Evacuation Procedures

Call 9-911 from an on-campus phone or 911 from a cell phone to report an emergency that requires immediate assistance from police and rescue personnel.

If you are ordered to evacuate the building

• IMMEDIATELY EVACUATE the building, notifying building occupants as you exit. Leave all belongings behind.
• Close all windows and doors behind you as you exit your office or classroom.
• DO NOT USE ELEVATORS DURING AN EVACUATION EMERGENCY.
• If you are able, help those who may need special assistance in evacuating the building. If you are not able to do so, exit immediately and advise emergency responders of the person’s location.
• Move at least 500 feet away from the building and wait for instructions from emergency response personnel.
• Once you are safe call 911 or 401.865.2222, to report the incident.
• If known, give the operator a description of what is going on in the building.

DO NOT RE-ENTER THE BUILDING UNTIL IT HAS BEEN DECLARED SAFE BY THE EMERGENCY RESPONSE COMMANDER OR DESIGNEE.

Although fire is the most likely cause for evacuation, malicious or terrorist attacks might also necessitate an evacuation of your building. Governmental authorities cannot reliably estimate the likelihood of a terrorist attack in any community, and college campuses are just as vulnerable to attacks without warning as other areas within their respective communities.

We also know that those who perpetrate violent attacks use various weapons, including but not explosives, bomb threats or suspicious packages, and chemical or biological agents.

If the response to a crisis on campus requires an emergency evacuation of your building, you will be notified via the College’s Emergency Notification System, which includes the fire alarm system, whether the evacuation is due to a fire or some other circumstance.

Evacuation of Persons with Disabilities

• Visual Impairments: Inform the person of the nature of the emergency and offer to guide the person to the nearest exit and rally point.
• Hearing Impairments: Alert the person that there is an emergency situation by using hand gestures or by turning the light switch on and off. Verbalize or mouth instructions, or provide the person with a short note containing instructions.
• Mobility Impairments: Since elevators should not be used, individuals who can walk may be able to evacuate with some assistance. For individuals unable to walk: If there is no immediate danger, escort the individual to a safe place to await rescue personnel. Whenever possible, someone should remain with the person while another individual exits the building and notifies rescue personnel of the person’s exact location. Only in extreme situations should you try to evacuate a person in a wheelchair yourself. The mobility-impaired person is the best authority on how they should be moved. Ask before you move someone. While it is best to let rescue personnel conduct the evacuation, the person can be carried by two people who have interlocked their arms to form a “chair,” or the person can be carried in a sturdy office chair.

DO NOT RE-ENTER BUILDINGS UNTIL THE ALL CLEAR IS GIVEN BY CAMPUS OR CITY EMERGENCY RESPONSE OFFICIALS.