Elevator Malfunction

Elevator Malfunction

In the event of an elevator malfunction:

  1. Remain calm.
  2. Activate the emergency phone in the elevator.  If for some reason the phone does not work, push the “EMERGENCY CALL” button.  Emergency personnel will respond shortly.
  3. If you have a cell phone available, call the Department of Public Safety at 443-2224 or #78
  4. Do not try to force the elevator doors open.
  5. Do not attempt to leave or climb out of the elevator.

Motor Vehicle Accident

In the event that you are involved in or witness a motor vehicle accident on campus, immediately:
  1. Call 711 from a University phone or 443-2224 from any other phone and provide the dispatcher with:
    • Your name
    •  Your location (including nearest cross streets)
    • Your phone number
    • Description of any injuries
    • Number and description of vehicles involved
  2. If the vehicles are operational, move them out of the roadway.
  3. Do not move any injured person.  Keep the person calm and as comfortable as possible.
  4. Remain with any injured person until emergency responders arrive.
  5. If possible, have drivers license, vehicle registration, and insurance cards ready for the responding Department of Public Safety officer or Syracuse Police officer.
  6. Follow instructions of emergency responders.

Medical Emergency

If a person becomes ill or is injured and requires immediate assistance:
  1. Call 711 (campus phone) or 443-2224 (all other phones) and give the following information:
    • Building name
    • Floor/office number
    • Details of the illness/injury
  2. Stay on the phone for further instructions
  3. Do not move the injured/ill person.
  4. If you are not trained, do not attempt medical assistance before trained assistance arrives, unless the circumstances require immediate steps to preserve the life or health of the injured person before the arrival of such trained assistance.
  5. If possible, assign someone to meet emergency personnel at the closest entrance.
  6. Remain with the victim until first responders arrive.  Limit communication with the victim to no more than quiet reassurances.
  7. Report all information to emergency personnel (Department of Public Safety/Environmental Health and Safety Services Office/Syracuse University Ambulance).

Inclement Weather

The University remains open and observes its schedules in all weather, unless the determination is made by the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs and Provost, and the Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer that current weather conditions warrant cancellation of classes and/or closing.  In the event of extreme weather emergency conditions, instructions will be communicated to the University community.

In the event of inclement weather:
  1. Stay informed – listen and watch for advisories/alerts via:
    • Your e-mail
    • Syracuse University’s website: www.syr.edu/
    • Weather Alert text message
    • Campus Announcements: www.news.syr.edu
    • Syracuse University’s Twitter account: https://twitter.com/SUcampus
    • SU’s radio station WAER-FM 88.3 and other local radio and television station for University information.
  2. To report locations in need of snow clearing, please call 443-4984. Report any other hazardous conditions to Physical Plant at 443-1234 or the Department of Public Safety at 443-2224.
  3. For additional guidance, the National Oceanic and Atmostpheric Administration’s (NOAA) Severe Storm Guidelines are attached below.

Gunshots/Shots Fired

In the event that you are the victim of, a witness to, or have reason to believe that there has been a shooting incident including any firearm discharge, immediately get away from the suspect. Do not attempt to confront the suspect. Find a safe location to take refuge.

When it is safe to do so, call the Department of Public Safety at 711 from a University phone or 443-2224 from any other phone and provide the dispatcher with:

  • Your name
  • Your location
  • Your phone number
  • Details of the situation
  • A clear description of the suspect/incident, including height and weight, gender, hair color/length and presence of any facial hair, race/complexion, a clothing description, approximate age.
  • If the suspect was driving a vehicle, provide the vehicle type, color and plate number (including state) to the best of your ability, along with the direction of travel.

Follow all instructions of the responding Department of Public Safety officer or Syracuse Police officer.

If directed by SU Public Safety or Syracuse Police to “evacuate,” take the following steps:

  • Know the building in advance: Know the nearest exit. Know two ways out of the building.
  • During an extended evacuation, you may be instructed by emergency personnel to report to a designated short-term emergency evacuation center (i.e. Hendricks Chapel, Schine Student Center, Goldstein Student Center, Manley Field House, or Skybarn). Members of the Critical Incident Response Committee, Safety Officers, Public Safety, or a building coordinator will arrive at the center to act as communications liaison.
  • When you are instructed to evacuate, remain calm. Leave promptly using the nearest exit and alert other persons on your way out.
  • Meet at the designated meeting location if established for the building and account for your personnel.
  • Take keys and essential personal items.
If directed by SU Public Safety or Syracuse Police to “remain in place,” take the following steps:
  • Proceed to or remain in an office, classroom, conference room, or other area with a door.
  • Lock the door if possible.
  • Close blinds / curtains if possible.
  • Stay low, crouch or sit down in areas that are out of sight from doors and windows.
  • Note the names of all present, including the names of any visitors, so they can be accounted for later.
  • Turn off the lights and remain quiet and calm.
  • Do not open the door for anyone. Faculty and staff will be contacted by phone, radio and/or e-mail, or the Department of Public Safety or other designated University personnel and will unlock the door to the room you are in to notify you that the incident is under control and that the emergency has passed.
If the shooter is in the room – as a last resort:
  • Take action, and only when your life is in imminent danger.
  • Attempt to incapacitate the active shooter.
  • Act with physical aggression, yell and throw items at the active shooter.

How to React When Law Enforcement Arrives:

  • Officers might use pepper spray or tear gas to control the situation.
  • Officers might be armed with rifles, handguns or shotguns.
  • Officers might shout commands and might push individuals to the ground for their safety.
  • Remain calm and follow officers’ instructions.
  • Put down any items in your hands and immediately raise hands and spread fingers.
  • Keep hands visible at all times.
  • Avoid making quick movements toward officers such as attempting to hold on to them for safety.
  • Avoid pointing, screaming and/or yelling.

Fire/Smoke

How to Report a Fire:

  • If fire or smoke is seen, leave the area immediately and pull the fire alarm as you evacuate the building.
  • Alert other persons on your way out and close all doors behind you to confine the fire (see evacuation procedures).
  • Do NOT use elevators.

After evacuating, call the Department of Public Safety at 711 (campus phone) or 443-2224 (all other phones) to report the fire and give the following information:

  • Building name
  • Floor/area of fire/smoke
  • Any details of the fire
  • If you have specific information, notify the Department of Public Safety officers, Safety officers, or firefighters as they arrive on the scene.

Audible Fire Alarms Response:

  • When the fire alarm sounds, all persons are to evacuate the building.
  • Do not use elevators.
  • Shut/lock doors behind you as you leave.
  • Take keys and essential personal items.
  • If instructed to evacuate, move at least 500 feet away from the area (take your keys and personal belongings with you) and await further instructions from emergency personnel.
  • Do not re-enter building until instructed by emergency personnel.

Bomb Threat/Suspicious Package

In the event that you receive a bomb threat:

1. Remain calm and attempt to obtain as much information from the caller as possible. Try to write down or remember:

a. Words the caller used
b. What the caller wanted
c. Person the caller asked for

2. Keep the caller on the line as long as possible. Listen for:

a. Tone and characteristics of the caller’s voice
b. Your familiarity with the caller’s voice
c. Gender/age of the caller’s voice
d. Background noise

3. Call the Department of Public Safety at 711 from a University phone or 443-2224 from any other phone (avoid using a cellular phone if possible) and provide the dispatcher with:

a. Your name
b. Your location
c. Your phone number
d. Details of the situation
e. Time you received the call

4. Notify your supervisor/department head

5. Look for anything unusual in your work area. DO NOT TOUCH ANYTHING UNUSUAL. If you spot something unusual, point it out to any responding Public Safety officer or Safety officer.

6. Follow all directions of the Public Safety officer or Safety officer responding to the scene.

7. If instructed to evacuate, move at least 500 feet away from the area (take your keys and personal belongings with you) and await further instructions from emergency personnel.

8. Do not re-enter the building until instructed by emergency personnel.

Asbestos

If an incidental disturbance of asbestos or suspected asbestos containing material has occurred or if damaged asbestos or suspected asbestos containing material is identified, the following protocol should be followed:

  1. Clear the Area: Notify all persons in the immediate vicinity of the disturbed or damaged material to vacate the room/area. Any individuals potentially exposed or involved in the incident should stay in the vicinity of the incident for further evaluation.
  2. Close Off Access to the Room: Close the doors to the area and prevent entry into the area.
  3. Minimize the Spread of Contamination: If possible, contact Physical Plant (443-1234) to shut off the affected area’s ventilation.
  4. Notify the Physical Plant Environmental Shop (443-5697): or Environmental Health and Safety Services Office (443-4132) immediately; or after normal work hours contact the Department of Public Safety (443-2224).
  5. The Physical Plant Environmental Shop will perform any necessary asbestos testing and/or sampling and will facilitate the clean up or repair of the involved material.