Evacuation

If danger exists in your building or area, you should immediately evacuate to distance yourself. Although an evacuation is typically signaled by the fire alarm system or emergency personnel, you may need to evacuate a building or area on your own.

Procedures

• Immediately leave the building/area via the nearest exit, do not use elevators
• If an alarm is not already sounding, immediately activate the nearest fire alarm pull station
• Assist others who need help. If they are unable to evacuate, instruct them to wait by the nearest stairwell

If you are in a high-rise building:

• Follow the audible instructions given over the building’s public address system

If you are unable to leave a building or area:

• Notify another occupant that you need assistance to evacuate or that you are unable to evacuate
• Call MIT Police at 617-253-1212 (x100 from a campus phone) and inform the dispatcher of your location
• If possible, wait in the nearest stairwell
• Remain calm until help arrives

Once you are outside:

• Proceed to the appropriate evacuation assembly area or to a safe distance away from the building
• Notify emergency responders or MIT Police at 617-253-1212 of people who were unable to evacuate
• Wait for the all clear from emergency or authorized personnel before re-entering a building/area

Preparedness

Please familiarize yourself with this additional information and preparedness tips:

• MIT policy requires everyone in a building to evacuate immediately when an alarm sounds
• Not evacuating could put yourself and emergency responders in danger, as well as result in fines and/or disciplinary action
• The nearest exit could be different than the one you used to enter the building
• Become familiar with at least two exit routes for all buildings that you enter, especially those buildings that you frequent
• If you are unsure of the nearest exit, maps showing means of egress and exits can often be found posted near stairways and/or elevators