Early accounts of the what happened – and why there were so many deaths and injuries – also underscore the importance of our door closers!

At Park Tower, we do inspect your door closers once a year when we come by in early summer as a part of filter change program and smoke detector testing. The City of Chicago fire inspector actually requested that we check these annually. But if your door does not shut behind you, AND LATCH, you should contact us and put in a work ticket to have it looked at. It does appear that a door left ajar as residents fled their unit, caused the fire to worsen, and the spread of smoke throughout other locations. This unfortunately is what is believed to result in injuries and deaths.

Safety doors failed in New York City high-rise fire that killed 17

In response to the incident, the Chicago Fire Department had a message for high rise residents:  Click Here

For PTCA Residents, we do have an Emergency Plan which is distributed to new residents as a part of the orientation process, updated at least annually and reviewed at Life Safety Meetings which we typically hold once a year. And though our focus is on the tragedy in New York, we need to be prepared for more than just fires!

Here are some of the basics:

BASIC EMERGENCY PROCEDURES

Below are easy-to-follow instructions in case of an emergency. A separate emergency handbook containing detailed information is available online and from the management office. Residents are advised to notify the management office of any disabilities or special needs to arrange for assistance in the event an evacuation is necessary.

THE CALM, C – A – L – M, METHOD

C – Call 911.

A – Alert the building and fellow residents.

L – Listen for instructions.

M – Move quickly when instructed to evacuate.

FIRE AND SMOKE

• Call 911. Provide as much information as possible about the situation such as address, floor, unit number, door temperature (cool or hot to the touch), presence of smoke or flame, trouble breathing, disability, etc.
• If unaware where the fire originated, stay inside the unit and await instructions from authorized personnel and first responders. When time permits, refer to Cable Channel 195 for additional information. If the fire is inside the unit, exit closing the door, but leaving it unlocked.
• If directed, or in immediate danger, evacuate.

1. Leave behind any belongings.
2. Close – do not lock your door.
3. Use stairs. DO NOT use the elevator.

ILLNESS OR INJURY

• Call 911. Provide location details and report the illness or injury.
• Call the front desk/lobby or the management office to assure proper coordination.

POWER FAILURE

• Remain inside the unit.
• Locate a flashlight. DO NOT light candles due to a potential fire hazard.
• Follow the C – A – L – M method, if directed to evacuate.

SEVERE WEATHER

• Move away from windows and glass in the event of severe thunderstorms or high winds. Corridors and interior stairwell are considered the safest place in the building.

THREATS (Bomb Threats, Crime and Civil Disturbance)

• Call 911 to report concern. Follow operator instructions.
• Call the front desk/lobby or the management office to assure proper coordination.

Life safety meetings for residents may be scheduled up to twice per year. Additional information is available from the management office by request.

For the full emergency plan for residents, including much more detail for fires, evacuations and other emergencies and urgent situations, Click Here