Evacuation Procedures
Again, safety is the shared responsibility of all students, faculty, and staff. For this reason, it is important that everyone at PCC is aware of evacuation routes, procedures, and Safe Assembly Area (SAA) locations. Please take a few minutes to review the following procedures as a way to ensure your safety and those around you.
Should the need to evacuate a building occur, all students, faculty, and staff are expected to…
- Exit the building quickly & safely
- If you need help exiting a facility, go to the nearest enclosed stairwell & wait for assistance.
- Get to a Safe Assembly Area (SAA)
- Await further instruction from first responders and DPS staff
*If you need help exiting a building, go to the nearest enclosed stairwell & wait for assistance. In the event of a real emergency, first responders will come to your assistance. For the purpose of evacuation drills, please wait in these areas until the All Clear message has been given by public safety officials.
Additionally, stay calm and do not rush or panic.
Stop all activities and shut down any operations that could be hazardous if left unattended, such as power tools, lab experiments, etc.
If it is safe to do so, promptly gather your personal belongings and make your way to the nearest exit and respective Safe Assembly Area (SAA) located a safe distance outside of the building. If you are the last person to exit a room, please turn off the lights and close the door behind you as you leave.
Do not use elevators. If you encounter smoke, stay low.
If you are unable to exit the building for any reason, make your way to the nearest enclosed stairwell landing if you can do so safely. Enclosed stairwells are structurally designed to prevent fire from entry for a period of time in which trained first responders can evacuate those who need assistance.
Should you choose to assist someone during an emergency, do not expose yourself or any others to unnecessary risk by attempting to provide assistance beyond your ability. Lifting, carrying, and the use of evacuation mobility chairs is generally discouraged for safety reasons and therefore not advised except in the most extreme circumstances. Instead, help the individual to the nearest enclosed stairwell landing and report their location to public safety officials once you get to the Safe Assembly Area (SAA). Again for safety reasons, it is best if those who need assistance are evacuated by trained first responders.
Immediately after reaching the designated SAA the process of accounting for missing persons should begin. In the event that you cannot account for someone who was present prior to the evacuation, report the situation immediately to public safety.
Finally, do not reenter the building until after you receive the All Clear message and public safety officials tell you that it is safe to do so.