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University of Wyoming

Safety in an Emergency and UDSS Students
 

UDSS wants to ensure that each student feels safe while attending the University of Wyoming.  Part of each student feeling safe is making sure that everyone understands the precautions that they should take if they are in a building when a fire alarm is activated.  This is especially important for students who might need assistance leaving the building or if they know that they will need the fire department/UW police department to assist them.

Make a Plan
The following are some very important suggestions to help you make your plan for an emergency evacuation if you have mobility issues that may impact your ability to evacuate a particular building on campus.

  • Locate an Exit.  Regardless of whether or not you anticipate needing assistance in leaving the building, you should always know the two nearest exits from the building in relation to your classroom.  During the first week of classes, be sure to locate exits that are closest to each of your classrooms.  Once the exits are identified, it is also important to discuss with your UDSS coordinator the possibility of you needing assistance getting out of the building.  If your coordinator is aware of the situation, s/he can discuss with you any concerns you may have or assist you in notifying your instructors.
  • Do not try to use the elevators in an emergency.
  • Once you have identified the nearest exit, it is important that you go to that exit and stay in the stairwell.  Most stairwell locations on campus have fire safe doors, so it is important that you stay in the stairwell until the proper authorities are able to assist you in leaving the building.
  • Once you have located your exit, find a friend in your class who would be willing to stay with you until help comes, or who will go outside and notify the fire department where you are located.  Ideally you will have both: someone who is willing to stay with you and a person who is willing to inform the fire department of your location.
  • Please have the person who has agreed to be your informant give directions as to where you are located.  Be sure to tell your friend to include what part of the building/stairwell you are located in when he or she is describing your location.  For example, "He/She is located in the northwest stairwell on the third floor," or "He/She is located in the stairwell closest to ________(Prexy's Pasture, the Agriculture Building, 9th Street, etc.).
  • Another option (if you or someone you know has a cell phone) is to call the UW police department.  In emergencies, dial 911.  Otherwise call 766-5179.  Tell them which building you are in, which stairwell you are located in, and whether someone is with you or if you are alone.  For example, "I am located in the Engineering Building on the second floor in the southeast stairwell.  I do/do not have someone with me.  Please inform your responding officers and the Laramie fire department where I am."  If it would make you more comfortable, as that the dispatcher stay on the line with you until help arrives.
  • Once help has arrived, you may hang up with dispatch.  Once the fire department or the UW police department arrives, it is very important to communicate with them to how they can safely aid you in leaving the building.  Be familiar with the number of people needed to provide assistance to you, and make sure that your informant knows this too.  You and your informant should both be able to explain exactly the best way to assist you down the stairs.  Otherwise, when emergency personnel arrive, they may remove you from the building using an expedient method which may be less than ideal for you.

Inform Your Instructors
It is also important to inform each of your instructors that you may need assistance if a fire alarm is activated in the building.  Informing your instructors of your needing assistance will allow you to work with them.  Your instructors can help you identify classmates to help you in the event of an emergency evacuation.

The information provided in this section is to assist you in planning for your safety in the event of emergency evacuations.  It is important that you have a plan for emergencies.  Please feel free to contact your UDSS coordinator if you have any questions, comments, or concerns.

Residence Halls
If you live in the residence halls, consider following the suggestions offered above.  In addition, talk with your RA to devise a plan for assistance in the event of an emergency.


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