Life Safety: Severe Weather / Natural Disaster Emergencies

The Fire Safety Director, upon notification that a natural disaster may occur or has occurred, shall take the following actions:

Attempt to ascertain the nature of the emergency.
Ensure 911 is notified if:
- The building has sustained severe damage.
- Occupants have sustained injuries.
- Evacuation of the building is necessary.
- Assistance is necessary to mitigate the situation.
- Fire or other emergency has occurred as a result of the event.
If safe to do so, monitor the Fire Alarm Panel for the possibility of fire.
Determine whether Shelter-In-Place, In-Building Relocation, Partial or Full Evacuation will best keep occupants safe.
- The location and severity of the incident will determine which action is most appropriate.
Ensure that failsafe door locks have been manually unlocked.
Begin making informational announcements as soon as possible to prevent mass evacuation.
Announcements should include:
- What has occurred.
- Where it has occurred.
- Which provision of the EAP is being implemented.
  - Shelter-In-Place
  - In-Building Relocation
  - Partial Evacuation
  - Full Evacuation
- Instructions to assist occupants with the chosen plan of action:
  - Evacuation routes to be used.
  - Assembly areas or re-entry floors.
  - Direct occupants to avoid windows.
Continue to monitor available information about the incident and take appropriate actions.
Continuously gather information and have available for first responders using the incident information form, located in the front cover of this plan, to include:
- Type of incident.
- Location of incident.
- Time of incident.
- Actions being taken.
  - EAP provisions being implemented.
  - Announcements being made.
  - Evacuee assembly areas.
- Location of persons in need of assistance.
- Location(s) of known trapped occupants.
- Number and extent of injured occupants.
Always be aware of the possibility of a secondary event.
For an event occurring outside of the building, wind direction may impact evacuation routes and the use of assembly areas.
The FSD and EETM's must always take into account any official orders/instructions from authorities in charge of the incident.

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