Emergency Response Plans
Level 2 - Fire Response

 

Annex: Fire Response Plan

Department: All Campus Departments

Departmental Emergency Contact: Campus Police

A. Purpose:         
The purpose of this policy is to establish the procedures to be followed by the student body, faculty, and staff in the event of a fire.    Implementation of these procedures whenever necessary should minimize loss of life, injury and disruption of scheduled activities.  

B. Priorities:        
In the event a fire occurs on the campus, Campus Police will work with the Rock Hill Fire Department to ensure immediate rescuer response and to minimize the loss of life and property.

C. Expectations for Employees and Students:
In the event of a fire, students, faculty, and staff will be asked to partner with Campus Police in order to minimize damage.  This partnership will require prompt notification to emergency responders and in some cases, assistance in evacuation and extinguishing the fire. 

D. Communications:
Winthrop University will communicate with the campus community by the following means:

  1. ALERTUS Notification System
  2. Instant Messaging System
  3. E-mail – Mass messages to provide information
  4. Web – Specific messages to provide updates
  5. Face to Face – Direct contact by emergency responders
  6. Runner – Group contact by individuals moving from area to area
  7. Media - Communication via local radio and television stations

       

Name

Office Address & Phone Number

In Case of Emergency Contact

Campus Police

323-3333

 

Rock Hill Fire Department

329-7220

Chief Blackmon

 

E. Responsibility and Control:

Emergency responders will have total control of the scene.  If the situation dictates, the Incident Command System will be used as directed by the National Incident Management System.

The university will also assemble the Critical Incident Management Team to make university related decisions.

The Winthrop University Police Department will operate an Emergency Operations Center (EOC) located in the Campus Police Office.  If the Incident requires York County to open the Emergency operations Center, the Vice President of Student Life or a designee will be represented in the York County EOC and/or will be in continuous communications with the Winthrop EOC.

F. Emergency and Training Plans:

If a fire occurs, report it immediately to Campus Police and take the following actions:

  1. Know the locations of the fire extinguishers, fire exits, and fire alarm systems in the buildings.  Also, know how to use them.
  2. If a minor fire appears controllable immediately contact Campus Police.  Then direct the charge of the fire extinguisher towards the base of the flame.
  3. If an emergency exists, activate the building alarm. 
  4. On large fires that do not appear controllable, immediately notify Campus Police.  Do not hang up the phone until told to do so.  Evacuate all rooms and close all doors to confine the fire and reduce oxygen – DO NOT LOCK DOORS.
    NOTE:  SMOKE IS THE GREATEST DANGER IN A FIRE, SO STAY NEAR THE FLOOR WHERE THE AIR WILL BE LESS TOXIC.
  5. When the building evacuation (Fire) alarm is sounded, go quickly to the nearest “SAFE EXIT” and ask others to do the same. DO NOT USE ELEVATORS. Assist the disabled in exiting the building.
  6. Once outside move the assembly point away from the affected building.  Keep streets and walkways clear for emergency vehicles and crews.
  7. Do not return to an evacuated building unless told to do so by Campus Police.
  8. If you become trapped in a building during a fire, do the following:
    1. If possible contact Campus Police via cell phone to let them know you are trapped and where you are located.
    2. If you are in a location with a window, put an article of clothing outside the window as a marker for rescue workers.
    3. If there are no windows, stay near the floor where the air will be less toxic.
    4. Shout at regular intervals to alert emergency crews of your location.
    5. DO NOT PANIC

Acronym for responding to a fire:

R – REPORT the fire immediately to Campus Police
A – ACTIVATE the building evacuation (Fire) alarm.
C – CONTAIN by closing all doors to confine the fire and reduce oxygen.
E – EXTINGUISH by knowing the location of fire extinguishers and how to use them.