Emergency Evacuations

The College has established written guidelines for the evacuation of buildings during fire and other emergencies. Included are specific instructions for the safe evacuation of individuals who use wheelchairs or who are otherwise mobility impaired.

Evacuation of Buildings

At MVCC, the emergency evacuation of buildings is kept to a minimum so as not to disrupt activities or have complacency set in. When the fire alarm is initiated and an evacuation is in progress, elevators are not to be used and are kept for use by emergency personnel only.

Procedure:

  1. Upon initiation of the fire alarm, the building should be evacuated of "all people" as quickly as possible. All faculty, staff and students shall take all their personal items with them, as there is a possibility the building may be closed for one or more hours. In the event the audible fire alarm does not activate to warn occupants of an emergency, Security personnel, Building Fire Marshals, with the assistance of Facilities and Operations personnel, will conduct a systematic search of the entire building to inform occupants to evacuate. Upon completion of the room-by-room search, Security, Fire Marshals and Facilities & Operations persons will position themselves at the building entry/exit doors to prevent evacuees from reentering until the "all-clear" signal is given.
  2. The faculty are to review evacuation procedures during the first week of classes. Faculty and staff are to insure the complete evacuation of their areas of responsibility. Turn off lights and close the door behind you. Escort any students with mobility impairments to the closest "Area of Refuge" or "Area of Rescue Assistance" and wait until Security or Facilities and Operations personnel arrive.
  3. All persons will move in an orderly manner, to a safe distance of not less than 50 feet from the building, well away from entrances and out of roadways.
  4. Any persons, College students, or employees with special needs should be attended to as quickly and safely as possible (see evacuation of mobility impaired).
  5. Under no conditions will evacuees be allowed back into a building, until the building has been inspected and found safe for re-entry. Only Security and Emergency personnel can give an "all clear" signal, which would allow for re-entry into the building.

* When evacuating a building, all occupants should take valuables with them.

MVCC IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ITEMS LEFT IN THE BUILDING.