Evacuation Procedure



There are a variety of situations which could occur on campus that may require evacuation of a building. Always evacuate the building when any of the following occurs:

  • You hear the fire alarm or see strobe lights
  • You are instructed to leave by emergency responders, your supervisor, or the Response Team member for your area.
  • An emergency is evident in your area.

Evacuate the building immediately

  • If it is safe to do so, take your emergency supplies, car keys, purse and/or wallet, and other personal items (depending on the situation, re-entry to the building may not be available for some time)
  • Shut down all hazardous operations, if safe to do so
  • Turn off equipment, if safe to do so
  • Close doors, but do not lock them
  • Exit by the nearest safe exit/stairwell. Do not use elevators.
  • While exiting, note hazards or personnel remaining in building
  • Go directly to the designated Emergency Assembly Point (EAP) for the building you are in
  • Check in and provide information on noted hazards or personnel remaining in the building to your Response Team member

Additional information

  • The Response Team member for your area will ensure that occupants evacuate the area
  • As you exit, quickly check nearby restrooms, copier rooms, closets, etc., for other people
  • Accompany and help any individual with special needs, or any visitors and colleagues who appear to need direction or assistance
  • Proceed as quickly as possible, but in an orderly manner – do not push or shove
  • Hold handrails when you are walking on stairs
  • Move to the right if you encounter emergency personnel on stairs
  • Once out of the building, move away from the structure and report to your EAP
  • Do not block streets or driveways
  • Stay out of the way of emergency personnel who are responding to the situation

If instructed to leave campus

  • Carpool/Vanpool: contact your primary carpool or vanpool member(s) immediately
  • Drive carefully. Extra caution is required any time you are excited, worried, or distracted by an emergency.
  • Watch for bicycles, pedestrians, and emergency vehicles
  • Traffic signals might not be working, use 4-way stop signs traffic rules
  • Expect traffic back-ups
  • Be patient
  • Follow traffic directions from Public Safety or other safety officials
  • If normal exits are blocked, you will be directed to an alternate route
  • If you are in doubt about whether to report back to campus, call your department hotline, phone tree contact, or supervisor
  • For campus emergency information:
  • For area information, follow reports on “Emergency Alert System” radio stations (e.g., KCBS 740 AM) and television

NOTE: It is suggested that people with special needs prepare for emergencies by learning the locations of exit corridors and enclosed stairwells and by informing co-workers, professors, and/or classmates of the best methods of assistance during an emergency. If you wish to have assistance in preplanning, please call EH&S Emergency Management at (650) 723-0448.

IF YOU HAVE A SPECIAL NEED AND ARE UNABLE TO EVACUATE:

Stay calm, and take steps to protect yourself. If there is a working telephone, call 9-911 (911 from non-campus phones) and tell the emergency dispatcher where you are or where you will be. If you must move:

  • Move to an exterior enclosed stairwell
  • Request persons exiting by way of the stairway notify the Fire Department of your location
  • DO NOT USE ELEVATORS during an emergency evacuation. (Emergency personnel may use an elevator for evacuation after review of the circumstances.)
  • Once outside, move away from the building to allow others to exit
  • Do not return to an evacuated building until given clearance by emergency personnel