What to Do in an Emergency

Do I Return to my Hall in an emergency?

In some emergencies you may receive instructions to shelter in your room or to gather in a common area. Please follow the instructions as they are made to keep you as safe as possible. If you are instructed to return to your hall (prior to any other action), do so. However, you may be instructed to go immediately to one of the official gathering sites. When instructed to go to an official gathering site and if time permits the following guidance can be helpful.

Leaving your Room

• Remove all items from the floor
• Place all items on your bed/closet
• Unplug everything (EXCEPT your microfridge)

What to Bring

• Comfortable clothes
• Flashlight
• Pillow and blanket
• Prescription medications

In the unlikely event that you are required to remain at one of the gathering points or evacuation center for any length of time, we will have the following on hand:

• Food
• Bedding

It is assumed that non-resident students will want to return to the safety of their own homes and families if possible. Unless the situation warrants otherwise, youwill be allowed to do so.

Wait for Instructions

If so instructed, you may return to your car and leave the campus.

(If you do so, you should listen to and follow the instructions being given to the general public by state and local officials).

From that point on, university administration will work in conjunction with local and state officials to determine if any further action is required.

If You Have to Stay

If the university has been instructed to keep all community members in a secure campus location, you should proceed with your fellow students to one of the designated locations.

• Apply firm but gentle pressure to the wound with a clean cloth or tissue.
• Have the person lie down.
• Call 911 and Campus Safety & Security.

• Remain calm.
• Get as much information as possible.
• Call 911 and Campus Safety & Security.

• Remove the cause of the burn.
• Flush the area with water.
• Do not apply a dressing, creams or lotions.
• Call 911 and Campus Safety & Security.

When the fire alarm is activated, evacuation is mandatory:

• Take personal belongings with you.
• Shut off stoves and ovens in kitchens and culinary labs.
• Close doors as you exit.
• Move away from the building to your rally point or safe area.

DO NOT use elevators.

• Activate the nearest fire alarm pull station.
• Call 911 and Campus Safety & Security.
• Notify other building occupants.
• Help those needing assistance to leave the area.
• Confine the fire by closing doors as you exit.
• Evacuate the building at the nearest exit.
• Go to your rally point and stay with your class.

DO NOT re-enter the building until authorized to do so by emergency personnel.

Flooding can occur due to major rainstorms, water main breaks or loss of power to sump pumps. In case of imminent or actual flooding, if you can do so safely:

• Secure vital equipment, records, and hazardous materials.
• Shut off non-essential electrical equipment.
• Move all people to a safe area away from the building in danger.
• Call Campus Safety & Security.

DO NOT return to the building until instructed to do so by Campus Safety & Security or Facilities.

If you smell gas:

• Do not pull the fire alarms.
• Do not touch light switches or electrical equipment.
• Go to a safe place and call Campus Safety & Security.
• Clear the area immediately if instructed to do so.
• Provide your name, phone number and location along with the location of the odor.
• Provide as many details as possible.

• Assess the scene for danger.
• Check the victim.
• Call (or instruct someone to call) 911 and Campus Safety & Security.
• Locate an Automatic External Defibrillator (AED), if one is available.
• Perform CPR if trained and willing to do so.

• If possible, exit the building and call 911 and Campus Safety & Security.
• If you cannot exit, clear the hallway immediately and/or remain behind closed doors in a locked or barricaded room.
• Stay away from windows and lock them, if possible.
• Shut off lights and close blinds and shades.
• Remain calm and quietly call 911 and Campus Safety & Security.
• Leave the room only when authorities have arrived and instructed you to do so.

Do not:

• Leave or unlock the door to see what is happening.
• Attempt to confront the hostile intruder unless as a last resort.
• Assume someone else has called 911 or Campus Safety & Security.

• Suspend all activities.
• Proceed immediately to an interior room (or, if available, a designated shelter-in-place location for the building).
• Do not use elevators.
• Close all windows and doors and ensure that all HVAC systems and elevators are shut down. Remain calm.
• Stay in the shelter area until otherwise instructed by university personnel or the authorities.

• If the incident is indoors, close all doors in order to isolate the area, if it is safe to do so.
• From a safe area, call Campus Safety & Security. Be prepared to provide the following information:
  
  Name and quantity of the material
  Time and location of the incident
  If anyone is injured or exposed to the material
  If a fire or explosion is involved
  Your name, phone number and location
• Be prepared to evacuate if necessary.

• Call Campus Safety & Security.
  
  DO NOT:
• Physically confront the person.
• Let anyone into a locked room or building.
• Block a person’s access to an exit.

• Call Campus Safety & Security.
• Evacuate the area immediately. 

Do not:

• Touch or disturb the package or object. 

• Follow the advice and warnings of local officials.
• Take shelter indoors, away from windows. 

Do not:

• Drive or walk through flood water. Turn around, don’t drown.