A. Building designs incorporate numerous features that direct occupants to the street or grade level.  Many of us have seen dramatic video of helicopters picking up occupants from the roof of a burning building. However, this is an extraordinarily dangerous procedure.  If the fire is severe enough, the large thermal currents can cause the helicopter to be buffeted, up or down, making it hard to control.

Q. My department has written evacuation procedures, and I want to know if they are adequate for any emergency that may occur there?

A. It is highly likely that the procedures are adequate.  Your department plans on events that are likely to happen.  In large part, evacuation procedures are geared towards an accidental fire, chemical releases, tropical storms, or bomb threats.   As long as your department's procedures make clear to you the actions that you are to take, and when to take them, that is in essence what you are looking for. 

Q. What procedures should be applied for people like me who are confined to a wheelchair?

A. Able-bodied as well as disabled occupants must be covered under any written procedures.  If your floor has to be evacuated, you should plan to horizontally relocate to a refuge area.  In buildings with automatic sprinkler protection, this may simply be an adjacent compartment or stairwell.  In other cases, your building may provide areas of refuge.  These spaces may be located as stand alone, barriered compartments on the floor, or they may consist of oversized landings in the stairwells such as the PC and GC buildings. 

Regardless which feature you have, your plan includes waiting in one of the designated spaces until fire department personnel can remove you.  Some of these spaces are provided with a two-way communication feature so you can keep the FIU Public Safety Department informed of your location.  Your department may also supplement this procedure with a 'buddy' system.  In this case, you need to anticipate situations where the buddy is not available and plan accordingly.

Q. I am comfortable with my department's current procedures, but as stated in several questions above, many of these procedures are based on typical events.  What happens when the event is not typical?

A. As with any situation in our daily lives, you are ultimately in control of your fate, to the extent of your capability.  Thus, you are largely responsible for your own personal safety based upon the circumstances.  Detailed procedures, verbal instructions and even past experience may not be adequate to help you deal with extraordinary events.  However, when faced with a potential health and safety challenge "Think RED!"