Fire

The Manassas Campus Police 24/7 emergency number is (703) 368-3998. We recommend you add this number to your “speed dial.”

If you discover a fire outside a building:

  • Call 9-1-1 and then contact Campus Police.
  • DO NOT activate the building fire alarm system.

If you discover a fire inside a building:

  • DO activate the fire alarm system.
  • DO call 911
  • DO notify the Campus Police at 46650 or (703) 368-3998.
  • DO follow the evacuation instructions and further instructions of the emergency wardens.
  • DO NOT USE ELEVATORS.

If the fire alarm starts sounding:

  • Follow the evacuation procedures.
  • Feel the door or doorknob to the hallway with the back of your hand.
  • If it feels hot, do not open it – a fire may be on the other side of the door.
  • Open the door slowly, if it is not hot. If the hallway is clear of smoke, close doors behind you and walk to the nearest exit.
  • Go immediately to the designated assembly area, and do not attempt to re-enter the building until instructed to do so by College Police or the Fire Department
  • Notify arriving fire or police personnel if you suspect someone is trapped inside the building, and where that person may be located.
  • DO NOT go into the roads or parking lot aisles, which may be needed by emergency responders.

If you are trapped in a room, or are otherwise unable to leave:

  • Wet and place cloth material around and under the door to prevent smoke from entering the room.
  • Close as many doors as possible between you and the fire.
  • Signal someone outside
  • DO NOT BREAK GLASS until absolutely necessary (outside smoke may be drawn into the room).

If you are caught in smoke:

  • Drop to hands and knees and crawl toward exit.
  • Stay low, as smoke will rise to ceiling level.
  • Breathe in short breathes through nose and use a filter such as a shirt or towel.

Using a fire extinguisher:

Building occupants are not required to fight fires. Fire fighting efforts with extinguishers used by trained people must be terminated within 15 seconds, or when it becomes obvious that there is risk of harm from smoke, heat or flames, which ever comes FIRST.

The P.A.S.S. method for using a fire extinguisher:

  • Pull the safety pin from handle.
  • Aim the extinguisher at the base of fire.
  • Squeeze the trigger handle.
  • Sweep from side to side to side at base.

College Police have the primary responsibility for managing fire emergencies with the Prince William County Fire & Rescue Department. Unauthorized re-entry into a building during a fire emergency is not permitted. Violators are subject to College disciplinary action and potential prosecution.