Upcoming Fire Evacuation Drills

Published: Jan. 20, 2023

Over the upcoming weeks, the Auraria Emergency Preparedness, Coordination, and Recovery (EPCAR) Committee will be conducting one fire evacuation drill in 10 of the campus and downtown buildings. Fire evacuation drills were conducted in all other buildings during the fall 2022 semester. Drills will be conducted between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. and will last approximately 15 to 20 minutes. 

While on campus, participation in fire evacuation drills is mandatory for all students, faculty, and staff unless otherwise instructed. 

Spring Semester 2023 Fire Evacuation Drill Schedule for CU Denver and shared campus buildings 

Monday, Jan. 23, beginning at 8 a.m. 

  • Tivoli Student Union 
  • 5th Street Hub 
  • Administrative Building
  • Facilities Annex
  • Facilities Services
  • Modulars 

Wednesday, Jan. 25, beginning at 9 a.m.

  • Science Building
  • Ninth Street Historic Park 
  • Bear Creek
  • Auraria Library

Tuesday, Jan. 31, and Thursday, Feb. 2, beginning at 8 a.m.

  • Any other buildings that were missed in the schedule

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. 

During a fire evacuation drill, follow these steps: 

  • If you are ever unsure if a fire alarm is a drill or a real event, always treat the alarm as a real event and evacuate the building. Check your mobile device or campus email. Real events will be accompanied by an Emergency Notification. 
  • Never ignore a fire alarm and know at least two ways to exit the building. 
  • Leave all non-essential 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 300 feet away. 
  • Conduct an accountability roll call for all students, faculty, and staff within your classroom, lab, or office space. 
  • Remain at the evacuation rally points. Do not re-enter 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 designated location and notify ACPD (303-556-5000) of your location.  

About EPCAR

As part of the Auraria Campus’ commitment to safety, the EPCAR Committee provides guidance, standards, preparedness planning, response coordination, and recovery efforts for all students, faculty, and staff. The EPCAR Committee consists of emergency management and law enforcement personnel from CU Denver, MSU Denver, CCD, and AHEC. 

In addition, to better meet the needs of CU Denver, the campus now has its own emergency management division, led by Essi Ellis, who has been the director of emergency management for the CU Denver and Anschutz Medical campuses for many years, and program director Tyler Bogema.

Preparedness Tools Offered in Training Sessions

Preparedness efforts, such as fire drills, require that everyone educate themselves about the threats and hazards possible to occur on campus and prepare for them through trainings and exercises. The CU Denver Emergency Management Division offers a variety of trainings on topics including active harmer preparedness, severe weather preparedness, and emergency disaster kits.

These trainings are encouraged for all students, faculty, and staff, both on the Auraria Campus and in CU Denver's downtown buildings. You can register to attend one of these virtual offerings through the university Emergency Management Training and Events Calendar.