Immediate Emergency Actions

  1. Pull the fire alarm and evacuate the building. If there is no fire alarm, alert building occupants of the fire on your way out. 
  2. Once you are safe, call 911 and report the location of the fire. Answer all dispatcher questions to the best of your ability and do not hang up until the dispatcher releases you. 
  3. Move to a safe location; at this time, move to your designated evacuation point. DO NOT attempt to reenter the building. 
  4. Assist with basic first aid if necessary, and alert responders of any known occupants trapped in the building. 

 If you are unable to evacuate:

  • Move to a room on an outside wall with a window. Place back of hand on doors to feel for warmth: if door is warm do not open. 
  • If you have access to a phone that works, call 911 and give your location.
  • Place a towel or jacket, etc., at the bottom of the door to help prevent smoke from entering the room.
  • Hang a towel, sheet, blanket or other large item from the window so it may be visible from the outside. 

 

A fire emergency may exist alone or in conjunction with another type of emergency (i.e. earthquake, chemical spill, explosion, criminal activity, etc.). Firefighters may not always be immediately available; however, do not endanger yourself or others in an effort to put out a fire in your building unless you are confident that you can extinguish the fire safely, and have already reported the fire to 911. 

 

For small, controllable fires:

  1. Disconnect any electrical equipment on fire from its outlet. 
  2. Use a fire extinguisher to extinguish the fire. Learn how to operate a fire extinguisher through this link.
  3. Notify emergency services of fire type and location. 
  4. Exit the room to avoid smoke inhalation and wait for first responders to arrive. 

 

Resources on Fires and Preparedness

Find more at Campus Fire Safety.org