Emergency Response Policy
Table of Contents
I.
Overview
II.
Gathering Site Details
III.
Evacuations
IV.
Chemical / Biohazards
V.
Bomb Threats
VI.
Building Searches
VII.
Structure Fire
VIII.
Phone Numbers
IX.
Personal Preparedness
Ø
Available Administrative Committee
members
Ø
Director of Safety and Security
Ø
Director of Facilities
Ø
Public Relations Director
Ø
One Faculty member
Ø
Other members as deemed necessary at
time of crisis
Purpose
The first priority of Houghton College Emergency Response Task
Force will be to ensure the health and safety of students, faculty and staff of
the College and act as liaison with the state Homeland Security Office
in the event of a terrorist threat on campus. In addition, the Task Force
will coordinate efforts with local emergency agencies in
In the event of an emergency that could include a terror threat to the campus, the following procedures will be initiated:
Procedures for Emergency Gathering Site
The PEC is considered the primary gathering site for campus terror emergencies. It contains floor space for large gatherings, has significant air mass, contains medical supplies in the trainer’s room, and has an emergency generator.
Should the emergency involve a biological or chemical threat, the first priority for the facility is to seal off all sources of exterior air. The Director of Facilities and HVAC staff have supplies on hand to seal off the doors and air ducts as well as procedures for shutting down and sealing the air intake systems.
The Student Health Services Director and staff will be in charge of the treatment room. They will maintain an emergency preparedness supply kit and bring other supplies deemed necessary as time permits. They will also have full use of whatever supplies are available throughout the facility.
The PEC will be used as follows:
Ø Primary gathering in the main courts
Ø Treatment of injured and sick in Aux. Gym
Ø Command post and meeting place for Task Force in Main office/conference area*
In the event the PEC is not acceptable as a gathering site, Wesley Chapel will be the alternate site.
Wesley Chapel will be used as follows:
Ø Primary gathering in main auditorium
Ø Treatment of injured and sick in Presser Hall
Ø Command post and meeting place for Task Force in WC 5*
*In most cases, the Command post would be in Luckey Building Conference room or Fancher Hall. These are alternate sites in the event of Biological or Chemical threats that would confine everybody to one building.
EVACUATIONS
Building Evacuations:
There can be many different reasons to evacuate a
building. These include (but are not limited
to) bomb threats, gas leaks, fires, sudden structural deficiencies, hostage
situations, crimes in progress or chemical spills. The following instructions on evacuation
procedures will need to be tailored to the situation.
1. The fastest way to evacuate a building is by pulling a FIRE ALARM. In many cases it is the best way, but there are some times when it is not. For example, if there is a chemical spill with dangerous fumes, it may be necessary to steer people away from certain exits that are affected. Think before you pull.
2. If fire alarm evacuation is rejected, try to make contact with department heads in academic buildings or the R.D.s and R.A.s in residence halls and request their assistance.
3. If possible, block off areas of the building that are dangerous and direct people to leave the building in another direction.
4.
Establish
evacuation “holding areas” where evacuees may wait safely and comfortably until
the danger is over. Ideally, this
area should be at least 300 feet from the danger area. Suggested buildings to be used for this
purpose are
5. If at all possible do not evacuate people to wait in a nearby parking lot. If there is an explosion in the building (or, in the case of a bomb, around the perimeter of the building or a car bomb) the parking lot is not a safe place due to flying debris. Pedestrian traffic may also hinder emergency equipment from getting to the scene quickly.
6. Contact the Maintenance Department for procedures on shutting off and reactivating utilities, as the situation dictates.
In the event of an immediate Chemical / Biohazards threat the following steps need to be taken.
a. Determine whether it is safe to be outdoors, even for a few minutes, with or without a damp cloth to breathe through.
I. If it is safe, instruct via announcement, e-mail, and phone to gather at a specific site (Nielsen PEC is primary site, and Wesley Chapel is alternate).
II. If it is not safe, instruct by same means to have people seek interior room (preferably a room with no outside exposure), take radio, laptop and phone for communication. It is advisable to have bottled water though it is expected that it will be safe to at least proceed to the gathering site within a few hours.
b. The PEC will have water on hand and medical supplies for treating the sick and injured. At least 3500 gallons of water will be stored and refreshed every six months.
c. Flashlights, battery operated radios and a supply of batteries will be on hand in the PEC as well.
d. The Athletic Director, Director of Safety and Security, and numerous VP’s have cell phones which will be available for communication off campus should the college phone system be non-functional.
e. Review evacuation procedures outlined in this document. For this purpose, people will be assigned to pull fire alarms in each building and instruct occupants to proceed to the PEC unless another procedure is warranted.
Campus-wide
Evacuations:
Arrangements have been made with the Allegany County Emergency Services Office and the local Red Cross to coordinate through their offices in the event the campus needs to be evacuated. They have access to vehicles and facilities in place to transport, house, and care for large numbers of people.
In the Event of a Bomb Threat: the following steps need to be taken.
1. When a call comes in from someone who claims to have placed a bomb on campus, ask the following questions (from the FBI bomb threat card):
· When is the bomb going to explode?
· Where is it right now?
· What does it look like?
· What kind of bomb is it?
· What will cause it to explode?
· Did you place the bomb?
· Why?
· What is your address?
· What is your name?
2. If only a message is delivered with no time given for questions, write down verbatim as much of the conversation as you can remember. Also note things such as, the callers’ voice, background sounds, and threat language.
3. Alert the Director of Safety and Security (currently Ray Parlett, 567-2704, cell phone # 716-498-2489) immediately for further instructions. The Director will determine who else should be called. If the Director cannot be reached, call the Vice President for Student Life (currently David Tilley 365-8171, or college ext. 2200).
4. Contact the State Police (567-2284. If no answer, dial 593-1000 or 567-2283.).
5.
If another employee of
6. Evaluate the Credibility of the Threat.
· The more specific the threat, the higher its level of credibility. The more details the caller gives the greater the chance that the threat is real.
· Is the time limit given realistic? Most serious bombers who call do so to avoid hurting innocent people. The greater the amount of time given for evacuation, the greater the chance that the bomb threat is genuine.
· Did the caller sound intoxicated? Was there laughter in the background, or other signs that the call is a prank or a hoax? Such things take away from the credibility of the threat.
7.
Having established the
credibility of the threat, it is necessary to decide whether to:
If at all possible let
the Director of Safety and Security make this decision. If you are not able to contact the Director
or another supervisor, you will have to make this decision yourself.
SEARCHING A BUILDING:
The usual search sequence is to start on the outside of the building
and work toward the inside. This pattern
is also true of the individual room search – start on the outside of the room
and work toward the center. Start at the
lowest level and work upward. The interior of the building is best searched
by dividing the searchers into teams of two or more, as working together tends
to provide far more efficient search efforts.
1. Outside
the Building - the following should be
checked:
a. Unidentified vehicles parked on the streets or in
the parking lots which surround the building; record license plate numbers and
VINs;
b. Sewers and drainage ditches.
c. Mail boxes.
d. Trash receptacles
e. Electrical Generators and all other power systems on
the premises.
f.
Shrubbery
around the building.
g. Exterior building ledges, overhangs, exterior light
fixtures, window boxes, roof gutters
h. Any ornamental structures.
2. Interior
Search – As a general rule the search should
be from bottom to top, beginning with the basement areas (including all
electrical/utility rooms) and working up.
Such a check will include:
a. Lobbies,
b. Rest Rooms.
c. Cleaning and storage closets.
d. Elevator shafts (the top of the elevator should be
physically examined).
e. All rooms in the building. The search team upon entering the room to be
searched should:
1. Stop, look
and listen.
2. A general
visual examination may reveal an item that is foreign to that particular area
which would be considered suspect.
3. The search team, by remaining quiet and listening
for audible sounds may encounter a timing device.
4. The room should be divided for search purposes, and
be searched at various levels. The first
level would include the floor, rug, furniture, etc. to a level reaching the
waist of the searcher. The next level of
search should be any area or item, which is present from the waist of the
searcher to the top of his head. The
final level should be any area or item on a level from the top of the head of
the searcher to the ceiling and above.
The ceiling panels should be checked to ensure no false ceiling is
present and no foreign item has been placed therein. Among the items to be checked are the
following:
·
Floor coverings
·
Room furniture
·
Cabinets
·
Closets
·
Clocks and
other wall fixtures
·
Sinks and other
lavatory facilities
·
Loose clothing
·
Light fixtures
·
Water coolers
·
Trash
receptacles
·
Refreshment
canteen machines
·
Public
telephone booths
·
Window
covering, such as venetian blinds or drapery fixtures
5. As a room or floor is cleared, chalk or tape can be
used to indicate that the area has been searched.
6. When the search is completed, it is a good idea to
avoid saying that no bomb was there.
Instead, say only that no bomb was found.
REMEMBER - It is the function of the search team to locate any possible explosive devices in the building. However, it is NOT the function of the search team to attempt to examine, neutralize or disarm the device. That will be handled by qualified law enforcement personnel.
IF A DEVICE OR SUSPECT PACKAGE IS FOUND:
1. Do not touch it.
2. Do not assume it to be the only one.
3. Note its location, description, and proximity to
utilities (gas lines, water pipes, and electrical panels).
4. Relay this information to the control center, then
clear and secure the area.
5. Since more devices may be present the search effort
should continue until the entire building has been checked.
6. If an explosion occurs, do not tamper with the
debris. Call for help, remove any
casualties and secure the area until the bomb technicians arrive.
TYPES OF
SEARCHES THAT ARE COMMONLY USED:
1. Overt
Search – This is a search of the premises by
the employees who work in the building. Since
an employee is familiar with his or her own work area, they would be likely to
recognize what belongs in that area and what is foreign to it. The main disadvantages of this type of search
are: a) employees generally will lack training in conducting a thorough search;
and b) lack of understanding in the dangers involved and precautions to be
taken in search of a bomb.
2. Covert
Search – This is a search that is generally
conducted by supervisors or managers (this could include teachers, R.A.s,
R.D.s, maintenance staff, custodial workers and administrators) without the
knowledge or awareness of others in the building. While this type of search is fastest type, it
is not as thorough, and carries with it the disadvantage of affecting adversely
employee/student morale should the employees or students discover that a search
is taking (or took) place without their knowledge.
3. Special
Team Search – This is the “Bomb Squad” search,
conducted by trained professionals. It
is the most effective type of search, and protects all employees and students
from dangerous situations. However, it
is also the search method that takes the longest.
Structure Fire:
In the Event of a Structure Fire, The following procedures should be followed as closely as reasonably
possible.
1.
A smoke/fire alarm may have already been
activated in the building. If it is evident that no activation has yet
occurred, activate any fire alarm in the area. This notifies Allegany County
Emergency Services who will dispatch fire and
2.
Alert any individuals that may be in
harms way and evacuate them to a safe area.
Do not use elevators.
3.
Notify the Director of Security as soon
as reasonably possible.
4.
Notify the Public Relations Department,
the Dean of Students and the Director of Residence Life, and Director of
Facilities.
5.
Direct traffic and do crowd control until
fire personnel or police arrive on the scene.
6.
If there is a fire extinguisher available
that is appropriate for the type of fire that is occurring and the fire is small
and has not spread, do what you can to put it out. Only fight a fire
when your back is toward the exit. Otherwise let the emergency response crews
fight the fire.
7.
The college electrician will need to be
notified to take care of any electrical problems that are unique to that
building. The name and contact information is listed on page 2 under “Emergency
Phone Numbers”.
Phone
Numbers
(UPDATED
FOR ALL FIRE, AMBULANCE OR POLICE EMERGENCIES
DIAL 911
DEPARTMENT NAME PHONE COLLEGE
EXT
Animal Control Dog Warden 585-365-2173
Audio/Lighting Brandon Munger cell 716-640-0988 4200
Big Al’s snack shop (weekends) Kelly Burlingame 585-365-9912
Boilers Dave
Piper 585-476-2658 cell 716-498-3480 4800
Don
Smith 567-4439 4800
Cindy Neamon 585-437-2295
Custodial Ange
Szymanski 585-365-2378 cell 716-498-5474 4860
Electrical Ken
Stonemetz 567-4292 4800
Mitch
Jones 567-4212 4800
Dave
Piper 585-476-2658 cell 716-498-3480 4800
Facilities Dorsey Lawson 585-728-3459
cell
716-498-5567 2590, 4800
Fire Department Dave Edwards 567-4204
Office 567-8229
Paul
Stempert 585-365-2572
Mitch
Liddick 567-8973
Weekend cell 716-498-3346
Hospitals/Dr. Office Jones Mem. (Wellsville) 585-593-1100
Olean
General 585-373-2600
University
Primary Care 567-4248
N. Allegany Med. Group 567-2285
Off Campus Facilities