EMERGENCY EVACUATION PROCEDURES

All Performance students involved in a production must be acquainted with the School’s evacuation procedure because, by law and University policy, students and audience members MUST evacuate the building when the fire alarm bells start to ring. In both the Student Learning Centre and Kerr Hall the fire bells are activated by pull stations placed throughout the building.

The STAFF SUPERVISOR on duty is in charge at all times and will be the person to designate the situation an emergency. However, evacuation is required in all instances where the alarm bells are ringing. Student Heads will report directly to the Staff Supervisor during an emergency.

The FRONT OF HOUSE MANAGER is responsible for the orderly, safe and rapid evacuation of the audience from the Theatre.

The STAGE MANAGER ensures the cast and crew have evacuated to their designated areas.

The TECHNICAL DIRECTOR stays with the STAFF SUPERVISOR and together they lock down the Theatre

NOTE: THE STAFF SUPERVISOR IS THE ONLY PERSON ON DECK EMPOWERED TO DROP THE FIRE CURTAIN. THIS CURTAIN WILL COME IN ONLY IF THERE IS A FIRE ONSTAGE OR IN THE THEATRE

PRE-PERFORMANCE RESPONSIBILITIES

STAFF SUPERVISOR

• Arranges, through the STAGE MANAGER and TECHNICAL DIRECTOR, a company meeting, to take place no later than the Final Dress Rehearsal, at which this policy is reiterated

FRONT OF HOUSE MANAGER

• FOH MANAGER assigns an USHER to be responsible for each exit in the event of an emergency. Each assigned USHER will inspect their exit to make sure they are familiar with the direction of door opening, the method used to prop the door open (latch, wood wedge, etc), and the traffic hazards around the exit; each USHER is to make sure they have a flashlight, for use during an emergency
• Remaining ushering staff not otherwise assigned are to be considered “floaters”, and will be used as needed by the FOH MANAGER

• FOH MANAGER will talk through the evacuation policy with all ushers

OTHER MANAGERS

• STAGE MANAGER will acquaint all actors with the location of exits, the designated evacuation holding area, and the route of exit
• TECHNICAL DIRECTOR will acquaint all Production students with the location of exits, the designated evacuation holding area, and the route of exit
• TECHNICAL DIRECTOR will obtain from all crew members, in writing, their duties with regard to equipment shut – down during an evacuation; this should be written with the pre/post show list

WHEN THE BELLS SOUND

• At the first sound of alarm bells, the STAGE MANAGER will stop the performance
• The DECK ELECTRICIAN will turn on the work lights
• The ACTORS will leave the stage in an orderly and professional manner, and will congregate in their appointed area; in the cold months, the ACTORS may return, quickly, to the dressing room to get a coat
• The STAFF SUPERVISOR will walk onstage and, using the backstage microphone, inform the audience that they must leave the theatre; in a small venue, no microphone will be used
• The TECHNICIANS will shut down their equipment, in particular the lighting board, dimmers, and fog machines; the sound board will be the last to be turned off if it is to be used for the Staff Supervisor’s announcement
• After this announcement, the backstage technicians will exit the area and congregate in their appointed area
• The FRONT OF HOUSE MANGER will supervise the evacuation of the house and will remain close to the lobby in order to liaise with the STAFF SUPERVISOR
• The USHERS assigned to exit doors will remain close to their exit, and will await further instructions
• The FRONT OF HOUSE MANAGER, through the USHERS, will endeavour to keep the audience informed as to the nature and expected duration of the evacuation
• The STAGE MANAGER will ensure all ACTORS and TECHNICIANS have assembled in their appointed area and they will remain close to the exit in order to liaise with the STAFF SUPERVISOR; roll call will be taken at this time

• The STAFF SUPERVISOR and the TECHNICAL DIRECTOR will walk through the building, checking that all equipment is turned off and that all doors are locked
• The STAFF SUPERVISOR will liaise with the University’s Security Office in order to be kept informed of the situation; only when the bells have completely stopped ringing can the STAFF SUPERVISOR allow the cast, crew and audience to re enter the building
• During the time the bells are ringing, the STAFF SUPERVISOR, STAGE MANAGER, and DIRECTOR, or CHOREOGRAPHER (if present) will decide where to re start the show once the audience is settled in their seats; all cast and crew are informed of this cue point

WHEN THE BELLS HAVE STOPPED RINGING

• Cast, crew, and audience are now permitted to re-enter the theatre, when allowed by fire/security
• All cast members required to resume the performance will assemble in the wings, and when cued, enter in an orderly and professional manner
• Technicians will return to their stations and turn their equipment back on; work lights remain on until the performance is just about to begin and the STAGE MANAGER has called for the appropriate cue
• Either the STAFF SUPERVISOR or the STAGE MANAGER will make an announcement to the audience apologizing for the inconvenience, and will inform the audience as to at what point the performance will resume
• The STAGE MANAGER, after re-establishing headset contact with all appropriate operators, re-starts the performance