Student Housing Evacuation Guide
In the event of an emergency evacuation:
- Determine need to evacuate based on immediate danger and/or orders from authorities to evacuate (UHS/UPD/SJFD, etc.).
- Announce evacuation through word of mouth, by pounding on doors as the area is vacated, and pulling the fire alarm, if there is in fact a fire, or requested to do so by UPD.
- Proceed with evacuation by moving residents out via stairwells and instructing them not to use the elevators. Instruct groups to meet in specific evacuation areas, visually sweep the building's common areas and move residents to a clear area 500 feet or more from the danger area. Use rosters to take attendance of building residents as thoroughly as possible.
- Enter rooms of residents who require special assistance (blind, deaf, in wheelchair, on crutches, injured, ill, etc.) using the master key.
- Make sure all residents and staff are out of the danger area and, if safe or approved to do so, conduct a building search. Immediately report to the authorities any missing individuals who are suspected to be still in the danger area.
- If temporary shelter is needed, use another hall or building (DC, Event Center, etc.). Use cars and parking garages if there is bad weather.
- Assist emergency authorities with crowd control and inform residents not to return to evacuated areas until further instructed by emergency personnel. Additionally, apply first aid and comfort to the injured and distraught.
Reporting Fire
SJSU strongly encourages the campus community to call 9-1-1 to report a fire, even if it has already been extinguished.
If you notice evidence of an isolated fire that has been extinguished, please alert UPD. Federal law requires that all fires that occur in student housing be reported to the Department of Education on an annual basis.
Reporting a fire to UPD, even one that has been extinguished, helps SJSU. Fires should be reported to UPD, University Housing Services and the Associate Director for Residential Life.
