Optimizing Emergency Egress to Safe Zones: Planning for a Major Earthquake at the University of Oregon
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Date
2008-06
Authors
Harris, Kathryn Joy, 1984-
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of Oregon
Abstract
An emergency occurs, an alarm signals the need to exit immediately, and building
occupants evacuate. But then what happens next? Presumably evacuees would gather in
open areas of relative safety, or "safe zones," where emergency personnel would
communicate with staff, provide fIrst aid, prioritize response needs, and announce next
steps. The National Response Framework is increasingly becoming integrated into
universities' emergency management, but additional guidelines for the development,
management, and implementation of campus safe zones are still needed. To address this
challenge, case study research of twenty west coast universities was conducted to
determine commonalities among campus evacuation planning processes. Geographic
Information Systems (GIS) analysis was then used to illustrate opportunities and challenges of safe zone planning at the University ofOregon. This research indicates that
while universities share similar planning objectives, collaboration among universities and
integration of spatial technology can significantly optimize emergency egress to safe
zones.
Description
xii, 78 p.
Keywords
Emergency management, Evacuation plans, Safe zones