The following general rules and procedures have been established for the Capitol Complex with regard to fire and tornado evacuations and dealing with bomb threats. There are designated emergency coordinators located on every floor in the Capitol tower, Judicial Wing, and in each building on the Capitol Complex to ensure these procedures are followed effectively to keep employees, the public, and visitors to the Capitol safe.
Fire
The need for partial or total evacuation will be determined by the person in charge and present in the building at the time of the emergency. Persons in charge usually include the Bismarck Fire Department and/or Crisis Management Team, comprised of representatives from the Governor's Office Facility Management, ND Highway Patrol Office of Management and Budget and Risk Management.
- Each floor has floor emergency coordinators assigned who are knowledgeable about personnel and will be expected to identify employees who will need assistance in evacuating the floor.
- Contact your floor coordinator if you need assistance evacuating from your floor. Even if you have temporary mobility issues, notify your floor's emergency coordinator.
- Floor coordinators should assist in notifying fire department or the Highway Patrol immediately if anyone is missing or unaccounted for from their assigned area during the emergency.
- Evening Staff: Use North stairwell, go outside to Maintenance Building.
- No smoking.
- Hallways must be kept clear of obstructions at all times.
- Never block smoke barriers or exit doors.
- Know your emergency route.
- Know locations of all fire alarms, extinguishers and emergency fire phones.
- Report frayed electrical cords to Facility Management.
- Never overload electrical outlets.
Tornado
- No smoking.
- Hallways must be kept clear of obstructions at all times.
- Never block smoke barriers or exit doors.
- Know your emergency route.
- Know locations of all fire alarms, extinguishers and emergency fire phones.
- Report frayed electrical cords to Facility Management.
- Never overload electrical outlets.
Emergency conditions such as tornados can develop very quickly and without warning. With the fire alarm life safety system, there audio and horn capabilities. If the notice is received from the National Weather Bureau or State Radio Communications to seek shelter and move to safe locations, communication will be made directly with all floors during normal working hours.
- Individuals needing assistance: Use the North stairwell. Stairwells are considered safe areas because they are not on an outside wall.
- 9th floor and below: Use the North stairwell and go to the basement.
- 10th floor and above: Use the South stairwell and go to the ground floor safe area.
- After Hours/Weekend Evacuation: Use North stairwell after hours.
- Evening Staff: Use North stairwell, go to the basement. All night staff in every building report to the Maintenance Building, once it is safe to do so.
- Employees will be advised when they can return to their assigned floor.
Go to service level, inner hallway or concourse.
- Do not cross over the atrium during a tornado.
- Both stairwells (A and C) go to the basement. Use the basement and tunnel area.
- Basement offices can remain in the office away from windows or other hazards in the workspaces.
- Ground floor NDIT employees can remain in the computer room.
- Staircase between second and ground floor.
- Ground floor, West side of the reference area between the ceiling supports for the outside staircase.
- Maintenance office back in the corner next to the staircase on 1st copy/file room in the Cataloging area.
- Secondary Safe Areas: Bathrooms on second floor and ground floor.
Go to the BLUE shaded area on the posted floor plans.
Bomb Threats
If you receive a bomb threat, immediately call 9-911.
Common Characteristics of Letter and Parcel Bombs
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Emergency Coordinators
- Main emergency number is 9-911.
- Ensure employees know the floor's emergency routes and designated meeting areas.
- Remind employees what to do if they are on break or in a meeting room and the alarm goes off.
- Hold meetings with employees on the floor twice each year.
- Remind employees to notify you if they have mobility issues and are in need of extra assistance. The coordinator needs to notify Facility Management of those who required assistance during evacuation.
- Emergency coordinators are required to participate in evac chair drills. Facility Management needs to know how long it’s taking for the chairs to get down stairwells, or if any problems are encountered.
- Evac chairs hold up to 300 pounds. The person steering the chair needs to be the same or greater than the weight of person riding in the chair. Facility Management will come to your agency for a private training session on use of the evac chairs. Coordinators should practice with the chairs on a regular basis.