Evacuation and Relocation
Environmental Health and Safety recommends the complete evacuation of a building in an alarm situation. If an alarm is activated in a university building, the building Fire Monitor and/or Assistant Fire Monitor should be contacted to help with the safe and orderly evacuation of persons. Departmental evacuation plans provide more detailed information about the evacuation procedures for individual buildings.
If necessary, transportation of persons shall be coordinated with appropriate Virginia Tech Police and Parking/Transportation Department personnel for the purpose of evacuation and relocation of persons threatened by or displaced by the incident. A temporary shelter may be selected as needed. Coordination for assistance, equipment, and supplies will be determined at the relocation site as needed.
In a large-scale evacuation requiring the use of athletics facilities for shelters, the Department of Athletics shall be responsible as shelter manager to assist Business Operations and Facilities Management in securing food service and other necessary items, and addressing building maintenance issues. The shelter manager shall be responsible for maintaining the costs of operating the shelter.
The primary responsibility for the protection of property, assessment of damage, and restoration of normal operations shall be given to the appropriate university service unit. These university service units will include:
- Facilities Management: Coordinates all services for the restoration of electrical, plumbing, heating, and other support systems as well as structural integrity. Assesses damage and makes a prognosis for occupancy of the structure affected by the disaster. Works with Environmental Health and Safety, the university Police, and the Fire Department as appropriate.
- Information Technology and Communications: Coordinates support for data processing resources at the main data center and the designated recovery sites. Provides alternate voice and data communications capability in the event normal telecommunication lines and equipment are disrupted by the disaster. Evaluates the requirements and selects appropriate means of backing up the ITC telecommunications network.
- Virginia Tech Police Department: Provides law enforcement and safety and security for people and facilities, coordinates with local, state and federal law enforcement agencies and is the activation point for the EOC Notification Call-Out List for the university.
- University Business Operations: Responsible for housing and dining facilities, Parking and Transportation, and university mail services. In the event shelters are established in Athletics facilities, Business Operations shall work with the Athletics Department to provide food and other supplies to evacuees.