Home » The College » System of Operation » Emergency Evacuation Plan
The purpose of this plan is to ensure the safe and orderly evacuation of the building during emergency situations such as fire, natural disasters, bomb threats, etc.
The Evacuation Coordinators (ECs) determine if the incident is serious enough to invoke the College emergency evacuation plan. They are responsible for providing overall direction, coordinating and supervising the full evacuation process, ensuring that all floors are evacuated and ensuring that everybody exited safely. They leave the building last.
In the event of an emergency evacuation, the alarm will sound three times.
Every person in the building is required to evacuate the building immediately when requested. People evacuating must leave via the closest emergency exit. Emergency exits are posted throughout the building. Elevators are not to be used in such events.
In cases where someone refuses to leave the building during an evacuation, the incident is immediately reported to the Evacuation Coordinator.
Re-entry into the building is permitted only after the Evacuation Coordinator has given formal clearance, based on confirmation that conditions are safe
The Floor Safety Officers (FSOs) are designated individuals responsible for supporting the safety, emergency readiness, and incident response processes on each floor of the College. They are responsible for helping people exit the building through the closest exit and for using the fire extinguishers in case of a fire.
In the event of an alarm, the Lecturer escorts students out of the class and down the stairs outside the building. The Lecturer stays with the students until the emergency is over.
When instructed by the Evacuation coordinator, the Lecturer escorts students to the assembly area. The area is at the parking place of the College on Spyrou Kyprianou Avenue opposite the main building of the College.
The Utility head is responsible for securing all the data and taking the external hard disc out of the building.
The Evacuation Coordinators and the Floor Safety Officers are responsible for calling for off-site emergency assistance (e.g., fire department, police, ambulance) when required.
Fire alarms and smoke detectors are signaled to a private security company. In the case of a fire or the detection of smoke, the private company is signaled. The security company confirms with the College the existence of fire and notifies the fire department. The Evacuation Coordinator initiates the evacuation procedure.
Fire Department: 112 or 199 Security company: 25 33 66 44
Elevators must not be used as a means of emergency evacuation as there is a deadly risk of entrapment, electrocution, or suffocation.
Once outside the building, and when requested by the Evacuation Coordinator everyone proceeds to the designated assembly area. This area is the parking place of the College opposite the main building on Spyrou Kyprianou avenue.
Emergency procedures are provided to all employees and students. Drills take place once every academic year.
There are two types of fire extinguishers in the building:
In all exits and in the library, the following fire extinguishers are available:
1. Water extinguisher
2. CO₂ extinguisher (suitable for use only on electrical appliances)
In the Labs, in the ERC, and in the kitchen, there is:
1. CO2 extinguisher (suitable for use only on electrical appliances)
In the event of a fire within the College building, it is necessary and safest for occupants to evacuate. Everyone must evacuate the building without exception.
In the event of an emergency evacuation, the alarm will sound three times.
Surviving a Building Fire
Leave the building by the nearest exit
Signal for Help
Hang an object at the window (jacket, shirt) to attract the fire department’s attention. If you have a phone, call 199 or 112 or the security company and report that you are trapped. Be sure to give your location. Close the door to keep the fire out.
If You Are on Fire
Stop, drop, and roll: If your clothes catch fire, stop, drop, and roll wherever you are. Rolling smothers the fire.
Obstacles
Storage of any items in the corridors this includes bicycles, chairs, desks, and other items, is prohibited in all exit ways, including stairwells. Blocked exits and obstacles impede evacuation, especially during dark and smoky conditions.
Assembly area for a roll call
This area is the parking place of the College opposite the main building on Spyrou Kyprianou avenue.
Hang an object at the window (jacket, shirt) to attract the fire department’s attention. If you have a phone, call 199 or 112 or the security company and report that you are trapped. Be sure to give your location. Close the door to keep the fire out.
Stop, drop, and roll:
If your clothes catch fire, stop, drop, and roll wherever you are. Rolling smothers the fire.
Storage of any items in the corridors, including bicycles, chairs, desks, and other items is prohibited in all exit ways, including stairwells. Blocked exits and obstacles impede evacuation, especially during dark and smoky conditions.
This area is 50 meters away from the College and is located in the empty plot on the right-hand side (when facing the road) by the building next to the College.
In the event of an earthquake:
Keep calm and remain where you are unless you are in a stairway, elevator, or walkway close to and under buildings. If so, seek shelter away from these areas.
If you are indoors, stay indoors.
During the earthquake
Drop, Cover, and Hold: Drop to your hands and knees, take cover under a table or desk, and hold on to protect your head and neck. If there is no shelter nearby, cover your head and neck with your arms and hands.
Stay away from windows: Do not stand near or go near windows, as they can break.
Stay inside: On the first or second floor, exit the building if a clear path exists. For higher floors, stay put and seek refuge near a main load-bearing wall, in a corner, or in a doorway.
If you are outdoors, stay there until after the quake subsides. Keep away from buildings, trees, and wires. Go to an open space.
Do not attempt to enter or leave a building during a quake. The emergency team will advise you when it is safe to enter or exit a building.
Remain in sheltered or safe areas until you are advised it is safe to do otherwise.
In the event of an emergency evacuation, the alarm will sound three times.
When instructed to evacuate, follow the instructions provided to you. The assembly area is the parking place of the College on Spyrou Kyprianou Avenue opposite the main building of the College.
After the initial earthquake shock there will be “after-shocks”. After shocks are less intense than the initial shock, but may cause additional damage.
After the initial shock, evaluate the situation. An effort should be made to notify the evacuation coordinator of serious hazards or injuries. The injured should be attended to and protected from aftershocks. If able, locate and shut off utilities, gases, etc.
Follow the EEP plan.
Assist persons with injuries and those with disabilities in exiting the buildings.
If Confronted by a Threatening Person:
Remain as calm as possible. Be cooperative and patient. Time is on your side.
Offer to listen. Do not judge or argue with perceptions. Treat each concern as important and valid. A person in a crisis will only respond to someone who is willing to listen, understanding, respectful, and non-threatening.
Allow the hostile person his or her personal space (at least 3 feet).
If you are standing, stand at an angle to the individual rather than face-to- face.
Keep your hands in plain view, preferably at your sides.
Do not make gestures of physical contact that might seem threatening.
Maintain polite eye contact. Keep gestures and body language open and non- threatening. Use a low, soft, slow voice when speaking. Ask/tell the person before you make any moves.
Be truthful – to lose credibility can be catastrophic. Assure the person you will do everything you can to resolve his or her grievances in a fair manner.
Ask the aggrieved party to suggest a solution. A person in crisis will be more accepting of a solution that he or she helped formulate.
Always look for a win-win outcome. Retaining dignity (saving face) is paramount to the person in crisis.
Be observant. Note as much as possible about the aggressor, including type and number of weapons, state of mind, what was said. Pay attention to details about the space you are in. If you are released or decide to escape, this information will be needed by police to ensure the safety of others.
Bomb threat and explosion:
When a bomb threat is received during normal business hours, report it to the Evacuation Coordinator.
Take all bomb threats seriously.
Check out and document every threat.
If you receive the threat, get as much information as possible.
Time of Call
Man, woman, child calling/any accent or inflection location of the bomb
Time set for detonation
What it looks like
The type of explosive
Why was it placed ?
Any other information able to obtain
If you see a suspicious device or package, do not touch it in any way.
Immediately notify the evacuation coordinator.
Local authorities will be notified. Team Command staff will assess the situation and determine if the building is to be evacuated.
The Evacuation Coordinator will direct or lead responding officers to the area providing building maps and keys.
In the event of an emergency evacuation, the alarm will sound three times.
The EEP will be followed. No one is to re-enter facilities without clearance.
Emergency Procedure in Case of Bombing and Siren Sound
In the event of an emergency evacuation, the alarm will sound three times.