Sherrerd Hall Emergency Action Plan

Below is the Sherrerd Hall Emergency Action Plan.  

Emergencies: 911 (from any campus phone) and 609-258-3333 (from a cell phone)

Designated Assembly Area: Lawn area between Friend Center and Sherrerd Hall. Inclement weather: Inside the Friend Center across the quad

Fire Protection Systems: Sherrerd Hall is equipped with audible and visual alarms activated by smoke detectors or manual pull stations. The building is equipped with full fire suppression.

Contacts: Kaitlin Lutz
609-258-6104
[email protected]

William Gervasi
609-258-2843
609-613-0487
[email protected]

Emergency Coordinators:
CITP, Laura Cummings-Abdo, 609-258-2266 or [email protected]
ORFE, Connie Brown, 609-258-5422 or [email protected]

Fires

If you discover a fire:

  • Alert people in the area to evacuate
  • Activate the nearest fire alarm
  • Call Public Safety at 911 or 258-3333 once outside

If the fire alarm is activated:

  • Feel the door or doorknob to the hallway with the back of your hand. If it feels hot, do not open it – the fire may be on the other side of the door. 
  • If you are trapped, put a cloth or towel under the door to help prevent the entry of smoke. 
  • Dial 911 and tell the dispatcher your location and telephone extension. Stay on the phone until instructed otherwise.
  • If the door is not hot, open it slowly. If the hallway is clear of smoke, walk to the nearest fire exit and evacuate to the street/ground level exit.
  • Close doors behind you.
  • Do not use elevators. Elevator will not be available once the alarm sounds.
  • Assemble at the area designated in your departmental Emergency Action Plan and remain there until instructed by Public Safety that it is safe to re-enter the building.

Evacuation Procedures

Evacuate immediately! After you have left the building, report to the Friend Center Courtyard. At the assembly point, supervisors will account for personnel and notify the Emergency Coordinator or Public Safety if any personnel are missing. Students and visitors who may not be familiar with this plan must be informed of the requirement.

Shelter in Place

During certain emergency situations, particularly chemical releases, radioactive material releases and some weather emergencies, you may be advised to “Shelter in Place” (e.g., remain inside) rather than evacuate the building.

  • Stay inside the building.
  • If possible, go to a room or corridor where there are no windows. In the event of a chemical release, go to an above-ground level of the building, since some chemicals are heavier than air and may seep into basements, even if windows are closed.
  • Do not use elevators.
  • Shut and lock all windows and doors. Locking can provide a tighter seal.
  • Turn off the heat, air conditioning or ventilation system, if you have local controls for these systems. Most University buildings have ventilation systems controlled centrally by Facilities Engineering.
  • Close fireplace dampers.
  • Quickly locate supplies you may need, e.g., food, water, radio, etc.
  • If possible, monitor for additional information via the main University web page, radio (88.1, 97.5, 101.5, 103.3, 1350, 1450, 1490) or television for further instructions.
  • Do not call 911 unless you are reporting a life-threatening situation.

Additional steps to be taken if materials are available:

  • In the event of a chemical, biological or radioactive material release requiring Shelter-in-Place, seal doors and windows with duct tape and/or plastic sheeting, wet paper towels, etc.
  • Cover cracks under doors with damp towels.

When the “all clear” is announced

  • Open windows and doors.
  • Turn on heating, air conditioning or ventilation system.
  • Await further instructions.

Persons with Disabilities

Planning for Assistance in an Evacuation
If you think you need specialized assistance during an evacuation (identification of fire-exit stairwells, specialized evacuation equipment or alternative egress route planning) due to a medical condition or disability, contact your emergency coordinator to arrange for a needs assessment. Self-identification is voluntary and confidential. All such requests and any special arrangements made will only be disclosed to Public Safety and individuals who have a responsibility to assist. Elevators are not available to occupants once fire alarms are activated.

Evacuation Procedures
If you are alone at the time of a fire or emergency evacuation, notify Public Safety of your location by calling 911 from any campus phone or 609-258-3333 from a cellular phone. Proceed to the nearest fire-exit stairwell and wait on the line for assistance. To ensure your location is known, ask an individual who is evacuating to notify Public Safety at the designated assembly point of your location. Members of Public Safety, the Princeton Fire Department or the Princeton First Aid and Rescue Squad will assist you from the building.

University Fire Emergency Policy and Procedure

In case of a fire emergency, Public Safety must be notified immediately at 911. All occupants must evacuate the building in accordance with the departmental emergency action plan. Public Safety has primary responsibility for managing fire emergencies and summoning outside assistance when necessary. Unauthorized re-entry into a building during a fire emergency is not permitted. Violators of this policy are subject to University and state fire code sanctions.

Individuals who have been trained in the proper use of a fire extinguisher and are confident in their ability to cope with the hazards of a fire may use a portable fire extinguisher to fight small, incipient stage fires (no larger than a waste paper basket). 

Each University Department must designate an Emergency Coordinator responsible for developing and maintaining a departmental Emergency Action Plan (EAP) and training employees on all elements of the plan as well as any special duties assigned specific individuals. During a fire emergency, only individuals designated in the EAP may remain in the building to fulfill their responsibilities. All other occupants must immediately evacuate the building in accordance with the departmental emergency action plan.

Training

The Emergency Coordinator is responsible for providing all new employees or other regular building occupants with initial Emergency Action Plan training.. All building occupants must be familiar with the contents of this plan and retrained annually. The Emergency Coordinator is responsible for full dissemination of any changes to the plan following the annual review.

Fire extinguisher training and the arrangement of fire drills is available upon request through the University Fire Marshal (8-7343 or [email protected]).

PTENS: Princeton Telephone & Email Notification System

In an emergency, the University may use PTENS to communicate information and instructions. Visit the PTENS website for more information. 

Register your emergency contact information in order to receive emergency messages: Faculty & Staff: HR Self-Service Web Site and Graduate & Undergraduate Students: TigerHub online student portal.

A fire emergency is defined as (1) an uncontrolled fire or imminent fire hazard, (2) the presence of smoke or the odor of burning, (3) the uncontrolled release of a flammable or combustible substance, or (4) a fire alarm sounding.

Best Practices

If you are ever concerned about suspicious persons or activities, please contact Public Safety immediately. It is good practice to place the Public Safety number (609-258-3333) in your cell phone.

Additional Information

Additional information on emergency action planning can be found on the Emergency Management website. 

Last Revised: January 2025