Safety and Emergency Services

For Emergencies: 

Dial 911 for New York City police, fire or medical services 

Dial 212-854-5555 to contact the CU Public Safety Emergency Line

Fire Safety

R.A.C.E. and P.A.S.S.

With a good understanding of the R.A.C.E. and P.A.S.S. procedures and knowledge of your building, you will be ready for fire alarms and emergencies. These fire safety basics are taught during new hire orientation and reviewed during building fire drills.

See visible smoke or fire, remember R.A.C.E. 

Rescue

  • Within the bounds of your personal safety, remove anyone in immediate danger.

Alarm

  • Activate the nearest fire alarm pull station. The pull stations are located by the staircase or the EXIT.

Confine 

  • Confine the fire by closing all doors and windows. 

Extinguish / Evacuate 

  • Within the bounds of your personal safety, extinguish small fires using a fire extinguisher.

          OR

  • Evacuate the building using the stairs.

 

Use a fire extinguisher safely, remember P.A.S.S. 

Pull

Pull the pin. This will allow you to discharge the extinguisher.

Aim

Aim at the base of the fire. If you aim at the flames (which is frequently the temptation), the extinguishing agent will fly right through and do no good. You want to hit the fuel.

Squeeze 

Squeeze the top handle or lever. This depresses a button that releases the pressurized extinguishing agent in the extinguisher.

Sweep

Sweep from side to side until the fire is completely out. 

Safety and Evacuation Paths for Law School Academic Buildings 

Jerome Greene Hall 

  • Staircase Y: Egress from all upper floors to first floor exits  (assemble on south sidewalk of West 116th Street) 

  • Staircase X: Egress from floors 4-9 to third floor exits (assemble on Ancel or Revenson Plazas)

  • Staircase W: Egress from cellar level to first floor exits (assemble on south sidewalk of West 116th Street) 

William and June Warren Hall 

  • Staircase X: Egress from all floors to first floor exits  (assemble on south side of West 115th Street) 

  • Staircase Y: Egress from all floors to first floor exits (assemble on west side of Amsterdam Avenue) 

William C. Warren Hall 

  • Staircase X: Egress from all floors to first floor exits  (assemble on north side of West 116th Street) 

  • Staircase Y: Egress from all floors to first floor exits (assemble on north side of West 116th Street) 

Fire Drills

New York City and State Fire Codes require that 3 fire drills be conducted each year. All fire drills and fire alarms require that all occupants must evacuate from the building.

Life Safety Systems Maintenance

All sprinklers are inspected and maintained as per NYC Fire Code and NFPA 25. For information on the latest inspections, please contact the Fire Safety Office at [email protected]. At times maintenance and testing must be performed on the fire alarm system, advance notification will be given prior to such testing. This is the only time when evacuation is not required. 

Public Safety

Crime Prevention Tips

  • Do not place laptop computers or valuables in lockers.
  • Keep laptop computers in full sight at all times.
  • Use a security cable to lock laptops to anchors found at desks throughout the law library; cables are available at wholesale pricing through the Crime Prevention office at Columbia University Public Safety.
  • Have your laptop engraved with a unique ID number that is kept on file with the New York Police Department and Columbia University Public Safety.
  • Back up important files to the H: drive on your network account.
  • Please inform the Building Services and Operations team of any property thefts at the Law School.