Student Resources

Emergency Evacuation for People with Disabilities

The time to plan for an emergency is before the emergency occurs. You should think about what you will do in the event of an emergency evacuation.
Plan ahead- know the areas where you work and study. Check all areas out completely. Is there ground floor access? If there is not, and you normally use an elevator to enter and leave the building, you will need evacuation assistance. Do this for all areas you travel to on campus.
Once you have a plan, practice that plan. If you would like someone to assist with developing an emergency assistance plan, contact the University Accessibility Services at 843-792-5733.
Write down the emergency phone numbers and contacts and keep them with you, either on your cellular phone or in your wallet.
Find a friend/co-worker/fellow student who is willing to assist during an emergency. It is suggested you find more than one in the event that person is unavailable during an emergency.

Call MUSC Department of Public Safety at 843-792-4196. Have this number saved in your contacts in your cellular phone. Report your name, location, room number and building name. If you are going to an emergency exit, give the location of that exit including the floor and a compass location i.e. southwest corner on the third floor.
Report your situation, what type of assistance you require i.e. wheelchair user, breathing difficulty, blindness.
Ask co-worker/friends as they leave the building to inform the emergency first responders on site of your location, your name and situation. To simplify this part, the University Accessibility Services has developed an emergency assistance request card that can be handed to the friend or co-worker who in turn will give it to the emergency first responder on site.

“Know the building in which you work or study”

Where are the entrances and exits on the floor which you work or study? Learn the location of all exits on each floor of the buildings you routinely use. When developing your Emergency Plan, include at least two exits at each location. Check each area you us carefully. Examine the stairwells and doorways for clearance.
Do you have access to the ground floor? Do you need an elevator? DO NOT USE ELEVATORS DURING AN EMERGENCY UNLESS INSTRUCTED TO DO SO BY FIRST RESPONDERS ON SCENE.
Know the location of a telephone in each area you frequent

“Where do you go in case of an emergency?”

Do you stay in the classroom or office until help arrives?
Do you go to the nearest fire proof stair way?
The answer will depend on the immediate situation and the building you are in. That is why it is important to be familiar with all areas you frequent. Have a plan and use it.

“There is no ground floor access. How do I exit the building and where should I go?”

After you have informed a friend/co-worker of your situation and have made the call to 843-792-4196, go to the nearest emergency exit and wait until assistance comes. Or follow your individual plan if it calls for something different.