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4.5    Occupants with Special Needs and/or Disabilities

Individuals who need assistance during an evacuation are encouraged to self-identify and discuss with staff in advance who might assist them in leaving the building and/or who will inform emergency personnel of their presence and where they are located so that further assistance can be provided.

The reported emergency in the building may be such that evacuation may not always be necessary for persons with special needs or disabilities. The individual with special needs and/or disabilities should contact the University Dispatcher at (617)573-8111 for information and instructions.

If the Suffolk University Police or Fire Department personnel determine that an evacuation is necessary:

  • If the stairwell cannot be used, enter the safest area, away from danger and call (617)573-8111.  Notify your floor warden and/or co-workers that you require assistance to exit the building.  Tell the University Dispatcher your exact location and wait for assistance.  Telephones will often work in a burning building.  If the telephone does not work, try signaling at a window by waving a cloth or other visible object.

The University Police and Security will notify the emergency response personnel of any special needs and/or disabled individuals.  Registration by special needs and/or disabled individuals to Human Resources is a voluntary recommendation.  Individuals with special needs and/or disability – or who become mobility impaired are strongly advised to register.  Individual evacuation plans can be developed with SUPD and OEHS, consistent with individual requirements.

Floor wardens will notify emergency response personnel of any other non-ambulatory individuals or persons with special needs and/or disability they know about who are unable to exit the building unassisted.  Transporting of individuals with special needs and/or disability up or down stairwells should be avoided without the assistance of emergency response personnel.  Unless imminent life-threatening conditions exist in the immediate area occupied by a non-ambulatory or disabled person, relocation of the individual should be limited to an area of refuge on the same floor separated by a set of closed fire doors preferably in close proximity to an evacuation stairwell.

Reminders for persons with special needs or disabilities:

  • Take control without depending on others to take the first step
  • Do not be afraid to let others know you need assistance
  • Do not hesitate to communicate what your special needs are in order to make the evacuation easier and safer
  • Plan ahead.  Be prepared

When entering the building, look and locate the most available telephones.  Note EXIT signs, stairwells, and location of fire alarm pull stations

 [[kb1]|#_msoanchor_1]What staff? Do we have different contact points for different members of the community? Staff and faculty – HR, students – ODS?

 [[kb2]|#_msoanchor_2]How are they to know this? That they may not have to leave and to find out they need to call this number?

 [[kb3]|#_msoanchor_3]Fine for faculty and staff but what about students?

 [[kb4]|#_msoanchor_4]What is the person has a mobility issue and cannot wave?

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