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Fire & Life Safety at Laredo College

At Laredo College, safety is not optional—it’s essential. The wellbeing of our students, employees, and visitors guides everything we do. Emergencies can happen without warning, and every second counts. That’s why our campuses are equipped with vital Fire & Life Safety tools designed to save lives, protect property, and provide immediate help until professional responders arrive.

From fire extinguishers and evacuation chairs to AEDs and bleeding control kits, these resources are here to support you—and with proper awareness and training, you can be ready to use them when it matters most.

Fire Extinguishers

Portable fire extinguishers are located in all campus buildings and are regularly inspected and maintained to ensure they are ready for use. These devices are intended for small, contained fires—such as those involving paper, trash, or minor equipment—when it is safe to take quick action.

If you attempt to use a fire extinguisher, remember the PASS technique:

Important: Fire extinguishers should only be used if you are trained, the fire is small, and your exit is clear. If the fire is spreading quickly or creating heavy smoke, do not attempt to fight it. Activate the nearest fire alarm, evacuate the building immediately, and call Campus Police at (956) 721-5303.

Evacuation Chairs

Evacuation chairs are provided in multi-story campus buildings to help ensure that individuals with mobility challenges can be safely evacuated during emergencies such as fires or power outages. These specially designed chairs allow trained staff to transport a person quickly and securely down stairwells and through corridors.

• Evacuation chairs are mounted in designated locations and clearly marked with signage.
• Only trained personnel should operate evacuation chairs, to ensure both user and passenger safety.
• Safety & Risk Management offers hands-on training for staff on proper chair operation and safe evacuation techniques.

By using evacuation chairs, we help ensure that everyone—regardless of mobility—has a safe way out in an emergency.

Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs)

AEDs are life-saving devices that can deliver an electric shock to restore a normal heart rhythm during sudden cardiac arrest. Because survival rates drop rapidly without immediate help, AEDs are designed to be easy for anyone to use—even with no medical training.

Note: AEDs are safe and will not deliver a shock unless the device detects it is needed.

Bleeding Control Kits (Stop the Bleed)

Severe bleeding can be life-threatening within minutes. To prepare for such emergencies, Laredo College has placed Stop the Bleed kits in accessible locations, often alongside AED stations. These kits provide the tools needed to control bleeding until professional medical help arrives.

Each kit typically includes:

In an emergency:

1. Call 911 and Campus Police (956-794-4444).
2. Apply firm, direct pressure to the wound.
3. Use the tourniquet or gauze if severe bleeding continues.

Note: Training is highly encouraged. Laredo College offers Stop the Bleed training to help students, staff, and faculty feel confident using these kits in a crisis.