Updated Jan. 19, 9:15 a.m.: All fire drills scheduled for the spring semester will be canceled and moved to the fall semester in hopes of better weather conditions. More information will be available at the beginning of the fall semester.
On Jan. 23 and 25, the Auraria Emergency Preparedness, Coordination and Recovery Committee (EPCAR) will conduct fire-evacuation drills in the following buildings (weather dependent):
Jan. 23
- Tivoli Student Union
- 5th Street Hub
- Administration Building
- Facilities Annex
- Facilities Building
- Modular classrooms (classes are scheduled in all the modulars except MO-1)
Jan. 25
- Science Building
- 9th Street Park buildings
- Bear Creek
- Auraria Library
Additional drills may be conducted Jan. 31 and Feb. 2 if any buildings on the schedule were missed or required rescheduling due to weather.
What to expect during drills
Drills will be conducted between 8 a.m. and noon, lasting approximately 15-20 minutes. EPCAR will work with building, department, school and college leadership to coordinate times of each drill to ensure minimal disruption to instruction, research and operational processes.
Participation in fire-evacuation drills is mandatory for all students, faculty members and staff members across campus unless otherwise instructed. Faculty and staff members should prepare for the drills and/or schedule important meetings, events, etc., around the drill schedule.
What to do during evacuation
If you are ever unsure whether the fire alarm is a drill or a real event, evacuate the building. Check your mobile device. Real events will be accompanied by an Emergency Notification.
- Never ignore a fire alarm.
- Identify at least two ways to exit the building.
- Leave all nonessential belongings.
- Follow laboratory-specific safety protocols and secure hazardous or dangerous materials or equipment.
- If a fire alarm sounds, immediately proceed to the nearest exit in a safe and orderly manner — do not run. Avoid using elevators.
- After exiting, proceed to the designated evacuation rally points or move to a safe location at least 300 feet away.
- Conduct an accountability roll call for all students, faculty members and staff members within your classroom, lab or office space.
- Remain at the evacuation rally points. Do not reenter the building until directed by emergency personnel.
- For individuals with disabilities and access and functional needs, please support and use the buddy system. Gather at the designated location and notify the Auraria Campus Police Department, 303-556-5000, of your location.
Contact the Facilities team with any questions, comments or concerns.
Year-round safety efforts
EPCAR conducts fire drills in each of the 30 campus buildings annually. Fifteen fire-evacuation drills were conducted during the second and third weeks of the fall semester, and the remaining buildings will be completed in the second and third weeks of the spring semester.
The EPCAR Committee provides guidance, standards, preparedness planning, response coordination and recovery efforts for students, faculty members and staff members on the Auraria Campus. The committee consists of emergency-management and law-enforcement personnel from Metropolitan State University of Denver, Community College of Denver, the University of Colorado Denver and the Auraria Higher Education Center.