What To Do In The Event Of...

Beginning or During

Telephone threat received in an office:

• Receiver of call should obtain as much information as possible. Complete the Bomb Threat Checklist on the brochure from Homeland Security.
• If another person is in the office, develop a signal to alert that person to listen in on the call. Have that person call the UPD.
• Remain calm. Pay attention to what is being said and how it is said. Any background noises or sounds?
• Notify the building mayor immediately and finish the Bomb Threat Checklist. If you cannot find the mayor or the administrative assistant, ask a member of the office staff to assist you in finding the administrator or designee in charge. Do not tell anyone else. The building mayor or their designee will take charge and make the appropriate telephone calls.
• Remain available to answer questions.

Bomb threats made by mail or e-mail:

• Do not destroy any evidence.
• Contact UPD immediately at 4-911.
• Report receipt of the email to the building mayor and no one else.
• Remain available to answer questions.

Afterward

• Write down any additional information that you can remember.
• Make a copy of the report for the UPD.
• Notify your immediate supervisor.

Before

Beginning or During

• The senior administrator or designee should be informed immediately of the situation.
• Notify UPD at 4911.
• All occupants should remain in their offices or classrooms.
• DO NOT try to stop the event.

Afterward

Before

• Make sure you have a fire extinguisher, first aid kit, and a battery-powered radio.
• Learn first aid.
• Make up a plan of where to meet your fellow staff members after an earthquake.
• Don't leave heavy objects on shelves (they'll fall during a quake).

Beginning or During

• Stay calm! If you're indoors, stay inside. If you're outside, stay outside.
• If you're indoors, stand against a wall near the center of the building,or crawl under heavy furniture (a desk or table).
• Stay away from windows and outside doors.
• Do not stand in an interior doorway--it can collapse and you will be crushed.
• If you're outdoors, stay in the open away from power lines or anything that might fall. Stay away from buildings (stuff might fall off the building or the building could fall on you). Lie down or crouch low. Be aware of dangers that may demand movement.
• Don't use matches, candles, or any flame. Broken gas lines and fire don't mix.
• If you're in a car, stop the car and stay away from power lines, bridges, overpasses and buildings. Stay inside the car until the earthquake stops.
• Don't use elevators (they'll probably get stuck anyway).
• Turn bodies away from windows.
• Evacuate facility once tremor has subsided.

Afterward

• Evacuate the building as soon as possible using fire evacuation procedures.
• Injured persons should not be moved unless the condition of the building is life threatening.
• Anticipate the after shock. It will come.
• The building mayor or designee should take a hand-held radio or cell phone.

Before

• You should fully understand the hazardous characteristics of the specific chemicals that you use.
• The Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) for each chemical is your best source of information on hazards associated with the material. It will give you personal protective equipment information you will need to wear when working with the chemical. Always be aware of any warning signs on containers.
• At a minimum, you should know:
  • The minimum quantity of material that is toxic or hazardous;
  • The specific routes of entry that can cause injury - through the skin or eye, by ingestion, by inhalation, through injection;
  • The type(s) of hazard(s) - corrosive, explosive, flammable, reactive, sensitizer, toxic;
  • The types of injury the material can cause - acute toxicity, chronic toxicity, carcinogen, mutagen, teratogen;
  • The symptoms of over-exposure as well as the target organs that may be involved;
  • The physical characteristics of the material - physical state (solid, liquid, gas), vapor density, vapor pressure, flammability;
  • Chemical compatibility and incompatibilities;
  • What personal protective equipment (PPE) is recommended to safely work with the material- including Fume Hoods.
• To protect yourself from unnecessary exposures, you should adopt the following safe work practices:
  • Always try to work in a fume hood whenever possible;
  • Never work alone when handling hazardous materials;
  • Always keep your work area clean;
  • Always wear eye protection;
  • Always wear a clean laboratory coat;
  • Always wear the proper type of gloves for the materials you are handling;
  • Always wash your hands before leaving your work area, and before eating, drinking, or using the bathroom;
  • Always label every container that holds hazardous materials;
  • Always keep storage containers closed, and the lids tightly secured, when they are not in use.
  • Always segregate hazardous materials and keep incompatible materials apart;
  • Always contact Health and Safety for hazardous materials disposal services, to ask questions, to raise concerns, to review your protocols, and to ship your hazardous materials.

Beginning or During

• Always respond promptly to a spill or accident involving hazardous materials.
• If you have been properly trained by your supervisor, you may clean up a small chemical spill with the assistance of other personnel in your area.
• A Small Spill:
  • There is little threat to human health personnel property or to the environment, and;
  • There are no injuries beyond what simple first aid can manage, and;
  • The characteristics and the hazards of the material are known, and;
  • You have both the supplies and the knowledge necessary to clean up the materials.
• A Large Spill:
  • Report injuries to the University Police at (662) 915-4911 immediately.
  • Contact Health and Safety at (662) 915-5433.
  • Tend to injured personnel if you can do so without causing harm to yourself.
  • Leave the area of the spill.
• Whenever possible, be prepared to give the following information when requesting emergency assistance:
  • Where has the hazardous material spill occurred? Specify building and room number.
  • Has there been a fire and/or explosion?
  • Are there any injuries?
  • What is the name(s) of the material(s) spilled?
  • How much materials has spilled?
  • What is the state of the material - solid, liquid, gas - or combination?
  • Is any of the hazardous material escaping from the spill location?
• If you are unsure of material that has spilled, or if the spill produces noxious odor, smoke, or steam, leave area immediately.
• Attempt to activate the building alarm system if you feel that you, and others, should evacuate the building. Immediately call (662) 915-4911.

Afterward

Beginning or During

• Notify UPD (4-911) of situation and provide as many details as possible - number of persons involved, description, type of weapons displayed, etc.
• Remain calm, but do what you are told without argument.
• Do not attempt to negotiate or argue with hostage taker.
• Encourage others to remain calm. Tell them to do what they are told.
• Position yourself where you will not interfere with any attempts to remove the hostage taker by force by the authorities.

Afterward

Before

• Understanding fire hazards and classes of fire in the work place will help determine appropriate course of action.
• Locate the fire alarms in your building.
• Have working portable fire extinguishers in place.
• Know where the exits are in the building.

Beginning or During

• Pull fire alarm to activate fire alarm system.
• Assist with evacuations through exit doors designated in evacuation procedures posted in each room.
• Move to the designated safe area outside the building.
• Notify University Police and E-911 by dialing 911 or 9-911.
• Put out small fires before they become major fires.
• DO NOT attempt to extinguish a fire in a smoke filled room or one that is beyond the capacity of a hand held fire extinguisher.
• Stay clear of fire fighters and other emergency personnel.

Afterward

Beginning or During

• Should a suspicious piece of mail or package be delivered, the individual receiving the mail or package should immediately call the University Police Department (4911), tell immediate supervisor, and inform the building mayor.
• Under no circumstances should the mail or package be handled or opened. Police or other emergency personnel will determine what steps to take.
• All persons handling the package or mail should be identified. If a communicable substance is believed to be involved, all individuals who have been in the vicinity of the mail or package should be identified and isolated. It is also necessary to identify individuals who may have had contact with these individuals after exposure to the mail or package and isolate them.
• The University Police Department or other emergency personnel will make the decision regarding evacuation of the building.

Before

• If you witness any armed individual on campus at any time or if an individual is acting in a hostile or belligerent manner, immediately contact UPD at 4911.
• Remain calm

Beginning or During

If the armed subject is outside the building:

• Turn off all the lights and close and lock all windows and doors.
• If you can do so safely, get all students on the floor and out of the line of fire.
• Move to a core area of the building if safe to do so and remain there until an ALL CLEAR instruction is given by an authorized known voice.
• If the staff or students do not recognize the voice that is giving instruction, they should not change their status.
• Unknown or unfamiliar voices may be misleading and designed to give false assurances.

If the armed subject is inside the building:

• If it is possible to flee the area safely and avoid danger, do so.
• Contact UPD at (662) 915-4911 with your location if possible.
• If flight is impossible, lock all doors and secure yourself in your space.
• Get down on the floor or under a desk and remain silent.
• Get students on the floor and out of the line of fire.
• Wait for the ALL CLEAR instruction.

If the armed subject comes into your class or office:

• There is no one procedure the authorities can recommend in this situation.
• Attempt to get the word out to other staff if possible, and call UPD at 4911 if that seems practical.
• Use common sense. If hiding or fleeing is impossible, attempt to negotiate with the individual.
• Attempting to overcome the armed subject with force is a last resort that should only be initiated in the most extreme circumstances.
• Remember, there may be more than one active armed subject.
• Wait for the ALL CLEAR instruction.
• Be careful not to make any changes to the scene of the incident since law enforcement authorities will investigate the area later.
• In case you must flee, do not go to the normal gathering site for your building. Get as far away from the shooting scene as possible and then contact authorities.

Afterward

Before

• Should an individual with a weapon enter the building or an act of violence occurs, it should be reported to University Police immediately. Dial 4911.
• Remain calm

Beginning or During

• All occupants should remain in the building in offices or classrooms. Lock or otherwise try to secure the door to keep person with weapon from entering room.
• Keep away from windows and position yourself in the room where you do not obstruct windows and doors.

Afterward

Before

• Be alert and aware of your surroundings. Report anything suspicious.
• Know the emergency exits of your residence halls and place of employment.
• Keep your emergency response kit(s) at your residence, vehicle and place of employment.
• Do not open mail which looks suspicious (i.e. excessive postage, unknown origin, overseas return address)

Beginning or During

• Never rush into a suspected terrorist event. You probably will not know what agent has been released. Do not become a victim!
• Decrease your time, increase distance and shielding from the suspected incident.
• If you are exposed to an agent, do not flee the scene, you may expose others.
• If an emergency responder (police/fire/ambulance) directs you to do something, do it immediately
• If you are a victim of a terrorist incident, expect to undergo decontamination on scene. This will probably involve the fire department using water to wash you down.
• Do not try to enter the scene from a safe location to help affected individuals. You may become a victim yourself.

Afterward

• Report any suspicious activity to law enforcement.
• Remember, some of the victims may actually be suspects.

Ground Floor

Persons with physical disabilities should evacuate via accessible exits with other occupants of the building.

Above of Below Ground Floor

Visually Impaired

Explain to the person with the visual impairment the nature of the emergency and offer to guide him/her to the nearest exit. Have the person take your elbow and escort him out of the building. As you walk, advise them of all obstacles. When you reach safety, orient the person to their location and ask if further assistance is necessary.

Hearing Impaired

Alert the individual to the situation with gestures or by turning the lights on and off. Provide a short note containing information about the emergency and offer assistance as you leave the building.

Mobility Impaired

Since elevators should not be used during an evacuation, persons with mobility impairments will need assistance, unless they are on the ground floor with accessible exits. Individuals who are ambulatory may be able to evacuate themselves; however, someone should accompany them to provide assistance if necessary. Non-ambulatory persons should be taken to a place of safety and wait for emergency rescue personnel to arrive. Where possible, they should be moved to a room with an outside window and a telephone. Notify 911 of the location and need for special assistance to evacuate a disabled person.

Before

• Watch for potential hazard or situations where a person could become injured.
• Report the hazards or situation to the building mayor.
• In the case of an inside the classroom emergency, faculty should immediately contact UPD or call 4911.

Beginning or During

• The type emergency will dictate what actions are to be taken by an employee or student.
• Immediately report life threatening emergencies to E-911 service by dialing 911 or 9-911and giving the operator the requested information.
• Try to keep the person calm and let them know help is on the way.
• Situations that are not life threatening should be reported to the Campus Police by dialing 4911.
• In addition to the dean or supervisor, the appropriate Vice Chancellor responsible for the office or area effected should be notified immediately after the situation is under control. If a faculty member is affected - contact the Provost; if a student is affected - contact the Dean of Students; if a staff member is affected - contact the Vice Chancellor for Administration and Finance; if a researcher staff or faculty member is affected - contact the Vice Chancellor for Research and Sponsored Programs.
• University Police will coordinate site needs with the Oxford Fire Department and/or the Lafayette County Emergency Management Services (EMS).
• Move out of the way once emergency personnel are on site.

Afterward

What Shelter-in-Place Means: One of the instructions you may be given in an emergency where hazardous materials may have been released into the atmosphere is to shelter-in-place. This is a precaution aimed to keep you safe while remaining indoors. (This is not the same thing as going to a shelter in case of a storm.) Shelter-in-place means selecting a small, interior room, with no or few windows, and taking refuge there. It does not mean sealing off your entire home or office building. If you are told to shelter-in-place, follow the instructions provided in this Fact Sheet.

Why You Might Need to Shelter-in-Place: Chemical, biological, or radiological contaminants may be released accidentally or intentionally into the environment. Should this occur, information will be provided by local authorities on television and radio stations on how to protect you and your family. Because information will most likely be provided on television and radio, it is important to keep a TV or radio on, even during the workday. The important thing is for you to follow instructions of local authorities and know what to do if they advise you to shelter-in-place.

At Home

• Close and lock all windows and exterior doors.
• If you are told there is danger of explosion, close the window shades, blinds, or curtains.
• Turn off all fans, heating and air conditioning systems.
• Close the fireplace damper.
• Get your family disaster supplies kit and make sure the radio is working.
• Go to an interior room without windows that’s above ground level. In the case of a chemical threat, an above-ground location is preferable because some chemicals are heavier than air, and may seep into basements even if the windows are closed.
• Bring your pets with you, and be sure to bring additional food and water supplies for them.
• It is ideal to have a hard-wired telephone in the room you select. Call your emergency contact and have the phone available if you need to report a life-threatening condition. Cellular telephone equipment may be overwhelmed or damaged during an emergency.
• Use duct tape and plastic sheeting (heavier than food wrap) to seal all cracks around the door and any vents into the room.
• Keep listening to your radio or television until you are told all is safe or you are told to evacuate. Local officials may call for evacuation in specific areas at greatest risk in your community.

At Work

• Close the business.
• Bring everyone into the room(s). Shut and lock the door(s).
• If there are customers, clients, or visitors in the building, provide for their safety by asking them to stay – not leave. When authorities provide directions to shelter-in-place, they want everyone to take those steps now, where they are, and not drive or walk outdoors.
• Unless there is an imminent threat, ask employees, customers, clients, and visitors to call their emergency contact to let them know where they are and that they are safe.
• Turn on call-forwarding or alternative telephone answering systems or services. If the business has voice mail or an automated attendant, change the recording to indicate that the business is closed, and that staff and visitors are remaining in the building until authorities advise it is safe to leave.
• Close and lock all windows, exterior doors, and any other openings to the outside.
• If you are told there is danger of explosion, close the window shades, blinds, or curtains.
• Have employees familiar with your building’s mechanical systems turn off all fans, heating and air conditioning systems. Some systems automatically provide for exchange of inside air with outside air – these systems, in particular, need to be turned off, sealed, or disabled.
• Gather essential disaster supplies, such as nonperishable food, bottled water, battery-powered radios, first aid supplies, flashlights, batteries, duct tape, plastic sheeting, and plastic garbage bags.
• Select interior room(s) above the ground floor, with the fewest windows or vents. The room(s) should have adequate space for everyone to be able to sit in. Avoid overcrowding by selecting several rooms if necessary. Large storage closets, utility rooms, pantries, copy and conference rooms without exterior windows will work well. Avoid selecting a room with mechanical equipment like ventilation blowers or pipes, because this equipment may not be able to be sealed from the outdoors.
• It is ideal to have a hard-wired telephone in the room(s) you select. Call emergency contacts and have the phone available if you need to report a life-threatening condition. Cellular telephone equipment may be overwhelmed or damaged during an emergency.
• Use duct tape and plastic sheeting (heavier than food wrap) to seal all cracks around the door(s) and any vents into the room.
• Write down the names of everyone in the room, and call your business’ designated emergency contact to report who is in the room with you, and their affiliation with your business (employee, visitor, client, customer.)
• Keep listening to the radio or television until you are told all is safe or you are told to evacuate. Local officials may call for evacuation in specific areas at greatest risk in your community.

At School

• Close the school. Activate the school’s emergency plan. Follow reverse evacuation procedures to bring students, faculty, and staff indoors.
• If there are visitors in the building, provide for their safety by asking them to stay – not leave. When authorities provide directions to shelter-in-place, they want everyone to take those steps now, where they are, and not drive or walk outdoors.
• Provide for answering telephone inquiries from concerned parents by having at least one telephone with the school’s listed telephone number available in the room selected to provide shelter for the school secretary, or person designated to answer these calls. This room should also be sealed. There should be a way to communicate among all rooms where people are sheltering-in-place in the school.
• Ideally, provide for a way to make announcements over the school-wide public address system from the room where the top school official takes shelter.
• If children have cell phones, allow them to use them to call a parent or guardian to let them know that they have been asked to remain in school until further notice, and that they are safe.
• If the school has voice mail or an automated attendant, change the recording to indicate that the school is closed, students and staff are remaining in the building until authorities advise that it is safe to leave.
• Provide directions to close and lock all windows, exterior doors, and any other openings to the outside.
• If you are told there is danger of explosion, direct that window shades, blinds, or curtains be closed.
• Have employees familiar with your building’s mechanical systems turn off all fans, heating and air conditioning systems. Some systems automatically provide for exchange of inside air with outside air – these systems, in particular, need to be turned off, sealed, or disabled.
• Gather essential disaster supplies, such as nonperishable food, bottled water, battery-powered radios, first aid supplies, flashlights, batteries, duct tape, plastic sheeting, and plastic garbage bags.
• Select interior room(s) above the ground floor, with the fewest windows or vents. The room(s) should have adequate space for everyone to be able to sit in. Avoid overcrowding by selecting several rooms if necessary. Classrooms may be used if there are no windows or the windows are sealed and can not be opened. Large storage closets, utility rooms, meeting rooms, and even a gymnasium without exterior windows will also work well.
• It is ideal to have a hard-wired telephone in the room(s) you select. Call emergency contacts and have the phone available if you need to report a life-threatening condition. Cellular telephone equipment may be overwhelmed or damaged during an emergency.
• Bring everyone into the room. Shut and lock the door.
• Use duct tape and plastic sheeting (heavier than food wrap) to seal all cracks around the door(s) and any vents into the room.
• Write down the names of everyone in the room, and call your schools’ designated emergency contact to report who is in the room with you.
• Listen for an official announcement from school officials via the public address system, and stay where you are until you are told all is safe or you are told to evacuate. Local officials may call for evacuation in specific areas at greatest risk in your community.

In a Vehicle

If you are driving a vehicle and hear advice to "shelter-in-place" on the radio, take these steps:

• If you are very close to home, your office, or a public building, go there immediately and go inside. Follow the shelter-in-place recommendations for the place you pick described above.
• If you are unable to get to a home or building quickly and safely, then pull over to the side of the road. Stop your vehicle in the safest place possible. If it is sunny outside, it is preferable to stop under a bridge or in a shady spot, to avoid being overheated.
• Turn off the engine.
• Close windows and vents.
• If possible, seal the heating/air conditioning vents with duct tape.
• Listen to the radio regularly for updated advice and instructions.
• Stay where you are until you are told it is safe to get back on the road. Be aware that some roads may be closed or traffic detoured. Follow the directions of law enforcement officials.

More Information

Local officials on the scene are the best source of information for your particular situation. Following their instructions during and after emergencies regarding sheltering, food, water, and clean up methods is your safest choice.

Remember that instructions to shelter-in-place are usually provided for durations of a few hours, not days or weeks. There is little danger that the room in which you are taking shelter will run out of oxygen and you will suffocate.

Who is a Disruptive Individual?

• An individual who makes threats of physical harm to you, others, or themselves.
• An individual who has a weapon.
• An individual who behaves in a bizarre manner or exhibits unstable behavior patterns.
• The individual who appears to be intoxicated or under the influence of a controlled substance.

What Action Should I Take?

• Contact UPD at (662) 915-4911.
• Give your name and campus location with a brief explanation of the situation.
• Take note of the individual's age, personal appearance, clothing, vehicle or any other information that would help identify the individual.

Express Your Authority with Non-verbal Cues

• Sit or stand erect.
• Square your shoulders.
• Smile and make eye contact.
• Speak clearly and distinctly.
• Maintain a constant voice volume - not too loud.

Cues to Avoid

• Do not touch your face.
• Observe the individual's personal space— do not stand too close.
• Do not touch the person.
• Do not slouch, glare or sigh at the individual.

Anger Management Tactics

• Get their attention: Use their name, ask them to sit down.
• Acknowledge their feelings: Paraphrase what they say so they will know you are listening.
• Get them moving: Offer a chair, move them to a private area if possible.
• Offer assistance: Use the word "we" to include them in the solution process.
• Tell them exactly what you can do for them and when.
• Offer an alternative if appropriate.
• Advise co-workers of the potential problem if possible.
• Call for aid immediately if you sense the situation is getting out of hand.

Before

Be mindful of circumstances that could cause a power failure (i.e., high winds, stormy weather, etc.)

Beginning or During

On Campus

• Stay away from downed power lines.
• Notify the Facilities Management (662) 915-7087.

Off Campus

• Stay away from downed power lines.
• Notify the local utility company.
• Keep flashlights and batteries available.

Afterward

Wait for power to be restored and stabilized.

Procedures

• Lockdown with warning – There is knowledge of a potential threat outside the building (e.g., environmental/hazmat, medical emergency, etc.)
• Lockdown with intruder – The threat/intruder is inside the building.
• Shelter-in-place provides refuge for students, faculty/staff inside a building during an emergency. Shelters should be identified in areas of the building that maximize the safety of inhabitants. Shelter-in-place is used when evacuation would put people at risk (e.g., environmental hazard, or an intruder).

Lockdown with Warning – Shelter in Place

• Depending on the nature of an incident (e.g., environmental, or other emergency) the building administrator or emergency responder should advise instructions regarding a lockdown and/or shelter in place.
• Seek shelter in a building as quickly as possible - shelter areas may change depending on the emergency.
• Do not use elevators.
• Go into a room and shut the door.
• Close all exterior doors and windows.
• Turn off the heating and ventilation systems if controls are available.
• Use duct tape, a towel, or plastic to seal windows and doors and make an unbroken seal.
• Communicate your situation to administration or emergency officials by whatever means possible.

Lockdown for Intruder – Shelter in Place

• Depending on the nature of an incident (intruder) the building administrator or emergency responder should advise instructions regarding a lockdown and/or shelter in place.
• Seek shelter in the nearest office or classroom.
• Lock or barricade office, classroom – DO NOT LOCK EXTERIOR DOORS.
• Turn off lights, close windows and pull shades.
• Remain quiet and do not enter hallways.
• Be prepared to ignore any fire alarm activation - the school will not be evacuated using this method. An intruder may have set the alarm off on purpose.
• Should the fire alarm sound, do not evacuate the building unless:
  1. You have first hand knowledge that there is a fire in the building.
  2. You are in imminent danger, or
  3. You have been advised by a public safety official to evacuate the building.
• Crouch down in areas that are out of sight from doors and windows.
• If movement is necessary, do so quietly and as quickly as possible.
• Remain in building until told to evacuate by the building mayor or public safety official. DO NOT respond to anyone until ALL CLEAR is announced.