Safety & Security

• Seek shelter in a designated safe haven immediately. Basements and small interior hallways or rooms of lower floors with no glass provide the best shelter. If you have to evacuate using a stairwell filled with glass hazards it may be best to shelter in an interior hallway on that floor.

• Do not remain in a vehicle. Seek shelter in a sturdy building. In cases where no obvious shelter is available, a ditch or ravine will provide some protection.

• After danger has passed, immediately report any injuries to campus security. Be prepared to give the following information:

  • Type of emergency

  • Location of injured

  • Condition of the injured

  • Any dangerous conditions

• Leave a damaged building immediately and do not attempt to return unless given permission by first responders.

• Do no attempt to turn utilities or equipment on or off.

The best advice from law enforcement is if you see something, say something. We understand the barriers to reporting information of this nature to proper authorities. You may worry that you will unnecessarily get someone in trouble, that it is none of your business or that someone just made an off-hand comment. Unfortunately, in today's environment such aggressive or violence-associated comments must be considered unacceptable and treated seriously.

If you overhear such comments, notice a friend or acquaintance who may not be acting like themselves, or witness suspicious activity, please make every effort to get someone involved and/or bring it to the attention of college officials or local police agencies. Other suspicious activity could include:

• A vehicle parked in an odd location, a package/luggage that is unattended, a window/door is open that is usually closed, or other out-of-the-ordinary situations that feel wrong to you.
• Someone questions individuals at a level beyond curiosity about a buildings purpose, operations, security procedures and/or personnel, shift changes, etc.
• Someone pays unusual attention to facilities or buildings beyond a casual or professional interest. This includes extended loitering without explanation (particularly in concealed locations); unusual, repeated, and/or prolonged observation of a building (especially with binoculars or video camera); taking notes or measurements; counting paces; sketching floor plans, etc.

We follow the national guidelines of Run, Hide, Fight. The video link below provides an individual facing these circumstances with options to consider in response.

Run 

If there is a safe and accessible escape path, attempt to evacuate the premises, getting as far away from buildings as possible and taking cover behind large, solid objects.

• Try to remain calm and think through your escape route.
• Try to get others to go with you, but do not let others' indecisiveness slow your actions.
• leave your belongings behind.
• Prevent others from entering an area where the active shooter may be.
• Keep your hands visible and follow the instructions of any police officers arriving on scene. 
• Do not attempt to move wounded people.
• Call 911 when you are safe.

Hide

If a safe escape path is inaccessible, find a secure place to hide where a shooter may be less likely to find you. Your hiding place should:

• Be out of the active shooter's view
• Provide protection if shorts are fired in your direction. For example, an office with a closed and locked door.
• Not trap you or restrict your options for movement.

To prevent an active shooter from entering your hiding place:

• Lock the door
• Blockade the door with any heavy furniture or objects that are accessible.

If the active shooter is nearby:

• Lock the door.
• Silence cell phones.
• Turn off any source of noise.
• Attempt to blockade the door, hide behind large items.
• Remain quiet and calm.
• Prepare to defend yourself.

Fight

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 or distracting the shooter.
• Committing to your actions.

Law enforcement's purpose is to stop the active shooter as soon as possible. The first officers that arrive on scene are trained to proceed directly to the area where the last shots were heard and will not stop to help injured persons until the shooter has been stopped. Expect rescue teams of additional officers and emergency medical personnel to follow the initial officers. These rescue teams will treat and remove any injured people. They may also ask for help with removing the wounded from the premises.

When law enforcement arrives:

• Remain calm, and follow officers instructions.
• Put down any items in your hands, such as bags, backpacks and jackets.
• Raise your hands and spread your fingers, keeping hands visible at all times.
• Avoid making quick movements toward officers such as holding on to them for safety.
• Avoid pointing, screaming or yelling.
• Do not stop to ask officers for help or direction when evacuating, just proceed in the direction from which officers are entering the premises.

• Pull the closest fire alarm and evacuate the building. Do NOT use elevators. If possible, provide assistance to mobility-impaired individuals.
• Call 911 as soon as you are safe.
• Do not attempt to extinguish the fire.
• Once outside the building, account for all building occupants at the designated meeting area.
• Do not re-enter the building or leave the campus unless advised to do so by first responders.

Most bomb threats are received by telephone, although some may be made via email or letter. If any form of bomb threat is received, remain calm and obtain as much of the following information as possible:

• Location of bomb
• Expected time of explosion
• The bomb type
• Reason it was placed
• The name or affiliation of the caller

Be sure to:

• Immediately call 911 and campus security.
• Do not touch or move unfamiliar objects.
• If the threat is made by note or mail, do not handle it.
• Evacuate the building or area indicated by the threat.

The following characteristics may identify suspicious parcels:

• Unexpected or from someone unfamiliar to you.
• Addressed to someone no longer with your organization or otherwise outdated.
• no return address, or one that cannot be verified as legitimate.
• Has powdery substance on the outside.
• Marked with restrictive endorsements, such as Personal or Confidential.
• Protruding wires, strange odors or stains.
• Has an unusual amount of tape.
• Has excessive postage.
• A city or state in the postmark that doesn't match the return address.

If you receive a suspicious letter or package in the mail:

• Do not open it.
• Isolate it.
• Call campus security
• Do not pass it to others.
• Deny access to everyone except emergency responders.
• Move to an area that minimizes exposure to others and to the parcel.
• If possible, wash your hands and face with soap and water.

If you open a parcel that appears to be contaminated:

• Do not move it.
• Call campus security.
• Turn off any fans, window air conditioners or space heaters.
• Isolate the area. Evacuate the adjoining areas and report to the preplanned assembly area. 
• Do not pass it to others.
• Deny access to everyone except emergency responders.
• Anyone in contact with the parcel should remain isolated in an area adjacent to the original location, and wait for additional instructions from emergency responders.
• If possible, anyone who had contact with the parcel should wash their hands and face with soap and water.

If those responsible for the chemicals feel the spill/leak poses an immediate threat to them or others, the following procedures apply:

• Call 911 and immediately notify all building occupants in the area where the spill has occurred. 
• Ensure that the ventilation system is shut down by calling XXXX. Give the following information:
  • Building name
  • Floor number
  • Room number
  • Type of incident
  • Chemical(s) involved
  • Estimated volume of the chemical(s) involved
• If you are in the immediate area of the chemical emergency, vacate the area.
• If you come into physical contact with the spilled material, immediately remove all contaminated clothing and flush all areas of bodily contact with large amounts of water for at least 15 minutes. Use a safety shower if one is available.

Immediately get help from campus security or call 911. There are also local and national organizations that can help

• Rape Crisis Hotline: 1-800-375-7273
• National Suicide Hotline: 1-800-784-2433 (1-800-SUICIDE)