Evacuation drills
EH&S conducts evacuation drills for most campus buildings to prepare for emergencies and in accordance with the International Fire Code. The evacuation director for each building works closely with EH&S to schedule, coordinate and evaluate each drill. Please see the Building Evacuations and Fire Drills page for more information on conducting evacuation drills.
Automated external defibrillators (AEDs)
These devices are designed to save lives following sudden cardiac arrest. Information on purchasing, registering and maintaining an automated external defibrillator can be found on the AED page.
Emergency kits
In the event of a regional disaster, families and individuals should plan to be self-sufficient for at least three to seven days. You should have an emergency kit at home with food, water and medical supplies for all members of your household, including pets. You can find more information about building an emergency kit on the UW Emergency Management website.
Employees are also encouraged to keep a smaller emergency kit on campus. Many departments have purchased the red “PreparePack” bags from PrepareSmart. This company offers a 10 percent discount to UW departments using the code UWSTAFF. Staff should customize their kits with any required medications and check regularly to make sure the supplies have not expired.
Earthquake preparation for areas that use chemicals
Labs, shops and other areas using chemicals should take extra precautions to plan for the effects of an earthquake. The Earthquake Planning for Chemical Storage Areas Focus Sheet includes special considerations for these spaces.
Evacuation preparation for persons with disabilities
Persons with disabilities are encouraged to work with the evacuation directors for those buildings they typically occupy to develop an evacuation plan best suited for their needs. The Evacuation Topics for Persons with Disabilities focus sheet discusses several options. These can be tracked on the Evacuation Plan form and included with the building’s plan for future reference.
Evacuation exemptions for medical procedures
In rare cases, UW personnel may be allowed to delay evacuation in order stabilize a patient undergoing a medical procedure. These exemptions require additional training and administrative controls and must be approved in advance.
Exemptions must be requested in advance and must be re-evaulated every three years, or when staff and/or circumstances change. More information is available on the Evacuation Exemption Focus Sheet. To request an exemption, complete this form.
Campus fire lanes
EH&S maintains a map to assist the Seattle Fire Department (SFD) in coordinating their response with the UW Police and support personnel. The UW Emergency Responders Map shows fire lanes, designated response points, hydrants, and fire department connections. Fire lanes are required per Seattle Fire Code Section 503 and may not be closed or obstructed without coordinating with the Fire Department. Some fire lanes may not be obvious because they also serve as major pedestrian paths.