Safety Marshal Position Description
Safety Marshals have the primary role of assisting with the safe and orderly evacuation of buildings during emergencies. Safety Marshals may be responsible for designated areas, floors, or buildings. In most areas, marshals work as a team to communicate safety and emergency preparedness and response information is available to employees who work in the building and to report safety issues to the correct authority. During emergencies, marshals provide timely and accurate information to emergency responders or to the Emergency Operations Center.
There is no limit to the number of safety marshals in a building, although there must be at least one per floor.
Safety Marshals are not responsible for department planning or response. Department Emergency Coordinators fulfill those responsibilities, although nothing prohibits the same person from filling both roles.
Safety Marshal Duties
The SSU Emergency Marshal program was developed to facilitate the safe evacuation of campus buildings and assist in other emergency response operations. Marshals support the ongoing readiness of the University by reporting safety issues in the building to ensure emergency corridors remain clear, doors are clear and functional, and other concerns that may endanger employees during an emergency.
This program is staffed by trained campus employees. While our marshals play an integral role in ensuring the safety of the community, we stress the safety of the Safety Marshal at all times. No one will ever be required to perform any duties that expose them to unreasonable risk or danger.
Evacuation
All Safety Marshals are expected to evacuate buildings when an evacuation order is made by emergency responders or when a fire alarm is sounding. While evacuating, the marshal is expected to instruct others to do the same.
If it is safe to do so, marshals may choose to check designated areas of their area of responsibility that are known to be problematic during evacuations to ensure all persons are evacuating. Any person who refuses or is unable to evacuate will be left by the marshal and then reported to first responders. The marshal must prioritize their safety at all times.
Assembly Area
Safety Marshals are responsible for ensuring that evacuees are gathered at the appropriate assembly area, are not blocking fire lanes, nor are blocking the egress for other evacuees. If the primary assembly area is not safe or if directed by emergency personnel, the marshal should direct evacuees to the secondary assembly point or to a mass assembly point.
If any person at the assembly area needs additional assistance or medical treatment, the marshal may notify University Police. It is recommended that all persons who need assistance be gathered in one location.
Building Reentry
During the evacuation, the marshal assists emergency responders by advising all persons who attempt to reenter the building that there is an emergency (or the alarm is sounding, if unknown) and entry is not permitted. Any person who enters the building against that advisement will be reported to University Police or emergency responders.
The Safety Marshal is responsible for communicating “All Clear” conditions in the absence of emergency personnel. There could be circumstances where emergency personnel are unavailable to reach all assembly areas and they may contact the marshal by phone to inform them of the all clear.
Employee Resource
Safety Marshals serve as a resource for employees in providing information about building safety, instructing employees on evacuation procedures and assembly areas, and by allowing employees to make safety reports to them for central reporting.
Safety Monitor
The Safety Marshal supports the campus safety culture by being aware of building conditions and reporting concerns to Facility Services, the Office of Emergency Services, Risk Management, Environmental Health & Safety, or to their department supervisor. While marshals are not expected to be experts in building maintenance, marshals will be trained in specific safety expectations related to emergency preparedness, prevention, and response. This may include prohibited activities, unsafe storage or configuration, fire prevention, and other topics.
Building Lead Safety Marshals
The Building Lead Safety Marshal serves as the building coordinator for the program and carries the same responsibilities as the marshals. They are also asked to serve as the main point of contact for the Office of Emergency Services and Environmental Health & Safety.
During an emergency or evacuation, the lead marshal should communicate with the Emergency Services Duty Officer (707‐595‐8931) to report the evacuation, the reason (if known), and the condition of the building and evacuees. Critical information, requests for medical care, or other emergency information should be reported to University Police by calling 911.
The Building Lead should check in with each assembly area during an evacuation and get reports from all present marshals.
The Building Lead Safety Marshal is also responsible for:
- The coordination of information dissemination between the marshals and emergency responders.
- Meet with Safety Marshalls periodically to ensure that all responsibilities are being fulfilled and bring any concerns from marshals to the attention of the Director for Emergency Services.