Introduction
Mid Michigan College recognizes that fires, hazardous conditions, utility failures, severe weather, threats, and other emergencies may require the partial or complete evacuation of a building or campus. This procedure establishes an orderly process for protecting students, employees, visitors, and others on College property.
Successful emergency response depends on preparation and cooperation throughout the campus community. Everyone is expected to become familiar with posted Emergency Plan Maps, primary and secondary evacuation routes, applicable Emergency Modes, and assembly areas. All community members must participate in drills and follow official instructions during drills and actual emergencies.
Preparation & Prevention
- Exit & Safety Identification | Emergency exits are marked throughout College buildings. Exit signs, fire doors, corridors, stairwells, and other means of egress must remain visible, accessible, and unobstructed.
- Emergency Plan Maps | Emergency Plan Maps are posted in classrooms, labs, work areas, and public spaces. Additional emergency information is available on the College’s Safety & Security webpage.
- Primary & Secondary Routes | Individuals should identify a primary exit and an alternate route in case the nearest exit is blocked by smoke, fire, debris, or another hazard.
- Classroom Preparation | If the class is onsite, at the beginning of each semester, faculty should review the posted evacuation route with each class and identify where the class should meet following an evacuation. The outside meeting location should be at least 100 feet from the building and away from entrances, roadways, fire lanes, and areas needed by emergency responders.
- Department Preparation | Supervisors should ensure that employees know their evacuation routes, assembly locations, and accountability procedures.
- Reporting Concerns | Damaged or missing signs, blocked exits, inaccessible routes, or other safety concerns should be reported promptly to Safety & Security at sos@midmich.edu.
Building Evacuation Procedure
When an alarm or evacuation order is issued
- Evacuate immediately. Treat every alarm as an actual emergency. Do not delay while waiting for additional information.
- Use the nearest safe exit. Walk quickly and calmly to the closest safe exit. If that route is blocked or hazardous, use a secondary evacuation route.
- Do not retrieve belongings. Take only your essential items with you that are immediately available, such as a phone, keys, or necessary medication. Do not delay evacuation to collect personal property.
- Close doors when safe. Close doors and windows if they can be reached immediately and safely as areas are evacuated. Do not lock doors or delay evacuation to secure a room.
- Do not use elevators. Use stairs unless emergency responders specifically authorize elevator use.
- Assist others appropriately. Offer assistance to individuals who may need help and follow established evacuation assistance protocols. Do not place yourself or others at unreasonable risk.
- Follow official directions. Comply with instructions from Safety & Security, the Core Crisis Team, law enforcement, fire personnel, and other emergency responders.
- Move away from the building. Proceed to the designated assembly location or move at least 100 feet from the building. A greater distance may be required depending on the emergency. Remain clear of entrances, roadways, fire lanes, and emergency equipment.
- Account for the group. Faculty and supervisors should make a reasonable effort to account for their students or employees. Report anyone who may be missing and the person’s last known location to Safety & Security or emergency responders. Never re-enter the building to search for someone.
- Remain at the assembly location. Stay with the group unless instructed to relocate or leave the area. Continue monitoring official emergency communications.
- Wait for the official all clear. Do not return to the building until Safety & Security, the Core Crisis Team, or emergency responders expressly authorize re-entry. The alarm ending does not mean that the building is safe.
Evacuation Assistance & Accessibility
Emergency procedures must account for people with mobility, sensory, cognitive, medical, and other disability-related needs.
Individuals who may need assistance are encouraged to contact Safety & Security or Student Accommodations in advance to discuss available evacuation options and develop an individualized plan, when appropriate.
Considerations when assisting persons with a disability during an evacuation
- Ask before providing physical assistance and follow the individual’s instructions whenever possible.
- Use established accessible routes and evacuation assistance procedures.
- Only trained personnel should use evacuation chairs or perform lifts or carries.
- Do not use elevators unless emergency responders direct otherwise.
- If a person cannot evacuate safely, immediately report the person’s exact location and assistance needed to 911, Campus Safety & Security, or emergency responders.
- Never re-enter a building to attempt a rescue. Provide trained responders with the person’s last known location.
Campus-Wide Evacuation
A campus-wide evacuation differs from a building evacuation. If the College orders an entire campus to evacuate, follow the instructions provided through MidAlert! the public-address system, or emergency responders. Do not remain at a building assembly location unless instructed to do so.
Emergency Confirmation & Decision-Making
Safety & Security personnel and/or designated members of the Core Crisis Team are responsible for confirming whether a significant emergency or dangerous situation involving an immediate threat to the health or safety of students or employees exists on campus.
After confirming an emergency, authorized officials will
- Determine which area or segment of the campus community is affected.
- Determine the content of the emergency notification.
- Initiate the appropriate notification system promptly, taking into account the safety of the campus community.
- Coordinate with law enforcement, fire services, emergency medical services, or other responding agencies as appropriate.
- Provide follow-up information as circumstances develop.
- Disseminate emergency information to the surrounding community when warranted.
An evacuation may be initiated through a fire alarm, verbal evacuation order, public-address announcement, the direction of Safety & Security, the Core Crisis Team, emergency responders, or MidAlert!
Some emergencies may require sheltering in place, securing rooms, or following another Emergency Mode instead of evacuating. Always follow the most current incident-specific instructions. If an alarm or evacuation order is issued, do not wait for confirmation through another communication channel before acting.
Emergency Notifications
The College may provide emergency instructions and updates through one or more of the following
- Fire alarms and other campus warning systems
- Public-address and telephone systems
- MidAlert! text messages and automated voice calls
- Messages sent to active Mid Mich Email accounts
- The College website
- Notices posted on College buildings
- Local news media
- Direct instructions from College officials or emergency responders
Emergency emails are sent automatically to active Mid Mich Email accounts. Receipt of automated voice calls and text messages depends on the contact information and MidAlert! preferences maintained in Self-Service. Campus visitors may enroll in temporary MidAlert! notifications as detailed on the College’s MidAlert! webpage.
Because conditions can evolve quickly, community members should continue monitoring official communications after leaving a building.
Questions & Emergency Contacts
For questions about evacuation procedures, Emergency Plan Maps, or non-urgent safety concerns, contact Safety & Security at sos@midmich.edu.
During an emergency, time is of the essence! Call 911 and follow all instructions from College officials and emergency responders.