In Case of Emergency

In case of emergency and what to do in the event of a fire

1. Stay calm and know your building emergency evacuation plan.

2. Always sound the building fire alarm immediately. If the alarm fails to operate, warn other occupants by knocking on doors and shouting warnings. If you hear the fire alarm, leave the building.

3. Call the Yale Police Department at 911 or 203-432-4400 from a safely located telephone. Give as much information as possible to the dispatcher. Do not assume that someone else has already notified Yale Police. They will immediately notify the New Haven Fire Department and dispatch officers to the scene. Do not hang up until told to do so by the dispatcher.

  • In the past, it was necessary to dial 111 from campus phones, but that system is no longer needed.
  • Dialing 911 from any phone on campus will connect you to the Yale Police. It is not necessary to dial ‘9’, only 911. Yale Telecom provide stickers for campus phones with the reminder to dial 911. You may also program any cell phones with the 911 emergency number.

4. Before opening any doors, feel it with the back of your hand. If it is hot, do the following (if it is not hot go to step 5).

  • Open the windows only if there is no smoke present outside.
  • Seal cracks around the door with towels, tape, bed clothing, or similar items to keep out the smoke.
  • If you are trapped, hang a sheet, jacket, or shirt or other object out the window that will attract attention. Shout for help.
  • Call the Yale Police at 911 or 203-432-4400 on the telephone and tell them that you are unable to get out of your room. The Yale Police will be in direct radio contact with officers at the fire. Remain calm until firefighters reach you from the hallway or window. Their first duty upon arriving at a fire is to search for persons trapped in the burning building.

5. If you are able to leave your room, do so immediately and:

  • Take your key with you in case you are forced to return. Close all doors behind you as you exit. This will lessen the spread of smoke and damage.
  • Go to the nearest exit or stairway. Do not use an elevator.
  • If smoke, heat or fire blocks your exit, go to an alternate exit.
  • If all exits from a floor are blocked go back to your room and follow the procedures described above in STEP 4.

6. If smoke is present, keep low to the floor. Take short breaths to avoid inhaling any more smoke than necessary.

7. Leave the building immediately. When the Yale Police and/or firefighters arrive, direct them to the fire.

8. After leaving the building, stand clear. Follow the directions of Yale Police and firefighters. Do not reenter the building for any reason until the fire department has declared it safe.