The purpose of this plan is to provide for the safe and orderly evacuation of volunteers in the event of a fire. This plan contains procedures on how to report a fire, what to do, and who will assist you. The procedures outlined in this plan are to be followed unless otherwise directed by police or fire department officials. In order to establish a safe and orderly plan of evacuation, employees and volunteers should become familiar with the building’s emergency equipment and this emergency plan.

This plan has been developed with the knowledge that there is no such thing as a “fire-proof” building and that education, preparation, and rehearsal are essential to a successful fire
evacuation plan.

FIRE DEPARTMENT: 911

POLICE DEPARTMENT: 911

AMBULANCE/PARAMEDICS: 911

ANIMAL PROTECTION & CONTROL: 970.226.3647 Ext 7

ANIMAL PROTECTION & CONTROL SUPERVISOR On-Call Cell: 970.215.8774 and 970.222.6102

FACILITIES CONTROL: Director of Operations-Jen Valentine, 970.818.1666 (Cell), Facilities and Maintenance Supervisor-Patrick Eastman, 970.297.8767

o This facility is equipped with a fire alarm system to notify all occupants of a fire emergency. It is also monitored by a 3rd party company that will notify 911 if the alarm is activated. 911 should still be called by staff as well.
o When the alarm sounds, it will notify both visually and audibly.
o The audible alarm is very loud and unmistakable. It will be heard from anywhere in the building.
o The visual alarms are mounted on walls and ceilings throughout the building and will flash bright strobe lights.
o Both visual and audible alarms will activate simultaneously.

Fire Hazard Location
o Oxygen tanks in the Medical Supply Closet and Vet Clinic
o Oxygen flow/Oxygen in use in the Surgery Suite
o Hay in outside storage
o Electrical kitchen appliances in the Break Room
o Various flammable liquids in the outside shed
o Lint traps in dryers in the Laundry room

o The alarm system is inspected annually and any deficiencies are corrected.
o All fire extinguishers are inspected monthly by Safety Team and all fire extinguishers are inspected annually by a certified contractor and serviced if necessary.
o Emergency lighting and exit signs are tested and maintained monthly by the Safety and Emergency Manager. The Facilities and Maintenance Supervisor is back-up, as needed.
o All testing and paperwork is filed and available at the request of the fire department.
o All flammable liquids are kept in appropriate containers and stored properly.
o Cigarettes should only be extinguished in appropriate receptacles.

o Fire Evacuation Drills: Fire evacuation drills are conducted without notice and under varying conditions. It is mandatory that all staff and volunteers participate, as well as any clients and
students in the building. Before each drill, the Safety and Emergency Manager will contact the fire department and alarm company on non-emergency numbers to notify them of the impending drill activity. Records of the drill will be kept on file with the Director of Operations. Upon completion of the drill, the Incident Commander will alert all persons that it is safe to re-enter the building. No person will re-enter the building before this alert. The Safety and Emergency Manager will also notify the fire department when the drill has concluded, and we have resumed normal operations.

o Volunteer Training: All volunteers, upon being interviewed, will receive training related to this fire evacuation plan, its procedures, and volunteer-specific duties. It is the responsibility of all Managers, Supervisors, Leads, and Direct Volunteer Supervisors to review this plan with their personnel and ensure their personnel
receive a copy of this document and are familiar with the plan, its procedures, and safety protocol. Records are tracked and
maintained by the Volunteer and Humane Education Program Manager.

The below staff are the direct contacts for a fire emergency. If these staff members are not on duty, the Incident Commander will be the next highest-level manager or supervisor on duty.

These individuals will be responsible for exercising command responsibilities, controlling the building systems on request, and being the liaison to the fire department for the organization.
• CEO, if onsite
• Director of Operations, if onsite
• Associate Director of Operations, if onsite
• Shelter Manager
• Safety and Emergency Manager, if onsite
• Supervising Veterinarian
• Veterinarian
• Managers
• Supervisors
• Coordinators

The highest-ranking individual in the evacuation zone will be the contact for that said zone:
• Managers
• Supervisors
• Coordinators

Responsibilities:
o Exercises command responsibilities for the accountability procedures in this plan.
o Gather accountability for Evacuation Meeting Area
o Communicate accountability information to the incident commander

1. It is the responsibility of all Managers, Supervisors, Safety Team members, and
Coordinators on duty to ensure the building is evacuated and 911 has been called.

2. It is the responsibility of all Direct Volunteer Supervisors and Volunteer and Humane
Education Coordinator to make sure your volunteers are present and accounted for at
the Evacuation Meeting area.

3. It is the responsibility of Client Services Supervisors, Shelter Supervisors, and Shelter
Manager to make sure the public is out of adoption and intake areas and fire doors in
the adoption hallway are closed.

4. It is the responsibility of Animal Care Supervisors, Shelter Supervisors, and Shelter
Manager to make sure any Community Service Volunteers are present and accounted
for at the Evacuation Meeting area.

5. It is the responsibility of the on-duty veterinarian to make sure any vet students are
present and accounted for at the Evacuation Meeting area.

6. It is the responsibility of the Safety and Emergency Manager to utilize our Emergency
Communications System to push notifications to staff, as requested.

7. If communicating via radio stay on channel 2 to avoid miscommunication. Any non-
emergency communication should immediately cease to allow for open channels.

8. If an evacuation is required, assist in guiding all employees, volunteers, students, and
the public to the nearest exit. Do a quick sweep of the area of the building you are in
before you evacuate. Get yourself out quickly.

9. Assist all physically challenged people to evacuate.

10. It is understood that people work different shifts so when you are on duty be prepared
to exercise leadership to guide people to the outside Meeting Areas quickly.

11. Ensure that all employees, volunteers, and the public have evacuated the area/floor
and closed doors behind you as you exit the building.

12. Keep evacuees calm and organized at the Evacuation Meeting Area.

13. Once accountability has been taken, notify the senior supervisor of any unaccounted-
for individuals.

14. Report all issues to the Point of Contact at the Evacuation Meeting Area (missing
persons, medical issues). The point of contact will pass along any information to the
Incident Commander (IC) for the Fire Department.

1. All staff members are responsible for getting themselves out of the building quickly, safely, and carefully.

2. Assist all physically challenged people in an emergency evacuation.

3. Use one of the Fire Pull Stations if there is a high probability of a real fire in the building (the smell of smoke, seeing fire) and it doesn't hinder your ability to quickly evacuate.
a. However, if the fire alarm is set off and there is a low probability that there is a real fire in the building, please DO NOT use the Fire Pull Stations.

4. Assemble at the Evacuation Meeting Area and stay there. Once in the Meeting Area,
you do not leave the Area.

5. Notify supervisors of any injuries or known missing persons.

6. Do not bring personal items unless already on your person.

❖ It is the responsibility of Managers, Supervisors, and Coordinators to account for all
personnel that have evacuated. These people will coordinate swift communication to account for personnel.

Safety Maps, which include evacuation routes, have been posted in each work area and throughout the building. The following information is marked on the safety maps.
1. Emergency exits are identified by red arrows on the map.
2. Exits not approved as Emergency Fire Exits are marked with a red X.
3. Primary and secondary evacuation routes
4. Locations of fire extinguishers
• Site personnel and volunteers should know all evacuation routes.

1. If a fire is discovered and the alarm has not yet been activated:
A. Get to a safe place and notify the local Fire Department by calling 911. You can also activate 911 by pressing the emergency call button on either the alarm keypad located at the west employee entrance and the sally port or the panic buttons under the intake desks.

2. If safe and able, notify the site personnel about the fire emergency by the following means:
A. Verbal Communication as you are moving toward exits
B. Radio: To use radio paging, state your message. In this situation, you would state “Fire Evacuate Building, Fire Evacuate Building” clearly and calmly. Make sure to repeat the page clearly twice before releasing the button.

3. Fight the fire ONLY if the ALL of the following criteria can be met:
A. The Fire Department has been notified.
B. The fire is small and is not spreading to other areas.
C. You are near the fire and a fire extinguisher.
D. Escaping the area is possible by backing up to the nearest exit.
E. The fire extinguisher is nearby and in working condition and you are trained to use it.

4. Upon being notified about the fire emergency, all persons must:

A. Leave the building using the designated escape routes IMMEDIATELY. Routes are highlighted in the safety maps and maps are posted throughout the building.
Remember the term “Get out, Stay out”! In other words, do not go back into the building. Do not stop to grab personal belongings. Touch doors with the back of your hand before opening them. If hot, keep it closed and find another escape route.

B. Assemble at the Evacuation Meeting Area and report to a point of contact at the Meeting Area for roll call.
a. Location for the Evacuation Meeting Area is on the North side of the building at the Memorial Garden.

C. If you are unable to get out of the building using a designated route on the map because of a barrier (fire or debris), use any other door to escape, then attempt to rally at the assigned Meeting Area. Attempt frequent communication via radio communications (channel 2) or cell phone to alert them of your location.

D. Remain outside until the competent authority (Incident Commander of NOCO Humane) announces that it is safe to re-enter the building.

1. Evacuate animals ONLY if they are in your immediate possession. For example, if you are walking a dog, do not attempt to return it to its kennel. If you do not have an animal, do not go to a kennel to get one.

2. If the Fire Department deems that it is safe to go back into the building the Incident Commander will orchestrate an orderly process for animal evacuations to occur (if necessary).