Emergency Procedures
Residence Life

The purpose of emergency procedures is to provide you with the necessary information regarding emergency preparedness, evacuation, and prevention. Please consult a member of the Emergency Evacuation Team, your RA or the Residence Life staff with any questions with any questions you may have regarding these procedures. If you will require any assistance in executing any one of these emergency procedures, contact your RA or the RAC and the Director of Residence Life immediately so that a plan of action may be created to best accommodate your needs. For your safety and that of the other residents it is vital that you listen to and follow all instructions given by the EET, Security, city departments (police, fire, & medical personnel), and any university staff, faculty, and administrators.

Emergency Evacuation Team

The Emergency Evacuation Team (EET) will be in charge of handling all emergencies in their area until fire, police, or medical assistance has arrived. Residents in the 08 rooms, RAs, RACs, Security, city officials, and certain faculty, staff, administrators, and personnel all make up the EET. The 02 and 08 rooms on each floor are designated as the EET rooms. Residents in these rooms will be required to attend a training class on emergency evacuation procedures and will be responsible for assisting residents off the floor in an event of an emergency. Listen carefully and follow instructions given by the EET. Please contact your RA or the Director of Residence Life immediately if you choose not to be part of the EET or become unable to carry out the responsibilities and duties required from the EET.

Emergency Evacuation

Plan Your Escape

Since our building is made with fire-resistant construction and possesses reliable enclosed stairways, a fire will probably be confined to an individual room or possibly the contents of one floor. For this reason, it is important to understand that fire in a residential high rise building is no cause for panic. The Chicago Fire Department responds to all residential high rise building alarms with a heavy complement of equipment and firefighters, experienced in rescue and fire control operations. Upon arriving, this force will promptly affect necessary rescues, confine and control the fire and ventilate the smoke from the building.

It must be realized that if a fire occurs in your room or neighboring room, it will most likely be necessary for you to seek safe refuge as soon as possible; therefore, it is extremely important that you become well acquainted with the stairways provided in the Herman Crown Center and the procedures to follow in case of fire. Do not use the elevators to exit the Herman Crown Center. All residents are required to evacuate the building immediately when the fire alarm sounds. Failure to evacuate or follow instructions given by the EET (or other officials) will result in a heavy fine and a possible termination of your housing contract. Pay attention to all posted emergency signs.

Know Two Ways Out

Plan two escape routes from your room. Use the emergency placard on the back of your door to assist you. During a fire, smoke or flames may block an exit, forcing you to use an alternate escape route.

Know All Building Exits

Read the placard on the back of your door carefully. It shows you where you are in the building as well as the suggested evacuation route. Count the number of doorways between your room and the two nearest exits. During a fire, you may have to escape in the dark.

To Evacuate

You should have your own flashlight in your room. Know where it is at all times and be able to locate it if/when power is shut off. When the fire alarm sounds, leave your room immediately and close your door. Move to the closest stairwell and exit down to the first floor. Cross to the west side of the Wabash street and await further instructions given by members of the EET, administration, staff, faculty, security, or city department. The Emergency Assistance sheet will help to identify residents requiring any assistance during evacuations. Residents will have completed this form at the time of check-in. If you have not completed this form or your status has changed, please obtain another form at the Residence Life desk. If you will require any assistance notify your RA and/or the Director of Residence Life immediately so that we may better assist you to safety. Walk or crawl quickly, but do not run. Remember that the elevators will be turned off. If you feel comfortable, assist other residents as needed. Remember never to prop fire doors open at any time. Residents failing to follow evacuation procedures will face a fine and a possible removal from the HCC.

Emergency Generators

Emergency generators are installed and will activate the lights, emergency exits, and possibly one elevator in the event of a power outage.

Evacuation Procedures

The EET will direct the evacuation process in accordance with the established evacuation plan.

1. When the fire alarm sounds, exit your rooms immediately and close your door.

2. The EET will verify the instructions and begin directing personnel to the nearest exit. The EET will be responsible for instructing on the proper way to evacuate, such as exiting in single file and to stay to the right in the stairwell.

3. Do not use the elevators.

4. Do not prop open the stairwell doors!

5. Emergency response teams will comb the floor closing doors and verifying that all personnel have left. Be sure to check restrooms, conference rooms, file rooms and other common areas.

6. Students, Faculty, and Staff, will report to the Evacuation Team Member as they exit the building, that area is clear.

7. The EET will assist in moving personnel away from the building and the dangers of falling glass. Move to the west side of the Wabash street and verify all personnel are accounted for.

8. Await further instructions.

Step by Step Procedures of Fire

Fire Discovery

Upon discovery of a fire on your floor, follow these procedures in order:

1. Sound the alarm by pulling one of the nearest fire alarm pull stations located near the fire exits.

2. Exit your room immediately and close your door.

3. Proceed to the nearest stairwell and exit down to the first floor.

4. Cross to the west side of the Wabash Street and await further instructions.

5. Security and the Building Engineer will be dispatched immediately to the location for investigation.

6. The fire alarm system is connected into the Chicago Fire Department’s system, notifying them immediately when the alarm sounds. They are dispatched and will arrive within 3 minutes.

7. Do not attempt to use the elevators. The elevators will be recalled to the lobby, for use by emergency personnel only.

8. If smoke enters the building stay low and exit quickly.

9. In the event of power outage, the emergency generator will start and provide power to emergency lighting.

10. During the alarm, all card access doors will unlock until the system is reset.

If Fire Strikes

Remain calm. Knowing how to protect yourself during a fire emergency could save your life. Pull the fire alarm and proceed with the emergency evacuation plans.

Test Doors Before You Open Them

Kneeling or crouching at the door, reach up as high as you can and touch the hinge, the knob, and the space between the door and its frame with the back of your hand. If the door is cool, open it cautiously (only a few inches), to check for the possible presence of smoke in the corridor. If you feel it is safe, continue along your escape route. If it is warm, keep the door closed and seek an alternative escape route or stay in your room.

Crawl Low Under Smoke

If you encounter smoke while using your primary exit, use an alternative route. If you must exit through smoke, crouch or crawl.

Heat and smoke rise; cleaner air will be 12 to 24 inches (30 to 60 centimeters) above the floor.

Get Out And Stay Out

If you have determined that the hallway is safe for escape, alert other students on your floor and proceed to the closest exit stairway. Do not attempt to use the elevators. Leave the building as quickly as you can and cross to the west side of the street and await further instructions. Do not go back into the building for any reason.

Stop, Drop and Roll

If your clothing catches fire, stop where you are, drop gently to the floor or ground; cover your face with your hands to protect your face from flames; and roll over and over to smother the flames. If you cannot drop to the floor, smother the flames with a blanket or towel.

If You Are Trapped

Remain calm. Close all doors between you and the smoke. If possible, call the fire department at (9) 911, even if you can see fire trucks through your window. Also call the emergency number of Security, which is extension 2020.

Stuff rags, towels, or clothing in the cracks around doors to keep smoke out. Wait at your window; signal the firefighters by waiving a light-colored cloth or your flashlight and wait to be rescued. If smoke enters your room, open a window slightly and remain close to the floor.

General Information

Fire Drills

At least two fire drills will be conducted by the Chicago Fire Department each year. The drills will be recorded and evaluated for the purpose of improving the method of prompt evacuation from the building. Residents will be fined heavily and their contracts may be terminated if they refuse to follow directions given by the EET or other university personnel.

Smoke Detectors

The smoke detectors in your room and on your floor are tested on a regular basis. They are connected to the electricity in the University. The smoke detectors contain sensors that are extremely sensitive and may be set off by burnt food (popcorn, etc), hairdryers that are shortening out, heavy cigarette smoke, etc. Residents need to pay special attention when using these and other appliances/objects to prevent the smoke detectors from sounding.

If you smell smoke on your floor and feel that it is an immediate threat to you and your floormates, notify the Security Desk (extension 2020) and a member of the EET immediately and/or pull the Emergency Fire Alarm located in front of the north and south exit stairwells.

False Alarms

Tampering with smoke detectors, fire alarms, alerting any member of the EET, Security or Residence Life staff of false emergencies, and refusing to follow proper emergency procedures is considered a major violation of the HCC and Student Code of Conduct. Offenses may result in immediate removal from the HCC.

Elevators

In the event of a fire, elevators will go to the first floor and be shut down. Do not use the elevators, go directly to the available stairways provided in the Herman Crown Center. In the event of a power outage, elevators will stop immediately. They will not drop to the first floor and will not drop when power is restored. If you are trapped in an elevator, ring the bell and call for assistance. Security or Building Engineers will get help.

Building Fire Safety

The floors and ceilings are made of concrete. This makes it very difficult for fire to spread quickly.

When an alarm sounds, residents will be required to leave their rooms, close their doors, and evacuate the building immediately while security investigates the situation.

Fire Safety

Residential floors of the Herman Crown Center are protected by a state of the art fire alarm system. Smoke detectors are located in each resident’s room, floor restrooms, in the main stairwells and in other designated areas throughout the residence hall. The enunciator panel is located at the security desk.

When a smoke detector senses smoke it will sound an audible alarm with white flashing lights, all residents must immediately evacuate the floor. Students evacuating the building will use the closest stairwell. Residents should become familiar with the evacuation route.

Fire Drills

Fire drills are an essential part of the emergency procedures and will be conducted throughout the year. Failure to cooperate with the emergency procedures set forth by the university (following instructions, evacuating, executing correct emergency procedures) is a serious violation and may result in immediate removal from the HCC.

First Aid

A first aid kit and manual is located in the Residence Life Office for minor emergencies. Contact the RA on duty if such an emergency occurs during non-office hours (for items such as ace bandages, cold packs, etc.). For emergencies requiring immediate medical assistance, call (9) 911 for an ambulance. Residence Life is not responsible for supplying normal non-emergency items (such as pain relievers, thermometers, etc.).

Serious Illness

Report any serious illness or accidents to your RA. If you have a medical or psychological condition that may require services while you are a resident, you should notify your RA and/or the Counseling Center (for psychological conditions only). While confidentiality remains tantamount, it is important that our staff is aware of your personal needs and ways they can assist you if a concern or crisis arises.

If you need to go a hospital and 1) you are not so ill as to warrant an ambulance, or 2) you do not have a friend to drive you, the RA on duty will call a cab for you. For insurance reasons, the Residence Life staff is not permitted to drive students to the hospital, but may accompany you in a cab or ambulance upon your request.

Sexual Assault

Sexual assault is any form of forced sexual contact, including, but not limited to: acts of rape (stranger and acquaintance), as well as unwanted touching, fondling, or other forms of sexual conduct. Sexual Assault is a serious violation and will not be tolerated.

Victims of sexual assault should report the crime to the police, Security, the Counseling Center, and/or a member of the Residence Life staff. These offices can help to locate services available to assist you.

If you report a sexual assault, you will be advised of the importance of preserving evidence (such as not taking a shower until you have been examined), which may be necessary to provide proof for prosecution. You should also report the crime as soon as possible after it occurs to receive the necessary medical assistance and to help in the preservation of evidence.

Reported complaints of sexual assault will be investigated and information obtained in the process will be kept as confidential as possible. You should be aware that information disclosed to a University staff member (including RAs) must be reported to Security for government reporting purposes.