Fire Safety at Vanderbilt Medical Center
Medical Center Fire Safety
Fire response information is found in the VUMC Emergency Operations Quick Reference.
The Vanderbilt Medical Center Plant Services and the Vanderbilt Environmental Health & Safety (VEHS) departments are responsible for development, implementation and review of the Medical Center Fire Safety Program. Both departments serve as the primary contact for the Metropolitan Fire Marshal's Office and is available to assist with any issues concerning the State Fire Marshal's office. If you have any questions about fire safety issues in your area, contact us and we will provide assistance. Information about fire safety in non-patient care locations is available here.
Consultation Services
VEHS safety officers work as consultants to the various Medical Center departments and clinics on specific Life and Fire Safety concerns. We can assist your department through:
- Review of Exit facilities.
- Review of operational or structural changes such as remodeling, construction or changes of the building's occupancy with regard to life safety systems. When necessary, Interim Life Safety measures will be implemented to ensure patient, visitor and staff safety.
- Review of departmental Fire safety and evacuation plans and advise on needed refinements or revisions.
Fire Drills
Fire Drills in the Medical Center and clinics are scheduled and performed by VEHS personnel, Hospital/Clinic Safety Program. Fire drills are required by the Joint Commission and by state licensing agencies.
- In-patient facilities are required to have a minimum of one drill per shift every quarter. These buildings include VUH, VPH, MCN CRC, MCN Round Wing and MCE.
- Ambulatory surgery centers are required to perform one fire drill per shift (worked shifts) for every quarter. These facilities include Vanderbilt Orthopedic Surgery Center (FEL) and TVC.
- Clinic and office buildings where there are no in-patients and fewer than 4 patients under anesthesia are only required to have one fire drill per year. These buildings include most off-site clinics, MAB, Crystal Terrace, Vanderbilt Eye Institute and Oxford House.
If you are asked to participate in a Fire Drill, you are to respond as you would to a real fire situation.
Training
VEHS provides fire safety training to Medical Center personnel.
- Initial fire safety training is provided during Hearts and Minds Orientation.
- Refresher training for fire/life safety is provided during the annual mandatory safety training initiative, i.e. safety fair, departmental training.
- VEHS will provide training for your department upon request.
Medical
Center faculty, staff and students can login with VUNet ID to view "Fire
Safety at VMC." This fire safety training video runs for 18
minutes.
The VUMC Fire Safety Program is documented in the VUMC Safety and Disaster Manual. The Program includes information about Employee Responsibilities, Types of Fires, Use of a Fire Extinguisher, Fire alarms, Detection and Reporting a Fire and Evacuation Procedures.