What to do when evacuating a building

The UAA Office of Emergency Management reminds you that whenever the evacuation alarm sounds for the building you're in, please remember two things.

First, quickly leave the building using the nearest exit. This doorway may not be the same one you used to enter the facility. Leave quickly, even if you don't see smoke or flames. Someone may have activated the alarm because of other hazards such as a bomb threat or chemical spill.

Second, grab your backpack or purse as you leave. If you leave your property behind, assuming the alarm will end soon, you may be stuck without your items for hours or days in the event the evacuation takes place because of a bomb threat, chemical spill or actual fire. Additionally, backpacks left behind may be viewed by police responders as potential explosive devices, and they could slow down a bomb threat response and may be destroyed.

Reminder: UAA evacuation drills are this week, Sept. 11-15, 2017.

September Archive