Area Wardens

Area wardens are members of a team of volunteer wardens who provide the initial organized response to emergencies.

Emergency? Dial

250–370–3075

for help in any emergency or

3075

from any campus phone.

For non-emergency access to Campus Safety, please call 250-370-4567.

Responsibilities

Some buildings and floors have populations large enough that the floors need to be divided into multiple Areas of Responsibility (AOR) which are coordinated by individual area wardens. Instructors in session in class rooms and laboratories are also considered to be area wardens.

Emergency wardens are not expected to unnecessarily delay their own exit from the building, or to jeopardize their safety at any time.

Responsibilities include:

  • ensuring that people within their (AOR) are notified of an emergency situation
  • assisting all persons within their AOR evacuate the area and/or building if it is safe to do so
  • notifying the floor and/or building warden of any people who are injured or incapable of evacuating their AOR, and providing details about their location and any injuries or the impediments to their evacuation
  • ensuring exits remain clear and people move away from the building
  • providing a rallying point at the appropriate Emergency Assembly Point (EAP) for all the persons who were within their AOR, to ensure calm, provide reassurance, and assist with further actions to keep everybody as safe as possible under the circumstances
  • availability during periods of normal occupancy

Area wardens must be familiar with:

  • the people normally occupying their area
  • members of the building emergency team
  • the operation of the fire alarm system and emergency communication procedures
  • all means of evacuation and alternative escape routes from their AOR
  • potentially hazardous materials or operations undertaken in their area
  • the location and operation of fire doors, smoke doors, fire blankets, portable fire extinguishers and fire hoses in their area
  • the identity and location of mobility-impaired persons in their area
  • the Emergency Assembly Point to which they will direct the people within their AOR