Emergency Procedures

REACTIONS OF MANAGERS AND FACULTY DURING AN ACTIVE SHOOTER SITUATION

Employees and students are likely to follow the lead of managers and/ or faculty during an emergency situation. Managers and faculty should be familiar with emergency procedures and be prepared to:

• Dial extension 4911 to report the active shooter.
• Take immediate action.
• Remain calm.
• Lock and barricade doors.
• Evacuate staff and customers via a pre planned evacuation route to a safe area.

GOOD PRACTICES FOR COPING WITH AN ACTIVE SHOOTER SITUATION

• Be aware of your environment and any possible dangers.
• Take note of the two nearest exits in any facility you visit.
• Get into a room and secure the door.

As a last resort, and only when your life is in imminent danger, attempt to disrupt and/or incapacitate the active shooter by:

• Acting as aggressively as possible against him/her.
• Throwing items and improvising weapons.
• Yelling.
• Committing to your actions.

CALL 911 or Cuyahoga Community College Police at 216-987-4911 WHEN IT IS SAFE TO DO SO! If you cannot speak, leave the line open and allow the dispatcher to listen.

WHAT YOU SHOULD DO

• If you receive a phone call bomb threat, listen carefully and write down everything that is said, starting with the exact time of the call.
• Keep the caller talking as long as possible and ask questions such as where the bomb is located, when it will go off and what type of bomb it is.
• Determine caller characteristics, such as age, gender and whether the person has an accent.
• Listen for background noises: other voices, traffic, airplanes, trains, machinery, music, etc.
• Call Police dispatch at 216-987-4911 immediately after finishing the call.

WHAT YOU SHOULD DO

If you are indoors when shaking starts:

• “DROP, COVER AND HOLD ON.” If you are not near a strong table or desk, drop to the floor against an interior wall and cover your head and neck with your arms. Avoid windows, hanging objects, mirrors, tall furniture, large appliances and cabinets filled with heavy objects.
• DO NOT try to run out of the structure during strong shaking. It is very dangerous to try to leave a building during an earthquake because objects can fall on you. Many fatalities occur when people run outside of buildings, only to be injured by falling debris from collapsing walls.
• Do not use elevators.
• If you use a wheelchair, lock the wheels and cover your head.

If you are outdoors when shaking starts:

• Stay away from buildings and move to a clear area, avoiding power lines, buildings and trees.

If you are trapped in debris:

• Move as little as possible so that you don’t kick up dust. Cover your nose and mouth with a handkerchief or clothing.
• Tap on a pipe or wall or use a whistle so that rescuers can hear where you are.
• Emergency Services may be overwhelmed initially, stay calm and use your emergency kit.

WHAT YOU SHOULD DO

• Get under a sturdy table or desk if objects are falling around you. When they stop falling, leave quickly, watching for obviously weakened floors and falling debris.
• Leave the building as quickly as possible.
• Do not use elevators.
• Find a way to receive emergency communications from the university’s administration or other jurisdictional agency.
• Follow any instructions given by emergency responders, administrators or on scene monitors.

If you are trapped in debris:

• If possible, use a flashlight to signal your location to rescuers.
• Avoid unnecessary movement so you do not kick up dust.
• Cover your nose and mouth with anything you have on hand.
• Tap on a pipe or wall or use a whistle so rescuers can hear where you are.
• Shout only as a last resort.

Consider the possibility that the explosion was not an accident; be aware of your surroundings and note any suspicious behavior.

WHAT YOU SHOULD DO

• If you smell or see smoke or fire, activate the fire alarm by pulling an alarm station. WHEN A FIRE ALARM IS ACTIVATED EVACUATION IS MANDATORY!
• Do not attempt to fight the fire yourself unless you have been trained in the use of firefighting equipment and it is safe to do so.
• Notify occupants and help those needing assistance in the immediate area.
• If fire is present in the immediate area leave all belongings and exit immediately. Close doors behind you to help contain the fire.
• Follow the building’s evacuation map and exit quickly via stairwells only; DO NOT attempt to use elevators. Persons with disabilities who are unable to use the stairs should wait in the stairwell for rescue assistance.
• If you get caught in heavy smoke, take short breaths, crouch down or crawl.
• If the fire or smoke prevents you from exiting the building, go to a room far away from the fire (preferably a room with a window), shut the door and phone for help (cell phone or office phone). If you cannot reach outside help using technology, open or break a window and signal for help. Once outside proceed to the evacuation assembly area. If emergency responders are not already on the scene call Cuyahoga Community College dispatch at 216-987-4911.
• Return to the building only when instructed to do so by emergency personnel.

WHAT YOU SHOULD DO

• Check the scene for your own safety. Be aware of UNUSUAL sights, odors, appearances or behaviors, or noises. If situation is unsafe, leave immediately and call for help.
• Check the victim. Determine if they are conscious/ breathing. If they are conscious, ask them what the problem is and if they need assistance. Note any unusual behavior, bleeding, trouble speaking, excessive sweating, trouble walking or standing, or any other sign they may be ill or injured.
• Follow the building’s evacuation map and exit quickly via stairwells only; DO NOT attempt to use elevators. Persons with disabilities who are unable to use the stairs should wait in the stairwell for rescue assistance.
• Call Cuyahoga Community College Police dispatch at 216-987-4911.
• Provide Care for the victim if you are trained to do so, otherwise do not attempt to move. Stay with the victim(s) and reassure him/her until help arrives.

* First Aid supplies and Automated External Defibrillator (A.E.D.s) are located throughout Cuyahoga Community College campus.

WHAT YOU SHOULD DO

• Remain calm and stay where you are.
• Assist others in your areas that are not familiar with the space.
• Check for wheelchair users and other persons with disability that are not on the main floor of the building. Call Cuyahoga Community College Police dispatch at 216-987-4911.
• Do not open cold rooms, refrigerators, incubators or other temperature sensitive areas.
• Evacuate only if instructed to do so by emergency personnel or by your supervisor if safe lighting conditions are present.

IF YOU RECEIVE A WRITTEN THREAT OR A SUSPICIOUS PARCEL, OR IF YOU FIND A SUSPICIOUS OBJECT ANYWHERE ON THE PREMISES:

• Notify Cuyahoga Community College Police at 216-987-4911 IMMEDIATELY.
• Keep anyone from handling it or going near it.
• Ensure that all persons who have touched the mail or parcel wash their hands.
• Promptly write down everything you can remember about receiving the letter or parcel or finding the object. The information will be needed by police.
• Remain calm. Do not discuss the threat with other employees or students.
• Follow the instructions of emergency responders/ investigators.

General Safety Guidelines:

• Be aware of your surroundings.
• Move or leave if you feel uncomfortable or if something does not seem right.
• Take precautions when traveling. Be aware of conspicuous or unusual behavior. Do not leave luggage unattended. Promptly report unusual behavior, suspicious or unattended packages, and strange devices to the police or security personnel.
• Learn where emergency exits are located in buildings you frequent. Plan how to get out in the event of an emergency.
• Build an emergency kit at home and in the workplace. Be prepared to do without services you normally depend on—electricity, telephone, natural gas, gasoline pumps, cash registers, ATMs, and Internet transactions.

WHAT YOU SHOULD DO IF A TORNADO WARNING IS ISSUED

• Do not wait for instruction. Follow procedures and move to the basement or ground floor center hall of the building you are in, close office doors as you leave. If you have an emergency kit readily available take it with you.
• Do not use elevators and stay away from windows and doors with glass panes.
• Sit or crouch in an inner hall or room.
• Do not leave the tornado safety area until given the all clear from emergency personnel or via updated alerts from police.