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Fire Emergency

In the event that either a fire or excessive smoke is visible in your particular area, please follow the following simple steps:
  1. Contact the University Police Department at 782-6000! Give your name and the location of the fire or smoke. (UPD will notify the Jacksonville Fire Department)

  2. Activate the nearest fire alarm. (Note: Reverse steps 1 and 2 if doing so will expedite matters).

  3. Leave the building via the nearest fire stairwell exits.

  4. Do not use elevators.


Whenever a fire alarm is sounded, it must be treated as a valid alarm until such time that the area where the alarm was pulled is known beyond any doubt to be free of fire or any other dangers. Consequently, upon hearing a fire alarm, building evacuation will begin immediately and continue until such time as an all clear signal has been given by the University Police Department or the Jacksonville Fire Department. Upon arriving on the scene, the University Police will assume responsibility and charge of the situation and will proceed with the following:

  1. Investigate the area in which the alarm was sounded.

  2. Assist with the evacuation of the building occupants.

  3. Assist Jacksonville Fire Department personnel on the scene.

EVACUATION PROCEDURE

It will be of great assistance to the University Police Department and to the Jacksonville Fire Department personnel if the following points are followed:
  1. Evacuate the area only via stairwells. No elevators are to be used at any time.

  2. Faculty should instruct their students to assume orderly and efficient evacuation.

  3. Departmental heads should instruct their office personnel to assume orderly and efficient evacuation.

  4. Remain calm and at no time unless an all clear is given should you return to your area of assignment.

  5. Whenever a closed door is encountered, feel the door, and if it is warm, exit by an alternate route.

  6. Do not exit through smoke filled areas if possible.

Special Note for Persons with Disabilities:

If disabled persons are located on any floor other than the first floor, it is usually easier and safer to wait until the bulk of people have evacuated by the stairwell before attempting to exit by a stairwell, or if possible, go to a safe exterior window and call for help. The University Police and the Jacksonville Fire Department personnel will give top priority assistance to any person who is unable to evacuate by normal escape routes.




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