Emergency Evacuation for Individuals with Disabilities

A. PREPARING FOR DISABLED INDIVIDUALS

1. The key to preparation for safe, orderly, and prompt evacuation of disabled students is awareness of their location and physical restrictions.
   2. During any emergency, the responsibility for a safe evacuation of disabled students lies with the staff, supervisors and the actual disabled individual.
   3. Deans, directors and department chairs will ensure that emergency response plans for their areas include evacuation procedures for disabled individuals and are designed in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
   4. The building level emergency response plan shall include a system of accountability for personnel, students, and staff with disabilities.
             a. Occupants with disabilities should know proper evacuation procedures by referring to the emergency response plan in their area.
             b. Occupants with temporary or permanent disabilities are requested to inform their instructors and/or supervisors of any physical restrictions they have so that appropriate actions can be taken to help ensure their safety in the event of any incident.
   5. Faculty and staff should be knowledgeable of proper procedures for emergency evacuation of disabled students on a general and site-specific basis.
   6. At no time during a scheduled or unscheduled evacuation shall students, staff, or faculty requiring assistance be left unattended.

B. EVACUATION CHAIRS

1. Operating Instruction for Evacuation chair EVACU-TRAC CD-7
2. Open unit, confirm latch is engaged and transfer passenger
3. Fasten safety straps
4. Approach stairs at a right angle (90’)
5. When front wheels drop off top step, lift handle and incline EVACU-TRAC CD-7 forward
6. Squeeze brake release bar to descend Release brake release bar to stop
7. Operating Instructions for evacuation chair EVAC+CHAIR 300H
8. To open: Grip both sides of extension handle, then pull up until it locks at full length
   1. Slide headrest down to mid-position
   2. (OPTIONAL) Loosen strap of forehead restraint

• Unbuckle safety belt and pivot seat down

1. To Operate: At the fire exit landing, set EVAC+CHAIR 300H upright and seat the passenger evacuee in the chair
   1. Pull back on the upper extension handle and balance the passenger’s weight over the two main wheels
   2. Align EVAC+CHAIR 300H squarely with the first flight of stairs, side nearest the handrail, and roll forward as EVAC+CHAIR 300H starts descending the stairs, side grip to the top of handle

• Hold onto EVAC+CHAIR 300H at all times and gauge your speed of descent to assure firm footing

1. Press downward on extension handle for smoothest ride
2. When the wheels first touch the next landing, hold EVAC+CHAIR 300H in balance and swivel to face the next flight of stairs. Repeat step #3
3. Continue this procedure until reaching a safe lower or ground level; assist passenger out of EVAC+CHAIR 300H

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