EMERGENCY EVACUATION PROCEDURE

 

When an alarm sounds, you must immediately begin to evacuate the building, You must evacuate the building under all circumstances, even if the alarm stops sounding. Follow these guidelines to ensure a safe and efficient evacuation. 

 

• DO NOT STOP AN EVACUATION FOR ANY REASON ONCE IT IS STARTED 

 

• Take your coat (and purse, lunch, briefcase, etc.) and any other item you brought in with you that day if it is readily available 

 

• If possible lock or log off computers and secure “sensitive” documents. • DO NOT ATTEMPT TO GO TO ANOTHER FLOOR DURING THE EVACUATION

 

 • DO NOT OPERATE CELLULAR TELEPHONES OR LIKE EQUIPMENT DURING ANY EVACUATION. 

 

• As you leave your work area, observe if there are any suspicious packages, boxes, parcels, envelopes, etc. in your work area. Report any such suspicious items to the designated *EEP floor chief as you exit the floor. Remember that at the beginning of an evacuation you will not necessarily know the reason for the evacuation. It could be a real bomb threat, real fire, other real emergency, or drill. 

 

• Head towards the CLOSEST emergency exit and begin evacuation. 

 

• DO NOT attempt to use the elevators. They will be out of service the moment an alarm sounds. 

 

• Use the stairwells as EXITS ONLY. 

 

• When entering the stairwells it is imperative to maintain a single file movement. As you enter the stairwells, keep to the outside (right) of the stairwell and then gradually merge to the inside (left) by the next floor. Stay along the inside (left) of the stair railing in order to allow for the entry of people from other floors. 

 

• If you require assistance for evacuating the building, please report to the safe area at any of the stairwells, wait for a *“buddy” and instructions from the *EEP Floor Chief. 

 

• If you have a visitor to the Building who needs assistance at any time during an evacuation, please report to the safe area at any of the stairwells with them and wait for instructions from the *EEP Floor Chief.

 

 • You MUST leave the building. After exiting the building using your exit instructions specific to your suite, head towards Mississippi Ave until you reach the Assembly Area, See Below; (This is a snap shot for Assembly Areas ONLY, Please follow the Exit plans specific to your suit as an exit strategy)

 

 ▪ THEARC WEST (Children’s National, Bishop Walker,)- BSW SIDE EXIT- 18th Street and Trenton 

 

▪ THEARC EAST Main Door Exit/Front Building Exit (BBAR OFFICES, LEVINE,), -19th Street and Trenton 

 

▪ THEARC WEST (Black Box, TM, Phillips, Appletree)- Exit SIDE FACING THEARC EAST- 19th Street and Trenton

 

▪ Trinity,WSG, TWB, ARTREACH,BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB/COVENANT HOUSE- 21st Street and Trenton 

 

• During the evacuation of the building, the EEP Floor Chiefs will contact the Facilities Director to notify him/her of the status of his/her floor, as well as to report the number of persons that require assistance. 

 

• Please note that all evacuation team members and EEP Fire Chief will have on YELLOW vests for identification and if you have any questions or need assistance. 

 

Key Terms:

 

*SAFE AREA-EACH SAFE AREA IS IN FRONT OF THE DOORWAY OF THE STAIRS. SIGNS WILL BE POSTED. 

 

* BUDDY- Make use of the "Buddy System." Individuals in your organization with a disability or in need of assistance should inform colleagues of any special assistance that may be required in the event of an emergency evacuation (i.e, hearing the alarm, guidance during the alarm, etc.). 

 

* EEP Floor Chief- Emergency Evacuation Procedure Floor Chief