Emergency Response Quick Reference

RUN - If you can safely leave, exit the building!

• Notify others as you exit the building.

• Be aware of your surroundings.

• Notify University Police Department at (985) 549-2222 immediately after reaching a safe location.

 

HIDE - If you cannot safely leave, find a safe place to hide!

• Assess the situation. Provide for your own safety.

 

FIGHT, IF SUSPECT CONFRONTS YOU! TAKE ANY NECESSARY ACTION TO DEFEND YOURSELF AND OTHERS!

• Call University Police immediately to report event, and request medical assistance if necessary.

• Attempt to identify the individuals in the area.

• Do not disturb the crime scene.

• All bomb threats are to be taken seriously. Notify University Police.

• Do not hang up the phone until told to do so as further instructions may be given to you. If you are told to evacuate the area by authorized emergency personnel, take your notes about the call with you.

• If you receive a bomb threat by telephone, remain calm, write down the caller’s exact words and note the time of the call. Check for caller ID information.

• Do a quick visual inspection of your area.

• Do not touch or move any suspicious objects.

• Do not use radios, pagers, or cell phones as they may trigger an explosive device.

• Alert people in the immediate area.

• Activate a fire alarm and evacuate the building.

• Do not use elevators unless directed to do so by authorized emergency personnel. Use nearest stairwell.

• Close doors as you leave to confine flames.

• If smoke, heat or flames block your exit routes, stay in the room with the door closed and signal for help using a brightly-colored cloth at the window.

• Do not re-enter the building until authorized emergency personnel give the “all clear” signal.

• If you are able to exit the building, remain in vicinity.

• Report all fires/explosions to University Police - even those that have been extinguished.

• If an intruder (an unauthorized person) enters a classroom/office ask another staff member to accompany you before approaching intruder.

• Politely greet intruder, identify yourself, and ask intruder the purpose of his/her visit.

• Inform the intruder that all visitors must register with the University Police.

• If intruder’s purpose is not legitimate, ask him/her to leave. Accompany intruder to exit.

• If intruder refuses to leave, warn intruder of consequences for staying. Inform him/her that you have called the police.

• Notify University Police if intruder still refuses to leave. Give police a full description of the intruder.

• Walk away from intruder if he/she indicates a potential for violence.

• Be aware of intruder’s actions at this time (where he/she is located, whether he/she is carrying a weapon or package, etc.)

• Stay calm and unhurried in your response to the person.

• Be empathetic and show your concern.

• Try to sit down with the person, as sitting is a less aggressive posture than standing or moving around.

• Be helpful. Schedule an appointment for a later time, take notes.

• Provide positive feedback such as “We can get this straightened out” or “I’m glad you are telling me how you feel about this.”

• Stay out of arm’s reach. Limit eye contact. Do not argue, yell or joke.

• Do not touch the person

• If the individual’s level of agitation increases, leave the scene.

• Do not allow menacing behavior to go unreported. Alert University Police.

Lock-down procedures may be issued in situations involving intruders or other incidents.

• Southeastern’s Emergency Alert System will be activated to issue a campus lock-down.

• Lock classroom/office doors.

• Cover windows, turn lights off.

• Move all persons away from windows and doors.

• Allow no one outside until “all clear” signal is given or until law enforcement, fire officials, or emergency preparedness officials evacuate the room.

• Instructors are to secure a copy of the class roster, if possible.

 

Sheltering provides refuge and maximizes the safety of those on campus during an emergency. Safe areas may change depending on the emergency.

• Southeastern’s Emergency Alert System will be activated to issue a campus shelter-in-place directive.

• Identify sheltering sites.

• Close all exterior doors and windows.

• If advised, close off air leaks around doors and vents.

• If advised, cover mouth and nose with handkerchief, cloth, paper towels, or tissues.

• Wait for an “all clear” notice from authorized emergency personnel.

• Instructors are to secure a copy of the class roster, if possible.

 

Evacuation

• Leave your building when an alarm sounds or if you are instructed to do so by authorized emergency personnel. Notify others on your way out. Proceed to designated assembly spot.

• Turn off equipment, if possible.

• Secure hazardous operations, if possible.

• Take important personal items, if possible.

• Close doors behind the last person out.

• Do not use elevators unless authorized emergency personnel tell you to do so.

• Do not re-enter the building until authorized emergency personnel give the “all clear” signal.

• Report any missing or trapped persons to authorized emergency personnel.

• Move away from the building.

• If you are required to leave the building immediately but are unable to (because of a physical disability, injury or obstruction) notify University Police.

• Do not re-enter the building until authorized emergency personnel give the “all clear” signal.

 

Evacuating Persons with Disabilities

Instructors and supervisors should be proactive and be aware of people who will need assistance.

 

Assisting Blind/Visually Impaired

• Clearly announce the type of emergency.

• Offer your arm for guidance.

• Tell the person where you are going, and alert him/her to obstacles along the way.

 

Assisting Deaf/Hearing Impaired

• Turn lights on and off to gain the person’s attention.

• Indicate directions with gestures or a written note.

 

Assisting Mobility-Impaired/Wheelchair Users

• Elevators should not be used to move persons with disabilities, unless authorized by emergency personnel.

• Seek volunteers to assist students/personnel with physical disabilities to the nearest enclosed stairways or designated areas for rescue assistance.

• One individual should remain with the person.

• Others should advise emergency personnel of the location so that the evacuation can be completed.

• If an imminent danger situation exists and the person requests assistance in evacuation before emergency personnel can arrive, assist in finding volunteers to evacuate the person per his/her instructions.

 

• If possible, isolate affected individual.

• Do not attempt to move the victim unless he/she is in danger of further injury.

• Properly trained individuals should begin CPR for an unresponsive victim and/or commence first aid to stop heavy bleeding.

• If alcohol poisoning is suspected, keep the individual awake.

• Notify University Police at 985-549-2222.

• With the victim’s consent, call University Police and report the assault. If the victim refuses, escort her/him to the University Heath Center (985) 549-2241, or University Counseling Center at (985) 549-3894.

• Seal off the area where the assault took place.

• Diffuse the situation if possible by identifying the individual’s needs, isolating the individual in a neutral area, and conferring with the individual.

• Inform University Police if a weapon was used, a victim has a physical injury, or impairment of physical condition.

• Assess counseling needs of victim or witness.

• Alert University Police if aware of a weapon brought to campus or if a weapon is suspected.

• If instructor suspects that a weapon is in classroom, he/she should confidentially notify a neighboring faculty member by sending a trusted student.

• Faculty should not leave classroom; he/she should wait for administrative response.

• If a student reported the weapon, either send him/her to University Police or allow him/her to remain anonymous, with you making the report.

• Send a message with a trusted individual that includes: - Your name and location - The name/description of the suspect - Whether the suspect has threatened anyone - Any information regarding the weapon’s location/type.

• Keep detailed notes of all events and the reasons the search was conducted.

DO NOT CONFRONT SUSPECT. STAY CALM. IF A SUSPECT THREATENS

YOU WITH A WEAPON, FOLLOW SUSPECT’S DIRECTION.

• Information regarding weather closings and impacts to campus is available at www.southeastern.edu and via the Southeastern Emergency Alert System. Register at www.southeastern.edu/alert.

• In all cases, follow public advisories on local radio stations or KSLU 90.9 FM.

 

Tornadoes

• Follow your building’s shelter plan.

• Take shelter in the smallest, most-interior rooms and hallways on the lowest floor.

• Avoid glass enclosed places or areas with wide-span roofs such as auditoriums and gymnasiums.

• Crouch down and cover your head.

• Wait for the “all clear” signal from authorized emergency personnel.

 

Thunderstorms/Lightning

• Get out of open areas and into an enclosed building as quickly as possible.

• Stay indoors. Do not venture outside unless absolutely necessary.

• Stay away from open doors, windows, metal objects, electrical appliances and plumbing until the storm passes.

• Draw shades or blinds to reduce injury from flying glass.

• Minimize use of electric appliances and computers. Unplug them, if possible.

• Keep cell phone use to a minimum.