If You Are Ordered to Evacuate a Building

  • Immediately evacuate the building, notifying any other occupants as you exit. Leave all belongings behind.
  • Close all windows and doors behind you.
  • Do not use elevators.
  • If you are able, help those who may need assistance in evacuating. If you are not able to help exit immediately and advise emergency responders of the person’s location.
  • Once you are safe, call 911 or the Samford University Police at 205-726-2020 to report the evacuation.
  • Give the operator a description of what is going on in the building.
  • Get at least 500 feet away from the building and wait for instructions from emergency response personnel.
  • Do not re-enter the building until it has been declared safe by the emergency response commander or the commander’s designee.

If the response to a crisis on campus requires an emergency evacuation of your building, you will be notified via the Samford Emergency Notification RAVE System whether the evacuation is due to a fire or some other circumstance.

Although fire is the most likely cause for evacuation, malicious or terrorist attacks might also necessitate an evacuation of your building. Governmental authorities cannot reliably estimate the likelihood of a terrorist attack in any American community, and college campuses are just as vulnerable to attacks without warning as are other areas within their respective communities.

Those who perpetrate violent attacks use various weapons, including but not limited to explosions, bomb threats or suspicious packages, and chemical or biological agents.

Evacuation of Individuals with Disabilities

Visual Impairment

Inform the person of the nature of the emergency and offer to guide the person to the nearest exit and rally point.

Hearing Impairment

Alert the person that there is an emergency situation by using hand gestures or by turning the lights on and off. Verbalize or mouth instructions, or provide the person with a short note containing instructions.

Mobility Impairment

Individuals who can walk may be able to evacuate with some assistance. For individuals unable to walk: if there is no immediate danger, escort the individual to a safe place to await rescue personnel. Remain with the person while another individual exits the building and notifies rescue personnel of the person’s exact location. Only in extreme situations should you try to evacuate a person in a wheelchair yourself. The mobility-impaired person is the best authority on how he or she should be moved. Ask before you move someone. A person may be carried by two people who have interlocked their arms to form a “chair,” or the person may be carried in a sturdy office chair.

Nonresident and Administrative Building Evacuation Rally Point Locations

During all nonresident and administrative building evacuations, take the following steps:

  • Evacuate the building immediately and remain 500 feet away from the building.
  • Check-in with a Samford employee or supervisor. Report individuals who are unable to evacuate and their location.

Inclement Weather Locations

Baseball Field, Softball Field, Field House, Tennis Courts

First floor of Hanna Center central hallways or restrooms, away from glass windows

Seibert Football Stadium

First floor of Sullivan-Cooney Field House or first floor of Seibert Hall in restrooms, away from windows

Track and Soccer and Intramural Complex

Leave the area immediately; go to the main campus and enter the first floor of any brick building, away from windows

Samford University Quad

Enter the first floor of any brick building, away from windows

  • Students and employees should check in with faculty or supervisors so they know you have evacuated the building.
  • Faculty and supervisors should ensure those they are responsible for are accounted for.
  • Await instructions from campus emergency response officials.
  • Do not re-enter buildings until the all clear is given by Samford Public Safety or city emergency response officials.