You get into the hall, extend an arm, and realize your hand has “disappeared.”

Disorientation sets in as a thick haze swirls in the hallway and a blaring smoke alarm makes it difficult to think.

You remember to get low. It is nearly impossible to see. Exit signs are invisible. You cannot find a door, let alone feel if it is warm. You wander blindly in search of an escape route. The smoke continues to thicken. How will you get out?

This is why everyone should practice The Great Escape on Campus. 

Developed by Randall L. Hormann, a member of the Board of Directors of CCFS, The Great Escape on Campus is a unique and fun way for college students and others to learn how to “escape” from a building during a fire.

The program demonstrates how quickly one can become lost, disoriented, and confused during a fire and then stresses importance of escape planning and early evacuation in residence halls, fraternity/sorority house, off-campus housing, or any other setting. The program also reinforces why early evacuation, escape planning, and practicing the plan are vital safety and survival skills.

How it Works

 

While an instructor briefs students on fire prevention and survival techniques, other instructors fill hallways and corridors with safe smoke to mimic fire conditions.

 

Students then "hear the alarm" and are told to react. Crouching and crawling through smoke-filled hallways, students work quickly to get out, with instructors standing along the exit route to guide them and ensure everyone acts in a safe manner.     Along the route however there may be a stairwell blocked by simulated flames or an exit door obstructed by a chair. These obstacles encourage students to react and learn to adapt rather than panic.
The Results Institutions are happy with the results and students say they are more prepared to react if they were forced to survive a fire. Ultimately, the program works to reinforce why early evacuation, escape planning, and practice are vital to everyone’s safety.