Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #105060

Robyn R.M. Gershon, MHS DrPH¹, Kristine Qureshi, RN, DNSc², Melissa Erwin, BA¹, Victoria H. Raveis, PhD³, Tracy Durrah, DrPH³, and Marcie Rubin, MPH MPA¹. (1) Sociomedical Sciences, Columbia University, Mailman School of Public Health, 600 west 168th st, 4th floor, New York, NY 10032, 212 305-1186, rg405@columbia.edu, (2) School of Nursing, Adelphi University, 1 South Avenue, Garden City, NY 11530, (3) Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, 100 Haven Avenue, Suite 6A, New York, NY 10032

Purpose: To identify workplace factors that affected evacuation (below the points of impact) from the World Trade Center (WTC) Towers 1 and 2 on September 11, 2001.

Methods: Qualitative data were collected from WTC evacuees (n= 56) participating in semi-structured in-depth interviews and focus groups.

Results: Workplace emergency preparation planning was variable, with most participants reporting minimal planning and training. Evacuation initiation and progression were affected by a lack of knowledge regarding stairwell location and lack of familiarity with terminal egress points. Most participants reported that they were never provided with a general orientation to the building, and the buildings evacuation plans. There was also a general lack of awareness regarding the degree of physical effort required the evacuation from high floors. Pre-planning for the disabled and visitors was also reported to be sub-optimal.

Conclusions: Occupants of high rise buildings need to be adequately prepared to respond to a range of potential emergencies, including total building evacuation, if necessary. Pre-planning should address the training and educational needs of all occupants, including the disabled. Orientation to the building and the building's safety features should be provided for new building occupants, and updates provided periodically for current occupants. Response to building evacuation drills should be evaluated, and strategies for improvement implemented where indicated.

Learning Objectives:

• Describe emergency preparedness planning for the World Trade Center.
• List organizational barriers to timely and effective evacuation for high rise buildings in general.
• List strategies to better prepare high rise building occupants for full building evacuation.

Keywords: Workplace Safety, Disasters

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.

Recorded presentation