Evacuation Procedures

All building occupants are required to evacuate when the fire alarm sounds or upon the order of an authorized university official.

If time permits, stabilize lab procedures, turn off stoves and ovens, and unplug or disable any device that could exacerbate a dangerous situation.

Move to the closest exit and proceed down the exit stairwell in a safe and orderly manner. Take your personal belongings with you. Do not use elevators.

Remain at a safe distance from the building and await further instructions. Notify emergency responders of anyone trapped or anyone with special conditions in the building.

Don’t go back into the building for any reason until an authorized university official deems it safe to re-enter.

Large-Scale Evacuation If evacuation of part or all of the campus is necessary, monitor NU Alert, e-mail, and Northeastern’s website for additional information. Based on their location, people in need of transportation will be directed to areas to await transport to an off-campus site.

Evacuating Disabled Individuals If you believe you’d need assistance in an emergency, you should preplan and contact the Disability Resource Center at 617.373.2675. Here are a few other preplanning steps you can take:

• Master giving quick information on how someone can assist you in an emergency. If you have difficulty speaking, consider carrying a preprinted message.
• Establish a personal network of people who are regularly in the same location as you. Don’t rely on just one person as they may not always be available.
• Assess your own abilities, and communicate your capabilities and limitations to people in your network.
• Areas of refuge are fire-resistant spaces where people unable to use stairs can call for help via two-way communication devices. Go to an area of refuge if you’re concerned about getting injured by using the stairs to evacuate. Keep in mind that areas of refuge are typically unavailable in older buildings.

Attempt a rescue evacuation only when the disabled person is in immediate danger and cannot wait for professional assistance.

If the building has an area of refuge, assist the disabled person to that area. If possible, at least one person should wait with the disabled person. In buildings that don’t have an area of refuge, the disabled person should be moved to the nearest stairwell or to a room with the door shut that’s clear of any hazardous area.

Ask others leaving the building to notify emergency responders that a disabled person needs assistance in evacuating. Give the specific location.

If waiting for rescue is not an option, two physically capable occupants of the building should be invited to volunteer to assist the disabled in evacuating. Ask how the disabled person can best be assisted or moved, and whether there are any special considerations or items that need to come with the person. Keep in mind that you may need to clear debris in order to safely evacuate.

Do not use elevators unless told to do so by emergency responders.