Emergency Buddy Program

The Emergency Buddy Program can reduce the risk during evacuations for people with a disability by pairing them with a “buddy” who can assist them. The program ensures that first responders, like Campus Security and the Calgary Fire Department, know where to find and help a person with a disability, making evacuations safer and more efficient.

Who needs an Emergency Buddy?

Anyone with temporary or permanent disabilities should use the Emergency Buddy Program. This includes people with mobility impairment, hearing or visual disability. 

In addition, it's important to consider various conditions that may affect individuals during emergencies. For instance, individuals with asthma may require assistance with walking long distances or navigating stairs, particularly if there's smoke, dust, fumes, or chemicals in the air. Joint conditions like arthritis, weak knees/hips, or temporary disabilities such as a broken leg can hinder quick movement down stairs. Some individuals may have limited manual dexterity, making it difficult for them to pull a fire alarm. Those with speech impairments may need alternative communication methods during emergencies, while individuals with mental health conditions may experience anxiety, panic, or stress.

Finding a suitable Emergency Buddy

When choosing an Emergency Buddy and a Backup Emergency Buddy, it’s important to consider a few things. Trust is essential so pick someone you feel comfortable with. 

You and your buddy should work or study on the same floor and know each other's usual spots in the building. You should also be able to tell your buddy about your schedule, like when you're usually at work or in class. Your buddy should be physically able to help you to an emergency exit or emergency exit stairwell landing.

Person with a disability

Roles and responsibilities

  1. Pick your emergency buddies

    Choose an Emergency Buddy and a Backup Emergency Buddy

  2. Share your info

    Provide your Emergency Buddy with the following information: 

    • your name, building, room number, telephone number; 
    • your type of disability and any special evacuation requirements;
    • your backup emergency buddy’s name, building, room number and telephone number. 

  3. Keep your buddies updated

    Update your Emergency Buddies of any change to the above information. 

  4. Know your exits

    Know which ways to get out of a building and where to meet up after you evacuate.

    Evacuation maps and assembly points

  1. Evacuate

    Ground floors: move along designated hallways to the nearest and safest emergency exit.

    Upper Floors: move along designated hallways to the emergency exit stairwell landing.

  2. Use a backup route

    If the primary route is blocked, use the secondary emergency route.

  3. Buddy backup system

    If your main emergency buddy isn’t there, your backup or another buddy should help.

  4. Contact Campus Security of the Calgary Fire Department

    Share your name, location and any special evacuation requirements by calling Campus Security at 403.220.5333 or use the UCSafety app.

  5. Stairwell safety

    If you're in a stairwell, wait there until Campus Security or the Calgary Fire Department helps you, or you’re told the building is safe to re-enter by Campus Security, the Calgary Fire Department or by an announcement over the Public Address System.

Emergency Buddy

Roles and responsibilities

  1. Alert your buddy

    If applicable, knock on their door of the person with a disability and raise your voice to let them know about the evacuation.

  2. Assist with evacuation

    • Ground floors: Help your buddy exit along designated hallways to the nearest and safest emergency exit.
    • Upper Floors: Help your buddy along designated hallways to the emergency exit stairwell landing.

    Do not attempt to carry anyone.

  3. Use a backup route

    If the primary route is blocked, use the secondary emergency route.

  4. Contact Campus Security or the Calgary Fire Department

    Contact Campus Security or the Calgary Fire Department and share the name, location and any special evacuation requirements of the person with a disability:

    • Call 403.220.5333 or use the UCSafety app;
    • Ask another occupant evacuating to inform Campus Security or the Calgary Fire Department;
    • If the above fails, evacuate yourself and inform Campus Security or the Calgary Fire Department outside

  5. Stay with your buddy

    If you're in a stairwell, stay with the person with a disability until help from Campus Security or the Calgary Fire Department arrives, or you’re told the building is safe to re-enter by Campus Security, the Calgary Fire Department or by an announcement over the Public Address System.

Evacuate immediately and inform Campus Security (call 403.220.5333 or use the UCSafety app) or the Calgary Fire Department of the name, room number, usual routes, and any special needs of the person with a disability. 

All University of Calgary building fire alarms are monitored by Campus Security and the Calgary Fire Department. When any building on university campus goes into alarm, a notification is instantly sent to both. The fire alarm system may be used for evacuations other than fire. All evacuation alarms should be treated as “real” with proper evacuation procedures conducted.

Campus Security and the Calgary Fire Department will respond to the alarm by physically attending the building. 

All occupants of a building in alarm should immediately evacuate the building through the nearest and safest emergency exit and proceed to their designated Assembly Point. Occupants should exit to the exterior of the building and avoid using  building connectors/tunnels to get to the Assembly Point.

Find your assembly point