emergency situations

Evacuate

General Evacuation Procedures

The following procedures apply to any evacuation situation:

  1. Become familiar with the building. Know the location of emergency exits.
  2. In any emergency situation, contact the Department of Public Safety (DPS) at 711 (campus phone) or (315) 443-2224 (any phone).
  3. In the event an evacuation is necessary, you will be directed by DPS, the fire department, or building coordinators to evacuate.
  4. Remain calm.  Try to keep others calm.
  5. Exit the building using stairwells.  Never use the elevators.  Close and secure all doors behind you.
  6. Proceed to the designated meeting area(s).  Keep quiet and listen for directions from DPS or the fire department.
  7. Notify the first responding agency of trapped or injured persons or persons with disabilities and their location(s).
  8. Never re-enter the building unless directed to do so by DPS or the fire department.

Fire & Smoke Evacuation Procedures
 If a fire alarm sounds, take it seriously.  If you notice a fire or smell smoke:

  1. DO NOT fight the fire.  Remain calm.
  2. Call DPS at 711 (campus phone) or (315) 443-2224 (any phone).
    1. Give your name.
    2. Give the name of the building.
    3. Give your location and type of problem.
  3. Pull the fire alarm box located next to any stairwell.
  4. Exit the building using stairwells.  Never use the elevators.  Close and secure all doors behind you.
  5. Proceed to the designated meeting area(s).  Keep quiet and listen for directions from DPS or the fire department.
  6. Notify the first responding agency of trapped or injured persons or persons with disabilities and their location(s).
  7. Never re-enter the building unless directed to do so by DPS or the fire department.

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, or Manley Field House).  Members of the Critical Incident Response Committee, Safety Officers, Public Safety Officers, or a building coordinator will arrive at the center to act as communications liaisons.

Evacuation Procedures for Persons with Disabilities

Syracuse University recognizes that due to the differences in campus buildings, the limitations presented by various types of disabilities, and the range of possible circumstances that could be presented by different types of disasters, persons with disabilities will make individual decisions based upon the circumstances presented.

  1. If circumstances require evacuation from a campus building, persons with disabilities are to evacuate the building by the safest and nearest exit and follow the general procedures for emergency evacuation.
  2. If persons with disabilities are unable to evacuate without assistance, they should request that any available person at the scene notify the fire department or DPS that they are in need of assistance.
  3. The persons with disabilities should provide the person going for help with any information that may be required in the evacuation process (e.g., wheelchair user, lift required, etc.).
  4. If the fire department or DPS is not on the scene, the persons with disabilities or the assisting persons should telephone DPS and request assistance.  The location, reason evacuation assistance is required, and necessity for special equipment should be given.
  5. In the event a fire alarm sounds, the first responding agency (DPS or the fire department) will search out persons with disabilities reported to be in the building and assist them in evacuating the building.
  6. In the event of an evacuation during a non-fire emergency, the steps described above will be followed.
  7. Students or faculty/staff with disabilities who anticipate that they may have difficulty evacuating any campus building in an emergency and would like to create a personal emergency plan should contact Fire and Life Safety Services (FLSS) at (315) 443-5474. FLSS will respond to inquiries within 48 business hours to develop a plan and arrange to have a copy of the person’s schedule put on file by building and by time of day with DPS.
  8. Persons with disabilities are responsible for reporting schedule changes to Fire and Life Safety Services.
  9. Students with disabilities living in residence halls should also notify the residence hall directors of their potential needs in the event an evacuation is necessary.

Fire Drill Procedures
The procedures to be followed for fire drills are identical to the emergency evacuation plan in the steps described above, except that the persons with disabilities may be asked to remain in the building if the availability of evacuation personnel and/or special equipment is limited.
Non-Emergency Evacuation Procedures
If persons with disabilities need to be evacuated in a non-emergency situation, such as a power failure or elevator shut down, they may call DPS.  With proper notification, DPS may decide to contact a professional transportation agency, such as TLC or Able Medical Transportation, to facilitate safe and proper evacuation.  The University will pay for costs associated with evacuation services performed by such agencies.
Recommendations

  1. Students or faculty/staff with disabilities who anticipate that they may have difficulty evacuating any campus building in an emergency and would like to create a personal emergency plan should contact Fire and Life Safety Services (FLSS) at (315) 443-5474. FLSS will respond to inquiries within 48 business hours to develop a plan and arrange to have a copy of the person’s schedule put on file by building and by time of day with DPS.
  2. Persons with disabilities are responsible for reporting schedule changes to Fire and Life Safety Services.
  3. All individuals who have identified themselves as needing assistance in the event of a building evacuation will be informed of emergency evacuation procedures by Fire and Life Safety Services at the beginning of each academic year or upon self-identification.
  4. It is recommended that Fire and Life Safety Services in conjunction with DPS and appropriate city fire officials, sponsor emergency evacuation training workshops for individuals with disabilities at the beginning of each academic year and at regular intervals throughout the year.  The workshops should cover all of the aforementioned procedures.
  5. All faculty, administrators, and staff will be notified of these procedures by DPS.
  6. All general emergency evacuation instructions that DPS routinely provides to University students or employees will include information on emergency evacuation procedures for persons with disabilities.
  7. The effectiveness of the plan will be monitored by DPS.  Regular reports on progress/problems will be forwarded to DPS.  Should the need arise, the plan will be modified by DPS.

Contingency

The above noted plan is intended to assist the appropriate authorities in evacuating persons with disabilities.  However, if the fire department has not arrived and a need exists to move persons with disabilities out of the building quickly, as in a life threatening situation, DPS may consider evacuating the individuals themselves provided that under all circumstances, the evacuation can be done safely and not expose further lives to danger.  If possible, evacuation will be conducted with input from, and at the direction of, persons with disabilities.

Lockdown

A “lockdown” will typically only be directed for a single building, and typically the scene of the crisis.  During a lockdown, entry to a facility should be prohibited until the situation requiring the procedure has been resolved by responding law enforcement personnel.

  1. Proceed to or remain in an office, classroom, conference room, or other area with a door.
  2. Lock the door if possible, use anything to barricade the door if not.
  3. Close blinds / curtains if possible.
  4. Stay low, crouch or sit down in areas that are out of sight from doors and windows.
  5. Turn off the ringer and vibrate modes on any mobile devices.
  6. Note the names of all present, including the names of any visitors, so they can be accounted for later.
  7. Turn off the lights and remain quiet and calm.
  8. Do not open the door for anyone.
  9. 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.
  10. Remain in place until you receive an “all clear” of “resume normal activity” announcement on the Orange Alert system.

Shelter In Place

Shelter in Place

Definition: a directive to seek immediate shelter indoors following the announcement of a campus crisis condition. When an Orange Alert is issued to Shelter in Place, seek immediate shelter within the building you are in or the closest building to you and remain there during an emergency, rather than evacuate the area.

Select a small, interior room, with no or few windows, and take refuge there. Remain in place until the danger has passed or conditions warrant an immediate evacuation. The University will use the Orange Alert system to make an “all clear” announcement.

Shelter in Place may be issued for various crisis situations. The Orange Alert will specify the current emergency and provide any necessary information.

Go to www.syr.edu  for further instructions.

 

If you are on or near campus during an Orange Alert with a Shelter in Place warning:

Off Campus Housing

  • Close and lock all windows and exterior doors.
  • Close the blinds or drapes and stay away from the windows.
  • Do not come to campus.
  • Remain in-place until you receive an “all clear” announcement on the Orange Alert System.

Residence Hall

  • Remain in your residence hall room with the door locked.
  • Follow the instructions of your RA.
  • Remain in-place until you receive an “all clear” or “resume normal activity” announcement on the Orange Alert System.

Classroom

  • Remain in the room.
  • Lock or barricade the door (if the Orange Alert indicates that the crisis is close to your building).
  • Close all blinds and stay away from windows.
  • Follow the instructions of your classroom instructor.
  • Remain in-place until you receive an “all clear” or “resume normal activity” announcement on the Orange Alert System.

Outdoors

  • Immediately move away from the threat.
  • Be prepared to display your SUID as you attempt to enter a building for shelter.
  • Seek shelter in the closest building.
  • If you are unable to locate an unlocked building, notify DPS at 443-2224 or 711.
  • Find a secure space away from windows and doors if possible.
  • Remain in-place until you receive an “all clear” or “resume normal activity” announcement on the Orange Alert System

Biohazard Spill

In the event of a biohazard spill, a spill of human blood or bodily fluids, or release of infectious material that presents a potential for or has already caused:

  •  A personal injury
  •  An exposure to a biological material of known or unknown health risk
  •  An adverse environmental impact
  • Any other situation immediately dangerous to life, health, or property

Please proceed as follows:

  • Immediately notify all personnel in the affected area of the spill or release and evacuate all personnel from the affected area.
  • Call the Department of Public Safety at 711 from a University phone or #78 from a cell phone from a location that is not affected by the spill (secure location). Public Safety will dispatch appropriate response personnel.

Be prepared to tell Public Safety the following information:

  • Your name, phone number, and secure location from which you are calling
  • The nature of the incident
  • The location of the incident (building, floor, room number)
  • The name or type of substance (if known)
  • The quantity of substance (estimate)
  • The hazards (if known)
  • If there are known injuries

Stay in the secure area to meet emergency responders or suggest another area if the current location is now inappropriate. Do not re-enter the spill area to perform rescue operations or participate in cleanup.

For more information and non-emergency questions, contact the Environmental Health and Safety Services Office (ext. 4132, 315-443-4132) or visit ehosu.syr.edu/EHOSU/display.cfm

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.

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.

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.