The following steps will help ensure you are prepared and ready to take action if a fire emergency were to occur in your workplace.

• ​Post the fire department emergency phone number by your phone. When on the NIH Bethesda campus, dial 911 from an office phone (or 301-496-9911 from a cell). For off-campus NIH facilities dial 9-911 from an office phone (or 911 from a cell phone).
  
• Locate the nearest fire alarm manual pull stations from your work area and know how to operate them.
  
• Know the sound of your building fire alarm system so you know when to take action if your building fire alarm system is activated.
  
• Know at least two ways out of your work area.
  
• Familiarize yourself with the building you work in so you know how to evacuate the building from wherever you are in the building.
  
• Participate in evacuation drills and familiarize yourself with NIH Policy Manual 1430 – NIH Occupant Evacuation Plan (http://oma.od.nih.gov/manualchapters/management/1430/) so you understand your building's Occupant Evacuation Plan.
  
• If you have a disability, participate in the Occupant Emergency Organization for your building. Discuss in advance with the Division of Emergency Preparedness and Coordination, Emergency Planning Coordinator (Phone: 301-496-1985) what assistance you will need to alert you and to help you leave your work area and get to a safe location.​
  

If you have any fire safety issues or questions, please contact the Division of the Fire Marshal, Office of Research Services at 301-496-0487. For occupant evacuation planning issues or questions, please contact the Division of Emergency Preparedness and Coordination, Office of Research Services at 301-496-1985.