Evacuating Persons with Disabilities

Assisting Persons with Disabilities

In cases of emergencies, individuals with mobility disabilities or sensory impairments (hearing or vision) may need assistance or guidance with evacuating a building. Do Not Use Elevators if there is a fire or situations that could affect electricity/power.

To Assist Visually-Impaired Persons

1. Explain the nature of the emergency. Alarms or confusion may disorient a person, even when normally familiar with the area. Tell the person what you need to do to evacuate.
2. Guide the student (or provide someone to do so). Students will take the guide’s arm below the elbow and will follow. Move slowly and keep a steady pace.
3. Tell the student where you are as you walk, i.e. going down stairs, stepping up on a curb.
4. Advise of any obstacles in the path.
5. When you have reached safety:
   1. Orient the person to where he or she is; will you stay or someone else?
   2. Ask if any further assistance is needed before leaving.

To Assist Deaf/Hard of Hearing Persons

1. If you must get a person’s attention:
   1. Flash room lights - Wave your arms - Tap person’s shoulder
2. Gesture about what is happening and what to do, i.e. follow me.
3. Write on board or paper:
   1. Nature of emergency
   2. Evacuation route

To Assist Person with Mobility Disabilities

• Always ask the person first if they have medical/health needs, advice or requirements regarding how to assist them.
• Persons using canes, crutches or walkers should evacuate themselves. However, in the event that a rapid evacuation is deemed essential, follow the evacuation procedure for persons using wheelchairs.
• Persons using wheelchairs should use horizontal evacuation (move into another building) or move to an Area of Rescue Assistance (see locations below).
• Someone should stay with the person with mobility disabilities in the Area of Rescue Assistance and use the Emergency Call Box to contact Harper Police, or call them at 847.925.6330 (or 6330 from a campus phone) or send someone to tell emergency personnel or the Evacuation Leader of your precise location.
• If no one else is available to send word that there is a person in the Area of Rescue Assistance, and if there is no way of communication, proceed to the evacuation assembly point yourself to inform emergency personnel, Harper
  Police or Evacuation Leader (green vest) of the precise location where you left the person you were aiding. Someone should return immediately to assist the waiting person.
• Do not attempt to carry anyone down the stairs unless the person is in immediate danger (smoke or flames in the Area of Rescue Assistance) and cannot wait for response by the Fire Department.
• The Area of Rescue Locations and this evacuation plan for persons with mobility disabilities is part of the Palatine Fire Department’s Emergency Response Plan for the College.

Area of Rescue Assistance Locations

• A – 3rd floor SE stair
• D – 2nd floor W stair
• D – 2nd floor S stair by rotunda
• D – 2nd floor S stair
• D – 2nd floor E stair by bridge to H
• F – 1st floor SE stair
• F – 2nd floor NE stair
• F – 3rd floor NE stair
• F – 3rd floor SE stair
• H – 2nd floor NW stair
• H – 2nd floor NE stair
• I/J – 2nd floor stair that joins I & J
• L – 3rd floor N stair
• L – 3rd floor S stair
• M – 1st floor SE stair
• M – 1st floor SW stair
• M – 2nd floor NW stair
• P – 2nd floor W stair
• W – 3rd floor S stair
• X – 2nd floor N stair
• Y – 2nd floor S stair
• Z – 2nd floor W stair
• Z – 3rd floor W stair
• LCC – 2nd floor SW stair