It may be necessary to evacuate a building, room, or space due to an emergency incident or hazardous situation. Preparing for an evacuation is a shared responsibility among individuals, the University, and first responders.
Evacuation Drills
- For non-residential buildings, PSU tests fire systems and holds evacuation drills once per year
- For residential buildings, PSU tests fire systems once per year and holds evacuation drills quarterly
Preparing for Evacuation:
To be prepared to safely evacuate from any building or room, determine at least two evacuation routes out of each space you regularly occupy
Each building has evacuation maps posted in main hallways and you can find floorplans of PSU buildings online. You can consult these maps to identify, ahead of time, your nearest evacuation route
Many buildings have regular fire drills, take these drills seriously and use them as a chance to practice your evacuation routes
We also encourage you to practice your evacuation routes by entering and exiting the building using the different routes you identified
Identify who on your floor / in your office area is the Evacuation Warden
Know the evacuation assembly location for your building
Plan with members of your department who will take a head count after evacuation to ensure everyone safely evacuated
Keep your PSU Alert subscription and Emergency Contact information up to date in myPSU (students) or Banweb (employees).
Individuals, particularly those with disabilities or access or functional needs, are strongly encouraged to develop a personal emergency plan. PSU’S Environmental Health and Safety department offers guidelines for developing a Personal Emergency Plan that will help you to prepare
During Evacuation:
- As you are able, leave the building immediately when signaled by fire alarm, PSU Alert message (via text message, e-mail, or phone call), or instructions from emergency personnel
- Use only stairs during evacuations; avoid elevators
- If you are unable to use the stairs because of a disability or access or functional need, as you are able, make your way to the nearest evacuation assistance location. Then:
- Inform an evacuation warden or other individual who can convey your need and location to first responders and/or
- Inform first responders by calling or texting 911, calling CPSO (503-725-9111), and/or placing a sign in an external window
- Go to the designated evacuation assembly area for headcount and check-in
- Alert emergency personnel if anyone is trapped inside or needs additional assistance
After Evacuation:
Stay at the designated evacuation assembly area until notified by emergency personnel or a PSU Alert message that it is safe to reenter the building.
Points of Contact
Call or text: 911
PSU Emergency: 503-725-5911
PSU Non-Emergency: 503-725-4407