Omaha Police Department Fire Emergency and Evacuation Policy PDF

**POLICE FACILITIES - FIRE EMERGENCY AND EVACUATION** **CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION: THIS POLICY IS CONFIDENTIAL IN ITS ENTIRETY.** **POLICY:** It is the policy of the Omaha Police Department (OPD) to establish procedures and responses in case of a fire or other emergency to ensure the safety of OPD...

**POLICE FACILITIES - FIRE EMERGENCY AND EVACUATION** **CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION: THIS POLICY IS CONFIDENTIAL IN ITS ENTIRETY.** **POLICY:** It is the policy of the Omaha Police Department (OPD) to establish procedures and responses in case of a fire or other emergency to ensure the safety of OPD employees and civilians who are present in police facilities. **PROCEDURE:** I. General ========== A. It is the responsibility of the Chief of Police or designee to implement and direct required emergency actions and any other actions deemed necessary to ensure personal safety during a fire or other emergency. B. All employees will familiarize themselves with the fire alarm locations in their assigned work areas/facilities. C. OPD facilities may have manual pull-type fire alarm systems and/or automated fire alarm systems. 1. Pull-type fire alarm systems can be activated by pulling down on the alarm plate. 2. Automated fire alarm systems should activate automatically when it senses smoke and/or fire. D. Elevators shall NOT be used during an evacuation. E. When an evacuation is necessary in any of OPD's facilities, ALL persons will evacuate in an orderly manner. F. When the fire alarm/strobe lights have been activated at any one of OPD's facilities, AND A FIRE ALARM TEST HAS NOT BEEN ANNOUNCED, [ALL EMPLOYEES AND CIVILIANS] will exit the facility and go to the areas designated in this policy. II. Designated Employees Responsible During Fire Emergency ========================================================== A. Central Police Headquarters (CPHQ) 1. Floor Monitors, Alternates, and Mobility Impairment Assistants for each floor will be appointed to assist employees and civilians during emergencies. The Front Desk Sergeant will be responsible for overseeing the Floor Monitors, Alternates, and Mobility Impairment Assistants. See the "Fire Emergencies at CPHQ" section of this policy for more information. B. Omaha Public Safety Training Center (OPSTC) 2. One of the Facility Supervisors and/or the Facility Manager will be responsible for assisting employees and civilians during emergencies. C. Air Support Unit, Canine Unit, Impound Lot, Mounted Patrol Barn, and Precincts 3. The highest-ranking employee on-site during the emergency will be responsible for assisting employees and civilians. III. General Responsibilities During Fire Evacuations at Police Facilities ========================================================================== a. Maintain calm and prevent panic. b. Ensure the total evacuation of all persons. c. Be prepared to deal with panic using the following principles: 1. Provide assurance. Designated employees must exert positive leadership. They will reassure others by giving information and instructions [calmly.] 2. Demonstrate decisiveness. Designated employees will suggest positive actions, indicating what to do rather than what not to do. IV. Fire Emergencies at CPHQ ============================ A. CPHQ is equipped with a fire alarm system and manual pull-type fire alarms are located at the entrance to each stairwell on every floor of the building. B. Fire extinguishers are located throughout the building. Specific locations include: 1. 6^th^ Floor: One close to the front elevators and stairwell door, one by the drinking fountain in the back hall, one in the Internal Affairs Unit (IAU) office, and one by the back elevator. 2. 5^th^ Floor: One close to the front elevators and stairwell door, and one in the back hall. 3. 4^th^ Floor: One close to the front elevators and stairwell door, one by the back elevator, one by the drinking fountain on the back wall, and one in the polygraph testing area. 4. 3^rd^ Floor: One by the back elevator, one in the hall by the stairwell door and janitor room door, and one by the drinking fountain on the back wall. 5. 2^nd^ Floor/Garage: One by the front elevators, one in the Police Supply Unit, and several on each wall in the garage. 6. 1^st^ Floor: One by the front elevators, two by the emergency exit door close to the gym, one by the exit door close to the Evidence and Property Unit (EPU), one by the bathroom close to EPU, three in EPU, one in the Forensic Investigations Unit (FIU), one in the FIU Clean Room, and one by the door in the backroom of the Mobile IT Unit. C. Floor Monitors/Alternates and Mobility Impairment Assistants shall assist employees and civilians during the emergency. Floor Monitors/Alternates at CPHQ are as follows: 7. 6th Floor: Monitor: Internal Affairs Unit Lieutenant 8. 5th Floor: 9. 4th Floor: 10. 3rd Floor: 11. Garage Level (2^nd^ Floor): Monitor: Storekeeper II 12. Lower Level (1^st^ Floor): D. In the event of a fire at CPHQ during regular business hours, employees shall notify the Front Desk Sergeant and/or Front Desk employees at 402-444-5818, 402-444-5838, or 402-4445889. 13. Front Desk employees shall: a. Notify 911. b. Broadcast the emergency announcement below over the PA system: c. Notify the Fleet and Facilities Coordinator at 402-506-3712. E. In the event of a fire after business hours, employees shall notify OPD Field Investigations Squad at 402-444-3333 and then press Option 1, Option 1. 14. Field Investigations employees shall: d. Notify 911. e. Broadcast the emergency announcement below over the PA system: f. Notify the Fleet and Facilities Coordinator at 402-506-3712. F. When a fire emergency announcement has been made and/or the fire alarm/strobe lights have been activated, AND A FIRE ALARM TEST HAS NOT BEEN ANNOUNCED, [ALL EMPLOYEES] 15. Employees shall ensure any civilian visitors, outside agency employees and/or contractors are also evacuated. G. Evacuation routes could vary depending on circumstances and the location of the emergency. However, the following general rules will apply: 16. The stairs located on the east and west sides of CPHQ will be used during an evacuation. The doors that can be used during an evacuation are the front lobby doors on the 3rd floor, the Records Squad emergency exit doors on the 3rd floor, garage doors on the 2nd floor, or the pedestrian door next to the Police Supply Unit on the 2nd floor/in the garage. 17. If CPHQ loses power, the security access card readers WILL continue to operate via the emergency circuits. The backup generator will take approximately 30 seconds to become operative. 18. No card reader is required to exit the east or west stairwell on the 2^nd^ floor (leading to the garage), or the west stairwell on the 3^rd^ floor (leading either to the south side of the building or out the front doors to the west). 19. The pedestrian door on the 2^nd^ floor leading to the sidewalk on the east (14^th^ Street) side of the garage level will lock in the open position. 20. Information Channel employees will broadcast that they are temporarily out of service and will evacuate their duty post. 21. Security of Valuables g. Each unit commander or designee will ensure that all cash, negotiables, records, securities, and other valuables are secured when evacuation is necessary. h. An accounting of valuables for each unit will be conducted by the unit commander once the emergency is terminated. 22. Fleet and Facilities Coordinator i. The Fleet and Facilities Coordinator will establish contact with the on-scene Fire Department Commander at their first opportunity following an emergency evacuation. j. The Fleet and Facilities Coordinator will brief the Fire Commander of any hazardous/dangerous materials and their location in or around the CPHQ Building. k. The Fleet and Facilities Coordinator will be available for advice concerning the floor plans or electrical systems at CPHQ. l. The Fleet and Facilities Coordinator will communicate any pertinent information obtained from Fire Department personnel to the Front Desk Sergeant, when necessary. 23. Once the emergency is over, all evacuated individuals will be notified by the Omaha Fire Department (OFD), an OPD command officer or the Fleet and Facilities Coordinator. All persons will remain in their evacuated area until the "all-clear" is given. m. Employees will either be directed to return to their duty post or given special assignments within CPHQ. V. Fire Emergencies at the Omaha Public Safety Training Center (OPSTC) ====================================================================== A. The OPSTC is equipped with a fire alarm system and also has OFD personnel on-site. Manual pull-type fire alarms are located at the front entrance on the east wall, at the top of the stairs in the main hallway on the south wall, and in the application (apps) bay on the north and west wall. B. In the event of a fire at OPSTC, employees shall: 1. Notify 911. 2. Broadcast the emergency announcement below over the PA system: 3. Notify the Facility Manager at 402-444-4376. C. Evacuation routes could vary depending upon circumstances and the location of the emergency. However, the following general rules will apply: 4. If persons are on the main floor at OPSTC they will evacuate through the front doors. 5. If persons are in the hallway adjacent to the National Guard classrooms, they will evacuate through the exit door at the north end of the hallway. 6. If persons are downstairs, they will use the 25-yard range doors, the back exit to the rear parking lot, or the three exit doors located on the east side of the apps bay to evacuate. 7. All persons will evacuate to the front parking lot. D. Once the emergency is over, all evacuated persons will be notified by the Facility Supervisors, Facility Manager, and/or OFD. All persons will remain in their evacuated area until the "all-clear" is given. 8. Employees will either be directed to return to their duty post or given special instructions by command. VI\. Fire Emergencies at Air Support Unit, Canine Unit, Impound Lot, Mounted Patrol Barn, and Precincts A. In the event of a fire at one of these buildings, employees shall: 1. Notify the highest-ranking officer or employee on-site and notify 911. 2. The highest-ranking officer on-site will be responsible for supervising and assisting during the evacuation. They or their designee will also broadcast the emergency announcement below over the building's PA system: 3. All persons will remain in their evacuated area until the "all-clear" is given. When the "allclear" is given, all evacuated persons will be notified by the highest-ranking officer onsite and/or OFD. a. Employees will either be directed to return to their duty post or given special instructions by command. 4. Evacuation routes could vary depending upon circumstances and the location of the emergency. However, the following rules below will generally apply: b. Air Support Unit 1. The Air Support Unit has fire alarms next to all four entry/exit doors, two in the hangar, and two in the office area. The unit also has a fire detection system with fire suppression in the building. Fire extinguishers are located in the hangar near both exit doors and on the back wall. 2. All persons shall evacuate the facility by using the nearest exit. 3. Once all persons have been evacuated, the following people shall be notified immediately: i. The Fleet and Facilities Coordinator at 402-506-3712. ii. The Chief Pilot (if not already on-site) at 402-419-4612. c. Canine Unit 4. The Canine Unit has fire alarms in the main office, the apps bay, and the kennel area. Fire extinguishers are located in the apps bay and the main office. 5. If persons are in the main office, they will evacuate through the main door on the south side or on the west side. 6. If persons are in the kennel area, they will evacuate through the door that has an illuminated exit sign since it leads directly outside. If this door is inoperable, the door that leads to the apps bay may be used. 7. If persons are in the apps bay, they will evacuate through the overhead garage door. If the overhead garage door is inoperable, the door that leads to the main office or the kennel area may be used. 8. If persons evacuated to the front of the building, they shall continue south along the driveway until they reach a safe distance from the building. 9. If persons evacuated to the rear of the building, they shall exit the fenced backyard through one of the two gates and continue until they reach a safe distance from the building. 10. Once all persons have been evacuated, the Fleet and Facilities Coordinator shall be contacted at 402-506-3712. d. Impound Lot 11. The Impound Lot has one fire extinguisher in the office, one by each south door of the building to the outside, and one by each entrance door to the auction building. 12. All persons shall evacuate the facility by using the nearest exit. 13. Once all persons have been evacuated, the following people shall be notified immediately: iii. The Fleet and Facilities Coordinator at 402-506-3712. iv. The Impound Lot Manager (if not already on site) at 402-4446672. e. Mounted Patrol Barn 14. The Mounted Patrol Barn is equipped with a pull-station fire alarm in the hallway by the offices, along with automatic fire alarms throughout the building. Fire extinguishers are in the main office and utility room, and next to the north sliding doors, west garage door, east garage door, east door of the stall barn area, and east exit door. 15. If persons are in the offices or locker rooms, they will evacuate through the west door in the hallway. 16. If persons are in the stall barn area, they will evacuate through the east door in the garage. 17. Employees shall do their best to preserve the lives of the horses at the Mounted Patrol Barn, while keeping in mind that preserving human lives must be the top priority. v. If feasible, employees shall evacuate the horses by using the south sliding doors in the stall barn area. These doors are secured with a padlock and the keys are located in the grooming stall adjacent to the sliding doors. vi. Employees shall take the horses to the outdoor turn-out pen. 18. All persons will evacuate to the north ConAgra parking lot across Leavenworth Street. 19. Once all persons and horses have been evacuated, the following people shall be notified immediately: vii. The Fleet and Facilities Coordinator at 402-506-3712. viii. The Mounted Patrol Supervisor at 402-957-5924. The Mounted Patrol Supervisor shall then contact the Southeast Precinct Captain. f. Northeast Precinct 20. The Northeast Precinct is equipped with an automated fire alarm system throughout the building. Fire extinguishers are located in the main hallways and equipment rooms. 21. If persons are located in the community room or front lobby, they will evacuate through the main east exit or the east auxiliary exit. 22. If persons are located in any other area of the building, they will evacuate through the main west exit or the west auxiliary exit next to the garage. 23. All persons will evacuate to the parking lot across the street to the north. 24. Once all persons have been evacuated, the Fleet and Facilities Coordinator shall be contacted at 402-506-3712. g. Northwest Precinct 25. The Northwest Precinct is equipped with an automated fire alarm system throughout the building. Fire extinguishers are located in the main hallways. 26. If persons are located in the crime prevention area of the building, they will evacuate through the main west exit or east auxiliary exit. 27. If persons are located in any other part of the building, they will evacuate through the main west exit doors or the north auxiliary exit doors. 28. All persons will evacuate to the parking lot across the street to the north. 29. Once all persons have been evacuated, the Fleet and Facilities Coordinator shall be contacted at 402-506-3712. h. Southwest Precinct 30. The Southwest Precinct has fire alarm pull-stations adjacent to all exits 31. If persons are in the equipment room or roll call room, they will evacuate through the south double doors. 32. If persons are in the patrol ops room, 1^st^ floor conference room, elevator equipment room, sergeants bay, or break room, they will evacuate through the south double doors or the exit close to the east stairwell. 33. If persons are in the bathroom on the 1^st^ floor, lobby area, interview rooms, small storage room, secretary's office, crime prevention specialist's office, lieutenants' offices, or captain's office, they will evacuate through the north triple doors. 34. If persons are in the community room or small storage room, they will evacuate through the exit door in the community room. 35. If persons are in the large storage room, custodians' room, or evidence room, they will evacuate through the east or west garage door. 36. If persons are in the 2^nd^ floor conference room, gym, men's locker room, women's locker room, or lactation room, they will evacuate through the south double doors, north triple doors/main lobby doors, or the exit door close to the east stairwell. 37. All persons will evacuate to the south end of the parking lot. 38. Once all persons have been evacuated, the Fleet and Facilities Coordinator shall be contacted at 402-506-3712. i. Southeast Precinct 39. The Southeast Precinct is equipped with an automated fire alarm system throughout the building. Fire extinguishers are in the main lobby, next to 40. If persons are in the sergeant's bay or patrol briefing room, they will evacuate through the northwest double doors, garage, or front door and go to the western part of the parking lot. 41. If persons are in the kitchen, locker rooms, evidence room, 42. If persons are in the patrol operations area, gang unit area, patrol 43. If persons are in the conference room they will evacuate through the southeast door and go to the southern part of the parking lot. 44. If persons are in the captain's office, lieutenant office "C", front desk/lobby area, community resource office, gang support office, or restrooms they will evacuate through the main entrance doors and go to the southern part of the parking lot. 45. If persons are in the bike rack bay, they will evacuate through the north side door and go to the western part of the parking lot. 46. Once all persons have been evacuated, the following people shall be notified immediately: a. The Fleet and Facilities Coordinator at 402-506-3712. b. The Southeast Precinct Captain at 402-250-1696. j. West Precinct 47. The West Precinct has fire alarms in every office and hallway. Fire extinguishers are in the community room kitchenette, main hallway next to the UPB report room/roll call room, main hallway next to the traffic area, east hallway by the locker rooms, SWAT/ERU garage, men's locker room, and in the Traffic Unit garage. 48. If persons are in the community room, they will evacuate through the main entrance. 49. If persons are in the command/admin area or sergeants' area, they will evacuate through the southwest doors. 50. If persons are in the report room, roll call room, or the locker rooms, they will evacuate through the east doors. 51. If persons are in the traffic area, they will evacuate through the northwest doors. 52. If persons are in the ERU area, they will evacuate through the north doors. 53. All persons will evacuate to the [FRONT] of the building, which is the south side of the building on Cumberland Drive. 54. Once all persons have been evacuated, the Fleet and Facilities Coordinator shall be contacted at 402-506-3712. VII. Mobility Impairment Considerations ======================================= 1. [Non-ambulatory]: Every person who uses a wheelchair will have a different set of requirements and preferences to be placed into action in the event of an emergency evacuation. If located on an upper floor, these individuals should be assisted to a firerated stairwell landing to await evacuation assistance by designated OPD personnel or by Fire Department personnel. 2. [Semi-ambulatory]: These individuals may use braces, crutches, etc. and should be treated as people with injuries in order to facilitate rapid evacuation. They may not be able to travel to a safe area as fast as those without disabilities because of their conditions. Designated employees should help them walk down the stairs. 3. [Visual Impairments]: These individuals can proceed down stairs with minimal assistance 4. [Auditory Impairments]: Audible alarms may not be heard by these individuals so designated employees may find it necessary to gain their attention by turning a light switch off/on. Indicate through gestures or in writing the nature of the emergency and actions that should be taken. **VIII. See the OPD** [**["Police Facilities -- Severe Weather Plan"]**](https://powerdms.com/link/OPDEP1/document/?id=836880) **policy for procedures related to severe weather.** **REFERENCES:** I. Previous OPD Orders ====================== A. Previous General Orders: \#117-88, 37-94, 7-04, 36-10, 48-18, 48-18 Supplement \#1 and 2-24. B. Previous Information Orders: \#237-94 and 1-06.