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Monastery Evacuation Plan

The success of any evacuation is dependent on common sense, logic, and presence of mind; all evacuations should follow the fastest and safest route the particular emergency allows.

All building evacuations will occur when a fire alarm sounds or upon notification from authorized personnel. All personnel will evacuate to at least 75 feet from the building. Evacuation maps are posted and exits are marked. Once a building is evacuated, people may not reenter until approval is given by Abbot Neal Roth.   In the Abbot’s absence, Father Alfred Hulscher or, Brother Mark Bonneville, or Father Edward Receconi, or Brother Nicolaus Wilson shall act as the Official Abbey Representative.

Upon discovery of a fire or other significant emergency:

  1. A building evacuation will occur when a fire alarm sounds, or upon notification from Public Safety.

  2. Evacuation Monitors will: Announce evacuation in a clear, calm voice; Oversee orderly evacuation of room; Shut doors and windows and turn lights off (if time allows); Escort evacuees to designated assembly point. Evacuation Monitor is the last to leave a given zone of responsibility. Evacuees will go to, and remain at, designated assembly area until released by authorized SMU Official (Abbot Neal, Fr. Alfred Hulscher, Br. Mark Bonneville, or Fr. Edward Receconi, or Br. Nicolaus Wilson). CAUTION: FIRE ALARMS MAY STOP RINGING…. ALWAYS CONTINUE EVACUATION.

  3. At all doorways, evacuees will look both ways to determine direction of emergency and then proceed with evacuation. Special consideration will be given to persons with disabilities. 

  4. EVACUATION OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES: Evacuation Monitors will: 

    1. Communicate the nature of the emergency to the person.

    2. Ask how the person would like to be assisted.

    3. Evacuate mobility aids with person, if possible.

FOR PERSONS WITH VISUAL IMPAIRMENTS: Offer to guide person to the nearest exit. Have the person take your elbow and advise of any obstacles such as stairs, narrow passageways, or overhanging objects. At the assembly area, orient the person and ask if further assistance is needed.

FOR PERSONS WITH HEARING IMPAIRMENTS: Communicate with the hearing disabled person through writing, hand gestures, or lip-reading.

FOR PERSONS USING WHEELCHAIRS, CRUTCHES, CANES, OR WALKERS: Ask what method of assistance the person prefers. Evacuate mobility aids with the person if possible.  If the person prefers to be moved in the wheelchair, remember:

  • Ask if the person wants to move forward or backwards down stairs

  • Wheelchairs have many moveable or weak parts

  • Some persons have no upper trunk or neck strength

  • An evacuation chair may be needed; the regular wheelchair can be retrieved later

  • If a seat belt is available, use it!

If the person prefers to be removed from the wheelchair, ask his/her preference on the following:

  • Way of being removed from the wheelchair

  • Whether to move extremities or not

  • Being moved forward or backward down stairs

  • Whether to bring seat cushion or pads

  • What is necessary for after-evacuation care

Mobility aids will be retrieved as soon as possible. Contact Public Safety for location of mobility devices.

Emergency Assembly Point:

Primary Assembly Point: Outside the north end of Old Main. Command Post: North end of Old Main.

Alternate Assembly Points: Japanese Garden, NW of the Abbey Church. Command Post: Entrance to Visitor Parking lot.

Triage Location:  TBD by Lacey Fire Department.

Media Assembly Point:  TBD by Office of Communication

Keep streets, fire lanes, hydrants, and walkways clear for emergency personnel. Designated Evacuation Monitors will report completed evacuation to Br. Mark Bonneville. Evacuees must remain at the Assembly Point until released by a Abbey Official. Evacuees may be requested to move to an alternate site. If requested, evacuees will assist emergency personnel. Names of persons not accounted for are to be given immediately to Br. Mark Bonneville. A designated Abbey Official will remain at the Command Post to facilitate communications with SMU Administrators, Designated Evacuation Monitors, etc. 

  1. POINT OF CONTACT: Public Safety, or other designated SMU Official, is the Point of Contact (POC) for arriving fire/police officials and will report nature and location of emergency and status of evacuation.

  2. RETURN TO BUILDING: People may not return to the building until released by the Abbot Neal, Fr. Alfred Hulscher, or Br. Mark Bonneville.

  3. EARTHQUAKE PROCEDURE:

  • Drop, Cover, Hold under a table or desk or against an inside wall-not in a doorway-until the shaking stops.

  • After the shaking stops, check yourself and others for injuries and move toward the nearest exit or alternate exit.  .

  • Evacuate the building.  Do not attempt to use the elevators.  Go to Emergency Assembly Point.

  • Stay away from buildings, light poles, etc. 

  • Remain at Emergency Assembly Point until released by University Officials.

EVACUATION MONITORS

1st floor: Fr. George Seidel; 2nd Br. Ramon Newel and Br. Aelred Woodard, 3rd floor: Fr. Edward Receconi and Br. Nicolaus Wilson