Emergency Procedures

911 For Fire - Police - Ambulance

Security Officer on Duty
Mobile: (270) 564-8403

Security Manager
Office: (270) 534-3859

1. Upon discovering a fire, explosion or smoke in the building, activate the fire alarm and notify occupants. Take note of the nearest fire alarm box.
2. Call 911.
3. Immediately evacuate the building using preplanned evacuation routes. DO NOT use elevators.
4. If possible, assist mobility-impaired individuals. If you are unable to assist these individuals, call the Security Officer on duty at 270-564-8403.
5. Once out of the building, gather at the preplanned assembly
   area.
6. Do not re-enter the building or leave the campus until told to do so by security or Maintenance & Operations (M&O).
7. If someone is injured during the fire or evacuation, call 911.

If the approaching severe weather is deemed to pose an immediate threat to the area, it may be elevated to a Severe Thunderstorm Warning and/or Tornado Warning.

Take the following steps:

1. Notify building occupants of the severe weather warning.
2. If it is a Severe Thunderstorm Warning, stay indoors and away from windows until the storm passes.
3. If it is a Tornado Warning, seek shelter in a designated shelter location immediately. Note the nearest shelter location in your building.
   It is not recommended that a person leave campus during a Tornado Warning.
4. Basements and interior hallways and small rooms on lower floors offer the best shelter.
5. After danger has passed, immediately report injuries to 911.
6. Immediately leave a badly damaged building and do not attempt to return unless directed to do so by Security.
7. Do not attempt to turn utilities or building equipment on or off.

If you are in a vehicle, get out and seek shelter at the lowest level of a sturdy building. If a building is not available, a depression such as a ditch or ravine offers some protection.

1. Summon help by calling 911.
2. Do not move a seriously injured person unless he or she is in a life-threatening situation.
3. Do not leave the injured person except to summon help.
4. When reporting a medical emergency, provide the following information if it is safe to do so:
   • Type of emergency
   • Location of the victim
   • Condition of the victim
   • Any dangerous conditions
5. Comfort the victim until emergency services arrive.
6. Have someone stand outside the building to flag down the ambulance when it reaches the vicinity.
7. Remain calm and reassure students, faculty and staff that all possible actions are being taken to care for the injured or ill person, and to protect others.

During a major earthquake you will experience shaking of the ground or building. This shaking may start out as a gentle rocking motion that grows violent, or it may begin as a violent jolt. You will find it difficult to walk during an earthquake.

During the quake:

1. Stay where you are, get under a desk or table or stand in a doorway or the corner of the room. Do not seek cover under tables or benches in laboratories. Chemicals could spill and harm you. If possible, extinguish fires, flames or other sources of ignition.
2. If you are driving, pull over to the side of the road and stop immediately. Avoid overpasses and power lines. Stay inside the vehicle until the shaking has stopped.
3. If you are outside, get into an open area away from buildings, power lines and trees.
4. Do not use elevators.

After the quake:

1. Gather your valuables and leave the building quickly. If necessary, aid those who have been trapped in the building, including those with mobility impairments or those who are trapped by debris. Gather at the designated meeting location.
2. If people are injured and cannot be moved or accounted for, or if you know someone is still trapped inside, call 911.

Bomb threats may be received by telephone, email or letter. If you receive a bomb threat:

1. Remain calm and obtain as much information as possible:
   • Exact location of the bomb?
   • When is it going to explode?
   • What kind of bomb?
   • Why it was placed there?
   • Caller’s identity/characteristics?
2. Immediately call 911. Provide any information you receive to Security.
3. If the threat was in writing, do not handle the letter or note any more than necessary.
4. Do not touch or move any unfamiliar objects. Wait for police to arrive on the scene.
5. The President or designee on site will determine if an evacuation is warranted. If the building is evacuated, account for all building occupants at the designated meeting area.
6. The President or designee will make all decisions regarding the cancellation or classes.

• An alert will be sent by SNAP message.
• Immediately seek safety in the nearest classroom/office.
• Close and lock all windows and doors.
• Turn off all lights and silence cell phones.
• Get everyone on the ground.
• Remain calm, out of sight and quiet.
• Do not open the door for ANYONE.
• Ignore a fire alarm, unless smoke/fire is detected.
• An additional SNAP message, and/or First Responder will inform you when it’s acceptable to leave.

Possible Lock Down Situations: Active shooter on campus; an armed person on campus; hostage situation on campus

Procedure should never override common sense or experience.
Use your best judgment given the information available.

If an armed person enters the building or you hear gunfire, take immediate steps to protect your students and yourself.

1. STOP CLASS
   RUN
2. Have tentative escape plans in mind and understand where your best avenues for exit are located.
3. Escape regardless of whether others agree to join you and move away from the building.
4. If possible, help others escape without endangering yourself.
5. Leave your belongings behind.
6. When exiting, try to keep your hands visible and follow the instructions of any police officers to avoid being perceived as a threat.
7. Try to maintain an orderly, but quick exit to prevent the danger of a stampede.
8. If possible, prevent individuals from entering an area where the active shooter or assailant may be.
9. Call 911 when you reach a safe location.
   HIDE
10. If running away isn’t an option, shelter in a safe location and look for opportunities to escape.
11. If you’re outside during the incident, move to an area of safety.
12. If you’re inside, move to a lockable room and barricade yourself  sing any available objects.
13. Move away from doors and windows.
14. Avoid clustering with others.
15. Kneel or lay down on the floor.
16. Remain quiet and silence your phone. 
17. Cover interior door windows and close exterior window coverings.
18. Call 911 immediately, provide details of the situation, and remain in the room until further notice.
19. Ignore fire alarms unless you see fire or smoke, are in immediate danger, or are instructed otherwise by first responders.
20. Do not leave the room while hiding unless a life-threatening situation makes it safer to go outside.
21. Think about an escape plan in case it becomes necessary.
    FIGHT
22. Remember, fighting should always be a last resort.
23. If you decide to fight, use strength and numbers to overwhelm the assailant if possible.
24. Use common items as improvised weapons, such as chairs, fire extinguishers, or other available objects to protect yourself.
25. Call 911 and provide details of the situation when it is safe and feasible to do so.

If an individual with a mobility impairment is not on a ground level floor of the building, he or she may need assistance leaving the building during an emergency or elevator failure.

An individual with a disability such as blindness, deafness, or use of a walker or crutch will require special assistance. Support them by:

• Guiding them to the stairwell of the building and waiting near the stairwell until it is clear.
• Assisting them in walking down the stairwell and outside to the pre-planned assembly area. 

An individual with a disability that requires the use of a wheelchair should be assisted by:

• Calling 911. Advise them of the situation and the location of the individual.
• Moving the impaired individual near the stairwell and awaiting assistance.
• If the hazard becomes life-threatening (i.e., the fire is getting close or the smoke becomes choking), move the individual into a room and close the door. Vacate the building and immediately tell the emergency responders where the individual is located.

Regardless of the source or type of emergency, careful attention to administrative procedures must be paid to ensure protection of the facility and those within.

After an Injury or Illness

If an individual is injured or becomes ill as a result of his/her workplace environment, follow these procedures:

1. Ensure the individual has received the appropriate medical care.
2. Notify the individual’s immediate supervisor of the injury and of surrounding events.
3. If further assistance is needed, notify the Security Officer at 270-564.8403.

This Emergency Procedures Quick Reference Guide is provided to you as a supplement to the Crisis Manual.

Please keep it close at hand to use as a guide during an emergency.
Additional copies are available from the Security Officer.

If you have specific questions and/or comments regarding the emergency procedures in this reference guide, please contact: Security Officer: (270) 564-8403.