Responding to an Evacuation Emergency

Notify other building occupants of the emergency. The best way to alert others is by activating the building’s emergency alarm system as you leave the building.

Notify 911 of the emergency from a safe location. Stay on the line with the dispatcher so that he or she can get all the information needed to respond to the call.

Always evacuate. Never stay behind when you hear an alarm or someone tells you to evacuate. Do not ever assume that the alarm is just a drill, and ignore anyone who tells you to stay behind because it is a drill. You must evacuate at all times the alarm sounds.

Close the door behind you and proceed carefully through your predetermined route. Do not use the elevator. If an exit is blocked, use an alternate path. After you have entered a stairwell, make sure the door closes and latches behind you.

Once outside, move away from the building to a predetermined safe location. Do not return to the building until you are instructed to do so.

If there are no authorized personnel on the scene, pick up a Blue Light Telephone or notify the 911 operator of the alarm and evacuation.