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Campus Conducts Fall Fire Drills

Emergency drills play a pivotal role in preparing UNO for a variety of crisis/emergency situations by testing the effectiveness of emergency plans and enabling individuals to respond more effectively to emergencies.

  • published: 2024/09/13
  • contact: Austin Brake - University of Nebraska Police and Public Safety Department
  • email: emergencymgmt@unomaha.edu
Fire Safety drawing

Credit: Dizain/Shutterstock

On Sept. 11 and 12, the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) Department of Emergency Management; Police and Public Safety; and Facilities Management conducted fire drills in campus buildings. The National Fire Protection Association codes adopted by the State of Nebraska and UNO, compels the campus community to conduct fire drills and evacuation exercises. Emergency Management staff sought feedback from campus deans and building coordinators to minimize the impact to critical operations.

Campus emergency drills play a pivotal role in preparing UNO for a variety of crisis/emergency situations by testing the effectiveness of emergency plans and enabling students, faculty, and staff to respond more effectively to emergencies. Emergency drills also create a sense of security and preparedness within the campus community. Please treat all fire alarms as real and evacuate the building! Do not hesitate when leaving!

According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), more than 200 workplace fires occur daily and more than 5,000 people are injured by workplace fires annually. Please take a moment to familiarize yourself with the fire safety tips and self-help measures below:

Fire Safety Tips

  • No open flames (ex. candles) are permitted on campus.
  • UNO is a non-smoking campus.
  • Check for damaged or overloaded electrical outlets, cords, and cables.
  • Keep anything that can burn away from electrical equipment.
  • Keep workspace and equipment clean, dry, and well ventilated.
  • Keep exits free from any obstacles.

Self-Help Measures

  • If you are caught in smoke, drop to your had and knees and crawl below the smoke level to the safest exit.
  • If you are trapped in a room, place cloth, or material under the door to keep smoke from entering.
  • Know the location of the fire extinguisher and how to use it - online training is available.
  • Plan and practice multiple escape routes in case one is blocked.

If There is a Fire

  1. Pull the Fire Alarm
  2. Never use the elevator. Walk – Don’t run – down the stairs.
  3. Leave the building, closing doors behind you.
  4. Exit the building and remain at least 100ft away. Rally Points are posted on the UNO Emergency website where faculty/staff can obtain a count of individuals to see if anyone did not make it out.
  5. If unable to evacuate, go to the nearest area of rescue assistance. If that is not possible, seal the door gaps with jackets, wait at the window, remain calm.

Share Your Feedback

If you have feedback regarding this fire drill or experienced an issue, please reach out to the Department of Emergency Management at emergencymgmt@unomaha.edu.