The evacuation of individuals from locations of likely or imminent danger may result from a wide variety of natural, technological or national security emergencies or disasters.  The scale of your evacuation may range from a single business unit, to the entire department. Furthermore, the length of time an evacuation is in effect may last from a less than an hour to an indefinite period of time. 

There are several types of evacuations that might take place and include:

• Partial Evacuation- Partial evacuation may be considered for small chemical, biological, or radiation spills or other small event that only affects an isolated area and can be easily contained.
• Full Evacuation- Full evacuation should be considered for bomb threats and all fire alarms
• Shelter in Place- Shelter in place should be considered for severe weather events or other external events like a hazmat incident.  If asked to shelter in place, secure yourself from the hazard and stay in place till the “all clear” is given.

University officials have numerous tools that will be used to inform the building occupants on what to do.  These include:

• Fire alarm
• Building speaker system
• Door-to-door announcements
• UTSW-Alert

How to Evacuate a Building

There are two types of evacuation routes available on the UT Southwestern Medical Center campus: 

            (1)  Vertical (enclosed emergency exit stairwells)

            (2)  Horizontal (exits into adjacent building on the same level)

In the event of an emergency requiring evacuation, all building occupants should evacuate using the emergency exit stairwells.  Once in the stairwell, proceed to the ground level floor and exit the building.  Once outside, move to at least 100 feet away from the building to a pre-determined, designated meeting place.  If unable to use the stairwell due to physical or health reasons, use horizontal exits.

If in a building that does not have horizontal exits, then relocate to the enclosed exit stairwell and wait for assistance from emergency response personnel, taking care not to obstruct traffic flow in the stairwell.

See graphical depiction below:    

No matter which type of exit is used, all employees should report to their department’s pre-designated Assembly Point. 

Evacuation Assembly Points

Departments should designate a meeting location called an "Assembly Point". These locations are at least 100 feet from the buildings involved.  This assembly point should be pre-designated and its location should be communicated with all staff members prior to an emergency. Because the University has pre-selected some assembly points that may be used by multiple departments and groups, it is important that staff be instructed with specific location information or know whom they should be looking for when arriving to the assembly point. 

Once there, evacuees should not leave this point unless they have consent of a supervisor, instructions from Police, or the location becomes a threat to life and safety. 

For locations of approved assembly areas near your building, see your campus’s Assembly Points in the Quick Links section. 

For extended evacuations, evacuees may be moved to an ”Alternate Safe Zones”.  These locations are pre-identified public areas on campus that can house large numbers of people for easier dissemination of information until the “All clear” is given. Alternate Safe Zones will only be utilized when authorized by University Officials and is determined to be safe from any threat.

Evacuation Accountability

Once evacuees arrive at their department’s assembly area, they should check-in with their supervisor. Department leaders will need to document their staff’s arrival, and ascertain if any individuals are unaccounted for.  Use the Evacuation Accountability Form to ensure that everyone in your office is accounted for.

Employees should not leave the assembly area unless they have consent of a supervisor, instructions from emergency officials, or the location becomes a threat to life and safety.

Once a count of your departmental staff is taken, a department representative needs to report the results to the Incident Command Post of designated emergency officials who are gathering this information.

Drills

Building Fire/Evacuation Drills begin yearly in March and extend through July or until each building has underwent a drill. 

Drills are unannounced and require each member of the community's full attention.

Accountability Testing- Departments will be assessed on their ability to gather at their assembly point and account for their staff and the customers in their care. Departments should designate an assembly point and communicate that to their department personnel prior to any emergency. Once at the assembly point, administrators should take roll using Assembly Point Form*

*Assembly Point Forms will be collected by University Officials during drills and will use this to assess preparedness for the department and buildings