EVACUATE B-180 (sections omitted for security purposes) FRESNO COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE
JAIL DIVISION POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
TITLE: EVACUATION PLANNING NO: B-180
FILE: EVACUATE
EFFECTIVE DATE: 12-25-94 REVISED: 06-04-95, 04-01-96, 09-01-96, 11-01-97
11-01-99, 01-01-00, 08-06-14, 03-15-17
AUTHORITY: Sheriff M. Mims APPROVED BY: Assistant Sheriff T. Gattie
REFERENCE: California Code of Regulations, Title 15, Section 1029; and Hall, et al. v.
County of Fresno, 1-11-CV-02047-LJO-BAM (2015).
PURPOSE:
The purpose of this policy is to establish procedures for the safe, timely, and orderly
evacuation of employees, inmates, and the public from a pod, floor, or facility in the event
of an emergency.
POLICY:
It is the policy of the Fresno County Sheriffs Office Jail Division to have a plan of action to
evacuate inmates, staff and visitors from the Jail during an emergency and to train staff in
implementing the plan.
PROCEDURES:
I. EVACUATION
A. An emergency requiring evacuation can develop from a number of
causes, both internal and external, and may include, but not be limited
to: fire, bomb threat, natural disasters, and terrorist attacks. A prompt
and organized response in such an emergency is essential for the
welfare of all persons within the affected area.
B. The primary aim of the emergency procedures is to ensure the safety of
all persons in the event of an evacuation.
1. Evacuation of visitors and all nonessential staff should be initiated
immediately.
2. Inmate evacuation should be a last resort and should be considered
in the following order:
Page 1 of 4
FRESNO COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE
JAIL DIVISION POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
TITLE: EVACUATION PLANNING NO: B-180
FILE: EVACUATE
a. Evacuate to another unaffected area within the same facility(e.g.,
another area of the same floor, exercise yard, gym, multi-purpose
room, or tunnel) should be considered before evacuating to
another facility.
b. Evacuate to another Jail facility.
c. Evacuate to other secure areas (e.g., mutual aid detention
facilities) or guarded encampment (e.g., parking garage,
fairgrounds, etc.).
C. Whether evacuation is immediate or not, it should follow predetermined
routes and the destination known prior to beginning transport.
D. All correctional staff are responsible to be familiar with the location of
emergency equipment, the floor plan, and routes to be used in event of
evacuation.
II. EMERGENCY KEYS - SECTION OMITTED FOR SECURITY PURPOSES
III. GENERAL GUIDELINES
A. In the event of an evacuation, Central Control shall be notified of the
emergency and its location.
1. Officers shall contact their facility Central Control who will be
responsible to coordinate and direct the necessary personnel and
other support service agencies.
2. North Annex Jail and South Annex Jail Central Control Officers shall
contact and notify Main Jail Central Control of the emergency.
3. During all emergencies, Main Jail Central Control shall be the
communications and security center, and will coordinate additional
staff requests. Should Main Jail Central Control be the site of the
emergency, the entire facility will be placed on lockdown status and a
contingency communications center will be established by the
Incident Commander (e.g., Main Jail conference room or the North
Annex Central Control).
B. The Incident Commander shall determine the route and the area to use
for a holding area(s) for evacuated inmates.
Page 2 of 4
FRESNO COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE
JAIL DIVISION POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
TITLE: EVACUATION PLANNING NO: B-180
FILE: EVACUATE
1. The inmate telephones should be turned off as a facility security
measure.
2. Jail Maintenance staff shall be notified of the situation in case power
and/or keys fail to open doors within the evacuation area.
C. A strategy for evacuating non-ambulatory, infirmed, disabled and
mobility-impaired inmates) must be devised as part of the evacuation
plan. Request additional staff to respond with Stryker Evacuation Chairs.
[Refer to Addendum A.]
D. Any emergency movement must be cleared through a Sergeant (or
higher rank).
E. Each officer shall ensure that they have a handheld radio and working
flashlight. The stairwells will be dark if there is a total loss of power.
F. If an inmate refuses to cooperate, leave them and move them last.
G. If security personnel are needed beyond what is on duty at the Jail, the
Incident Commander shall notify the Patrol Watch Commander for
additional security/assistance.
H. After evacuation is completed and if possible, a visual inspection will be
conducted of each individual cell and office by designated officers to
ensure that all persons have exited the area.
I. A count shall be conducted by assigned officers as soon as possible
after the evacuation is completed and verified with the Incident
Commander. This will ensure that all staff, visitors and inmates are
accounted for. In the event that someone is unaccounted for, the
Incident Commander will direct efforts to locate such individual.
J. No person shall return to an area that has been evacuated until the
Incident Commander has indicated that it is safe to do so.
IV. MAIN JAIL EVACUATION - SECTION OMITTED FOR SECURITY PURPOSES
V. SOUTH ANNEX JAIL EVACUATION - SECTION OMITTED FOR SECURITY
PURPOSES
Page 3 of 4
FRESNO COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE
JAIL DIVISION POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
TITLE: EVACUATION PLANNING NO: B-180
FILE: EVACUATE
VI. NORTH ANNEX JAIL EVACUATION - SECTION OMITTED FOR SECURITY
PURPOSES
VI I. RETURN TO THE FACILITY
A. The process of return to the facility has many similarities to the
evacuation. There are also some important differences. A Jail
evacuation, for example, will generally occur within a limited time period.
There is a degree of urgency in the movement that takes place. Once the
way has been cleared for the return, a slower and less urgent pace is
possible.
B. Additional risks may be involved in a return to the Jail. Inmates may well
be aware that the danger has passed and they will also be aware that
their next move will be back to incarceration. Some may be alert to
escape opportunities, or for opportunity to cause other problems. These
factors should be considered when planning the return.
C. Each inmate shall be thoroughly searched before re-entry into the facility.
D. All inmates and staff shall be accounted for.
E. The Incident Commander shall ensure that a written report is prepared
regarding the evacuation incident, noting any problems encountered.
Vill. MAIN COURTHOUSE EVACUATION - SECTION OMITTED FOR SECURITY
PURPOSES
Page 4 of 4