Emergency Evacuation Policies and Procedures

CSUSB has established an emergency evacuation policy to provide information and guidelines to all members of the university community regarding safe and orderly evacuation of buildings in the event of an emergency. We are committed to providing a safe environment for CSUSB students, staff, faculty and visitors. Your assistance in the full exercise of this policy could help save your life or someone else’s. This policy was developed based upon the experience of this and other institutions, fire departments and other resources.

Policy Statement

CSUSB, in accordance with California law, requires all persons to leave any facility where an emergency evacuation alarm is activated as promptly as possible via the nearest available exit. If an alarm has not been activated, but it becomes clear that an emergency exists, all persons must leave immediately. Alarm pull stations should be activated upon exit. No one is expected to endanger themselves in order to effect or assist with the evacuation of others, but everyone has a duty to ensure that other occupants are aware of an emergency. Similarly, it is expected that individuals will, to the best of their ability, aid anyone requiring assistance to evacuate safely.

Emergency Evacuation

CSUSB has adopted a system of evacuation management that will be specifically designed for each building. Each building will have an Emergency Action Plan (EAP). Individuals who function as building or floor marshals, during an evacuation, will use the EAP as a reference tool, to systematically scan their areas to ensure everyone has evacuated and reported to the next level marshal. The responsibilities of these marshals are explained in the Campus Emergency Plan. The emergency evacuation alarm systems in most university facilities include visual and/or audible signaling devices, which should alert sensory impaired persons to alarm conditions. If, while evacuating, you notice someone not responding to the alarm, please be sure they are aware of the emergency. (Areas of Refuge have been identified (typically near emergency egress stairways) within each CSUSB building requiring an Area of Refuge. These areas can be reached by wheelchair users on their own. Once there, they can await assistance from rescue personnel in a position which does not impede or prevent emergency egress by other occupants)

Buildings with Areas of Refuge (San Bernardino Campus):

Biological Sciences Building
Faculty Office Building
Jack H. Brown Hall
University Hall

Buildings with Areas of Refuge (Palm Desert Campus):

The Palm Desert Campus buildings do not require Areas of Refuge.

Emergency Evacuation Signs

Signs should be posted by each elevator, with a floor plan indicating the location of exit stairways and the location of the closest Area of Refuge, if any. For additional information and to find out who is the designated floor marshal for a particular location, please contact the Office of Emergency Management at (909) 537-7477.

Evacuation Policy for Individuals with Disabilities

Students/employees with disabilities, building marshals, floor marshals and emergency workers shall familiarize themselves with these procedures in advance of an emergency situation so that they will be prepared to perform evacuation procedures during an emergency. Other individuals with disabilities who may be visiting are encouraged to familiarize themselves with campus evacuation procedures and will be assisted to the extent possible.

The following general guidelines apply to all emergencies and should be followed by the university designated evacuation team as soon as an evacuation has been ordered:

Consult with any individual who may have difficulty exiting a building. Determine if the individual has a buddy system in place. Ask the individual if s/he will be able to exit the building without assistance (e.g., a wheelchair user in a classroom on an upper floor of a building) and if not, how to best assist BEFORE making a rescue attempt. Also ask the individual if any mobility aids/medical equipment/medications/personal care items should be removed from the building as well. For example, an individual’s wheelchair should be removed with the student, when possible, as it will be needed for the individual’s immediate use upon exit from the building.
A wheelchair evacuation should be attempted ONLY by those who have had rescue training. Evacuation should not be attempted by a single individual unless necessary as a last resort.
Call 9-1-1 if the situation is life threatening.
Do NOT use elevators unless authorized to do so by police or fire personnel. Elevators could fail during a fire, earthquake or flood.
All multiple story buildings are equipped with emergency evacuation chairs.

Direct Emergency Response by Disability

Visual Impairment

Review the nature of the emergency with the individual and inquire asto the best manner in which to assist. In most cases, blind individuals will appreciate others offering their elbow (this is the preferred method when acting as a “Sighted Guide”). Do NOT grasp a visually impaired person’s arm unless asked to do so.
As individuals are walking, offer verbal information about location, the route you are following, and the presence of any obstacles (e.g., stairs, overhanging objects, uneven pavement, curbs, and narrow passageways). Use compass or clock directions and estimated distances as much as possible.
Upon arrival at the designated Emergency Assembly Point, orient the individual as to location on campus and offer further assistance as needed.
Some visually impaired individuals may have guide dogs that can become disoriented or injured during an emergency. Attempt to evaluate the dog’s needs and offer assistance if possible.
White canes and other mobility aids should be moved with the individual, if possible.

Deafness or Hearing Loss

Individuals with impaired hearing may or may not be able to hear the audible emergency alarms, depending on the level of hearing loss. Most university buildings are equipped with visual (flashing light) evacuation alarms. An individual with a hearing impairment may not perceive that an emergency exists. An alternative warning technique may be required. One such alternative involves gaining attention by turning the lights on and off and using hand gestures or a written note to describe the emergency and the evacuation route, e.g., “Fire – go out the rear door to parking lot.”
Ongoing visual instructions may be needed along the evacuation route. It may be necessary to point in the direction of the exit or use an evacuation map in order to advise individuals with impaired hearing of the safest evacuation routes.
It is important to note that individuals with hearing impairments sometimes have voice/ speech impairments as well. They may be carrying or using a whistle or have some other means of attracting the attention of others.

Mobility Impairments

Most individuals with mobility impairments will be able to safely exit a one-story building without assistance. Individuals who have difficulty opening doors or encounter obstructed pathways should ask their buddy or other individual(s) around them for assistance or call 9-1-1 from a telephone for assistance. Individuals on or above the second floor or in the basement of a building may require varying levels of evacuation assistance.
If an individual with a mobility impairment is unable to exit a building safely, an attempt should first be made to help direct him/her to the Area of Refuge to await assistance from emergency personnel. If there is no Area of Refuge, or the area is obstructed, the individual should be directed to a safe area to await assistance from emergency personnel. A safe area might include the end of the building near an exit opposite the emergency hazard, an enclosed stairwell or a classroom with a closed door. It may be necessary, if possible, to clear the individual’s path.
In general, individuals with mobility impairments should not be evacuated by untrained personnel. However, if an individual is in immediate danger and cannot be moved to a safer area to wait for assistance, the situation may become urgent, making it necessary to evacuate using a carrying option or an evacuation chair. Carrying options include using a two-person lock-arm position or using a sturdy chair, preferably a chair with arms. Every attempt should be made to properly secure the individual in the chair. Using a seatbelt or belt can be useful, if available. Before making this type of rescue attempt, always ask the individual about the preferred method of assistance. This is essential because moving and lifting individuals with certain types of disabilities can result in serious injury to the individual.

Always consult the individual as to preference with regard to:

Actual method of removal from wheelchair.
Number of persons generally required for safe removal from the wheelchair.
The advisability of lifting/moving extremities due to the potential for pain or spasticity due to the presence of braces, catheter leg bags, etc.
The need to bring along (and possibly detach) mobility aids/medical equipment/ medications/personal care items (i.e., an oxygen tank, catheter bag or rescue inhaler).
The need for a seat cushion or pad to be brought along after the individual has been removed from the wheelchair.
The advisability of being carried downstairs in a forward or backward position.
The need for after care. For example, some individuals may require medical treatment after being removed from their wheelchairs.
The wheelchair should be evacuated along with the individual, when possible, and should be made available to the individual as soon as possible after evacuation. A wheelchair is essential to a wheelchair user’s ongoing safety and mobility.

Note: The evacuation chairs utilized by the university are intended to help the mobility impaired quickly descend the stairwells in the event of an emergency.

Individuals who are evacuated will be taken to the designated evacuation site (please refer to page 35 for the San Bernardino Campus and page 36 for the Palm Desert Campus) and will be connected with emergency personnel. Accommodations will be made on site as possible and appropriate.
Some individuals with mobility impairments may also be prone to respiratory complications and will be particularly vulnerable in an emergency involving smoke or fumes. This should be considered during evacuation and shared with emergency personnel.
Police and fire personnel should be immediately notified of any individuals remaining in a building as well as their locations. Emergency personnel will evaluate whether the individual is safe in that location or whether an evacuation is necessary.

Power Outages

If an outage occurs during the day and an individual with a disability chooses to wait in the building while electricity is being restored, it may be helpful to move near a window where there is natural light and access to a telephone. Individuals with disabilities are advised to call the UPD at (909) 537-5165 to obtain status information about the outage. During regular building hours, building marshals should be notified so they can advise emergency personnel.
If an individual with a disability would prefer to leave the building and an evacuation has been ordered, or if the outage occurs at night, call the UPD at (909) 537-5165 from a campus telephone to request evacuation assistance.
As soon as information is available, the campus notification system will provide a recorded message stating when power is likely to be restored.

Injued Person

Injured persons should not be moved unless there is an immediate threat to their lives and then only to the nearest ground level exit/stairway. First aid should be given immediately. Make certain the building marshal/floor marshal knows the location of any disabled or injured persons.

Hazards

In the event of strong winds, fire, earthquakes or floods, all persons on campus should take precautionary measures to protect themselves and their property. In such events the University Police, Facilities Services and Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) will determine appropriate actions and attempt to notify campus personnel as soon as possible. Because of our elevation, please be aware that ice does form on campus walkways. It has also been known to snow at CSUSB.

High Winds

Both CSUSB campuses are located in geographical areas that are often affected by wind conditions because of their proximity to local mountains and passes. The most frequent winds occur from September through March and are typically referred to as Santa Ana winds. These winds vary in intensity based on the existing meteorological conditions, but often have guststhat are capable of causing injury and/or property damage. The UPD monitors wind/weather reports whenever such conditions appear to threaten the university community and identifies four stages of sustained wind conditions. The definitions of each condition and appropriate precautions can be found in copies of the Campus Emergency Procedures posters that are in classrooms, offices, and other prominent locations throughout the campus. During windy conditions, it is often necessary to close, lock, or disable manual and automatically operated building entrance doors throughout campus to prevent personal injury and/or damage to the doors. Students, faculty, staff and visitors should be aware of this fact and be prepared to enter buildings via other entrances during wind conditions. The Campus Accessibility Guide highlights accessible entrances for each building and should serve as a reference to determine alternate accessible entrances during such periods when doors/entrances are closed. The guide can also be accessed online at the Emergency Management Site.

To Mitigate the Disruptive Effect of Door Closures:

Doors will not be closed or disabled without consideration of the accessibility-related impact of each closure.
Signs will be posted on each closed door that indicates it is “CLOSED” because of winds and alternate entrances will be identified.
The Facilities Services Support Center will be immediately notified when campus personnel close any accessible entrance.
The SSD office will be immediately notified of such closures and an email will be sent to the SSD student listserv.
All closed doors/entrances will be reopened as soon as practical when the windy conditions have been downgraded or winds diminished.
The Facilities Services Support Center will immediately notify the SSD office and an email will be sent to the SSD student listserv when doors/entrances are reopened.