UPDATED – Friday July 22nd

As planned we held our Life Safety Meeting with a rep from the Chicago Fire Department, Office of Public Education, this past Monday night.

He started by sharing a short fire safety video, produced by the CFD:

Click Here To Review High Rise Life Safety Video Part 1

Click Here To Review High Rise Life Safety Video Part 2

Here are some of the basics of what we learned and reviewed:

High-rise buildings are among the safest buildings in the event of a fire, statistics show that less than 1% of fire deaths occur in high-rise buildings. To better ensure the safety of residential high-rise building occupants, the Chicago Fire Department has a couple tools you to be prepared, know what to do in case of a fire, and always remain calm.

In fact, in case of a fire or even other high rise emergencies…the CFD wants you to follow the “C.A.L.M.” rule:

C.A.L.M.

C – Call 911 First
A – Alert your neighbors and building management/security
L – Listen for instructions from fire officials
M – Move to safety or evacuate only if you are in immediate danger.  If are not in immediate danger, stay where you are.

High Rise Safety “Do’s”

Check your smoke detector regularly
Know your building’s emergency plan and other emergency systems
Practice fire safety in your home
Learn to evacuate in case of a fire in your unit (safest stairwells and exits)
Have a flashlight and home keys accessible
Know your neighbors.  Be aware of any disabilities or special needs they may have and check on them often

High Rise Safety “Don’ts”

1)DON’T PANIC!

2)DON’T GO TO THE ROOF!

3) DON’T TAKE THE ELEVATORS!

4) DON’T BREAK WINDOWS!

For MUCH MORE about the “C.A.L.M.” procedures, the CFD has a brochure they encourage high rise residents to review and become familiar with:

CALM Brochure CFD 07.2016

For more from the Chicago Fire Department’s Life Safety guidelines, please visit the Chicago Fire Department website at: City Of Chicago Fire Safety

Also, here is a link from the City to some more basics online: High Rise Building Safety

UPDATED – Monday July 18th

Life Safety Meeting Tonight at 7pm

Join us at 7pm in the 2nd Floor Party Room for a presentation by a rep from the City of Chicago Fire Department. We have confirmed today, the rep will be coming. He will have a short presentation on high rise safety basics, followed by a period for questions and answers.

For those who have not attended these meetings in the past, being familiar with these basics can mean all the difference in a life or death situation. Especially in the event of a fire.

For our veterans, even though this may be repetitive and similar to meetings in the past, you can never be TOO prepared for a adverse situation.

Please join us!

Original Post:

MARK YOUR CALENDARS!!

Life Safety Meeting

With Chicago Fire Department

Monday July 18th at 7PM in the 2^nd Floor Party Room

There is no perfect way to respond when an emergency strikes. Facts on the ground and human instinct, as they say, will always somewhat govern how we act. However, there are tried and true principles that we can share to help you prepare should a serious incident arise.

Please join us for a presentation with CFD Public Education Officer Tom Devaney, about high rise life safety and emergency preparedness, in the Park Tower Party Room at 7PM on July 18th. Residents of 5445 and 5455 North Sheridan are welcome and encouraged to attend as well.

We will be discussing the City’s “C.A.L.M.” emergency action plan for high rise residents, and basic preparedness and response procedures in the event of an emergency.  This includes under what conditions – if, when and how – is most ideal to evacuate should the need arise.

We will discuss incidents that have occurred in the past, and what they taught us.  We will also talk about life safety features common to high rises and how the help in the event of emergencies.

For anyone who has attended our life safety meetings in the past, this may be somewhat redundant, but reinforcing what we have discussed in the past can only serve to help if you are ever confronted with an emergency situation.

We hope to see everyone there.