unless that individual feels that the fire can be contained. In all other cases, professional firefighters must take the responsibility for extinguishing the fire.

9. Although it is extremely important that anyone who discovers a fire turn in the alarm, it is imperative that no individual be jeopardized by not getting out of harm's way as quickly as possible.

10. All alarms must be reported directly to the ULM Police Department by dialing 1-911 and giving all pertinent information to the operator.

11. As previously noted, these are minimal requirements and any additional steps which lend to the successful evacuation of all individuals should be included by the person in charge.

12. In the event of high wind, tornado or other weather emergency, the procedure for evacuation should be abandoned and everyone should assemble near the center of the building away from windows and glass enclosed areas on the first floor.

13. After the crisis, everyone who is not injured, should assist in the care of those who are incapacitated until help arrives.

 

ASSISTANCE TO PHYSICALLY DISABLED

To reduce the risk of personal injury, attempts to carry immobilized persons are to be discouraged; however, when absolutely necessary, at least two people may have to pick the individual up bodily to be carried down the stairs. Wherever stairs are a part of the evacuation route, the following procedures are to be applied:

BLIND BUT MOBILE PERSONS should first be moved out of the rush of traffic and then promptly assisted to the nearest exit.

DEAF BUT MOBILE PERSONS may be unaware of the need to evacuate and should be calmly advised and assisted if necessary.

TEMPORARILY IMMOBILIZED PERSONS include people wearing casts and/or using canes or crutches. The assistance given such individuals must be based solely upon their ability to maneuver through doorways and up and down stairs.

PERMANENTLY IMMOBILIZED PERSONS are those individuals who have either limited or no use of their legs and must rely on crutches, wheelchairs or walkers for transport in buildings.

As soon as an alarm sounds, assigned assistants must remain with disabled individuals to assure proper evacuation. In case any assistant or disabled individual is missing at the evacuation area for role call, responding firefighters and University Police should be notified by calling 1-911.

 

RESIDENCE HALLS EMERGENCY PLAN

Introduction: It is evident throughout the campus that most of the ULM Faculty and Staff very seriously accept their responsibilities concerning workers, students and other people having business on the campus. Many, on their own initiative, have done their best to meet or exceed administrative, safety and fire requirements; never-the-less, there are some who have little or no concept of what may be required or necessary for specific situations which might jeopardize personnel or students. The following guidelines and procedures are minimum actions for assuring the safety and welfare of all concerned in the case of a fire emergency and should be implemented as necessary.

It is extremely important that all residents be thoroughly informed of proper evacuation procedures! Resident directors and advisors shall review these procedures with all residents during the first meeting of each semester and for all special occasions when the residence halls are occupied as well as any student who moves into the hall after regular check-in periods. It is also recommended that these procedures be reviewed throughout the semester during regular meetings as a reminder of the significance of the procedures as described. Although it may sound extreme and they may never have to be tested, if an emergency occurs just once, knowing what to do and how to do it could mean the difference between life and death.

Resident Leaders should:

1. Assist residents in determining most convenient escape route and any alternates other than elevators for everyone when an alarm is sounded. It is mandatory that every person evacuate the building when an alarm sounds regardless of cause. Residents should leave lights on, close windows (if time permits), close doors and leave them unlocked.

2. Identify students or personnel with disabilities who may require assistance in making an evacuation

3. Determine and note locations of fire extinguishers in the immediate and adjacent areas

4. Make certain that each person is aware that in case of any fire everyone evacuates the building until an all clear is given

5. Determine an assembly point outside the building and make certain that each individual knows precisely where to meet clear of firefighting equipment

6. Assign aides to assist any/all disabled persons.

7. If time permits, resident assistants assigned to each floor should check every room to assure complete evacuation. The resident assistant will then report the status of that assigned area to the resident director or other person in charge. Names will be noted of anyone who ignores the alarm and stays in the building. Violation could cause the individual to be reprimanded.

8. Anyone unaccounted for will be reported to the firefighter in charge of the operation if it can be asserted that the tenant was in the dorm.

9. No one should attempt to put out a fire unless that individual feels that the fire can be contained. In all other cases, professional firefighters must take the responsibility for extinguishing the fire.

10. Although it is extremely important that anyone who discovers a fire turn in the alarm, it is imperative that no individual be jeopardized by not getting out of harm's way as quickly as possible.

11. All fire reports must be directed to the ULM Police Department by dialing 1-911 giving all pertinent information to the operator.

12. In the event of high wind, tornado or other weather emergency, the procedure for evacuation should not be used. Everyone should be gathered near the center of the building away from windows and glass enclosed areas on the first floor

13. After the crisis, everyone who is not injured should assist in the care of those who are incapacitated until help arrives.

As previously noted, these are minimal requirements and any additional steps which lend to the successful evacuation of all individuals should be included when necessary.

 

ASSISTANCE TO PHYSICALLY DISABLED

To reduce the risk of personal injury, attempts to carry immobilized persons are to be discouraged; however, when absolutely necessary, at least two people may have to pick the individual up bodily to be carried down the stairs. Wherever stairs are a part of the evacuation route, the following procedures are to be applied:

BLIND BUT MOBILE PERSONS should first be moved out of the rush of traffic and then promptly assisted to the nearest exit.

DEAF BUT MOBILE PERSONS may be unaware of the need to evacuate and should be calmly advised and assisted if necessary.

TEMPORARILY IMMOBILIZED PERSONS include people wearing casts and/or using canes or crutches. The assistance given such individuals must be based solely upon their ability to maneuver through doorways and up and down stairs.

PERMANENTLY IMMOBILIZED PERSONS are those individuals who have either limited or no use of their legs and must rely on crutches, wheelchairs or walkers for transport in buildings.

As soon as an alarm sounds, assigned assistants must remain with disabled individuals to assure proper evacuation

In case any assistant or disabled individual is missing at the evacuation area for role call, responding firefighters and University Police should be notified by calling 1-911.

Resident Leaders should emphasize the following policy during the Fire Evacuation portion of the first hall meeting so everyone is aware of the importance of following these procedures. Residents who ignore these procedures and take actions which could endanger fellow students or personnel will be dealt with harshly in accordance with local and state laws. The following policy should be posted in the main lobby of each residence hall.

 

FIRE SAFETY EQUIPMENT, DAMAGE & ABUSE

The following should be emphasized to all residence hall occupants:

1. Fire safety equipment in the residence halls includes fire alarm pull stations, smoke detectors, fire extinguishers, all stairway doors, as well as hallway fire doors. All fire prevention/protection systems are made available for the safety and welfare of tenants, workers and visitors. Any attempt by anyone to cause damage, malfunction, deface or molest is a violation of the Louisiana State Fire Code and may result in disciplinary action which includes in some extreme cases, criminal prosecution and/or dismissal.

2. It is unlawful for any person to willfully give a false alarm or to pull the lever of any fire alarm except in case of a fire. It is also unlawful for any person to interfere with or malfunction, damage, deface or molest any part of any fire alarm system or other fire safety equipment.

3. Fire extinguishers are first-aid fire fighting equipment only and shall be used accordingly:

1. Fire extinguishers are for use only on small and containable fires.

2. Class A - water extinguishers are to be used on wood, paper, cloth and bedding fires. NOTE: Water extinguishers are never to be used on electrical units or fuel (gasoline, oils or other flammable liquids).

3. Class ABC Dry chemical extinguishers may be used on all types of small, containable fires.

4. In case of an electrical fire, disconnect the item from its electrical source.

4. A very important point for any building particularly residence halls, concerns stairways and fire doors which separate one building wing from another or one floor from the next to prevent the spreading of fire. Such doors shall not be wired, blocked open or fixed in any way so the door is not closed when not in use.

5. Hallways and stairs leading to exits shall not be blocked for any reason to hinder a smooth flow of traffic in or out of the building.

6. No one shall smoke while sitting on or while in a bed under any circumstances. All smoking materials will be completely extinguished before disposal.

7. Misuse of Halogen lamps has been a major concern of the National Fire Protection Association. These lamps emit an excessive amount of heat and have been proven to be dangerous. They are not allowed on campus.

8. Fire lanes are provided outside all residence halls for the sole purpose of servicing emergency vehicles. These areas are designated as "Tow-away Zones" and will be enforced by University Police.

Every residence hall fire extinguisher shall be checked as least once each month to see if the seal is intact and that the extinguisher has not been discharged. The monthly inspection tag will be completed. Any problems noted should be directed to the Safety Office at extension 5177.