General Campus Emergency Procedures
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Evacuation Procedures
Building occupants are required by law to evacuate the building when the fire alarm sounds or when directed to do so by emergency responders.
Upon the sounding of a fire alarm or other evacuation alarm, all building occupants shall immediately leave the building and proceed to the area indicated on the posted evacuation directions. Occupants will only be allowed to return when the building has been declared safe by emergency responders.
When Evacuating Your Building or Work Area:
- Stay calm. Do not rush or panic.
- Safely stop your work.
- Gather your personal belongings if it is safe to do so. Take prescription medications, keys, purse, glasses, etc. with you if at all possible as it may be hours before you are allowed back into the building.
- If safe, close your office door and window, but do not lock them.
- Use the nearest safe stairs and proceed to the nearest exit. Do not use the elevator.
- Proceed to the designated evacuation meeting point.
- Wait for instructions from emergency responders.
- Do not re-enter the building or work area until you have been instructed to do so by emergency responders.
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Evacuation for People with Disabilities
In all emergencies, after an evacuation has been ordered:
- Evacuate people with disabilities if possible. If not possible, assist them to an area of safe refuge, such as a stairwell landing or other designated area, and notify emergency responders of the location of the individual and what assistance they require.
- Do not use elevators, unless authorized to do so by Police or Fire personnel.
- Check on people with special needs during an evacuation. A ‘buddy system’ where people with disabilities arrange for co-workers or neighbors to alert and assist them in an emergency, if required, is a good method.
- Attempt a rescue evacuation only if you have had rescue training or the person is in immediate danger and cannot wait for professional assistance.
- Always ask someone with a disability how you can help BEFORE attempting any rescue technique or giving assistance. Ask how he or she can best be assisted or moved and whether there are any special considerations or items that need to come with the person.
Blindness or visual impairment:
- Give verbal instructions to advise about the safest route.
- Do not grasp a visually impaired person’s arm. Ask if he or she would like to hold onto your arm as you exit, especially if there is debris or a crowd.
Deafness or hearing loss:
- Get attention of the person by touch or eye contact. Clearly state the problem. Gestures and pointing are helpful, but be prepared to write a brief statement if the person does not seem to understand.
- Offer visual instructions to advise about the safest route.
Mobility impairment:
- It may be necessary to help clear the exit route of debris, if possible, so that the person with a disability can move to a safer area.
- If a person with mobility impairment cannot exit, they should move to a safer area, such as an enclosed stairwell or an office with a shut door which is a good distance from the hazard.
Notify emergency responders immediately about any people remaining in the building and their locations.
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Emergency Information Locations
Evacuation directions, fire alarm locations and escape routes are posted at the base of stairways, elevator landings and inside public doors. If this information is missing, call the University Fire Department at 459-3473.
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Fire Procedures
Building occupants are required by law to evacuate a building when the fire alarm sounds.
- Inform people in the immediate area to evacuate.
- Activate the nearest building fire alarm.
- Call 911 if safe to do so. Otherwise, evacuate the building and call 911 from outside the building.
- If the fire is small (wastebasket sized or smaller) and you have been trained to use a fire extinguisher, you may attempt to extinguish the fire. Make sure that you have a safe exit from the fire area and use the buddy system.
- To use a fire extinguisher, remember the acronym PASS:
- P ull the pin.
- A im the extinguisher at the base of the fire.
- S queeze the handle.
- S weep the extinguisher from side to side.
- Evacuate the building as soon as the alarm sounds and proceed to the designated evacuation meeting point.
- On your way out, warn others near by.
- Move away from fire and smoke. Close doors and windows if time permits.
- Touch closed doors; do not open them if they are hot.
- If doors are hot, place a wet cloth at the base to keep smoke from entering.
- Use stairs only. Do not use elevators.
- Move well away from the building and go to your designated meeting point.
- Do not re-enter the building or work area until you have been instructed to do so by the emergency responders.
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Medical Emergency Procedures
University Fire Department personnel are all trained as Emergency Medical Technicians and respond to all medical emergencies on campus with county ambulance Paramedics.
- If a serious injury or other medical emergency occurs, immediately call 911. It is best to have the person calling 911 physically with the patient at the time the call is made if at all possible. Be sure that the following information is provided to the dispatcher:
- The age and gender of the patient. If you are unsure of the patient’s age, estimate.
- The location of the patient.
- The nature of the medical emergency and whether or not the patient is conscious and breathing.
- Any other pertinent information, such as events leading up to the emergency or known past medical history of the patient.
- Do not take seriously ill or injured persons to the Cowell Health Center.
- Ensure that the scene is safe prior to approaching the patient and reassure the patient that help is on the way.
- If the patient is inside a building or a remote location, send someone to meet and direct the Fire Department to the location, if possible.
- Do not move the patient unless absolutely necessary.
- If you are trained in first aid, you may provide care per your level of training until the Fire Department arrives.
- Upon arrival of the Fire Department, remain and provide any specific information about the patient and their condition that you are aware of.
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Earthquake Procedures
If You Are Inside a Building:
- Duck under the nearest sturdy object and hold onto it until the shaking stops. If you are not near a sturdy object, make yourself as small as possible and cover your head and neck.
- If you stand in a doorway, brace yourself against the frame and watch out for a swinging door or other people.
- Avoid windows, filing cabinets, bookcases and other heavy objects that could fall or shatter.
- Stay under cover until the shaking stops, and then leave the building.
- If it is safe to do so, stabilize any laboratory procedure that could lead to further damage, such as turning off burners or electrical equipment.
- Evacuate the building if told to do so by building staff or emergency responders.
If You Are Outside a Building:
- Move away from trees, signs, buildings, electrical poles and wires.
- Protect your head with your arms from falling bricks, glass, plaster or other debris.
- Move away from fire and smoke.
- Proceed to your designated evacuation meeting point if safe to do so.
- Stay alert for further instructions.
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Criminal or Violent Behavior Procedures
Immediately call 911 if you are the victim of or witness to any of the following:
- Assault
- Verbal or other threat of bodily harm
- Suspicious activity
- Crimes in progress
- Weapons violations
- Activities presenting a serious risk to the individual or others
To report non-emergency crimes (such as vandalism, parking violations, etc.) or for general questions, call University Police at 459-2231, 24 hours a day.
When reporting a crime, be sure to provide the following information to the dispatcher:
- Nature of the incident.
- Location of the incident.
- Description of the person(s) involved. Be specific (features, clothing, etc.)
- Description of the property involved.
- If the suspect has left the scene, their last known path and means of travel.
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Civil Disturbance / Demonstration Procedures
Most campus demonstrations are peaceful and people not involved should attempt to carry on business as usual. Should a disturbance occur, call 911.
If a disturbance seems to threaten the occupants of the building, call 911 immediately and take the following actions:
- Alert all persons in the area of the situation.
- Lock all doors and windows.
- Close blinds to prevent flying glass.
- Move building occupants to an interior or windowless room, if possible.
- If necessary, your department may decide to cease work operations.
- If necessary to evacuate, follow directions from Police.
If an evacuation occurs, meet at the designated evacuation meeting point and await further instructions and information.
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Explosion / Bomb Threat Procedures
A suspicious-looking box, package, object or container in or near your work area may be a bomb or explosive material. Do not handle or touch the object. Move to a safe area and call 911 immediately. Use a telephone in a safe area. Do not operate any power switch and do not activate the fire alarm.
If There Is an Explosion:
- Take cover under sturdy furniture, or leave the building if directed to do so by emergency responders.
- Stay away from windows.
- Do not light matches.
- Move well away from the site of the hazard to a safe location.
- Use stairs only; do not use elevators.
If You Receive A Bomb Threat:
- Stay calm and try to keep your voice calm.
- Pay close attention to details. Talk to the caller to obtain as much information as possible.
- Take notes. Ask questions:
Call 911 and submit your notes from the telephone call or the bomb threat letter or note to University Police. Follow any instructions the Police give you.
If you are told by emergency responders to evacuate the building, follow the evacuation toped above with the following additional steps:
- Check your work area for unfamiliar items. Do not touch suspicious items; report them to campus authorities.
- Take personal belongings when you leave.
- Leave doors and windows open; do not turn light switches on or off.
- Use stairs only; do not use elevators.
- Move well away from the building and follow instructions of emergency responders.
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Hazardous Materials Procedures
If you cause or witness a hazardous material spill always keep your own personal safety and the safety of others as your highest priority. When in doubt, call 911. If you can do so safely, evaluate the nature of the release including material type, quantity and specific location of the spill. NEVER attempt to clean-up a spill yourself if:
- You don’t know what the spilled material is
- You lack the necessary protection or equipment to do the job safely
- The spill is too large to contain
- The spilled material is highly toxic
- You feel any symptoms of exposure
If you suspect or witness a release of a hazardous material into water, storm drain, or ground always call 911.
Large Spill Procedure:
Alert others in the immediate area and evacuate the spill area.
- Call 911.
- Provide the dispatcher information on the material type, quantity and specific location of the spill.
- Stay in a safe location to provide information to first responders.
Small Spill - with resources, training and supplies available for clean up:
- Evacuate, isolate and deny entry to the spill area. Post signs as necessary.
- Follow spill response clean-up procedures according to your training and as directed by your supervisor.
- Notify EH&S (459-2553) that the spill occurred and arrange to have the waste materials properly disposed.
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Utility Failure Procedures
In the event of a major utility failure, call Physical Plant at 459-4444 during normal business hours or call the Emergency Maintenance number at 459-4861 off-hours. Do not call 911 unless there is a risk to life or property.
Evacuate the building if the fire alarm sounds and/or upon notification by emergency responders. A major power outage may not in itself by destructive, but a possible resulting panic or fire could endanger life and property. In laboratory buildings, fume hoods do not operate during a power outage and most laboratories should not be used until the ventilation is properly restored. If fumes are detected after the ventilation system is restored, evacuate the area and call 911.
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Elevator Failure Procedures
If you are trapped in an elevator, use the emergency phone to call for assistance. All campus elevators have a phone that is tested monthly and which connects directly to University Dispatch.
If the elevator emergency phone is not working, turn on the emergency alarm (located on the control panel) to signal your need for help.
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Flooding / Plumbing Failure Procedures
If flooding occurs:
- Cease using all electrical equipment.
- Call Physical Plant at 459-4444 during normal business hours or call the Emergency Maintenance number at 459-4861 off-hours. Do not call 911 unless there is a risk to life or property.
- If necessary, evacuate the building.
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Gas Leak Procedures
If you smell natural gas:
- Call 911.
- Cease all operations immediately.
- Do not switch lights on or off.
- Evacuate as soon as possible.
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Hot Water Piping / Steam Line Failure Procedures
In the event of a hot water piping or steam line failure:
- Call Physical Plant at 459-4444 during normal business hours or call the Emergency Maintenance number at 459-4861 off-hours. Do not call 911 unless there is a risk to life or property.
- Evacuate as soon as possible.
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Ventilation Problem Procedures
If chemical or other odors emanate from the ventilation system, call 911.
For routine HVAC problems, call Physical Plant at 459-4444 during normal business hours or call the Emergency Maintenance number at 459-4861 off-hours
If smoke is present, activate fire alarm system, and then call 911 from a safe location.
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