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Environmental Health and Safety

Emergency Response to Fire

In case of a fire, observer should immediately contact the Illinois State University Police Department by dialing "911". Calls from campus phones are routed to the Illinois State University Police Department (ISUPD), where a dispatcher is on duty 24 hours a day. The dispatcher will contact the Normal Fire Department for assistance. Note: If calling from a cell phone or off campus phone, your call will be routed to Metcom, a county wide dispatch center. Please advise the operator that the call is an ISU campus emergency.

What do I do if I see smoke or fire in the building?

If someone sees fire or smells smoke in a building...

  • Evacuate immediately, following the nearest Exit signs.
  • Pull the nearest fire alarm (unless alarm is already sounding).
  • When exiting through a door check the door and handle. If the door or handle is hot to the touch or smoke is present, do not open the door. Seal the door to keep smoke out call 911 to report your situation.
  • Be alert for smoke during your evacuation from the building – choose a path to avoid the smoke. 
  • DO NOT use the elevators. 
  • Proceed to the designated assembly area once safely out of the building, call 911 and report the fire. 
  • Stay out of way of firefighters.

Note:  When using a cell phone to call 911, the call will go directly to Metcom a county-wide dispatch center. The dispatcher should be notified that this is an emergency on the ISU campus.

The following information should be given to the dispatcher:

  1. Location of the situation.
  2. Description of the situation i.e., fire, smoke in building, alarm sounding , medical emergency, people missing or trapped in the building
  3. Name of the caller.
  4. Phone number where caller can be reached if disconnected.
  5. If possible, stay on the phone until the dispatcher has obtained all the pertinent information; however, under no circumstances is anyone to place themselves in danger to make a phone call or stay on the phone.

 

What do I do in the case of a fire alarm?

Upon activation of a building fire alarm, the Building Coordinator/designee should call 911 from a university phone if safe to do so and report the fire/alarm and location if known. 

Note: 911 calls placed from cell phones will go directly to METCOM. a county wide dispatch center. Please advise the operator that the call is an ISU campus emergency.

  • Evacuate immediately, following the nearest Exit signs.
  • When exiting through a door check the door and handle. If the door or handle are hot to the touch or smoke is present, do not open the door. Seal the door to keep smoke out call 911 to report your situation.
  • Be alert for smoke during your evacuation from the building – choose a path to avoid the smoke. 
  • DO NOT use the elevators. 
  • Proceed to the designated assembly area once safely out of the building, call 911 and report the fire. 
  • After reporting to the designated assembly area and follow other steps per the evacuation procedure and begin the accountability process.
  • Let the police or fire department know if someone is missing or trapped inside.
  • Stay out of way of firefighters

***ALL FIRE ALARMS ARE TO BE TREATED AS ACTUAL FIRE EVENTS***

Can I use a fire extinguisher that is available in the building?

Portable fire extinguishers are readily available in university buildings and may be used provided the following conditions are met:

  • A fire alarm pull station has been activated and someone has called 911.
  • They have been trained on the use of the portable fire extinguisher, and feels confident that he/she can safely extinguish the fire.