What to Do in An Emergency

The college has established the following procedures to help prevent or minimize injury to Renton Technical College (RTC) students, employees and visitors in the event of a fire, medical emergency, earthquake, or other crises. Students and employees are encouraged to review and learn the steps for what to do in an evacuation or shelter in place scenario, as well as familiarize themselves with the location of all first-aid stations, manual fire alarm boxes, and fire extinguishers.

Emergency maps are posted in classrooms and offices pointing out the location of these items as well as the evacuation routes and assembly areas. Employees should call 911 first and the RTC Public Safety Department second in any potentially life-threatening situation.

Emergency Evacuation Procedures

An evacuation drill is coordinated by the Health and Safety Committee at RTC (with assistance from Campus Operations and Safety and Security) during each academic school year for all buildings on the College’s main campus. The emergency response and evacuation procedures are tested yearly for the entire campus. Students learn the locations of the emergency exits in the buildings and are provided guidance about the direction they should travel when exiting each facility for a short-term building evacuation. The purpose of evacuation drills is to prepare building occupants for an organized evacuation in case of a fire or other emergency. At RTC, evacuation drills are used as a way to educate and train occupants on fire safety issues specific to their building. During the drill, occupants ‘practice’ drill procedures and familiarize themselves with the location of exits and the sound of the fire alarm. In addition to educating the occupants of each building about the evacuation procedures during the drills, the process also provides the College an opportunity to test the operation of fire alarm system components. Evacuation drills are monitored by RTC Public Safety and the College’s Health and Safety Committee to evaluate egress and behavioral patterns.

A report is prepared that identifies deficiencies and recommends improvements to the appropriate departments/offices for consideration. Students receive information about evacuation and shelter-in-place procedures during the first week of each quarter and during other educational sessions that they can participate in throughout the year. RTC will publish a summary of its emergency response and evacuation procedures in conjunction with at least one drill or exercise each calendar year.

Shelter-in-Place Procedures

What it means to “Shelter-in-Place”

If an incident occurs and the buildings or areas around you become unstable, or if the air outdoors becomes dangerous due to toxic or irritating sub¬stances, it is usually safer to stay indoors, because leaving the area may expose you to that danger. Thus, to “shelter-in-place” means to make a shelter of the building that you are in, and with a few adjustments this location can be made even safer and more comfortable until it is safe to go outside.

Basic “Shelter-in-Place” Guidance

If an incident occurs and the building you are in is not damaged, stay inside in an interior room until you are told it is safe to come out. If your building is damaged, take your personal belongings (purse, wallet, etc.) and follow the evacuation procedures for your building (close and lock doors, proceed to the nearest exit, and use the stairs instead of the elevators). Once you have evacuated, seek shelter at the nearest College building quickly. If police or fire department personnel are on the scene, follow their directions.

How You Will Know to “Shelter-in-Place”

A shelter-in-place notification may come from several sources, including RTC Public Safety, other College employees, City of Renton Police or Fire Department, other State or local authorities, or other authorities utilizing the College’s emergency communications tools.

How to “Shelter–in-Place”

No matter where you are, the basic steps of shelter-in-place will generally remain the same. Should the need ever arise; follow these steps, unless instructed otherwise by local emergency personnel:

If you are inside, stay where you are. Collect any emergency shelter-in-place supplies and a telephone to be used in case of emergency. If you are outdoors, proceed into the closest building quickly or follow instructions from emergency personnel on the scene.

Locate a room to shelter inside. It should be:

• An interior room (if possible);


• Above ground level; and without windows or with the least number of windows.


• If there is a large group of people inside a particular building, several rooms maybe necessary.


• Shut and lock all windows (tighter seal) and close exterior doors.


• Turn off air conditioners, heaters, and fans.


• Close vents to ventilation systems as you are able. (College staff will turn off the ventilation as quickly as possible.)


• Make a list of the people with you and ask someone to call the list in to RTC Public Safety so they know where you are sheltering.


• If only students are present, one of the students should call in the list. Make yourself comfortable.