Chemical, Biological, or Radiological Contaminants
Chemical, biological, or radiological contaminants may be released accidentally or intentionally into the environment. Should this occur, information will be provided on how to stay safe. It is important to follow instructions if a shelter-in-place is issued for a hazardous materials release.
- Find a small, interior room with no or few windows.
- Close and lock all windows and exterior doors.
- Turn off all fans and close heaters or air conditioning vents if possible.
- Listen or watch for official announcements from emergency personnel.
- Follow all instructions given.
Shelter-In-Place
If there is a potential risk to public safety, a shelter-in-place order may be given. P a g e 14 | 21
- Stay where you are. If you’re in your residence hall room, stay there. If you’re in a classroom, stay there. If you are outside, make your way indoors.
- If you are coming to campus, do not approach the area where the shelter-in-place order is in effect.
- Clear out from common areas such as lounges and hallways until an all-clear message is shared. Continue business as normal (studying, etc.) while sheltering in place.
- Bring people in from hallways and account for students, visitors and others. Go about business as usual without leaving your location and await an all-clear message.
Building Lockdown
If there is a threat to safety and emergency operations are ongoing inside or near the building a lockdown order may be given.
- Remain in offices, classrooms, conference rooms.
- If you are in a common area, stay away from windows and doors. If possible, find a room to hide or find a space out of view.
- If you are outside of buildings, move away from the affected area and seek shelter.
- Secure your area by locking doors and windows.
- Move away from sight, stay quiet, silence cell phones, prepare to evade or defend, lock doors and turn out lights.
- Do not open doors until contacted by police or an all-clear has been issued.
Active Assailant
An active assailant is an individual actively engaged in killing or attempting to kill people in a confined and populated area. In most cases, active assailants use firearms, but can also use knives, cars, or bombs, and there is no pattern or method to their selection of victims. Active assailant situations are unpredictable and evolve quickly. Typically, the immediate deployment of law enforcement is required to stop the assailant and mitigate harm to victims. Active assailant situations are often over within 10 – 15 minutes. Before law enforcement arrives on the scene, individuals must be prepared both mentally and physically to deal with an active assailant situation.
If you can run because there is a safe exit, always do so. If running is not an option, try to find a secure place to hide. If you cannot run or hide – stop the assailant by whatever means necessary, fight.
Run
- Find the quickest and safest exit and get out.
- Help others to get out if it is safe to do so.
- Once outside prevent others from entering if it is safe to do so.
- Evacuate to a safe area away from danger.
- Take protective cover and try to conceal yourself.
- Stay there until assistance arrives.
- Call 911 when safe, and provide dispatch with the following information: o Your name
- Location of incident
- Number of assailants
- Identification or description of assailants
- Number of persons who may be involved
- Your exact location
- Injuries to anyone, if known
Hide
- Barricade oneself in a room. o Lock the door.
- Place large objects in front of the door.
- Turn off lights.
- Seek protective cover.
- Under a desk or table – find concealment.
- Keep quiet and silence your phone.
- Do not answer the door.
- Call 911 if it is safe to do so and provide dispatch with the following information: o Your name
- Your exact location
- Number of assailants
- Identification or description of assailants
- Number of persons who may be involved
- Injuries to anyone, if known
- Wait for law enforcement officers to assist you out of the building.
Fight
- Improvise weapons.
- Be physically aggressive and commit to action.
- Have the survival mindset – no matter what happens you will make it through.