The WCL Emergency Respons Plan is part of the overall American University and subordinate to the AU Plan in the event of a community wide emergency, disaster or general evacuation.Under such circumstances, the AU Emergency Management Procedures will take precedence and the WCL Response Team will follow the directives from the office of the AU President.

This Emergency Response Plan is predicated on a realistic approach to the problems likely to be encountered during a major emergency or disaster. Hence, the following assumptions are made and should be used as general guidelines in such an event.

Emergency Evacuation Procedures

Objective:

This document details the procedures for evacuating the Washington College of Law building at 4801 Massachusetts Avenue, NW in case of emergency evacuations, fire drills and shelter in place requests.

WCL Evacuation Meeting Points:

Corner of Yuma and 48th street and the Spring Valley Shopping Center where CVS is located.

Purpose:

Announced and unannounced fire drills provide for an orderly, effective and safe evacuation of the building in the event of fire or other threats to the safety of the Washington College of Law community. To ensure effective evacuation, every building occupant must comprehend and perform his or her own responsibilities.

Procedures and Duties:

The building must be evacuated immediately upon the sounding of the fire alarm signal. The evacuation shall be under the supervision of the Facilities Management Office and the Security Staff.

Evacuation and Emergency Equipment:

The building is equipped with six evacuation chairs to be used when evacuating individuals with special needs who may require assistance. The chairs are located in six strategic locations throughout the building.

6th floor in the stairwell between #602 and #603 adjacent to the handicap lift
5th floor outside 503 inside the stairwell
4th floor outside room 402
3rd floor behind the Facilities Management office room #383 adjacent to the copier
2nd floor in the library by the handicap elevator
1st floor behind the Security desk

We have issued radios to one volunteer on each floor to communicate with each other during the evacuation. The radios should be charged and ready to use for emergencies. Please check periodically to assure it is working properly.

Responsibilities During Evacuation:

Students, Faculty and Staff

Remain calm.
Assist persons in immediate danger to safety if it can be accomplished without risk of injury to you.
Students, faculty and staff requiring special assistance should assemble in the Areas of Rescue Assistance located in the elevator lobby on the second through sixth floor. These areas are identified by blue and white wheelchair accessible signs.
Do not attempt to collect personal items, i.e. books, laptops, etc. Please leave these items inside the room you were located.
Follow the directions of the designated evacuation volunteers and evacuate the building immediately.
Move at least one block away from the building in either direction ALONG the building side of Massachusetts Avenue. Proceed to the designated meeting points: corner of Yuma and 48th and the Spring Valley Shopping Center where CVS is located.
Do not cross Massachusetts Avenue under any circumstances, unless instructed to do so by Emergency Evacuation Volunteers or the Security Staff.
If the building closes for an extended period of time call the WCL information line at (202) 274-4400 or the American University information line at (202) 885-1100. If the building remains closed the Emergency Response Staff will meet at 4910 Massachusetts Avenue, Suite 16 to coordinate any further action required. Students, Faculty and Staff will be asked to move to designated meeting points.
Do not attempt to re-enter the building until instructed to do so.

Emergency Evacuation Volunteers

Immediately assemble in the elevator lobby on your floor and walk in opposite directions.
Check all classrooms, restrooms, offices and kitchenette areas on your designated floor to make sure the areas are clear.
Check the Areas of Rescue Assistance on your floor for individuals requiring special assistance.
Once your area of responsibility is clear, take the stairs to the lobby, check out at the guard’s desk and exit the building.
If you were issued a radio switch to channel 1 and give the all clear signal by identifying your floor and saying “all clear.”

1st Floor & Library 3rd Floor 4th Floor 5th Floor

1st Floor &Library: Adeen Postar (Rm.110), John Smith (Circulation Desk), Darryle Brown (Rm. 129), Stephanie Crosse (Rm. 122),
3rd Floor: David Jaffe (Rm.302), Cathy Prather (Rm.370), Zavin Smith (Rm. 373)
4th Floor: Perry Plybon (Rm. 469), Pamela Bridgewater (Rm. 406), Kathleen Hudson (Rm. 417)
5th Floor: Walter Crawford (Rm. 502), Vanessa Anthony (Rm. 507), Amy Tenney (Rm. 515)
6th Floor: Foodservice Manager (Dining Office)

Executive Chef – Bon Appetit

Facilitate the evacuation of the Dining Room.
Check to make sure all dining service personnel have evacuated the building.
Once the dining room is clear, take the stairs to the lobby and exit the building.

General Manager – Bon Appetit

Turn off all the kitchen appliances.
Lock all the entrances to the dining room.
Lock the gate to the food serving area.
Lock the dining services office.
Take the stairs to the lobby and exit the building.

Customer Service Coordinator – Monica Phillips

Proceed to the lobby and assist with the evacuation through the front doors.
Move out to the plaza and provide crowd control directing people away from the building and preventing re-entry.
Listen for instructions to allow re-entry to the building.
When given the signal allow re-entry to the building in an orderly fashion.

Maintenance Technician –

Proceed to the 6th floor elevator lobby and assist individuals with special needs.
If there are no individuals requiring special assistance, assist Emergency Evacuation Volunteers clear the floor.
Once the floor is clear take the stairs to the lobby and assist Jose to locate and correct the problem.

Maintenance Staff – Hector Caballero

Proceed to the 5th floor elevator lobby and assist individuals with special needs.
If there are no individuals requiring special assistance, assist Emergency Evacuation Volunteers clear the floor.
Once the floor is clear, take the stairs to the lobby, check out at the security desk and exit the building.

Maintenance Staff – Manuel Nunez

Proceed to the 4th floor elevator lobby and assist individuals with special needs.
If there are no individuals requiring special assistance, assist Emergency Evacuation Volunteers clear the floor.
Once the floor is clear, take the stairs to the lobby, check out at the security desk and exit the building.

Assistant Director of Facilities – Tony Roane

Proceed to the 3rd floor elevator lobby and assist individuals with special needs.
If there are no individuals requiring special assistance, assist Emergency Evacuation Volunteers clear the floor.
Once the floor is clear, take the stairs to the lobby, check out at the security desk and exit the building.
Await the clear signal and make the announcement to re-enter the building.

Director of Facilities – Walter Labitzky

Proceed to the security desk and provide coverage.
Provide assistance with the evacuation process as necessary.
If there is an actual emergency call 911 and report the situation.
Evacuate the building and await the arrival of the Fire and/or Police Department.
Once the Fire and /or Police Department arrive, operate as the primary contact person for information updates.

Building Maintenance Engineer

Proceed to the enunciator panel in the main lobby.
Identify the location of the alarm and notify the Building Engineer.
Silence and reset the alarm when the Building Engineer gives the ok.
Make sure the panel is clear.
Notify the Building Engineer the alarm has been reset.
In the absence of the Director and Assistant Director call 911.

Building Engineer – Jose Suarez

Check with the Building Maintenance Engineer to get the location of the alarm.
Proceed to the location of the alarm and assess the situation.
If it is a routine alarm perform necessary service to correct situation.
Notify the Building Maintenance Engineer to reset the alarm.
Reset the elevators in the lobby and library.
If there is an actual fire/emergency notify Director or Assistant Director to call 911.
Exit the building and await the Fire Department.

Security Personnel

Take positions on the left and right sides of the front of the building to assist and direct people to the evacuation meeting points.
When given the “all clear” signal assist pedestrians crossing back towards the building.
Upon re-entering the building check the status of the situation by reviewing the computer print out and log the information in the Security Log.

Department Wardens & Office Leaders

Designated emergency response Department Warden & Office Leader will vacate their respective office and direct staff and other building occupants in their immediate area to exit the building by the nearest stairwell. Once outside they should meet their office staff at the designated meeting points*. During the evacuation process provide up to date information to evacuees at the WCL evacuation meeting points as received from emergency response staff. Assist in the return to the building once the All Clear has been given.

Procedures for “Shelter In Place” For Specific Emergencies

In the event a shelter in place is advised for the area including American University, all persons in the building will be notified that American University is preparing to “shelter in place.” The garage and all other doors will be locked after a specified period of time. All students, faculty, staff and visitors must decide whether to shelter in place at the Washington College of Law until the “all clear” is announced or whether they will leave the premises within the specified period of time. After that specified period of time no one will be allowed to enter or exit the building until the “all clear” is announced.

The library will serve as the sheltering place. It is the largest open area in the building with the least amount of windows and doors.

Once the “shelter in place” signal is made a member of the Facilities Management staff will brief the department wardens, office leaders, and volunteers of the situation and set the shelter in place procedures in motion. Periodic situation updates will be provided to Shelter in Placed WCL community.

Responsibilities During “Shelter In Place”

Students, Faculty and Staff

Remain calm.
Assist persons in immediate danger to safety if it can be accomplished without risk of injury to you.
Students, faculty and staff requiring special assistance should assemble in the Areas of Rescue Assistance located in the elevator lobby on the first through sixth floor. These areas are identified by blue and white wheelchair accessible signs.
Follow the directions of the designated emergency response staff, move expeditiously to the library and await further instructions.

Emergency Evacuation Volunteers

Immediately assemble in the elevator lobby on your floor and walk in opposite directions.
Check all classrooms, restrooms, offices and kitchenette areas on your designated floor to make sure the areas are clear.
Check the Areas of Rescue Assistance on your floor for individuals requiring special assistance.
Once your area of responsibility is clear, check in at the guard’s desk and enter the library.
If you were issued a radio switch to channel 1 and give the “all clear” signal by identifying your floor and saying “all clear.”
Await additional instructions from the Facilities Management Staff.

Executive Chef – Bon Appetit

Facilitate the evacuation of the dining room and direct everyone to library.
Check to make sure all dining service personnel, faculty, staff and students have evacuated the dining room.
Once the dining room is clear, check in at the guard’s desk and enter the library.

General Manager – Bon Appetit

Turn off all the kitchen appliances.
Lock all the entrances to the dining room.
Lock the gate to the food serving area.
Lock the dining services office.
Check in at the guard’s desk and enter the library.

Customer Service Coordinator – Monica Phillips

Proceed to the lobby and assist with filtering people into the library.
Once occupants have entered the library provide crowd control directing people away from the library entrance.
Listen for instructions.
When given the “all clear” signal allow people to exit the library in an orderly fashion.

Maintenance Technician –

Proceed to the 6th floor elevator lobby and assist individuals with special needs.
If there are no individuals requiring special assistance, assist in clearing the floor.
Once the floor is clear proceed to the lobby to provide assistance to Building Maintenance Engineer and Building Engineer to seal windows and doors if required.

Maintenance Staff – Hector Caballero

Proceed to the 5th floor elevator lobby and assist individuals with special needs.
If there are no individuals requiring special assistance, assist Emergency Evacuation Volunteers clear the floor.
Once the floor is clear, proceed to the lobby and enter the library.

Maintenance Staff – Manuel Nunez

Proceed to the 4th floor elevator lobby and assist individuals with special needs.
If there are no individuals requiring special assistance, assist Emergency Evacuation Volunteers clear the floor.
Once the floor is clear, proceed to the lobby and enter the library.

Assistant Director of Facilities – Tony Roane

Proceed to the 3rd floor elevator lobby and assist individuals with special needs.
If there are no individuals requiring special assistance, assist Emergency Evacuation Volunteers clear the floor.
Once the floor is clear, proceed to the lobby and enter the library.
Await the “all clear” signal and make the announcement to exit the library.
Communicate with campus officials via Nextel under the direction of the Director of Facilities. Also communicate with government support agencies.

Director of Facilities – Walter Labitzky

Proceed to the security desk and coordinate the Shelter in Place process.
Make “all clear” signal to exit the library.

Building Maintenance Engineer –

If necessary, assist the Building Engineer with turning off all air handling equipment (HVAC).
Seal doors and windows in the library with plastic sheeting and duct tape if required.
Enter the library and await further instructions
Once the “all clear” signal is given remove plastic from windows and doors.
Turn on all ventilation equipment (HVAC).

Building Engineer – Jose Suarez

If necessary, immediately proceed to the mechanical room and turn off all air handling equipment (HVAC).
Proceed to the library for the remainder of the “shelter in place.”
At the “all clear,” proceed to the mechanical room and turn on all ventilation equipment (HVAC).
Seal doors and windows in the library with plastic sheeting and duct tape if required.

Department Wardens & Office Leaders

During a Shelter in Place provide assistance in directing people to the library and assist in disseminating information and support activities according to instructions given by the emergency response staff.

PANDEMIC RESPONSE

In response to a pandemic event the AU Pandemic Preparedness Guidelines will be implemented as guidance for the continued operations of WCL as part of the AU Community. The plans goal is to protect the safety and well being of our students, faculty and staff and to insure the ability to continue the essential functions of the university.

Emergency Response Team –

The WCL Emergency Response Team will be activated to respond to emergency circumstances that require a prolonged closure of WCL facilities or disruptive events requiring immediate planning to ensure the safety of its community members and the continued business operations for WCL. A Command Post may be established in room 130 or in the Dean’s Suite.

Depending on the type of emergency and ability to remain in the WCL Building, the Emergency Response Team will use the WCL Residence or the 4910 offices to establish an off-site command post for its planning purposes.

Members of the WCL Emergency Response Team:

Position Office Ext Cell Phone Home

Dean of Washington College of Law	202-274-4001	Completed List Provided to Department Supervisors and Response Team
Assistant Dean Finance & Administration	202-274-4472
Associate Dean of Students	202-274-4052
Director Office of Technology	202-274-4020
Assistant Dean Academic Service & Registrar	202-274-4081
Director of Facilities	202-274-4013
WCL Security Desk Staff	202-274-4016
Building Engineer	202-274-4277