Chapter 3: Evacuation for Persons with Disabilities
The following are general guidelines for evacuation procedures for persons with disabilities. Prior planning and practicing of emergency evacuations are key to assuring a safe evacuation. Faculty, staff, students, contractors, and visitors who may need additional assistance should develop their own evacuation plans and identify their primary and secondary evacuation routes from each building they use. They should:
- Be familiar with evacuation options,
- Seek evacuation assistants who are willing to assist in the event of an emergency,
- Obtain assistance from the following departments for plan assistance:
- For Students – Office of Disability Resources – 540-654-1266
- For Faculty and Staff – Human Resources – 540-654-1214
- For Contractors and Visitors – OEMS – 540-654-2108
Most buildings have accessible exits at the ground level floor that can be used during an emergency. If you are located on floors that are above or below the ground level, you may need to access a stairwell in order to reach the building exits. Elevators cannot be used during an emergency.
During an evacuation, building occupants have two evacuation options:
- Horizontal Evacuation – Some buildings may be connected to other buildings via ramps, tunnels, or bridges. If this is the case, moving to an unaffected adjacent building may be the safest option.
- Stairway Evacuation – Using steps to move people from top or bottom floors to the egress level of a building.
Individuals that are unable to use the two above options have the following options:
- Stay In Place – Unless danger is imminent, remaining at your current location may be the best option. Ensure there is an exterior window and a solid or fire-resistant door.
- With this approach, make sure someone who is evacuating is aware of your current location and that this information is relayed to Emergency First Responders. You may also contact UMW PD at x4444 to report your location directly.
- The Stay In Place approach may be more appropriate for fire sprinkler protected buildings or buildings where an “Area of Rescue/Refuge” is not available.
- A “solid” or fire-resistant door can be identified by a fire label on the jam and frame.
- Non-labeled 1.75” thick solid core wood doors hung on a metal frame also offer good fire resistance.
- Area of Rescue/Refuge – Safe areas in a building due to the way it was constructed/designed. Examples include fire rated stairwells, hallways, or labeled rooms.
- If your current location does not offer protection for the specific emergency, move to a safer location.
- Usually, the safest Area of Rescue/Refuge locations are:
- Areas identified by an Area of Rescue Call Box System
- Fire rated corridors or vestibules adjacent to exit stairwells
- Positioned in a rated corridor near a stairwell
- For assistance in identifying Area of Rescue/Refuge locations, contact OEMS at x2108.
Mobility Impaired – Wheelchair
Persons using wheelchairs should Stay In Place or move to an Area of Rescue/Refuge when the alarm sounds. It is important to make sure that someone who is evacuating is aware of your current location and that this information is relayed to Emergency First Responders. You may also contact UMW PD at x4444 to report your location directly.
If the stair landing is chosen as the Area of Rescue/Refuge, please note that stairwell landings may have small footprints. If possible, it is advised to wait until heavy traffic has passed to shelter at the Area of Rescue/Refuge.
Trained Emergency First Responders should conduct stairway evacuation of wheelchair users. Only in situations of extreme danger should untrained individuals attempt to evacuate wheelchair users. Moving a wheelchair down stairs is never safe.
Mobility Impaired – Non-Wheelchair
Persons with mobility impairments, who are able to walk independently, may be able to negotiate stairs in an emergency with minor assistance. If danger is imminent, the individual should wait until the heavy traffic has cleared before attempting to utilize the stairs. If there is no immediate danger, the person may choose to stay in the building, using the other options, until Emergency First Responders arrive and determine if evacuation is necessary.
Hearing Impaired
Many buildings on campus are equipped with fire alarm strobe lights; however, some are not. Please contact OEMS at x2108 if you are unsure.
Visually Impaired
Most people with a visual impairment will be familiar with their immediate surroundings and frequently traveled routes. Since the emergency evacuation route is likely different from the frequently traveled route, persons who are visually impaired may need assistance in evacuating. The evacuation assistant should offer their arm/hand to the individual and guide them through the evacuation route. During the evacuation, the assistant should communicate as necessary to assure safe evacuation. If there is no immediate danger, the person may choose to stay in the building, using the other options, until Emergency First Responders arrive and determine if evacuation is necessary.
Persons with Functional Needs
Building occupants that may need assistance during a building emergency are encouraged to self-identify. A functional need is defined as “the needs of an individual who under usual circumstances is able to function on their own or with support systems. However, during an emergency, their level of independence may be challenged.”
Individuals wishing to self-identify should contact the following offices:
- For Students – Office of Disability Resources – 540-654-1266
- For Faculty and Staff – Human Resources – 540-654-1214
- For Contractors and Visitors – OEMS – 540-654-2108
In addition, an Individual Emergency Action Plan may be created.