Evacuation for persons with disabilities a guideline

Evacuation for persons with disabilities

When an emergency arises, it is critical for all those involved to take prompt and rationale course of action. If you observe a person with a disability having difficulty evacuating, always enquire first before offering assistance, all disabilities are different and each person with disability reacts differently to a critical situation. Consider the following suggestions when assisting individuals with disabilities in an emergency:

“”It is important to remember that evacuation is difficult and uncomfortable for both the rescuers and the people being assisted. Some people have conditions that can be aggravated or triggered if they are moved incorrectly. It is also important to know that environmental conditions (smoke, debris, loss of electricity) will complicate evacuation efforts. Before attempting to evacuate a person with a disability consider your options and the risk of injury to yourself and others. “”

Individuals who are blind or have low vision

• Communicate nature of emergency. Describe nature of emergency and the location if relevant in as much details.
• Offer assistance.  Offer your arm to assist with guiding the individual.
• Communicate verbally.  Provide details about where you are going and any obstacles the person may encounter along the route
• Orient and inquire. Once at a safe location, orient the individual to the location and inquire if further assistance is needed before leaving the location.
• Communicate the most recognized landmark or infrastructure as reference

Individuals with visual impairment

Inform the change in surroundings and the route which will be used, which involves change in terrain and grip***.

• Alert individual. Turn the lights on/off or wave your arms to gain the person’s attention.
• Use gestures or written notes.  Indicate directions with gestures or write a note with evacuation instructions.
• Indicate with touch of surroundings and provide mild grip onto structures nearby.

Individual with mobility limitations—Non-wheelchair user

• Discuss needs and preferences–ask if assistance is needed.  Inquire if the person is able to evacuate using the stairs without help or with minor assistance
• Ensure clear path of travel.  If debris is present, it may be necessary to clear a path to the exit route.
• No imminent danger. If there is no imminent danger, the person may choose to remain in the building or to be directed to a safe location until emergency personnel arrive.
• Imminent danger.  If danger is imminent, use a sturdy chair, with or without wheels, to move the person, or help carry the person to safety using a carry technique, or, if available, use an evacuation chair.
• Mobility aids or devices.  Return any mobility aids or devices to the person as soon as possible.
• Notify emergency personnel.  Notify emergency personnel immediately about any individuals remaining in the building and their locations.
• Direct to the safest way of passage to the nearest assembly point

Mobility limitations—Wheelchair user

• Discuss needs and preferences. Non-ambulatory persons’ needs and preferences vary widely and therefore require you to ask them how they would like to be assisted.
• Wheelchair-user on the ground floor.  Individuals who use wheelchairs may choose to evacuate themselves from the ground floor with minimal assistance.
• Ensure clear path of travel. If debris is present, it may be necessary to clear a path to the exit.
• No imminent danger. If there is no imminent danger, the person may choose to remain in the building or to be directed to an Area of Refuge (stairwell) until emergency personnel arrive.  Fire Department personnel, who are trained in emergency rescue, can then enter the building and assist the person in exiting the building, either down the stairs or using the emergency elevator recall.
• Imminent danger. If danger is imminent and the individual does not wish to be removed from his or her wheelchair, direct the person to the nearest Assembly Point and notify emergency personnel immediately. While staying in place, the wheelchair user should keep in direct contact with the first aider from a (cell) phone and reporting directly pertinent information including the location.
• Carrying wheelchair users.  Most wheelchairs are too heavy to carry down stairs. If the person wishes to be carried down the stairs without the wheelchair, consult with him or her on the best carry options, e.g., two-person cradle carry, office chair evacuation, or, if available, an evacuation chair.
• Mobility aids or devices.  Return any mobility aids or devices to the person as soon as possible
• Notify emergency personnel.  Notify emergency personnel immediately about any individuals remaining in the building and their locations.

CARRY TECHNIQUES

TO BE USED ONLY IN EMERGENCY SITUATIONS WHERE DEATH OR SERIOUS BODILY INJURY IS IMMINENT!

One-person Carry Technique (The Cradle Lift)

• The Cradle Lift is the preferred carry method when the person to be carried has little or no arm strength. It is safer if the person being carried weighs less than the carrier.

Two-person Carry Technique (The Swing Carry or Chair Carry)

To use this technique:

• Carry partners stand on opposite sides of the individual.
• Wrap individual’s closest arm around one carry partner’s shoulder.
• Grasp carry partner’s forearm behind the individual in the small of the back.
• Reach under the individual’s knees to grasp the wrist of carry partner’s other hand.
• Both carry partners should then lean in close to the individual and lift on the count of three.
• Continue pressing into the individual being carried for additional support in the carry.

Amendments

Reasonable accommodations for persons with hearing impairments may be met by modifying the building fire alarm system, particularly for occupants who spend most of their day in one location.

***Most people with a visual impairment will be familiar with their immediate surroundings and frequently traveled routes. Since the emergency evacuation route is likely different from the commonly traveled route, persons who are visually impaired may need assistance in evacuating. The assistant should offer their elbow to the individual with a visual impairment and guide him or her through the evacuation route. During the evacuation the assistant should communicate as necessary to assure safe evacuation.

It is important to highlight, persons with disabilities are groomed to be independent and self sufficient in their routine. In case of emergency, their abilities to react independently may be reduced. However with the right system and evacuation plan in place, it will be a least hassle evacuation.

References

Vanderbilt University Office of Emergency Management

Loyola University Maryland – Evacuation Plan