Consider contacting campus police when in buildings after hours.
Have easy access to emergency contact information at all times
Become familiar with and follow basic emergency safety guidelines.
When preparing your Personal Evacuation Plan, ask OAS staff for evacuation information in alternate formats, if needed.
During Evacuation
Attempt to contact emergency personnel and Evacuation Assistant.
Determine whether to evacuate or stay in place.
If evacuating, inform emergency personnel and Evacuation Assistant of area headed to and type of assistance needed.
If unable to contact emergency personnel or Evacuation Assistant, move to planned designated area.
Ask others to notify emergency personnel and Evacuation Assistant of need for assistance.
If trapped, get the attention of others by calling out or striking objects together to make noise.
If not in immediate danger, consider staying in place or moving to area of refuge until emergency personnel determine nature of the situation.
Individuals Who Use Wheelchairs
Preparedness kits can include:
Heavy gloves for making your way over glass or debris
Extra battery for electric wheelchairs
Patch kit for punctured wheels
Store a lightweight manual wheelchair in your residence hall, if available
Arrange and secure furniture and other items to provide barrier free paths of travel.
In earthquakes, once in a safe and protected place, lock wheels, bend over your knees and cover your head.
If a small stair landing on your floor is chosen as the area of refuge, consider waiting until heavy traffic has passed before entering.
If you are in bed or out of your wheelchair, seek cover under the bed, a desk, or table.
Deaf or Hard of Hearing Individuals
Preparedness kits can include:
Pen and paper and a flashlight to communicate in the dark
Extra hearing aid batteries
When preparing your Personal Evacuation Plan, ask OAS staff for evacuation information in alternate formats, if needed.
Install both audible and visual smoke alarms in your office and home.
Be careful of falling things as you leave a building.
Individuals Who Are Blind or Have Low Vision
Preparedness kits can include:
Pen and paper and a flashlight to communicate in the dark
Batteries for TTY and light phone signaler
Extra folding white cane
Heavy gloves for feeling your way over glass or debris
Colored cape or poncho worn for visibility by others
When preparing your Personal Evacuation Plan, ask OAS staff for evacuation information in alternate formats, if needed.
Know where the nearest telephones and alarm boxes are located.
Know how to describe your location.
Know where nearby emergency medical kits are located.
Know which buildings do or do not have strobe lights.
Mark emergency supplies with large print or Braille, if helpful.
Make sure evacuation signage is adequately marked for your needs.
Practice your evacuation route periodically both with your service animal and/or white cane.
Be cautious of obstructions and falling objects during an earthquake.
Individuals with a Service Animal
Preparedness kits can include:
Extra food and water for your service animal
Extra leash/harness
Bright-colored poncho for protecting your service animal against falling debris
Practice your Individual Evacuation Plan with your service animal.
Some dogs fear metal grated steps. If your evacuation route has these kinds of steps, get your dog accustomed to the route.
If the only stair rail is on your left side where a service animal should typically be, accustom the dog to heeling down the right side if you do not intend to utilize the service animal on the steps.
Be cautioned that if your service animal typically stops at each new flight of stairs, others behind you may panic.
Heeling a service dog may be safer in some instances.
If you require assistance with your service animal, ask others around you for help.
Individuals with Learning or Developmental Differences
When preparing your Personal Evacuation Plan, ask OAS staff for evacuation information in alternate formats, if needed.
Review general building evacuation guidelines. Ask OAS staff for clarification, if needed.
See if your evacuation routes have signage that is easy to follow.
Individuals with Limited Communication
When preparing your Personal Evacuation Plan, ask OAS staff for evacuation information in alternate formats, if needed.
Determine how you will best communicate with others during an emergency.
Consider having evacuation and emergency instructions written down on a card, carried at all times, and placed in an easy to reach location.
Have batteries or chargers for communication equipment in preparedness kit.
Individuals with Psychological Disabilities
When developing your Personal Evacuation Plan, consider strategies to reduce stress of the emergency by:
Identifying areas of rescue that have two-way communications devices.
Making sure directional signage for exits and designated area of refuge in your planned evacuation route is adequate enough to assist you.
Your preparedness kit should include at least 3 days' worth of needed medication.
Individuals with Medical Conditions
When developing your Personal Evacuation Plan, explore ways to reduce stress, exertion, and exposure to dust or smoke.
Your preparedness kit should include at least 3 days' worth of needed medication.
Consider taking rest periods during evacuation, if possible.
