Building and Person Emergencies

When directed to do so, employees and students will respond to an emergency situation in one of the following manners:

Evacuation Routes and Floor Plans

Defined exits are located by following red illuminated EXIT signs that have directional arrows pointing to the nearest exit. Exit doors will have illuminated red EXIT signs posted over them without directional arrows. Floor plans, which will include evacuation paths, locations of fire extinguishers, and fire alarm pulls, are posted in each campus building’s classrooms, office suites and work spaces.

General Building Evacuation

General evacuation is used to get students, faculty and staff out of the building through the nearest exit. An evacuation means that ALL students, faculty and staff MUST evacuate the building.

Example: A fire alarm activated or other non-specific emergency that would require building evacuation.

Student and personal responsibilities:

• Gather personal belongings such as coats and car keys.
• Form small groups of two or three, and initiate the buddy system for evacuation.
• Evacuate quickly and calmly to the nearest, safe exit.
• Close the door behind you.
• Stay out of the building until you are given notice to enter by college officials or emergency responders.

Faculty and staff responsibilities:

• As a group, leave the building immediately, in a calm orderly manner using the nearest exit available.
• Count the students as they leave the room and then recount them once you reach the safe zone or designated evacuation point.
• For safety of individuals with disabilities, consider that they may need assistance evacuating and/or direction to a safe area. Provide direction to others in need.
• Move (and remain) at least 500 feet away from the building.
• Stay with students, keeping them in a group. Immediately report any missing students to the Wayne State College Campus Security Department or the emergency responder on scene.
• ACCOUNT for all students and remain together, if possible.
• IMMEDIATELY report any missing students to a Wayne State College Campus Security Officer or an Emergency Responder on scene.
• WAIT to be contacted. Do not return to the building or move to another side of the building unless told to do so by emergency personnel or a delegate.

Directed Building Evacuation (Non-Fire Emergency)

Directed evacuation is used to get students, faculty and staff out of the building by a route designed to avoid contact with a potential threat. This type of evacuation will be coordinated by first responders or Facilities Management personnel.

Example: A suspicious package, a bomb threat, or an active shooter.

Student and personal responsibilities:

• Gather personal belongings such as coats and car keys
• Evacuate quickly and calmly to the nearest, safe exit
• Listen closely, and follow instructions given to you by responders.
• Stay out of the building until you are given the notice to enter by college officials or emergency responders.

Faculty and staff responsibilities:

• As a group, leave the building immediately in a calm orderly manner, using only the exits and directions given by the first responders.
• For safety of individuals with disabilities, consider that they may need assistance evacuating. Provide direction to others in need.
• Move (and remain) at least 500 feet away from the building.
• Stay with students, keeping them in a group.
• ACCOUNT for all students and remain on the same side of the building to which you were evacuated, or the area you were directed to.
• IMMEDIATELY report any missing students to a Wayne State College Campus Security Officer or emergency responder on scene.
• WAIT to be contacted. Do not return to the building or move to another side of the building unless told to do so by emergency personnel or delegate.
• Refer all media who want to speak with you or students to on-site media spokesperson.

Campus Evacuation

A Campus evacuation is used to get students, faculty and staff off the Wayne State College Campus due to a severe emergency in the area.

Example: A severe incident has occurred in downtown Wayne, such as a major hazardous materials incident, or other catastrophic activity.

Students, faculty, and staff responsibilities:

By vehicle:

• If the road is usable, leave by a main exit, following directives of emergency personnel (where applicable).
• Drive with caution and courtesy and follow directions.
• Do not block the way for other vehicles.
• Some vehicles may be selected for emergency transportation; please cooperate if yours is chosen.
• If the road is not usable, leave your vehicle and evacuate on foot.

On foot:

• The best choice, if usable, is to leave by a main exit.
• Proceed to a safe location, as directed.

Persons with Disabilities

If it is safe for you to assist persons with disabilities or special needs, do so. If you are unable to assist, notify emergency responders of the location and number of disabled or special needs persons located in your area.

NOTE: If the fire alarm is not pulled, the elevators should be used to expedite the evacuation of anyone that needs help evacuating the building.

The guidelines in the Evacuation Plan for Individuals with Disabilities are as follows: 

Individuals with Mobility Impairments

Some individuals with mobility impairments may need special equipment such as wheelchairs, braces or crutches to move around the campus; others whose impairments are less visible may have decreased coordination or stamina and may need to move at a slower pace or rest frequently. If elevators are operational, individuals with mobility impairments can be escorted down by elevator. Otherwise, they may need to be escorted to a designated safe area. Their location should be noted and reported to the Fire Department, Wayne State College facilities staff and/or the Wayne State College Security Department. It is not advisable to try to carry a person who is in a wheelchair. Only trained personnel should attempt to carry the individual and/or the wheelchair. Wheelchairs may have parts not intended for lifting; batteries or life support equipment may be connected. Trained emergency personnel should be directed to the area as soon as possible.

Individuals with Vision Impairments

If elevators are operational, individuals with vision impairments can be escorted down by elevator. If people are being escorted out of the building, the individual with the vision impairment should be evacuated together with the sighted evacuees. If you are escorting a blind or vision impaired individual, take your directions from the individual about how to guide them. For example, if you are going down stairs, they may ask you to stand in front of them and by the right side of the stairwell – they may have one hand on your shoulder and one hand on the handrail. If walking side by side, they may take your arm (above the elbow) while holding their cane and or leash of an animal with their other hand.

Individuals Who Are Deaf or Hard of Hearing

As the individual with a hearing loss may not perceive an audio emergency alarm, alternative communication/warning techniques may be needed. These techniques include: switching the lights on and off to get the person’s attention, writing down the type of emergency and closest evacuation route and escorting the person out of building.