Fire Response and Evacuating Buildings

Responding to a Fire

Cooking fires are the primary cause of home fires and home fire injuries. The majority of cooking equipment fires start with the ignition of common household items (i.e., wall coverings, paper or plastic bags, curtains, etc.)

Safety Tips:

• Never leave food cooking on the stovetop unattended, and keep a close eye on food cooking inside the oven.
• Keep cooking areas clean and clear of combustibles (i.e. potholders, towels, rags, drapes and food packaging).
• Wear short, close fitted or tightly rolled sleeves when cooking. Loose clothing can dangle onto stove burners and catch fire.
• Never use a wet oven mitt, as it presents a scald danger if the moisture in the mitt is heated.
• If there is a microwave fire, keep the door closed and unplug the microwave. Food cooked in a microwave can be dangerously hot. Remove the lids or other coverings from microwaved food carefully to prevent steam burns.
• Always keep a potholder, oven mitt and lid handy. If a small grease fire starts in a pan, put on an oven mitt and smother the flames by carefully sliding the lid over the pan. Turn off the burner. Don’t remove the lid until it is completely cool. Never pour water on a grease fire and never discharge a fire extinguisher onto a pan fire, as it can spray or shoot burning grease around the kitchen, thus spreading the fire.

If a Fire Occurs:

If there is an oven fire, turn off the heat and keep the door closed to prevent flames from burning you and your clothing. Call Safety and Security immediately @ ex. 5555 or 845-471-1822

In the event you encounter an unwanted or uncontrolled fire you are directed to follow the following steps and they are:

Rescue and relocate anyone in immediate danger
Activate the fire Alarm system and call Safety and security @ ex. 5555 or 845-471-1822
Confine/contain the fire if possible by closing the door
Evacuate immediately

Evacuating Buildings

If you discover or suspect a dangerous condition (such as a fire), or if a fire alarm is sounds:

• Evacuate the building using the nearest unaffected exit.
• Close the door to the affected area, if able to do so safely.
• DO NOT attempt to correct the condition or fight a fire unless you have been trained to do so.
• If the building’s fire alarm is not sounding, activate it by use of the nearest fire alarm pull station…if you are able to do so safely. If you are not able to do that, attempt to verbally sound the alarm and knock on doors as you evacuate the building
• DO NOT use elevators
• Assist the physically impaired. If they are unable to exit without using an elevator, find a safe location near a stairwell and immediately inform Safety & Security or the responding Fire Department personnel of the individual’s location.
• Move far away from the building to place yourself out of danger and to allow emergency responders to arrive and conduct operations, if necessary
• Dial 911 immediately and then notify the Office of Safety & Security by dialing x5555 from any campus phone, or if using a cell phone call (845) 471-1822, and inform authorities of the situation and your location
• DO NOT re-enter the building for any reason until given clearance to do so from the Office of Safety & Security or another emergency responder on the scene