Transcript Document
Moving People During Evacuation & Shelter Assumptions • Any type of emergency can occur at any time of the day or night, weekend or holiday, with little or no warning • The sequence of events during an emergency is not predictable—flexibility is essential • When an emergency occurs, building leadership may not be in the building • We are all in this together; students, faculty, and staff are expected to help one another in an emergency Spontaneous Movement of People • Evacuation and Shelter-In-Place movements are the spontaneous moving of people for their safety (protection) • What distinguishes them apart from one another is what protective action takes place after the movement begins Our Responsibility • Get the Word Out – Tell everyone you see what’s happening – If you can, help anyone needing assistance – Let fire department know if anyone inside needs assistance Get In Get Out Always Get the Word Out! Route Selection • Identify at least two permanent exit routes that permit prompt evacuation – Located as far apart from each other as practical to minimize the chance that are both affected by fire or smoke – Exit doors must permit unimpeded passage from inside – Exit routes should not cause occupants to travel toward or through high-hazard areas – Materials, equipment, locked doors, or dead-end corridors must not obstruct exit routes – Doors or passages along an egress route that could be mistaken for an exit should be marked or labeled, such as “Storage” or “Closet” – Exit doors will open when closed. Alarms cause doors to lock from outside, open from inside Assembly Areas • Occupants should proceed to assembly after evacuation. – Used for head counts and providing instructions – Areas should be pre-identified planning process Shelter-In-Place • Shelter-in-Place is remaining indoors due to a developing dangerous/hazardous situation • Ideally, Shelter-in-Place means selecting a small, interior room if possible, with no or few windows, and taking refuge there • Desired shelter-in-place options will vary depending on the emergency, but may include bathrooms (during a tornado) and classrooms with lockable doors (during an active shooter situation) • 5 square feet per person Panic • The term “panic” is often used when discussing evacuation and shelter-in-place movements • Post-event research has shown that in most cases people do not panic, and, instead, will try to help others • Most people will behave normally and make rational decisions during the incident • People will look to each other for information, validation, guidance, and assistance. • Communication is KEY! Decision Making • Information processing and decision making by occupants during an emergency can be broken down into six stages: 1. Recognition 2. Validation 3. Definition 4. Evaluation 5. Commitment 6. Reassessment Instruction to Occupants DEER Direct (“Keep Moving”) Encourage (“You’re doing well”/ “Help your neighbor”) Example (Lead by example and Demeanor) Redirect (Safest or open route—Keep Moving) Communications • There needs to be front-to-back communication that not only advises everyone in the crowd about the status of the incident, but also the status of the crowd’s movement • The information needs to be reassuring, while at the same time providing direction to the crowd • It is especially important to communicate to the crowd when there are choke or pinch points that are slowing movement. • The purpose is to alleviate pressure, preventing critical density, so there is not a release of destructive energy (1 ½ sq. ft. per person) Evacuation/Shelter Phases &Types • Phases – Alert / notification – Initiation of movement – Flow – Verification – Recovery • Types – Limited movement – Shelter-in-place movement – Directed evacuation – General evacuation Influences on People • The perception people have concerning our role in notifying them about threats can influence their decisions – They expect to be told when there is a problem – Quick, accurate, and actionable messages that provide information and guidance – Conflicting messages will negatively impact trust, so must be avoided. It is important that venue staff give confident direction consistent with announcements. • Social affiliation – Family – Friends – Affiliation can be such a strong force that it overrides the threat, causing others to jeopardize their safety for the sake of leaving a group member behind • People will go the way they came Group Behavior • 10% Cool • 80% Freeze • 10% Counter Productive – They should be encouraged to comply with the directions – If they do not choose to comply, focus your attention on the other 90% Points to Remember • Critical density occurs when average densities in a crowd reach the approximate area of the human body: about 1 ½ sq. ft. per person • Doors with push-bars will open when you push them • Do not carry individuals in wheelchairs. Let fire department know their location in building ©2007 The Board of Regents of the University of Nebraska. All rights reserved.