My 2¢...

(Sorry it's so late, I tried to post two days ago but my computer just refused to help)

I know this sounds overly simple, but try to think of everything a small group of people would use in such an emergency.

Individual protection items: (To help get out)
- Eye protection (safety glasses, swim goggles, Kroop-style goggles, etc.).
- Dust masks or even EVAC-U8-type smoke hoods.
- Cut protection (leather or rubber-dipped gloves).
- Tougher footwear? (Fancy dress shoes or pumps may look nice, but they suck for running down many flights of stairs in the dark or climbing over 'stuff'. Ask the ladies to keep an old pair of jeans in their desk, in case they're wearing a dress/skirt? The only problem I see with this is whether to take the time to put them on or just get out as soon as you can with whatever you're wearing.).
- Light (flashlights or headlights (spare batteries)).
- Hard hats?
- Whistles (How about a small whistle and a Photon light carried on a neck lanyard with your ID, so it's always with you?).
Have the people that wear prescription glasses or contacts keep an old pair of glasses in their desk for backup.

Egress items: (To help get out, e.g. - pop open a stuck door)
- Pry bars
- A sledge hammer?
Depending how high up you are - something to break a window and rappelling gear? (I can't see everybody doing this, regardless of the emergency).

Communication: (To let the EMS guys know where you are)
- Cell phones (chargers?) and/or FRS, GMRS, HAM radio (to get the word out that you're there)
- 120V radio (if you still have power) or a battery powered or wind-up radio (if you don't) to get the news/weather in and/or music to keep everybody calm.
- A sheet to hang out a window?

Food items: (In case you decide to sit it out and wait in place)
- Water
- Non-perishable food items (They'll need to be rotated). Mainstay, Powerbars, granola bars, Cup-O-Noodle, instant oatmeal, instant soup, bouillon cubes/packets, etc. (How to heat them?).

Heat:
No idea on this one (if you're in an office building). Blankets, sheeting and duct tape to close off a room (to retain heat?).

Light:
- Lanterns (battery-powered LED-type) (spare batteries).

Sanitation: (I really have to go!)
- Something to use as a toilet if the real ones stop working. (Thetford-type or 5 gallon bucket?).
- Quickie wipes (for a 'field bath').

First aid:
- Various bandages, gauze, tape, EMT shears, gloves (non-latex), CPR masks, eye wash, tweezers, burn cream, Quick clot. (Marty, you'd know how to use this stuff more than most).
- Various medications (Imodium, Advil, Tylenol, Neosporin, Benadril, antacid) (Your company may not allow 'outside medications').

Time-passers: ("Idle hands (and minds) are the devil's tools")
- Books, magazines, card games, puzzles, etc.

Obviously, this is an expensive undertaking, something you alone should not be responsible for, and it certainly won't fit under your desk. Can you commandeer a utility closet nearby, at least for the big stuff?

One other thing - on my last job I was part of our safety team. We'd have quarterly emergency drills where everyone was taught that when the emergency alarms go off, leave the building at the nearest emergency exit as quickly as possible and meet up at the company sign at the far end of the parking lot. The 'Officer of the Day' (an assistant manager) would print out a list (from the time clock) showing who was working at that particular time. He would then meet up with the group and go through the list, calling out names, thereby letting us know if anyone was missing. It was a good way of keeping track of people during an emergency and might come in handy for someone else.

- Dave