The University of Rzeszów conducts annual trial evacuations in its buildings. The main purpose of these exercises is to test, in practice, the organisation and conditions of evacuation, as well as to prepare the academic community to respond appropriately in emergency situations.

On 31 October this year, evacuation drills were carried out in the Rejtan Campus and the Cicha Complex. The exercises involved students, academic and teaching staff, and administrative employees of the University of Rzeszów.

The aim of the trial evacuations is to familiarise building users with safety procedures to be followed in emergencies such as fire, earthquake, or other hazards. They also provide an excellent opportunity to verify the functioning of alarm and evacuation systems and to assess whether everyone knows how to act in case of danger.

Regular implementation of such drills is an essential element of ensuring safety at universities. Thanks to these exercises, students, lecturers, and staff are better prepared for crisis situations, while the overall level of safety awareness and responsibility is significantly increased.

The overarching objectives of testing evacuation organisation and conditions in practice are to:
• prepare and train building users (employees and students) to act efficiently in order to leave the building quickly and safely in the event of a threat,
• develop and rehearse effective evacuation procedures for heads of organisational units, administrators, porters, maintenance staff, and other support personnel, ensuring the safe and orderly evacuation of people and the protection of property.

Regular evacuation drills are a testament to the University of Rzeszów’s commitment to the safety of the entire academic community. They not only help refine emergency procedures but also foster responsible attitudes towards potential threats and encourage collective action to protect the health and lives of us all.