Campus Security
Seattle Central Safety & Security
General | Wheelchair | Vision Impaired | Hearing Impaired | Respiratory Illness | Other Disabilities

Evacuation of Mobility Impaired Persons

During an evacuation or other emergencies, students, staff and visitors with disabilities may require special assistance from instructors, students and/or college staff. Individuals with disabilities should prepare for emergencies ahead of time by first discussing their evacuation needs with the appropriate personnel.

Students and staff with disabilities are also encouraged to file an emergency status form with the office of Disability Support Services (BE1140; 206-587-4183, 206-587-4183 [voice and TTY]). Disability Support Services will file a copy of this form with the Department of Safety and Security (BE1131; 206-587-5442). This report should be updated on a regular basis.

Students and staff with disabilities are also encouraged to discuss evacuation plans or other emergency needs with their instructor and/or classmates.

If you need accommodations due to a documented disability, have emergency medical information to share, or require specific arrangements in case of evacuation or other emergencies, please make an appointment with Disability Support Services as soon as possible.

During an emergency, if assistance is not immediately available, individuals with disabilities should stay in an exit corridor or in a stairwell landing. He/she should continue to call for help until rescued.

Individuals who cannot speak loudly should carry a whistle or have other means of attracting attention of others. To assist such individuals, others should report their location by notifying emergency personnel on site, or calling 911, the Department of Safety and Security at 206-587-5442, or the Office of Disability Services at 206-587-4183.

General Guidelines

The following guidelines may be used in assisting mobility impaired persons during an evacuation.

  • Wheelchair occupants or persons with mobility impairments have first priority for building elevators if elevators are operable and safe for use.
  • DURING A FIRE OR EARTHQUAKE DO NOT USE THE ELEVATORS.
  • If safe to do so and time permits, take briefcases, purses, and jackets with you.
  • If safe to do so and time permits, close classroom doors, lock file cabinets and office doors as you calmly move to the nearest exit.
  • If safe to do so and time permits, secure all hazardous materials or equipment, close all hoods and drafts.

Wheelchair Evacuation

  • Only offer assistance that is consistent with your capabilities and comfort level, do not attempt to exceed your capabilities.
  • Persons using wheelchairs on ground level can evacuate with others without requiring much assistance.
  • On upper floors, please assist persons using wheelchairs.
  • If you are unable to evacuate mobility impaired person(s), bring them to the nearest safe stairwell or exit corridor.
  • Notify emergency personnel on site about the immediate location of mobility impaired person(s) and the reason(s) why they are having trouble evacuating.
  • If unable to locate emergency personnel, call 911, the Department of Safety and Security at 206-587-5442, or the Office of Disability Services at 206-587-4183.

People with Vision Loss Evacuation

  • Help guide a person with vision loss by asking the person if he or she would like to take your arm at the elbow. DO NOT grasp the arm of a person with low vision or blindness. Give the person verbal instructions as you guide the person, and advise about steps, rough terrain, doorways, debris, etc. Verbal compass directions, estimated distances, and directional terms are the most familiar tools for persons with vision loss.
  • A service animal could become confused or disoriented in a disaster. People who are blind may have to depend on others to lead them, as well as their service animal, to safety during a disaster.
  • If you are unable to guide them to safety, bring them to the nearest safe stairwell or exit corridor.
  • Notify emergency personnel on site about the immediate location of persons with disabilities.
  • If unable to locate emergency personnel, call 911, the Department of Safety and Security at 206-587-5442, or the Office of Disability Services at 206-587-4183.

People Who are Deaf or Hearing Impaired Evacuation

  • Hearing impaired persons should individually be made aware of an emergency and how to respond to it. Write directions on paper if necessary. It should not be assumed that hearing impaired persons are aware of the fire alarm or that they will know what to do by watching others.
  • If you are unable to guide them to safety, bring them to the nearest safe stairwell or exit corridor.
  • Notify emergency personnel on site about the immediate location of persons with disabilities.
  • If unable to locate emergency personnel, call 911, the Department of Safety and Security at 206-587-5442, or the Office of Disability Services at 206-587-4183.

People with Respiratory Illness Evacuation

  • Many respiratory illnesses can be aggravated by stress. In an emergency, oxygen and respiratory equipment may not be readily available. People with respiratory illnesses should be referred to emergency personnel.
  • If you are unable to guide them to safety, bring them to the nearest safe stairwell or exit corridor.
  • Notify emergency personnel on site about the immediate location of persons with disabilities.
  • If unable to locate emergency personnel, call 911, the Department of Safety and Security at 206-587-5442, or the Office of Disability Services at 206-587-4183.

People with Other Disabilities Evacuation

  • Ask the person how you can help them most effectively.
  • If you are unable to guide them to safety, bring them to the nearest safe stairwell or exit corridor.
  • Notify emergency personnel on site about the immediate location of persons with disabilities.
  • If unable to locate emergency personnel, call 911, the Department of Safety and Security at 206-587-5442, or the Office of Disability Services at 206-587-4183.

Depending upon the circumstances, one or more of the following methods of communication may be used to alert our campus community that it is either necessary to evacuate, or safe to re-enter the building(s) or campus:

Emergency E-mail & Text Messaging:
Seattle Central Community College has the ability to send emergency campus alerts via e-mail and text messaging; cell phones must be equipped with a text messaging feature in order to receive emergency text alerts. If you have not already signed up for this important safety warning feature please do so now by clicking on the following link. https://alert.seattlecolleges.edu/LogIn.aspx

Word of Mouth:
If the situation safely permits, Campus Safety and Security along with other staff may provide word of mouth notification to individuals present on campus that it is either necessary to evacuate, or safe to re-enter the building(s) or campus.

Seattle Central Community College Public Announcement System:
When safe to do so; Seattle Central Community College will utilize its PA system to announce that it is either necessary to evacuate, or safe to re-enter the building(s) or campus.