Evacuation Chairs Australia

Who was responsible for making a two story building for people with disabilities, as well as others?  This campus has been ideal for the disabled because it was all one story buildings. For this reason and because of the excellent counseling in the disabled department, and all the classes for the disabled, many came to this college. Then it seems like a betrayal to put their classes upstairs in the 400 building.

Solano Community College’s incident response plan handbook says ”disabled persons who use wheelchairs or have mobility issues should prepare for an emergency ahead of time by instructing coworkers or fellow students on how to assist in an emergency.” But Dean of Counseling, Erin Vines said “they do not train students in how to help the disabled, because they are here for such a short time.”

Steve Dawson, police chief at SCC and head of the safety committee, has ordered evacuation chairs to carry the disabled downstairs. But disabled students are worried about how they would be transferred safely. Next the booklet says ”Request assistance from those nearest you .”This does not make sense unless they are able to carry an adult and know how to use the evacuation chairs. Finally, it suggests “If no one is there proceed to the nearest stairway and shout for help.” This sounds really ineffective, and not helpful.

“Rescue personnel of all kinds should first check all exit corridors and exit stairwells for trapped persons.” They should check bathrooms and the elevator as well since the disabled can not easily get out of the bathrooms. There is no button like on the big doors, and Vines said “it is too expensive to add those buttons.” Students are very good about helping students with disabilities, but if the other students did not help a disabled student even a classroom could be a trap. In an emergency many could panic. It is too late to move the upstairs disabled classrooms, but they don’t have to be designated disabled, (unless the disabled teachers want to be there.) Some classes could be changed to reduce the risk. Even if the students are successfully rescued, the loss of just the wheelchairs could be a considerable expense. Of course the worst thing would be severe burns or the loss of life, maybe by smoke inhalation. It is no wonder that the disabled are afraid.