Evacuation chairs purchased to transport people in wheelchairs during emergencies

(July 22, 2002)--The University of Texas at San Antonio has acquired 15 specially designed chairs that can be used in the evacuation of persons in wheelchairs. Identical to those used on Sept. 11 at the World Trade Center, the "Evac-Chairs" were purchased with funds provided by the UT System.

UTSA's offices of emergency preparedness and occupational and safety programs installed chairs at the 1604 and Downtown Campuses and at the Institute of Texan Cultures. University police and other emergency personnel will assist persons in wheelchairs during building evacuation drills or during actual emergency situations that require evacuations.

Billy Simmons, fire and safety coordinator, Dan Chilcutt, risk manager, Minnie Martinez, University Police and Bill Hamilton, Office of Emergency Preparedness (OEP), contributed toward the installation of the special devices in the buildings and in updating the Building Fire Evacuation floor plans.

"The installation of the Evac-Chairs at the Tri-Campuses is just one example of the spirit of cooperation being exhibited toward accomplishing our emergency preparedness initiatives," said Bill Hamilton, special assistant to the director of public safety, OEP.

Locations of each Evac-Chair are listed online at the UTSA Emergency Preparedness Web site.

Read a story on an Evac-Chair 9/11 rescue.

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