In the event of a fire-related emergency in an NYIT-operated building, immediate response is critical. The time between recognition of an fire and evacuation response can be the difference between life and death. Every case will be different. In some cases, individual departmental staffs have specific evacuation guidelines based upon the needs of that area. (Departments with such guidelines should provide these plans to the Office of Campus Security.)

• Examples of fire-related emergencies include:
• Smoke (visible or smell)
• Fire
• Odor of gas

Preparedness

All community members/departments should:

• Know the locations of alarm pull stations, fire extinguishers, and emergency exits.
• Consider potential escape routes.
• Make sure all hallways and escape routes are clear.
• Place Office of Campus Security phone number stickers on their phone.
• Carry laminated NYIT emergency information card with them at all times.
• Develop an emergency phone chain (with home and cell phone numbers).
• Designate an off-campus evacuation meeting place.
• Make the Office of Campus Security aware of individuals within their department who may need special assistance during an emergency.
• Make the Office of Campus Security aware of any chemicals or other items that may be of concern during an emergency.

Office of Campus Security will:

• Know and clearly mark designated locations of alarm pull stations, fire extinguishers, and emergency exit doors.
• Identify any individuals who may require special attention such as persons with disabilities and their locations on campus.
• Identify location of chemicals or other items that may be of concern during an emergency.
• Develop emergency location posts for individuals to move toward in the event of evacuation (100 feet from building).
• Maintain clear hallways and escape routes in all buildings.
• Identify and train fire evacuation wardens.

Primary Response Team

• NYIT campuses: Office of Campus Security; Long Island residences: University police; New York City residences: 911
• Director of facilities or designee
• Local law enforcement and emergency responders
• Emergency and fire evacuation wardens
• Office of Housing and Residential Life staff
• Office of the Dean of Campus Life staff/ coordinator of campus operations and student services staff

Secondary Response Team

• Office of Communications and Marketing
• Office of Human Resources
• Office of the President
• Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs
• Office of the Vice President for Academic Affairs

Objective
Rapidly and safely evacuate all individuals from a building in the event of a fire.

Notification
Follow the established chain of primary responders. If the situation has caused loss of life or lives are threatened, immediately call 911. The Office of Campus Security will be the first NYIT responders in all emergency events and should be notified immediately. If campus security decides to evacuate a building, campus security and/or the emergency evacuation wardens will act to secure building occupants.

Procedures

For building occupants:

• Do not attempt to fight a fire yourself.
• Activate building fire alarm system.
• Call 911.
• Slowly state, "I want to report a fire." Give your location (building, floor, and room number).
• Call the Office of Campus Security/local law enforcement:
  • Long Island: 516.686.7789
  • New York City: 646.273.7789
  • Central Islip: 631.348.7789
  • Long Island residences: 516.876.3333
  • New York City residences: 911
• When the building evacuation/fire alarm is sounded or when you are told to leave by campus security or emergency personnel, walk quickly to the nearest marked exit and alert others to do the same.
• Notify emergency personnel if you suspect someone may be trapped inside a building.
• Since smoke is the greatest danger in a fire, stay near the floor where the air will be more breathable. If you are trapped in a building during a fire and a window is available, open or break the window and place an article of clothing (shirt, coat, etc.) outside the window as a marker for emergency personnel. If possible, place a wet towel over your face to help with breathing and keeping cool.
• Close all doors on your way out of the room. Do not lock the doors.
• If possible, move people who require special attention, such as persons with disabilities to a secure area near the stairwells, and make emergency responders aware of their location immediately upon arrival at scene.
• Exit building, move at least 100 feet from building, and wait for further instructions.

For primary responders:

• Respond to scene; initiate emergency response phone chain by calling the director of facilities operations.
• Notify all building occupants of the emergency and the need to evacuate the building.
• Keep fire lanes and sidewalks clear for emergency personnel.
• Identify any individuals with special needs and provide assistance as necessary.
• Advise evacuees to use staircases for escape. Prohibit use of elevators.
• Close all doors on your way out of the room. Do not lock the doors.
• Move evacuees toward designated emergency location posts (100 feet from building). Identify alternative locations if designated locations are blocked or impacted by the emergency.
• Cooperate with, aid, and assist the primary investigation agency according to procedures governed by federal, state, and local law.

Follow-up:

• Engage campus recovery procedures as outlined by the offices of Facilities and Campus Security, University Police (SUNY OW), and external law enforcement and "helping" agencies.
• Engage services of the Office of Counseling and Wellness and campus medical staff in the event of injuries, death, or general need for counseling.
• Continue to provide accurate and appropriate information regarding the incident to the Office of Communications and Marketing and Office of the President throughout event and after.
• Meet with campus constituencies and stakeholders for information processing.
• Determine if students are able to return to campus housing.
• Document incident according to established procedures.