Evacuation for People with Disabilities

The most important factor in emergency safety for people with disabilities is advanced planning. Emergency Evacuation Plan (EEP) addresses this further in detail.

In All Emergencies

After an Evacuation is Ordered

• Evacuate people with disabilities if possible.
• Do not use elevators, unless authorized to do so by security or fire personnel.
• Check on people with special needs during an evacuation. A buddy system, where people with disabilities arrange for volunteers to alert them and assist them in an emergency, is a good practice.
• Always ask someone with a disability how you can help before attempting any rescue technique or giving assistance. Ask how he / she can be best assisted or moved and whether there are any special considerations or items that need to come with the person.

Note: If a disabled occupant is unable to exit the building unassisted, the Floor Warden or designated buddy must notify the Security / Building Coordinator /Incident Commander and/or Emergency Response personnel of the person’s location. Transporting of disabled individuals up or down stairway should be avoided until emergency response personnel have arrived. Unless imminent life-threatening conditions exist in the immediate area occupied by a non-ambulatory or disabled person, relocation of the individual should be limited to a safe area on the same floor, in close proximity to an evacuation stairway.

Information for physically impaired individuals

• Be familiar with your buddy system
• Be familiar with the nearest fire alarm location and how to activate it.
• Be familiar with all exits and alternate exits to be used during an emergency situation
• Do not use elevators, unless authorized to do so by security or fire personnel.
• Instruct co-workers on how they can assist you
• Do not hesitate to inform others that you need assistance, if your regular buddy is absent. Inform people unfamiliar with your needs on how to assist you.

Responses to Emergencies

Blindness or Visual Impairment

Bomb Threat, Earthquake, Fire, Hazardous Materials Releases, and Power Outages

• Offer to lead them out of the building to safety
• Do not grasp a visually impaired person’s arm. Ask if he or she would like to hold onto your arm as you exit, especially if there is debris or a crowd.
• Give verbal instructions about the safest route or direction using compass directions, estimated distances, and directional terms.
• Give other verbal instructions or information (e.g., elevators cannot be used).

Bomb Threat, Earthquake, Fire, Hazardous Materials Releases, and Power Outages

• Get the attention of a person with a hearing disability by touch or eye contact. Clearly state the problem. Gestures and pointing are helpful, but be prepared to write a brief statement if the person does not seem to understand.
• Offer visual instructions to advice on the safest route or direction by pointing toward exits or evacuation maps.

Bomb Threat, Earthquake, Fire, and Hazardous Materials Releases

• It may be necessary to clear the exit route of debris (if possible) so that the person with a disability can move out or to a safer area.
• If people with mobility impairments cannot exit, they should move to a safer area, for example:
• an office with the door closed, which is a good distance from the hazard (and away from falling debris in the case of earthquakes).
• Notify security or fire personnel immediately about any people remaining in the building and their locations.
• Security or fire personnel will decide whether people are safe where they are and will evacuate them as necessary.
• If people are in immediate danger and cannot be moved to a safer area to wait for assistance, it may be necessary to evacuate using an evacuation chair or a carry technique.

• If an outage occurs during the day and people with disabilities choose to wait in the building for electricity to be restored, they can move near a window with natural light that is also near a working telephone. During regular working hours, building coordinators should be notified so they can advise emergency personnel.
• If people would like to leave and an evacuation has been ordered, or if the outage occurs at night, call Emergency Hotline 777 (from Internal IP phone) or 04 3601 777 (from mobile phone)
• Some telephones may not operate during a power outage, but mobile telephones are likely to operate.