Safety | Emergency Response Procedures

Public Safety/Police assistance should be activated by calling 911 when there is a real or perceived threat of immediate danger, including the use of a weapon and/or a hostage situation.

RUN

Have an escape route in mind and try to help others.  Leave belongings behind and keep your hands visible for responding law enforcement agencies.

HIDE

Hide in an area out of the shooter’s view.  Block entry to your hiding place and lock the doors.  Silence your cell phone and any other electronic devices.

FIGHT

As a last resort and only when your life is in imminent danger.  Attempt to incapacitate the shooter.  Act with physical aggression, yell, throw items and use improvised weapons.  Commit to your actions and follow through.

HOSTAGE SITUATION

• If a person is found or suspected of having a weapon, call 911 immediately. If you are in an emergency and you cannot speak, dial the number and set the phone down.
• If someone is being held hostage, call 911 immediately.
• If you call, describe your location, number of subjects and hostages, and the type of weapon(s) involved.
• If you use a panic device, attempt to immediately follow up with a call to 911 to speak to someone about the incident in progress.

The following information will serve as recommendations for those in the affected area(s).

• Do not panic.
• Do not try to negotiate with the subject or attempt to take the weapon away.
• Do not stay in the area unless your escape could cause harm to yourself or others.
• Do not allow anyone to pass through the affected area.
• Do make mental records of the area, subject and weapons to assist law enforcement as a credible witness.
• Do lock doors to the affected area only if the subject(s) are alone in the area and to keep anyone else from entering.
• Avoid the affected area at all costs.

If you receive a telephone bomb threat:

• Do not hang up.
• Remain calm.
• Try to prolong the conversation and get as much information as possible.
• Note what you hear.
• Are there background noises, such as music, voices, or cars?
• How does the caller’s voice sound?
• Any accent? What sex? What age? Any unusual words or phrases?
• Does the caller seem to know about the facility?
• How is the bomb location described? Does the caller use a person’s name? Does the caller give his/her name?
• When the call is over, call 911 immediately; stay on the line while resources are being dispatched and be prepared to answer questions.
• Stand by for further instructions.

When Public Safety arrives, they will assess the situation.

• Follow their directions and assist if asked.
• If it is deemed necessary to evacuate, you will be notified by Public Safety.

If you discover a suspicious item:

• Call 911 to request Public Safety/Police assistance.
• Leave it untouched and secure area until Public Safety/Police arrive.
• Do not use any electronic communications devices.
• Public Safety/Police will provide further instructions.

Public Safety/Police assistance should be activated when there is a real or perceived threat of immediate danger such as a violent/combative patient, visitor or staff member.

Public Safety/Police can be activated by:

• Pushing a Panic Device (if available)
• Calling 911

• If confronted by a verbally aggressive or violent and threatening subject, staff should initiate a Code Gray by pushing a panic device or using a phone to call 911.
• If possible, move to a safe location to place call for assistance. If a panel/button is activated, attempt to call 911 as well to provide verbal instructions to identify assaultive person, current location, and if a weapon or hostage are involved.
• Do not take unnecessary chances.

  Do not interfere with:

  • Persons committing the crime/creating the disturbance.
  • Public Safety or Law enforcement Authorities on the scene.

During an Earthquake

DROP to the ground (before the earthquake knocks you down).

Take COVER under a sturdy desk, table, or other furniture.  If that is not possible, seek cover against an interior wall and protect your head and neck with your arms.  Avoid danger spots near windows, hanging objects, mirrors, or tall furniture.

HOLD ON to your shelter and be prepared to move with it until the shaking stops.  If you don’t have any shelter, cover your head and neck with both arms and hands.

After the Shaking Stops

• Be prepared for aftershocks. They can occur at any moment and could be as powerful as the original quake. Stay out of damaged buildings.
• Move cautiously and observe your surroundings for potentially hazardous situations.

When Fire or Smoke is Discovered

Respond to a fire by performing all components of the R.A.C.E. procedures outlined below.

RESCUE/REMOVE anyone in immediate danger while calling out for a Code Red for assistance.

Activate the Fire ALARM.

CONFINE the fire by closing all the doors in the area.

EXTINGUISH  and/or EVACUATE – Extinguish the fire using the P.A.S.S. technique only when the safety of the extinguisher operator can be assured.  If you are not able to extinguish the fire, prepare to evacuate.

P.A.S.S. Procedure:

1.Pull – Pull the safety pin of the fire extinguisher.

2.Aim – Aim the nozzle of the extinguisher at the base of the fire.

3.Squeeze – Squeeze the handle to disperse the fire extinguishing agent.

4.Sweep – Sweep the nozzle from side-to-side to extinguish the fire.

Shelter in Place

Definition – The use of a structure and its indoor atmosphere to temporarily separate you from a hazardous outdoor atmosphere.

In certain situations – such as a weather emergency or environmental hazard (chemical release, air pollution) – you may be directed to SHELTER IN PLACE.

When it is necessary to shelter in place, you should:

1.Seek cover in the nearest building. If you are inside, stay there, even if you do not normally work or reside in that building.

2.Once inside, find an interior room or hallway and await further instructions. Stay away from exterior windows.

3.Close and lock exterior doors and windows; close window shades and interior patient room doors.

4.Notify your supervisor/manager to let them know where you are and that you are safe.

5.Await further instructions. Do not leave until an “all clear” is received.

During a shelter in place, depending on the circumstances of the situation, the heating, cooling and ventilation systems may be shut down.

Secure in Place

Definition – To create a secure physical location where a threat may be physically prevented from entering spaces – to lock down the campus and secure community members in place.

In certain situations, likely involving an immediate physical threat on campus, a SECURE IN PLACE may be initiated.

When it is necessary to secure in place, you should:

1.Seek cover in the nearest unlocked building. Do not wait until you see danger to seek shelter.

2.If the buildings nearest to you have locked exterior doors, continue moving away from the danger and seek cover.

3.Once in a secure space, keep the door closed. If there are individuals outside the secured door that seek to enter, they may endanger you and others.  Use good judgement.

4.If it is safe to do so, notify your supervisor/manager to let them know where you are and that you are safe.

5.Await further instructions and do not leave until an “all clear” is received.

During a secure in place, Public Safety personnel will disable exterior building entrances with badge access control and station personnel at designated building entrances both to enforce access control restrictions and to implement screening protocols of persons and vehicles entering the campus grounds or buildings.