Students, faculty and staff who have disabilities are encouraged to self-report their status to the Assistant Director of Emergency Management at (773) 325-4414 or
mike.ghuneim@depaul.edu, so appropriate action can be planned for or taken on their behalf in the event of an emergency situation.
Upon contacting Public Safety the following information will be requested:
- Name
- Office phone #
- Cell phone #
- Building
- Office room/classroom #
- Class schedule information-if student
- Hours in building
- Days of the week
- E-Mail address
- Type of assistance needed
Note: At the beginning of each academic quarter students must update their information due to class and location changes. All others are encouraged to update their information as needed.
When alarms sound, all requiring assistance should proceed to a safe area away from the danger, see below evacuation options. Emergency personnel/first responders upon arrival will begin a search of all floors. If an individual finds him/herself in a serious situation, they should immediately call 9-1-1 then DePaul Public Safety, and report their location.
In the event of an emergency building or campus evacuation, City of Chicago emergency personnel are the only personnel formally trained and authorized to provide physical evacuation assistance. In the event danger is imminent and there is no time to wait for City of Chicago personnel, the University suggests the following evacuation options for students, faculty, and staff with special needs:
“Buddy System” Evacuation Option—Inform a student, staff and/or faculty acquaintance (a “Buddy”) of the need for special assistance in the event of a fire alarm. When the fire alarm sounds, the “Buddy” should make sure of the individual’s location, then go outside and inform emergency personnel of a person in a specific location who needs assistance in leaving the building. Emergency personnel will then enter the building and evacuate that person.
Horizontal Relocation Option—Move a safe distance away from the area of imminent danger to another wing of the building or opposite end of the corridor.
Vertical (Stairway) Relocation Option—Those who are able to evacuate with or without minor assistance may evacuate via stairways.
Shelter-In-Place Option—Unless danger is imminent, remain in a room with an exterior window, closing the door if possible. If possible, dial 9-1-1. The individual should be prepared to tell the 9-1-1 operator his or her name, location and the nature of the emergency.
Most buildings on campus are equipped with fire alarm horns/strobes that sound an alarm and flash strobe lights. However, persons with hearing and/or vision impairments may not immediately notice or hear emergency alarms and may need to be alerted of emergency situations. Some persons may need to be alerted to the situation by gestures or by turning the light switch off and on. Emergency instructions can be given by verbalizing, mouthing or by a short, explicit written note. University faculty and staff are encouraged to offer such assistance, as appropriate.