250 West 57th Street
Life Safety & Emergency Procedures

Bomb Threat

The purpose of bomb threat procedure is to have an orderly, safe, and rapid procedure for conducting searches, providing prompt, necessary communications, and rendering assistance in the even that an evacuation is called for by the local authorities.

In the event of a bomb threat, either through a telephone call or by other means, the following procedure should be followed:

  • If a threat is received by phone, try to attract someone’s attention in the office discreetly and quietly while listening to the caller.
  • Try to keep the caller talking as long as possible. Ask the person to repeat parts of the message. Remain calm.
  • Write down the message and obtain as much relevant information as possible.
  • Immediately after the call, notify the Building Management Office 212-237-2424, who will notify the following:
    1. Local Police
    2. In-house Security
    3. Staff
    4. Tenants
  • The building staff will assist the local authorities in:
    1. Evacuation in part or in full
    2. Search for the device
  • Building Staff will maintain a close relationship at all times with the local authorities to ensure maximum protection of the occupants, the building, and themselves.
  • When the alert is over, the Building Office shall notify all Tenants.

Evacuation Procedure (Fire Safety Plan)

Click here to download a complete copy of the Emergency Action Plan

Evacuation Hints

  • Walk quickly when directed, but do not run.
  • Become acquainted with the nearest fire stairs location.
  • Do not use elevators for emergency evacuation- use stairs unless otherwise directed.
  • Do not panic. Remain calm, and wait for help if necessary.
  • If exposed to heat or smoke, stay low near the floor.
  • Do not open doors that feel hot.
  • Close all doors behind you.
  • Know location of floor Fire Warden Station, fire exits, and extinguishers(in stairway).
  • Do not fight a fire by yourself.
  • Keep several flashlights with fresh batteries accessible for emergency use.
  • Do not evacuate floor unless directed by Fire Warden, Fire Safety Director, or Fire Department Personnel.
  • Do not go back for personal property for any reason.
  • Always plan two (2) means of escape, should one be blocked. Consider the roof as a safe area of refuge, if nearby.
  • Do not smoke while leaving floor.
  • Special procedure for evacuating handicapped personnel should be arranged by the Fire Safety Director. Handicapped personnel should register their locations with the Fire Safety Director.
  • Do not return to the building until advised to do so by responsible authorities.
  • Do not prop fire stair doors open or permit doors to remain open.

Fire Safety Emergency Team and Procedures

The emergency team consists of the Director of Operations, Assistant Director of Operations, Tenant Coordinator, building and security staff, Fire Wardens and the Deputy Wardens (appointed by each Tenant from among their respective employees). The primary function of the Fire Wardens and Deputy Wardens is to ensure the safe and orderly evacuation of the occupants of the building in the event required by an emergency. This is accomplished by communication and the joint efforts of all members of the Emergency Team.

Fire drills are held once every six (6) months and all tenants are expected to cooperate, and learn the procedures to be followed in the event of an emergency. Tenants and their employees should familiarize themselves with the all exits and fire alarm devices on their floor and should understand the fire safety plan, found below.

Any questions should be directed to the Building Office.

Click here to download a complete copy of the Emergency Action Plan

Due to the resistive quality of this high rise office building, immediate evacuation of the building is only necessary:

  • from floor where fire is burning
  • from floor areas one (1) story above fire floor
  • when ordered to leave by Fire Safety Director, Police, or Fire Department Personnel

Actions to be Taken by Anyone Discovering a Fire

Any person in the building, whenever there is evidence of fire, heat, or smoke, shall initiate the transmission of an alarm. No approval of a superior is necessary.

Alarm to be Transmitted as Follows:

Pull interior fire alarm in corridor by stairway “D” or stairway “E”.
Dial 911.
Dial “0” for the operator.
Call the Fire Department 212-628-2900.
Call Midtown South 212-477-7431 or Midtown North 212-760-8300
Immediately after transmitting alarm, notify Building Superintendent and Fire Warden on your floor.

BUILDING SUPERINTENDENT’S TELEPHONE NUMBER: 212-237-2424

Fire Wardens and Deputy Wardens Duties

  1. The Tenant or Tenants on each floor shall, upon request of Building Management, designate responsible and dependable employees for the positions of Fire Warden and Deputy Fire Wardens.
  2. Each floor of a building shall be under the direction of a designated Fire Warden for the evacuation of occupants in the event of fire. The Warden will be assisted in his duties by Deputy Fire Wardens.
  3. Each Fire Warden and Deputy Fire Warden shall be familiar with the Fire Safety Plan, the location of exits and the location and operation of any available fire alarm system.
  4. In the event of fire, or fire alarm, the Fire Warden shall establish communication with the Fire Safety Director, Assistant Fire Safety Director, or the Tenant Coordinator and assist in the evacuation of the floor in accordance with the directions received from Property Manager and security personnel.
  5. Have available an updated listing of all personnel with disabilities who cannot use the stairs unaided.
  6. Assure that all persons on the floor are notified of the fire emergency and assist in the evacuation of all personnel. A search must be conducted in the lavatories to assure all are unoccupied. The Warden should assign other personnel to check the lavatories.

Flooding

If a flood or leak should occur, building management should be notified immediately. While waiting for emergency personnel to respond, Tenants should safeguard and remove any valuable papers or documents from the affected area, and if possibly, unplug electrical equipment in this affected area.

Medical Emergency

If an accident occurs within your office suite, please notify the Management Office or call the Security Desk immediately. An employee of 250 West 57th Street, The Building will be dispatched to the scene of the accident and will perform the following:

  • Notify the police and/or ambulance if required and if not done so already.
  • Provide assistance to the injured party until emergency crew arrives.
  • Complete an incident report.

Power Failure

In case of a power outage, 250 West 57th Street is equipped with emergency lighting throughout the building and in the stairways.

If any Tenant should experience a loss of electrical power, they should notify the Management Office immediately. Emergency personnel will be dispatched immediately to determine if the power loss is localized or building wide. If the problem is localized, personnel will check circuitry for corrective action.

Severe Weather

Building management constantly monitors weather conditions on a daily basis. If a hurricane or tornado alert is in effect, the following will be performed:

  • All Tenants will be notified
  • Building personnel will secure all equipment and material on the roof, building exterior and sidewalk, which could move and cause damage to the building occupants and the public.
  • Depending upon the severity of the storm, it may require a shutdown to some or all HVAC equipment for safety. Tenants will be notified accordingly.
  • All glass swing doors in the Lobbies will be locked.
  • Tenants will be requested to close their blinds or shades to limit their exposure to glass breakage, should it occur. Where possible, Tenants should temporarily relocate their workstations away from the windows.
  • If any window should break, Tenants should close off area involved and notify the Management Office immediately.
  • Tenants will be kept informed of weather status.