Evacuation Procedures

If a fire alarm sounds or a building evacuation is otherwise ordered:

  • Immediately evacuate the building.
  • If you are supervising students, instruct them to remain together.
  • Rescue or assist people in immediate danger, but only if you can safely do so without endangering yourself.
  • Steer clear of elevators. Use stairways for emergency evacuation.

Upon evacuation of the building:

  • Assemble any students in your charge at a safe location at least 200 feet from the building and determine if everyone was evacuated.
  • Report the names of anyone missing to the emergency response personnel along with their last known location.
  • Do not attempt to reenter a building that has been evacuated until public safety personnel advises that it is safe to do so.

If a physically challenged occupant is unable to exit the building:

  • Notify the fire warden of the person’s location.
  • Avoid transporting the individual up or down stairwells without the assistance of emergency personnel.
  • Relocate the individual to an area of refuge on the same floor that is separated by a set of closed fire doors, preferably in close proximity to an evacuation stairwell. (Do not attempt if there are imminent life-threatening conditions.)

If circumstances prevent you from evacuating the building:

  • Remain in your room, office, or workplace with the door closed.
  • Call the Department of Public Safety.
  • Prevent smoke and heat from entering your room by blocking all openings.
  • Use wet towels or clothing, if possible.
  • If smoke is present in your room, remain close to the window. If possible, hold a wet  towel to your face and stay low to the floor.
  • Do not open or break the window glass unless absolutely necessary. The source of oxygen may intensify a fire or allow smoke to enter your room.
  • Hang a white towel or brightly colored clothing out a window to alert emergency response personnel.

Department of Public Safety 

Rose Hill
718-817-2222 or 718-817-5832
Extension: 2222 or 5832

Lincoln Center
212-930-8888 or 212-636-6076
Extension: 6076

Westchester
914-367-3001 or 914-367-3333
Extension: 3333