II. Evacuation Policy for Students with Disabilities

Butler University cannot make any guarantee or representation that its personnel will be able to assist an individual with a disability in the event an emergency evacuation occurs.

The evacuation of persons with disabilities is the responsibility of such individuals and the Usniversity has established this policy so that individuals with disabilities are informed regarding evacuation guidelines.  Individuals with disabilities are advised to take every precautionary measure to help ensure their own safety in an emergency situation.

Whenever the fire alarms/stobes sound, all occupants of the building should evacuate the building and assemble at the appropriate assembly points.  Students with disabilities are encouraged to evacuate the building with their class, group, or instructor and should remain with their group at the appropriate assembly point.  In general, ELEVATORS SHOULD NOT BE USED for evacuations.  (Note:  Elevators may be safe to use during shelter-in-place instructions such as those used during tornado or severe thunderstorm warnings.  See additional information below.)

During evacuations or fire drills, any student who is unable to exit the building on his/her own, may either as to be manually carried out of the building (at his/her own risk) or may remain near the closest stairwell.  Rescue personnel will generally, as a matter of practice, check stairwells for those who may be trapped in the building.  To contact BUPD in an emergency, use 911 when using campus phones and 940-9999 when using a cell phone.  Students are encouraged to pre-program their cell phones with emergency numbers for quick access in an emergency situation.  Students may also use emergency whistles (available in JH136) to whistle loudly in order to alert rescue personnel as to their specific whereabouts in the building.  [Student Disability Services will send appropriate evacuation information, generally each semester, to faculty/staff regarding students with disabilities who are enrolled in their courses, provided the student has signed a release to allow dissemination of such material.]

THE FOLLOWING GENERAL GUIDELINES APPLY TO ALL EMERGENCIES AND SHOULD BE FOLLOWED BY THE UNIVERSITY DESIGNATED EVACUATION TEAM AS SOON AS AN EVACUATION HAS BEEN ORDERED:

• Consult with any individual who may have difficulty exiting the building.  Determine if the individual has a buddy system in place.  If it is apparent the individual will not be able to exit the building without assistance (i.e., a person in a wheelchair in a classroom on an upper floor of a building), ask the person how to best assist BEFORE making a rescue attempt.  Also as the person if any items should be removed from the building as well.  For example, a wheelchair should always be removed with the individual as it will be required for the individual's immediate use upon exit from the building.
• A wheelchair evacuation should be attempted ONLY by those who have had rescue training.  Evacuation should not be attemped by a single individual unless necessary as a last resort.
• Call 911 if the situation is life-threatening.
• Do NOT use elevators unless authorized to do so by police or fire personnel.  Elevators could fail during a fire, earthquake, or flood.

Power Outages

1. If an outage occurs during the day and a student with a disability chooses to wait in the building while electricity is being restored, it may be helpful to move near a window where there is natural light and access to a working telephone. During regular building hours, building coordinators should be notified so they can advise emergency personnel.
2. If a student with a disability would prefer to leave the building and an evacuation has been ordered, or if the outage occurs at night, call BUPD at 9396 from a campus telephone to request evacuation assistance.
3. Some multi-button campus telephones may not operate in a power outage, but single-line telephones and pay telephones are likely to be operating. As soon as information is available, the campus notification line will have a recorded message stating when power is likely to be restored.

Shelter-in-Place

Another instruction, called "shelter-in-place," may be given during a severe weather emergency such as a tornado or thunderstorm warning.  Individuals with disabilities are encouraged to shelter-in-place with their class, group, or instructor whenever this directive is issued.  Shelter-in-place generally involves seeking shelter in the lower levels of the building.  In case of severe weather, elevators are generally considered safe for use by a person with a disability.  If it is impossible for a student with a disabilities to move to the lower levels of the building, the student should see shelter in an interior room with no windows.  Students should again use their cell phone or an emergency whistle (available in JH136) to call for rescue assistance as needed.

Implementation of Shelter-in-Place

Upon activation of the Marion County severe weather warning system, the Butler University Police Department will notify Unit Coordinators who will implement response plans:

• Unit emergency response team members will assist with movement to designated shelter-in-place locations.
• Communicate clearly and succinctly.
• Give directions to the shelter-in-place locations.

Actual Shelter-in-Place Procedures

1. Turn equipment off, if possible.
2. Quickly shut down any hazardous operations or processes and render them safe.
3. Notify others in the unit's area of the siren if they did not hear it.
4. Take emergency supplies and staff rosters, if possible.
5. Secure all cash registers and safes.
6. Exit the room..
1. Take jackets or other clothing needed for protection from the weather.
2. Close windows and doors but do not lock doors as you leave.
3. Leave room lights on.
7. If you are away from your office or classroom when the siren sounds, you should move immediately to the shelter-in-place location and await further instructions.
8. Assist individuals with disabilities as described in the Operational Unit Emergency Response Plan.
9. Move through the building via the nearest safe exit route.  Walk, do not run.
10. Keep existing groups together.
11. Account for faculty, staff, students, and any visitors and sign in at shelter-in-place point.
12. Wait at shelter-in-place locations for directions.
13. Do not leave until emergency staff gives the "all clear" signal.  The Butler University Police Department Communications Center will notify the Building Emergency Coordinators when the severe weather warning has been lifted.

Building Lockdown

Emergency situations may arise where, for the safety of occupants, university facilities must be locked to prevent unauthorized entry.  While the intent of a facility lockdown is for protection, at no time will emergency response team members physically or verbally prevent someone from exiting a facility of his or her own free will.

Implementation of a Buiilding Lockdown

Upon recieving notification for a facility lockdown, the Butler University Police Department will notify each Unit Coordinator who will implement response plans.

Actual Lockdown Procedures

1. The building emergency coordinator will lock all entrance/exits of assigned facility.
2. Unit emergency response team members will communicate the order for the facility lockdown to their individual units and communicate not to leave the facility.
3. Unit emergency response team members will report to predetermined entrances/exits of the facility.
4. Occupants of the facility should remain in individual offices and classrooms until the lockdown is lifted.
5. The Butler University Police Department Communications Operator will advise the Building Emergency Coordinators when the facility lockdown has been lifted.

Direct Emergency Response by Disability

Blindness or Visual Impairment

• Review the nature of the emergency with the student and inquire as to the best manner in which to assist. In most cases, students will appreciate your offering your elbow (this is the preferred method when acting as a “Sighted Guide”). Do NOT grasp a visually impaired person’s arm.
• As you are walking, offer verbal information about location, the route you are following, the presence of any obstacles (ie. stairs, overhanging objects, uneven pavement, curbs, narrow passageways). Use compass directions and estimated distances as much as possible.
• Upon arrival at the designated Emergency Assembly Point, orient the student as to location on campus and offer further assistance as needed.
• Some visually impaired individuals may have guide dogs who can become disoriented or injured during an emergency. Attempt to evaluate the dog’s needs and offer assistance if possible.
• White canes and other mobility aids should NOT be left behind.

Deafness or Hearing Loss

• Students with impaired hearing may or may not be able to hear the audible emergency alarms, depending on the level of hearing loss. Additionally, many structures are no equipped with visual (flashing light) evacuation alarms. As such, a student with a hearing impairment may not perceive that an emergency exists. An alternative warning technique may be required. One such alternative involves gaining attention by turning the lights on and off and using hand gestures or a written note to describe the emergency and the evacuation route#- i.e. “Fire - go out the rear door to parking lot.”
• Ongoing visual instructions may be needed along the evacuation route. It may be necessary to point in the direction of the exit or use an evacuation map in order to advise of the safest evacuation routes.
• Be advised that students with hearing impairments sometimes have voice/speech impairments as well. As such, they may be carrying/using a whistle or have some other means of attracting the attention of others.

Mobility Impairments

• Most students with mobility impairments will be able to safely exit a one story building without assistance. However, students on or above the second floor of a building will require varying levels of evacuation assistance.
• If a student with a mobility impairment is unable to exit a building safely, an attempt should first be made to help direct the student into a safe area on that floor to await assistance from emergency personnel. A safe area might include the end of the building opposite the emergency hazard, an enclosed stairwell, or a classroom with a closed door. It may be necessary, if possible, to clear any existing debris from the student’s path.
• In general, students with mobility impairments should NOT be evacuated by untrained personnel. However, if a student is in immediate danger and cannot be moved to a safer area to wait for assistance, the situation may become urgent making it necessary to evacuate using a carrying option or an evacuation chair (check with building coordinator as to availability). Carrying options (see Attachment C) include using a two-person lock-arm position or using a sturdy chair, preferably a chair with arms. Every attempt should be made to properly secure the student in the chair. Using a seatbelt or belt can be useful, if available. Before making this type of rescue attempt, always ask the student as to the preferred method of assistance. This is essential because moving and lifting students with certain types of disabilities can result in serious injury to the student. Always consult the student as to preference with regards to:
1. Actual method of removal from the wheelchair.
2. Number of persons generally required for safe removal from the wheelchair.
3. The advisability of lifting or moving extremities due to the potential for pain, spasticity or due to the presence of braces, catheter leg bags, etc.
4. The need for a seat or cushion pad to be brought along after the student has been removed from the wheelchair.
5. The advisability of being carried down stairs in a forward or backward position.
6. The need for after care.  For example, some individuals may require medical treatment after being removed from their wheelchairs.
7. The wheelchair should be evacuated along with the student and should be made available to the student as soon as possible after evacuation. A wheelchair is essential to a wheelchair user’s ongoing safety and mobility.
• If the student prefers to be moved while in their wheelchair, attempts should be made to do so whenever possible. See illustration and procedures outlined in Attachment A .
• Some students with mobility impairments may also be prone to respiratory complications and will be particularly at risk in an emergency involving smoke or fumes. This should be considered during evacuation and is information that should be shared with emergency personnel.
• Police and fire personnel should be immediately notified of any students remaining in a building as well as their locations. Emergency personnel will evaluate whether the student is safe in that location or whether an evacuation is necessary.