Building Evacuation Depending on the circumstances, a building may be either partially or totally evacuated. Under partial evacuation, occupants may simply be asked to relocate to another portion of the building that is deemed safer. Complete evacuation will result in all persons leaving the building and moving to a designated assembly area outside or in another building. The decision to evacuate part or all of the campus depends upon the nature of the critical incident or emergency and the area affected. Incidents such as hazardous materials spills or releases, or even poor air quality can quickly escalate and threaten a large area. They may also cause the need to move students from campus. The Incident Commander will be authorized to order an evacuation of whatever area is threatened. When a critical incident or emergency occurs in or at a building site, the assigned faculty or staff will take control of the situation as deemed necessary. The IC will identify the most suitable building on campus to shelter in place from an air quality issue.
Make arrangements with a nearby institution or know the destination (public shelter, church, school) for your mass evacuation.
The University will work in conjunction with the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA), and local police and fire departments.
Faculty instructors should know evacuation procedures for each classroom where they teach. At the beginning of each semester, faculty members should study the evacuation routes and the emergency response procedures posted in the classrooms where they teach and figure out where they are to assemble their students in the event of an evacuation. Emergency contact telephone numbers are posted in all classrooms. Faculty members who do not carry cell phones should identify a student with a cell phone who will allow the instructor to use it in an emergency situation. In the event of a crisis, staff members may be expected to assist with response efforts related to their department responsibilities. Staff members eager to assist with emergency activities should contact their supervisors and/or a member of the CIRT to make themselves available. As with faculty instructors, staff members must know the evacuation and assembly plans for their respective buildings so they can communicate this information to students or visitors. In the event of an emergency, staff members should make it a priority to assist visitors and disabled students in their areas. Students are responsible for following the directions of faculty and staff in charge during a crisis. Students should not leave assembly areas until an all clear has been given. Buildings should not be re- entered until notification has been provided that it is safe to do so. The CIRT, along with the Local Campus Facilities Managers will supervise any evacuation operations that may be required. They will call for the alarm signals to be rung or make the announcements at the campus depending on the circumstances and/or issue. In connection with the evacuation, these personnel will also work with the Information Technology & Communications Departments to arrange for a text and phone message to be sent to students and a message to be sounded over the phone systems at each campus. Depending on the circumstances and if appropriate considering the situation,
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