NYC APARTMENT BUILDING

INDIVIDUAL EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS / EVACUATION PLANNING CHECKLIST

BE PREPARED BEFORE AN EMERGENCY OCCURS

The FDNY recommends that all apartment building residents educate themselves about emergency preparedness and develop an individual evacuation plan for themselves and their families. By understanding your building, preparing your household, and planning for emergencies in advance, you will be better prepared to make informed decisions during fires, coastal storms, hazardous material incidents, and other emergencies.

STEP 1 – EDUCATE YOURSELF ABOUT EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS

Residents should:

• Read the FDNY-issued NYC Apartment Building Emergency Preparedness Guide to learn about fires and other emergencies and how to prepare for them.

• Review the Building Information Sheet for information about the building’s construction, fire protection systems, exits, and fire safety features.

• Review the Fire Safety Notice posted on the apartment entrance door.

• Sign up for Notify NYC emergency alerts and emergency notifications.

STEP 2 – KNOW YOUR BUILDING

Building Construction

Determine whether your building is:

□ Non-combustible / Fireproof

□ Combustible / Non-fireproof

If your building has a fire escape:

□ Ensure the fire escape window opens easily.

□ Ensure the fire escape window is unobstructed both inside and outside.

Coastal Storm Evacuation Planning

Know whether your building is located within a Coastal Storm Evacuation Zone.

□ My building is not located in a Coastal Storm Evacuation Zone.

□ My building is located in Coastal Storm Evacuation Zone # ______

If evacuation becomes necessary:

□ I will stay with family.

□ I will stay with friends.

□ I will stay with a co-worker.

□ I will stay at a hotel.

Can pets be accommodated?

□ Yes

□ No

If shelter is needed during a coastal storm evacuation, residents may contact 311 for the location of the nearest City Evacuation Center.

BUILDING EMERGENCY NOTIFICATIONS

Know how your building will notify residents during an emergency.

Notification methods may include:

□ Intercom

□ Telephone

□ Email

□ Text Message

□ Other

Residents should maintain current contact information for building management and emergency staff.

Emergency Contact Information:

Building Staff/Management: _______________________

Telephone: _______________________

Email: _______________________

SAFELY EXITING THE BUILDING

Residents should confirm that:

□ They know the location of all stairwells and building exits.

□ They have practiced evacuating the building using available exits.

□ Apartment and stairwell doors are self-closing.

□ Corridors, stairwells, and street-level exits remain free of obstructions.

PREPARE YOUR HOUSEHOLD AND APARTMENT

Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarms

Residents should verify:

□ Working smoke alarms are installed.

□ Working carbon monoxide alarms are installed.

□ Everyone in the apartment can hear alarm signals.

□ Household members are prepared to immediately evacuate and call 911 if a carbon monoxide alarm sounds or if gas or another hazardous material is detected inside the apartment.

For residents who are deaf or hard of hearing, consider installing visual or sensory alarm devices.

FAMILY COMMUNICATION PLAN

Families should prepare for the possibility of separation during an emergency.

Residents should:

□ Prepare written messages for family members who may have communication barriers.

□ Establish a meeting location outside the building where family members can reunite following an evacuation.

Meeting Location:

□ Designate an out-of-town contact person whom all family members can call if separated.

Contact Name: _______________________________

Telephone: _______________________________

SHELTER-IN-PLACE PREPAREDNESS

Residents should understand that:

□ If they live in a fireproof building and the fire is not in their apartment and there is no immediate danger, it may be safer to remain in the apartment and call 911.

□ If a dangerous condition exists outside the building, such as a hazardous material release, it may be safer to remain inside the apartment, close vents and windows, call 911, and monitor emergency alerts.

□ If unable to evacuate, they should move to the safest available location, such as their apartment, a neighbor’s apartment, an area of rescue assistance, or a stairwell, and call 911.

Advanced Shelter-In-Place Preparation

Residents should consider maintaining:

□ A charged cell phone.

□ A battery-powered radio.

□ Sheets or towels that can be soaked with water and placed under doors to block smoke.

□ Duct tape that can be used to block smoke or airborne chemicals from entering through vents, windows, or doors.

EVACUATION ASSISTANCE PLANNING

Some residents may require assistance evacuating during an emergency.

Residents should determine whether they:

□ Use a wheelchair, scooter, crutches, walker, or other mobility device.

□ Cannot hear alarms or announcements.

□ Need assistance using stairs.

□ Experience anxiety in crowds or emergencies.

□ Require assistance with critical medical equipment.

□ Depend on a service or support animal that may become distracted during an emergency.

Types of Assistance That May Be Needed

□ Advance notification before elevators are turned off.

□ A text message or door notification when evacuation is required.

□ Assistance descending stairs.

□ Assistance operating an evacuation device.

EVACUATION DEVICES

Residents should determine whether evacuation devices are available within the building.

Possible devices include:

□ Stair Chair

□ Track-Type Evacuation Chair

□ Manual Wheelchair

□ Evacuation Sled

□ Other

Device Location:

If the device is secured:

□ I have a key.

□ I do not have a key.

IDENTIFYING VOLUNTEERS TO ASSIST

Residents requiring assistance should identify neighbors who may be able to help during an emergency evacuation.

Number of volunteers needed: __________

Potential volunteers on my floor: __________

Volunteer Contact Information:

Name: _____________________________________

Phone / Email: ______________________________

Name: _____________________________________

Phone / Email: ______________________________

Name: _____________________________________

Phone / Email: ______________________________

Name: _____________________________________

Phone / Email: ______________________________

□ Potential volunteers have been contacted.

□ Potential volunteers have received instructions on how to assist during an emergency.

IMPORTANT EMERGENCY INFORMATION

If you are unable to evacuate on your own during a City-issued coastal storm evacuation order and have no one available to assist you, call 311 for assistance.

In all emergencies, call 911 immediately.

□ Everyone in my apartment has reviewed this Emergency Preparedness and Evacuation Checklist.

Provided by HPDSigns.nyc

Legal Disclaimer

This explanation is provided for general informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice, code interpretation, engineering guidance, or professional compliance services. Building codes, Housing Maintenance Code requirements, HPD interpretations, and enforcement practices may change over time or vary depending on building conditions and inspector interpretation.

We are a small independent family-owned business and are not affiliated with or endorsed by the City of New York, HPD, DOB, FDNY, or any governmental agency. Property owners, managers, contractors, and tenants are responsible for independently verifying all applicable laws, rules, lighting requirements, electrical standards, and compliance obligations with the appropriate licensed professionals and official NYC agencies before performing work or relying on this information.

Failure to comply with applicable laws may result in violations, penalties, or liability. Always consult qualified legal counsel, licensed electricians, architects, engineers, or code professionals regarding specific building conditions or compliance questions.