Classroom Emergency Preparedness

Emergency Information for Faculty

Classroom emergency preparedness is a necessary function of our overall campus readiness. Students, even in higher education settings, look to the instructor for guidance and definitive action during an emergency. Faculty is presented with a unique challenge in emergency planning as they travel between buildings and classrooms delivering lectures and guiding lab activities.

Suggestion: Take a few minutes at the start of each quarter to familiarize students with basic evacuation and emergency procedures. This will ensure that your students are better prepared for an emergency.

The following information is intended to serve as a quick reference during emergencies.

What Should I Do as the Instructor?

  • Clearly cover the basic emergency procedures for the class during the first week of class. (10 minutes of pre-planning can save lives)
  • Know how to report an emergency from the classroom.
  • Communicate the evacuation route and assembly area outside the building in case of emergency.
  • Ask students if they have emergency training such as CPR or first aid and be prepared to call on them in an emergency.
  • Evacuate the classroom if a medical emergency occurs to allow emergency responders to access the victim.
  • Persons with disabilities, who self-identify, should be able to provide information on special assistance needs if an emergency occurs. Persons with disabilities may need assistance leaving the building during an evacuation.
  • Most importantly: Provide leadership if an emergency arises and follow emergency procedures for all building alarms and emergencies.

How Do I Report an Emergency?

  1. Dialing 585-395-2222.(Program this number into your cell phone), if the classroom has a phone, dial 2222.
  2. State the nature of emergency.
  3. Remaining on the line until you have been advised that it is okay to hang up.

What Should I Carry with Me to Class?

  • Class roster
  • Cell phone
  • List of important telephone numbers (i.e. department leadership, supervisors, or lab managers, if applicable)

How Do I Evacuate the classroom?

Know the evacuation routes for your classroom. Evacuation routes are posted on building walls at main entrances. Use the nearest available exit. Look for illuminated EXIT signs in larger classrooms to determine primary and secondary exits. All fire alarms are mandatory evacuation.

How Do I Handle a Person with a Disability?

  1. All persons (including those who are disabled) should proceed toward the nearest safe emergency exit and exit the building with the help of others, if necessary. Those with physical disabilities, which make exiting by stairs impossible (e.g., wheelchair), should exit into the stairwell landing. Stairwell landings in all buildings are considered the AREA of REFUGE, as these areas have additional fire protection due to building codes and emergency responders are trained to check all stairwells first as part of their rescue procedures.
  2. If PREVIOUS ARRANGEMENTS HAVE NOT BEEN MADE a disabled person should request help from others in the area in order to exit the building. If this is not successful, proceed to an AREA of REFUGE which should be a fire exit stairwell or an otherwise designated location. It is best to know, ahead of time, where an AREA of REFUGE is located. It is strongly recommended to have some form of communication to the outside world from an AREA of REFUGE cell phone, emergency phone, etc., or let someone else know so this information can be provided to emergency responders. Close all fire doors behind you.
  3. If you have a phone available, call 395-2222 or ext. 2222 (on campus phone) and give your name and location OR let someone know where you will be, beforehand, so they can relay the information to emergency responders. Do not call 911 from your cell phone, as it may delay response by campus police.
  4. Students with disabilities should fill out a self-disclosure form from the Student Accessibility Services Office. The Coordinator of Student Accessibility Services will meet with students needing assistance to discuss a plan of action. The Assistant Director of Human Resources/Affirmative Action Officer will meet with faculty and staff needing assistance to discuss a plan of action.
  5. If a disabled person is visiting a department, it is that department’s responsibility to assign sufficient employees or students to assist in evacuation when necessary and to alert University Police, EHS, and/or emergency responders. The Brockport Fire Department takes control of the building in any fire situation they need to be alerted to any instance where assistance is required to evacuate the building.

Where do I go after Evacuation?

Designate an emergency assembly area for your class outside of the building in case of evacuation. Ensure that your class knows the location and use it to account for students during an evacuation. As your class is evacuating the classroom, ensure that everyone is leaving the building.

What if there is Violence or an Active Shooter?

  1. Dial 585-395-2222 from a cell phone or 2222 from a classroom phone.
  2. Secure the classroom by locking the doors and windows.
  3. Block the door with desks, chairs, or tables.
  4. Move people away from windows and behind items that protect them (desk, chairs, tables).
  5. Have everyone turn off or silence their cell phones.
  6. Treat the injured using basic first aid (apply pressure to wounds and elevate bleeding arms or legs).