What happens to those who are in a wheelchair and can't use the elevator in a fire emergency?

Sizzlin Sicilian

When I was an RA, we had a list of rooms that needed assistance out of the building in emergencies. A lot of housing complexes will maintain something similar, and sometimes you'll see stickers on their doors.

If its in a public area, you'd hope to god that people are mindful of others and assist them.

If they're still available, rescuers can key into elevators to use them in evacuating those who need assistance.

bostonianinmo

It falls to the able-bodied to assist in getting them out. Having been there, done that in a hotel fire, it wasn't an issue; plenty of folks were more than willing to help and did just that. One guy did refuse help and scooted down the stairs unaided, shoving his wheelchair ahead of himself.

Placing faith in human nature really does work most of the time! Those who can help themselves will, and those who can't will be aided by those who can!

tigglys

Well, hopefully emergency responders transport them.

That's the hope.

(One of the reason us "able-bodied" people are NOT supposed to use elevators - besides that they can be dangerous in an emergency - is so they will be available to the responders. They will use them to transport wheelchairs, depending on the situation.)

oklatom

Hopefully any place that allows wheel chairs on the upper floors also has an emergency plan in effect to handle such a scenario. Most wheel chairs can be taken down stairs using at least two people to control. There is also the two person 'fireman carry' that could be used.

Common Sense

Usually someone will help get the wheelchairs down the stairs.
It is kind of a bumpy ride but not much of a problem..
Going DOWN stairs is not much of a problem...
Failing that, a couple men can either carry the chair & occupant
or remove occupant from chair and carry them down seperately.
I can't argue it is a problem...

Stumpy

They have sled-like devices and motorized machinery that can aid in getting a handicapped person down stairs in the event of a fire.

saladin

god save the wheelchair person that all

Toma

They do a Slinky impression down the stairs.

Paul

When it comes down to living or dying, they will find a way to get out, like crawling or WHATEVER.

Psionyx

If I were in a wheelchair I would probably have a parachute built into my chair for just such an occasion.

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