High rise evacuation / large city

I worked in a large cave in the KC area (They drove semi's in to deliver to the business's in there) and one thing I quickly thought of was to have my car keys WITH me at all times. If we had to evacuate (we practiced once a month); you were kinda screwed if ya got out, and then couldn't go anywhere... (they repeatedly told us to never go back for anything)

I got a small snap hook with a swival on it and it gets clipped to my belt loop as soon as I'm inside. Comes in handy everywhere else too. No fumbling for my keys, ever.
 
Buck268 said:
Whats the :rolleyes: all about? Its we always called climbers tree monkeys, and I was something of an apprentice until I quit I went back to school.
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Buck...the smiley meant to imply that I found the phrase kinda clever/witty/funny. No offense intended.
 
ohh, guess soemtimes I still think of the good old :rolleyes: (i know its not here) from some of the car forums I hang out at when I see those.
 
Never live or work more than 3-4 stories up.

High rise death traps.

Its a choice you make.

Skam
 
newadventure said:
Now, I have a bunch of useful stuff in my backpack that I carry to work everyday and keep next to my desk.
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As I understand it, the reasoning for not taking “stuff” with you is to keep your hands free, especially if having to walk down a dark stairway. Also, since time may be critical, none should be wasted in gathering things up. But mine is already “gathered”… and in my mind the benefits of having the gear is not something I would want to give up.
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...so here's the question. What happens if this event takes place when you are not in your office? At what distance from your office do you not go get it? Next office over? Down the hall? A different floor? I think that is the sort of thing you should have worked out in advance, so you don't have to try to figure it out in the midst of an adrenaline dump.
 
Prior to being promoted to LT. I was assigned to my Dept.'s highrise team. We trained for and responded to all highrise emergencies.

If i was you i would carry a shove knife and small stanley pry bar in my bag. In case you don't know (and many who work in highrises don't) once you enter the stairway the doors are locked and you can only exit at ground floor.

I have also been to highrise fires where the back up power did not work due to a backfeed. So the stairway was pitch black.

Also know if your building has a vanity address. If its on Skidrow Blvd. they may opt to call the place something like One Union Place. Sounds much nicer 'cept if you call 911 they might have it listed as 123 Skidrow Blvd.

Learn your building, often if a business has several floors they may have their own private stairways between their own floors. Is there a way out through the basement or sub basement etc.hell most can't tell you which stairway is stairway "A" and which is "B".

That said highrises are about the safest buildings you can be in. The odds are much greater you will die/be injured at your own home. If you see a big highrise fire on tv its because its rare. Most are put out by one sprinkler head.

Back to your question. I would take my bag,if i could reach it with in a minute or so AND the problem was not close to me or my floor. I would always have light,knife,bandanna on me. I see your from the Chicago area, IIRC wasn't there a highrise fire where 3-4 died on the top of a stairtower a few years back ? Thats a reason right there to learn your building and have a way to open those doors in the stair tower. But the FD should have walked the building from top down.........
 
A lot of good points to consider. In my small office suite, it would take only a few seconds to grab my pack no matter where I was and I’d have to pass by my office anyway on the way out. If I were out, say in the men’s room or elevator lobby, I’d have to decide whether to go back into our suite. I probably would unless timing seemed too dicey, so the plan would be to go back unless I couldn’t for some reason.

I always have a handkerchief and my keychain with small SAK, Photon led light, firesteel, P38 opener, whistle, and keys in front pocket. Larger SAK and CMG/Gerber aaa led light ride in the other front pocket, and bandana and wallet in back pockets.

Shove knife – never knew what this was before it was mentioned. Are these carried in stores anywhere or does it have to be ordered over the internet? Can a novice like me figure out how to 'operate' it?

Small pry bar – Stanley. Good idea, will look for one of these.

N95 mask – will have to look into that.

Yes, will ‘learn’ the building better, basement, loading dock, etc. The stairwell doors are supposed to unlock if the power goes off, there are phones every five floors in the stairwells, etc.

Forgot to mention that I keep a tiny ham radio (VX1r)in the pack. It’s in a small compass pouch with spare batteries that is about the same size as my cell phone in pouch, so I sometimes shove it in my pocket or can put on the belt. It can also pick up am and fm broadcasts, which might come in handy although am doesn’t really work in our downtown area.

Thanks for all of your comments. I appreciate your insights and you taking the time to pass them along.

Fred
 
These were recommended in one of the Hood Woods DVD's http://www.uha-intl.com/securityproducts.html looks to be a step up from the a dust mask or bandana. I think a small headlamp would be better than a handheld flashlight. Petzl recently released their new E+Lite. It's about the size of watch. https://edcdepot.com/merchantmanager/product_info.php?cPath=5&products_id=150 If you decide to go with a handheld read the first entry on Safe-Light's testimonial page http://www.palights.com/pages/testimonials.html. At a minimum I would throw one of the Photon lights on my keychain. The weigh nothing and can be invaluable when you need a light.
 
My friends who survived 911 in the World Trade Center told me one thing - get out of the building and get away from it.

A small light and a pry bar might be helpful.

Once a week, walk down the stairs in your building to gain familiarity with the exits.

Read the 911 Commission Report. It has some very good information. It is available for free on the www.

Link:
http://origin.www.gpoaccess.gov/911/


Repeat: get the F@*% out of the building!
 
Oh man where do I start?

I am part of the Evac Team for our building. somewhere around 2500 people at last count, could be up to 3000 when our building is fully loaded.

We conduct the Fire Drills, the Bomb Sacres, and all other emeergency possibilities, including "shelter in" sitautions, which are by far the scariest in terms of food, water, supplies, hygiene, etc.

Here is what happens: People are DUMB. No wait, make that absolutely stupid! They will try coming UP the steps several floors to get a purse or jacket! The idea is GET OUT, not impede everyone else.

We don't allow food or drink on the stair wells, it's policy, and all evac, frie depts, etc all agree and advise of this. A drink or food gets spilled, then you have an obstacle slowing evac. not good.
I have tried to discuss allowing sealed bottles of H2O, but to no avail.

You must have your hands free to hold railings, etc. So, basic rule is on hand free. other can clutch purse, briefcase, whatever, but, must hold handrails.
idea being, in a real emergency, while civilians are coming down, Rescue and Fire may be going up, two way traffic, so, everyone must be on right handrail.

In terms of backpacks, FINE! As long as you DO NOT have to go up flights to get it. If you ae there, at your desk, or nearby, grab your coat and backpack, and roll!! No problem.

We get people coming up multiple fights saying "I have to get my brief case".
They meet one of our Evac people who tell them "No", if they continue they meet me or one of the other Evac Leaders, and it's not pleasant, for them.

As long as your backpack is on your back, not taking up lateral space, I see no problems at all.
 
newadventure said:
N95 mask – will have to look into that.
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I'll give you a head start since i did a lot of research after many of the EMS personnel at the WTC on 9/11 ended up with career-ending respiratory problems causing me to look into having a respirator tucked in a pocket behind my trauma sheers.

I've read they now put better protection than N95 masks on FDNY squads , but I'm willing to bet a lot of the guys who came down with respiratory problems weren't wearing their N95's to begin with. an N95 is far from perfect for a lot of inhalation hazards, but for short term exposure, you could do much worse (your handkerchief for instance).

What i ended coming up with was the Triosyn T-3000. It's a P95 respirator mask (P means it protects from oil-based aerosols which would soak through an N mask) that comes folded relatively flat so there's no reason not to carry it. It has the unique feature of having a proprietary iodine layer that kills bacteria and viruses on contact, it also has a carbon layer that absorbs all kinds of nasty chemicals (albeit in limited concentrations). They're comparatively expensive (about $7 a pop) but you get what you pay for.

Of course if your going to build a dedicated bag to keep in your desk for an end game scenario, you could go with a full mask with CBRN filters, but if this is just some stuff your putting in your briefcase, the disposable respirator is still way better than nothing. For instance, I keep a disposable mask among other things in my messenger bag since i take the train to class.
 
In the hospital I work in I have an advantage that I used to be security so I know all the nooks and crannies so I have several escape routs planned, I also know which areas will most likley be locked. Talk to security in your building if you have it, volunteer for saftey comittee or MERT teams (medical Emergency Rescponse) if posssible. This may give you a better knowlege of the building and its emergency policies as well as make you a leader in an escape rather than just another sheep.

Try a couple of small disposable water bottles in your pack, these are sealed and will keep for a while, put a new one in every month and have the other with your lunch.

For the shove knife check www.Galls.com , or just do a search on fire gear. it is lighter than your sak and worht the money if you need it.

Flashlights are a must you seem in pretty good shape as far as that goes but a headlamp is a good choice.

I was in a hotel during a fire some years ago. the fire was in the electrical room and took out the power for the entire wing I was in. Including alarms and stairway lights. Four of us with flashlights stood on landings and lit the stairwell for the evacuation, none of the hotel staff was anywhere to be seen.

A reflective vest might not be a bad idea it will make you easy to see in the dark by rescuers as well as co workers it may also add authority to you when you yell at the yutz who is going back for his laptop.


I also highly recomend you get at least a firstaid /CPR. anything that will help change your status from bystander to asset.


Back to your question, I cant imagine anyone giving you greif over your pack, If they do and they are not an Emergency Responder, I would tell them to take a hike. A write up from your manager is less damaging than getting stuck in an emergency without the right gear.
 
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