Types of Evacuations

Building Evacuation

A building is sometimes evacuated in the event of a localized, on-campus emergency that is limited in scale, such as a building power-outage or a small fire affecting only that building. Individual building evacuations occur when a building (fire) alarm sounds, or upon notification by Public Safety, Residential Life, or the Student Engagement Office.

1. Upon hearing an alarm or announcement of evacuation. Remain calm and leave by the nearest marked exit and alert others to do the same.
2. Once out of the building, proceed to the building evacuation rally point. Keep streets, fire lanes, hydrant areas, and walkways clear for emergency vehicles and personnel.
3. Make yourself comfortable and help others if possible. Make sure you check in with the evacuation coordinator (usually the RA or SR).
4. Do not return to an evacuated building until told to do so by an authorized college official.

All-Campus Evacuation

For large-scale emergencies that affect the entire campus or local community, such as fire, flooding, wide-spread power outages, and severe storms, an all-campus evacuation may be announced by the president, the Santa Fe police and/or fire departments, or the director of public safety via the E2 Campus Alert System and/or mass email.

1. Upon hearing an alarm or announcement of evacuation, gather your essential items only, i.e.: phone, keys, a jacket, and bottle of water if possible. Remain calm and leave by the nearest marked exit and alert others to do the same.
2. Once out of the building, gather at the Student Activities Center parking lot for transport to an evacuation site.
3. Make yourself comfortable and help others if possible. Make sure you check in with the evacuation coordinator (usually the RA or SR).
4. Do not return to campus until told to do so by an authorized college official or via the E2 Alert System.

Campus Lockdown Event

In certain crisis situations, such as an active shooter on campus, Public Safety personnel or local police will declare a “lock down” and ask the occupants to barricade in place.

1. In the event of a lockdown, police will respond to campus and may have weapons drawn.
2. Lock and/or barricade doorways, turn off lights, silence cell phones, and follow police instructions.
3. Do not remain directly behind closed doors or in the line of sight from windows.

Note: As a preparatory measure, please familiarize yourself with the “Run, Hide, Fight” video in the Safety & Security section of the St. John’s College website for detailed information on how to proceed in an active-shooter situation.

Additional Information on Evacuation Procedures

EVACUATION COORDINATORS

An evacuation coordinator from each office/residence hall should be designated to ensure that all individuals are accounted for. Department directors and office managers are the default evacuation coordinators; in the residences the role is filled by the RAs and SRs. Once at the designated assembly point, coordinators should organize evacuees by group—residence, office, etc.—and take a headcount or roster of those present and report it to the switchboard.

TRANSPORTATION DURING AN EVACUATION

Santa Fe Prep has volunteered the use of its school busses to assist in an evacuation process (via phone notification). The Student Activities Center parking lot is the transportation staging area in most instances. In the absence of busses, the fleet vehicles kept at SAC should be used. Personal vehicles may be used. Follow the guidance offered by campus officials.

COMMUNICATION DURING AN EMERGENCY

Handheld radios, email, cell phones, and text messages should be used by appropriate personnel to communicate instructions and updates.

BUILDING EQUIPMENT

All buildings are equipped with these safety features:

• Mapped routes out of buildings (clearly displayed in each building)
• Fire extinguishers
• Emergency exit lighting

Assisting Disabled Persons in an Emergency

The college has a designated assembly station at the loading dock of Pritzker Student Center for emergency first responders to locate persons with disabilities or who require further assistance in evacuations.

ASSISTING VISUALLY IMPAIRED PERSONS

Inform visually impaired persons about the emergency and offer to act as a sighted guide during the evacuation. Offer your arm and make sure to speak clearly and keep the person oriented to your location. Point out where any obstacles are located. When you reach the assembly location, ask if you can be of further assistance.

ASSISTING HEARING-IMPAIRED PERSONS

Individuals with impaired hearing may not be able to hear the audible signal of a fire alarm or emergency announcement. To alert them to an emergency evacuation, use an alternative warning system, i.e. writing a note to the person or turning a light switch on and off to get their attention. (Do not turn the light switch off and on if you smell natural gas or suspect an explosive condition in the area.)

ASSISTING AMBULATORY PERSONS USING WALKING AIDS

In evacuations, individuals with crutches, canes, or walkers may need assistance. If a person requires assistance—please ask; assistance will not be of use to everyone using a walking aid—they can be moved using a two-person, lock-arm position or by having the individual sit in a sturdy chair, preferably one with arms, to be lifted and carried.

ASSISTING NON-AMBULATORY PERSONS

When assisting a non-ambulatory person ask to be certain that they want assistance. Be aware that lifting them might be dangerous, as some individuals have reduced upper-trunk and neck strength. If the person has respiratory problems, immediately remove them from areas with smoke or vapors; if they use respirator they should be given priority assistance. Non-ambulatory people’s needs and preferences for assistance vary. Always consult with the person regarding:

• Their preferred method of being moved and the number of people needed (If a person must be carried more than three flights of stairs, a relay team is needed)
• The extension and movement of their limbs and extremities when moving them
• Their preferred position for being carried, i.e. forward or backward on stairs
• The appropriate aftercare, if they’ve been removed from their wheelchair

Remember to check the intended evacuation route for obstructions before transporting the individual. Delegate others to bring a wheelchair, removing it from the stairwell so it doesn’t obstruct others. Reunite the person with their wheelchair as soon as it is safe to do so.