Special Instructions for the Physically Impaired
The following information should be distributed to all occupants who are physically impaired. For the purpose of emergency procedures, any person with a disability (temporary or permanent) or any condition that would require them to need assistance during an evacuation is considered physically impaired.
Physically impaired may include but not be limited to:
- persons confined to wheelchairs
- persons dependent on crutches, canes, walkers, etc.
- persons recovering from surgery
- pregnant women
- persons with significant hearing or sight impairment
- extreme cases of obesity
Persons who are physically impaired could be further defined as anyone who without the assistance of another person would have difficulty evacuating or relocating to a safe location either inside or outside the building or slow down evacuation of other occupants within the building.
Every individual placed on the physically impaired list must be assured that information provided to building management will be kept confidential and is to be used only to provide safe and quick evacuation in emergency conditions.
ASSISTANTS TO THE PHYSICALLY IMPAIRED must be assigned prior to an emergency. Those assigned must know the safe refuge areas within the building (enclosed stairwells) and know how to best assist the occupant who is physically impaired.
PRE-EMERGENCY ACTIONS:
- Prior to an emergency select two assistants to assist you in an emergency. Meet with the Assistants to discuss your special needs in case of an emergency. Be sure to tell them how best to assist you. Remember you are the expert on your own personal condition.
- Decide on a meeting spot. For example: at your desk or at a designated stairwell.
- If applicable, have assistants be familiar with various lifts and carries.
DURING A FIRE EMERGENCY:
- Upon hearing the fire alarm meet with your assistants and proceed to the nearest safe stairwell.
- Enter stairwell last and remain on the landing. Be sure to close the door behind you. One Assistant should notify Fire Department Personnel immediately of your location. For example: on the 10th floor in Stairwell #1. The second Assistant will remain in the stairwell with you. If further evacuation is necessary, the Assistant may assist you to the designated outside area of Safe Refuge.
- Remain calm. Help is on the way. The Fire Department's first priority is the rescuing of people.
Listed below are some things that you can do for yourself if you are alone during an emergency:
- Prior to an emergency, program telephone numbers for Security and the Office of the Building into your cell phone. Use these numbers during an emergency if necessary.
- Be prepared to ask for assistance. Tell others what your condition is and beprepared to give instructions on how you can best be helped.
- Proceed to the stairwell. Instruct all others who are exiting to tell the FireDepartment what floor and which stairwell you are in. NOTE: Stairwell intercomsare located at Levels 6, 11, 16, 21, & 26. The intercoms are connected to the Security Control Room and Fire Control Room.
IF YOU CANNOT LEAVE YOUR OFFICE, "DEFEND IN PLACE":
1. DO NOT PANIC.
2. Get as far away from the fire as possible. Close as many doors as possible between you and the fire. If possible, wedge cloth material along the bottom of the door to keep smoke out.
3. Immediately call the Fire Department at 9-1-1.
- Tell them you cannot get out.
- Tell them you are physically impaired and in what way.
- Give them your address (402 West Broadway) and suite number.
- Give them the nearest cross street: State Street
- Give them the number you are calling from: __________
This is important because the Fire Department may have to call you back either to get more information or relay information.
4. Do not break the window. If smoke is outside the building it may enter into the office. Breaking the window should only be done as a last resort. Once a window is broken, it is impossible to close it to prevent smoke from entering.
5. Stay where you are. Do not hide. Remain calm. Help is on the way.