Evacuation sign

Evacuation

Immediate Risks
If you smell gas, smoke or see fire or otherwise fear for your safety, evacuate household occupants immediately. From a safe location, call 9-1-1 and report the incident.

General Evacuation Orders
If local officials issue evacuation orders use the evacuation routes and methods specified; carpool whenever possible. If time allows:

  • Wear sturdy shoes, long-sleeve shirts and pants.
  • Bring car keys, credit cards, road maps, cell phone, charger and important phone numbers. 
  • Bring your Go Bag. 
  • If you have a pet, make sure it is wearing a collar; bring it in a pet carrier labeled with your name and the pet’s name. Bring your pet’s Go Bag. 
  • Lock your home and shut off the water and electricity, but leave gas on unless instructed otherwise. 
  • Leave a note or tell a neighbor where you are going. 
  • Once you arrive at a safe location, call your out-of-area emergency contact.

Disaster Shelters
Following a large disaster, suitable shelter sites will be set up and announced through local media. If it is unsafe to shelter-in-place, and you do not have an alternative, evacuate to a designated emergency shelter.

  • Tell your out-of area-contact where you are going.
  • Take your Go Bag with you to the shelter. 
  • Initially, emergency shelters may not be able to provide basic supplies and materials. 
  • Consider bringing extra items (e.g. blanket, pillow, air mattress, towel, washcloth, diapers, food and supplies for infants.) 
  • Provide for your pet: only service animals are allowed in shelters. If you cannot make other plans for your pets, animal care and control staff will be available at shelters to assist.

General Facility/Building Evacuations
When you become aware of the need to evacuate your building:

  • Remain calm and alert others around you.
  • Assist any people with special needs in evacuating. 
  • Do not use elevators. 
  • When evacuating, walk, never run, and keep to the right of the hallways. 
  • Leave the building, even if the alarm stops while you are on your way out. 
  • Once outside, move away from the building and proceed to the designated assembly locations. 
  • Check in with your supervisor or point of contact when you arrive at the meeting location. 
  • Report any missing co-workers to your manager or point of contact. 
  • If you believe that someone is still in the building, alert emergency responders. 
  • Do not re-enter building until advised by authorities.