Emergency Guides

Quick Look Up Addresses

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FACULTY / STAFF RESPONSIBILITIES

• Keep students, faculty/staff calm and quiet.
• Remain inside the building and ask everyone to do the same.
• If possible, relocate to a room on the safest floor, preferably interior, with the fewest windows, farthest from the location of the incident.
• Close and lock windows, exterior doors, and any exterior openings.
• Remain sheltered until otherwise directed by the Office of Campus Safety.

SHELTER IN PLACE – STAY INSIDE!

“Shelter in place” means staying put and, if possible, choosing a small room with as few windows as possible for refuge.

PROCEDURE:

• Stop classes or work operations.
  Remain inside the building and ask others to do the same.
• If possible, relocate to a room on the safest floor, preferably interior, with the fewest windows, farthest from the location of the incident.
• Call emergency contacts to tell them who is sheltering in place and that they are safe.
• Close and lock all windows and doors.
• Do not erect barricades or obstacles in the event a fire or other incidents that would make it necessary to evacuate.
• Remain sheltered until otherwise directed by the Office of Campus Safety.

ESSENTIAL DISASTER SUPPLIES

• Flashlight with extra batteries
• Battery powered radio
• Drinking water
• First-aid kit
• Blanket

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FACULTY / STAFF RESPONSIBILITIES

• Keep everyone calm and quiet.
• DO NOT allow anyone in the room, except law enforcement/ first responders.
• Ask everyone with a cell phone to silence it.
• DU alerts will be sent out with information and instructions.

PERSONAL SAFETY PLAN

When you believe there is an active shooter nearby:

• Lock yourself in the room you are in.
• Barricade yourself in the room with furniture or anything you can push against the door.
• Lock the window and close blinds or curtains.
• Stay away from windows.
• Turn all lights and audio equipment off.
• Try to stay calm and be as quiet as possible
• If communication is available, call 911.
  Don’t stay in the open hall.
• Do not sound the fire alarm.
  Arm yourself with any objects you can throw at the attacker.

If you are caught in an open area such as a hallway or lounge area, you must decide what action to take:

• You can try to hide, but make sure it is a well-hidden space or you may be found as the intruder moves through the building looking for victims.
• If you think you can safely make it out of the building by running, then do so. If you decide to run, do not run in a straight line. Keep any objects you can between you and the hostile person(s) while in the building. Use trees, vehicles or any other object to block you from view as you run. When away from the immediate area of danger, summon help any way you can and warn others.
• If the person(s) is causing death or serious physical injury to others and you are unable to run or hide, you may choose to play dead if other vic- tims are around you.
• The last option you have if caught in an open area, may be to fight back.
  This is dangerous, but depending on your situation, this could be your last option.
• If you are caught by the intruder and are not going to fight back, follow their directions and don’t look the intruder in the eyes.
• Once the police arrive, obey all commands. This may involve your being handcuffed or made to put your hands in the air. This is done for safety reasons and once the police evaluate circumstances, they will give you further directions to follow. This advice cannot cover every possible situa- tion that might occur.

Warning Signs

It must be stressed that if you have had contact with ANY INDIVIDUAL who displays the following tendencies, that you contact the Office of Campus Safety, Student Development, Counseling Services or another university official immediately:

• Threatens harm or talks about killing themselves, students, faculty or staff.
• Becomes frustrated easily and converts frustration into uncontrollable physical violence and constantly starts or participates in fights.
• Loses temper and self-control easily.
  Assaults others constantly to include immediate family members.
• Possesses weapons (firearms or edged weapons) or has a preoccupation with them.

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What YOU should do in the event of a lockdown alert:

Level I

The threat is nearby but not directly on campus:

Exterior doors are locked and access into the school is restricted. No one goes outside until the “all-clear” message is received.

Level II

The threat is inside Denison:

During a criminal threat, students and faculty/staff are instructed to proceed to the nearest classroom, office, or residence hall room where they should lock the door and stay away from the windows. If a person is outside when the lockdown announcement is made, they should run quickly into a building if one is very close or stay low to the ground behind a vehicle, tree, or other large object. If a dangerous person is present on campus, it’s very important to avoid being seen by them.

Other precautions that should be taken during a criminal threat:

• Cell phones should be silenced.
• Lights, electronics, and other equipment should be turned off. Everyone should stay low and away from the windows. Everyone should remain silent and stay very still.
• Professors or staff members are responsible to record the names of every-
  one present.
• It is essential that everyone stays calm and follows any instructions given by Campus Safety Officers or police.
• Classrooms are locked and everyone stays inside the classroom or inside a room in the building.
• If the threat is in your immediate area DO NOT lock the aggressor in your area with you.
• If you are out in a common area seek the nearest secure shelter
  (i.e. a nearby classroom, office, bathroom, etc.).
• If you are in or near the parking lot seek shelter in your vehicle and lock the doors. DO NOT leave the campus. Await contact by
  Campus Safety Officers or police personnel.
• Remain in your secured area until further instructions are provided. This may take some time and will require patience.
• If you are in a classroom or office area, immediately lock the entry door and turn off the lights. Keep students inside, away from windows and take cover if possible.

 IMPORTANT: If you are locked down in your office or a classroom or other area it is important that you remain locked down as police pass through the area to investigate and secure the threat. It is also important that you indicate (if possible) to the police non-verbally that your area is secure and the offender is not in that area. This will be accomplished by giving the police a “thumbs up” as they approach your door or placing the “All Clear” sign in this booklet under your door. If the threat is in your area do not respond to the police. This will signal that there is a potential threat in your area and they will enter the room. If there is no threat in your area the police will move to the next area. REMAIN IN LOCKDOWN!

• Once the threat has been contained a police officer accompanied by a campus representative will move from area to area to release people from the lockdown. Wait for the official release. This will take some time. Please remain in your area as it will be imperative to provide medical assistance if necessary and the police and/or security may need additional information from you regarding the incident

Level III

Imminent life-threatening danger:

• Remain calm. Encourage other to remain calm.
  Immediately cease all activity (i.e. teaching, group work, meetings.)
• Lock or barricade all doors when possible. Card access doors will be locked during a lockdown but can be opened from the inside.
• If possible cover any windows or openings that have a direct line of sight into a hallway.
• Shut the blinds or pull the shades down. Turn off lights and try to give the impression that the room is empty.
• Stay low, away from windows and doors and barricade door(s) if possible; use furniture or desks as cover.
• Sit on the floor or crouch under or behind desks and bookshelves where possible, so as to be as invisible as possible.
• Immediately put all cell phones into “vibrate” or “silent” mode. Calls or texts to the Campus Safety Office or police should be made only if specific information becomes available regarding the location or conduct of the intruder or if the status of the emergency changes.
• DO NOT respond to anyone at the door until an “all clear” text message is received or if you are certain it is safe to do so (i.e. if police are at the door).
• If you are directed by police to leave your secured area, assist others in moving as quietly and quickly as possible.
• Do not sound the fire alarm in the building unless there is a fire. People may be placed in harm’s way when they are attempting to evacuate the building. If a fire alarm sounds during a lockdown, do not evacuate unless you smell smoke or see fire in your area.
• If you are outside of a building when a lockdown is announced, if it is safe to do so, run into the nearest building and follow the above lockdown instructions. If it is not safe to run into a building, hide behind a large heavy object (i.e. vehicle, tree). Notify the Campus Safety Office when safe to do so.
• Be aware of alternate exits if it becomes necessary to flee.
• Individuals should not attempt to leave the building until told to do so by police personnel.

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FACULTY / STAFF RESPONSIBILITIES

UPON NOTIFICATION OF A TORNADO WARNING

• Direct students and faculty/staff to safe locations. Move to the lowest level of the building, utilizing inner hallways, restrooms and stairwells
  for shelter. Stay away from doors and windows.
• Assist persons with disabilities to the shelter area. Account for all students, faculty/staff.
• Listen for the “all clear.”

What to do following a tornado – after an all clear is given

• Use extreme caution exiting buildings. There may be downed power lines, trees and other hazards.
• Notify the Office of Campus Safety of any medical or fire emergency.
• If damage has occurred to the building, evacuate the affected area.

TORNADO/SEVERE WEATHER

The Office of Campus Safety monitors weather conditions and issues notifications and alerts when severe weather threatens.
TORNADO WATCH: Tornadoes are possible in our area. Remain alert for approaching storms and be prepared to seek shelter.
TORNADO WARNING: A tornado is imminent or is indicated by radar. Move to your previously designated place of safety immediately.
The greatest danger is from flying glass and material falling from buildings. The safest area is the center of the lowest level of any campus building. Utilize interior rooms and hallways if possible.

STAY CLEAR OF LARGE WINDOWS OR OTHER GLASS.

Remain in protected area until the storm is over. Wait for notification by the Office of Campus Safety that the imminent danger is over.

PROCEDURE:

• Discourage students, faculty/staff from leaving campus during severe weather.
• Avoid using elevators in case of loss of power.
• If you are outside enter the nearest building.
• If you are in a building, move to the lowest level of the building, away from windows or other glass.

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This guide aims to provide you with the information you need to identify various weather alerts and the procedures you should follow when you encounter severe weather emergencies.

In case of severe weather, please visit the Emergency Alerts & Policies (for Emergency Closing Policy) as well as Tornado Shelter Locations sections of this website.

Thunderstorms

• Severe Thunderstorm Watch means severe thunderstorms are possible in your area.
• Severe Thunderstorm Warning means a severe thunderstorm is imminent or has been indicated by Doppler radar or reported by storm spotters.

Tornado sirens are sounded for those areas in the path of the tornado throughout Licking County. These sirens are intended to be heard outside of buildings and are not designed to be heard inside every building.

Safety and the Operator initiate a phone tree in the event of a tornado warning to notify all departments as well as students.

Tornados

• Tornado Watch means tornadoes are possible in your area. Remain alert for approaching storms, and be prepared to seek shelter.
• Tornado Warning means a tornado is imminent or has been indicated by Doppler radar or reported by storm spotters. Move to your pre-designated place of safety immediately!

What to do during a tornado warning:

• As soon as a tornado sirens sound or a tornado has been sighted nearby, get to a safe shelter immediately.
• Move to a pre-designated shelter, such as a basement. Assist those with special needs in getting to the shelter area.
• Put as many walls as possible between you and the outside. Get under a sturdy table and use arms to protect head and neck. Stay away from windows and open spaces. Stay there until the danger has passed.
• If there is no basement, go to an interior room on the lowest level (closets, interior hallways, or restrooms). Do not open windows.
• In a high-rise building, go to a small, interior room or hallway with no windows on the lowest floor possible. Do not call 911 unless you need to report an emergency, such as a fire, medical emergency or severe building damage. 911 lines need to be kept open and available for emergency calls.
• Get out of vehicles, trailers, and mobile homes immediately and go to the lowest floor of a sturdy nearby building or a storm shelter.
• If caught outside with no shelter, lie flat in a nearby ditch or depression and cover your head with your hands. Be aware of potential for flooding.
• Never try to outrun a tornado in a car or truck; instead, leave the vehicle immediately for safe shelter. Tornadoes are erratic and move swiftly.
• Watch out for flying debris. Flying debris from tornadoes causes most fatalities and injuries.

Snow

• Snow Alert means that the roadways are potentially hazardous with drifting snow and wind. Roads will most likely be icy as well, so drive carefully.
• Snow Advisory means that roadways are hazardous with drifting snow and strong winds. Only drive if it is extremely necessary to travel somewhere. Consider contacting your employer to see if you should report to work.
• Snow Emergency means that all roadways are closed to everybody except emergency personnel. Nobody should be out driving in conditions like this unless it’s an absolute emergency situation requiring you to do so. Everybody should contact their employers to see if they should report to work. Those traveling on roadways could possibly be subject to arrest.

Heat

• Heat Advisory & Alert — At times during summer months, the heat can be extremely dangerous given the right conditions.

Shelter Locations

In the case of a tornado warning, all residents of Denison University should immediately seek nearby shelter. The following guide shows safe, low-level, or below ground locations that you can seek out should severe weather occur.

East Quad

Basements can be used for the following locations:

• Beaver
• Crawford
• East
• Sawyer
• Shaw
• Shepardson

Other safe locations:

• Gilpatrick — Interior hallway on the 1st floor
• Huffman — Dining Hall; enter from the stairwell near Room 103

West Quad

Basements can be used for the following locations:

• Curtis East
• King
• Stone
• Shorney
• Smith

Other safe locations:

• Curtis West — Lowest hallway, below Dining Hall, Women’s Restroom stairwell

North Quad

Basements can be used for the following locations:

• Ash
• Chamberlin
• Sunset
• Taylor

Other safe locations:

• Preston — Stairwell, bottom level
• Morrow — Access card for Residence Life Staff
• Beta — Access card for Residence Life Staff
• Kappa Sig — Access card for Residence Life Staff
• SAE — Stairwell, bottom level
• Sunset A/B/C/D — Bicycle Rooms; 3rd level (needs key). Bottom two apartment bathrooms 01-02 & 101-102
• Upper/Lower Elm — Ground-level Laundry Room, Exercise Room, hallway
• Hayes Hall & Wright Hall — Ground-level Laundry Room, Exercise Room, hallway

Satellites

Basements can be used for the following locations:

• Monomoy Annex*
• Mulberry*
• Rose*
• Bancroft*
• Shannon*
• 215 North Prospect*
• 135 Main*

* Residents should call operator to have the basement opened

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This guide is aimed to provide emergency information on how to deal with an individual threatening suicide or otherwise psychologically unstable persons that may be danger to themselves or others. If it appears an individual may cause harm, call “0 ” immediately from any campus phone or 740-587-6777 from any other phone.

Available Resources for students, faculty and staff:

• Health & Counseling Center call 6647 on campus, off campus or from cell phone call 740-587-6647
  Provides confidential services to students by psychologists, counselors and professional staff.
• Employee Assistance Plan; call the Human Resource Office, 6299
  Provides mental health counseling to employees participating in the Cigna Health Plan.

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BOMB THREAT

If a bomb threat is received:

• Stay calm; write down all information.
  If your phone has Caller ID, record number displayed.
• If you receive a bomb threat on the telephone, calmly gather as much information as possible. Keep the caller on the line, as long as possible. Ask for details about the bomb, and try to gather informa- tion about the caller (sex, age, location). Have someone else notify the Office of Campus Safety while you are on the phone.
• Work with arriving emergency personnel to assist them in evaluating the situation.
• Assist emergency responders with a search of the area if requested.
• After contacting the Office of Campus Safety, await instructions.
  Do not pull a fire alarm or evacuate a building on your own.

FACULTY/STAFF RESPONSIBILITIES

• Wait for officials to decide if occupants should stay in place or evacuate.
• If evacuation is ordered, make sure the evacuation location has been identified.
• Stay in the designated evacuation area until the Office of Campus
  Safety tells you it is safe to return.

SUSPICIOUS PACKAGE

Some typical characteristics which ought to trigger suspicion include letters or parcels that:

• Have any powdery substance on the outside.
  Are unexpected or from someone unfamiliar to you.
• Have excessive postage, handwritten or poorly typed address, incorrect or titles with no name, or misspellings of common words.
• Are addressed to someone no longer with your organization or are otherwise outdated.
• Have no return address or one that can’t be verified as legitimate.
• Are of unusual weight, given their size, or are lopsided or oddly shaped.
• Have an unusual amount of tape.
• Are marked with restrictive endorsements, such as “Personal” or “Confidential.”
• Have strange odors or stains.

What to do if you receive a suspicious letter or parcel:

• Handle with care. Do not shake or bump.
  Isolate it immediately.
• Don’t open, smell, touch, or taste.
• Treat it as suspect: contact the Office of Campus Safety immediately.

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FACULTY / STAFF RESPONSIBILITIES

• Activate the fire alarm.
• Notify the Office of Campus Safety.
• Evacuate students/faculty/staff.
• Check your classroom/office to make sure everyone is out of the building.
• Stay with your class and report anyone stranded or missing to the fire department when they arrive.

PROCEDURE If you discover or suspect a fire:

• Activate the fire alarm.
  Immediately leave the building using the nearest exit.
• Follow the posted evacuation procedures.
  DO NOT use elevators.
• Once you are outside, call 911.
  Notify the Office of Campus Safety.
• Monitor cell phones for updated information via the University’s
  DU Alert notification system.

EVACUATION

1. If you are in a classroom with a closed door, use the back of your hand to feel the door for heat. If the door is hot DO NOT open it.
   If the door is hot go to step 7.
2. IF the door is NOT hot, brace yourself behind the door and open it slowly. If the environment outside the door is not favorable,
   close it and go to step 7.
3. If the environment is favorable, enter the hallway. Close the door behind you. Stay low (crawl, if necessary) and make your way to the nearest exit
4. Exit the building via stairwells. If the stairwell is blocked by smoke or heat, go to an alternate exit. Do not use elevators.
5. Once you have exited the building, move to a safe location. Wait for the “all-clear” signal or for additional information with instructions on how to proceed.
6. If all the exits are blocked, go back to a room containing windows and seek refuge.
7. If supplies are available, pack the doorframe with wet articles of clothing, towels or whatever you have on hand to delay smoke from migrating into the room.
8. Cover your nose and mouth with a wet handkerchief or similar article.
9. Call 911. Notify the Office of Campus Safety of your location.
10. Stay close to the floor. Proceed to a window. Open the window to allow the smoke to escape and for you to breath fresh air.
11. Let everyone within hearing distance be aware that you are trapped. Yell and wave a towel outside the window. Stay near the window. Get the attention of bystanders or emergency responders.

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In the event of a power outage, many campus facilities are equipped with emergency generators to power critical operations. Most buildings are provided with emergency lighting to aid in the safe evacuation of the building until power can be restored.

To report a localized power outage, contact Facilities Services at 6264. After regular business hours, please contact the Office of Campus Safety at 6482.

Power Outage Tips & Procedures

Be prepared:

• Keep a flashlight with spare batteries immediately accessible.
• Know how to locate the closest exit.

In the event of a large-scale power outage:

• Remain calm.
• Follow directions provided by Safety through the established campus communications systems.
• If building evacuation becomes necessary, seek out persons with special needs and provide assistance if possible. If additional assistance is necessary, contact Safety at 6777 from a campus phone or 740-587-6777 from off-campus or a cell phone.
• Secure all vital equipment, records, experiments, and hazardous materials if safe to do so. Store all chemicals in their original or marked containers and fully open all fume hoods. If this is not possible, or natural ventilation is not adequate, evacuate the area until power is restored.
• Do not light candles or other types of flames for lighting.
• Unplug electrical equipment, such as computers, and turn off all light switches.

If people are trapped in an elevator:

• If you are able to communicate with them, let the passengers know help has been summoned.
• Call “0 ” from any campus phone or 740-587-6777 from a cell phone or off-campus phone.
• Provide specific location information and number of individuals involved to the dispatcher.
• Stay near the passengers if safe to do so, until emergency responders are on site and the elevator is identified.

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MEDICAL EMERGENCY / SERIOUS INJURY

PROCEDURE:

• Notify the Office of Campus Safety.
• Administer first aid if safe to do so.
• Do NOT attempt to move someone who is injured and appears to be in pain unless failure to do so could result in further injury or death.

CHOKING GUIDELINES:

1. Check for responsiveness: Ask, “Are you choking? “Ask, “Can you speak, breathe or cough?”
2. If the victim CAN speak, breath or cough DO NOTHING! Stay with the victim to offer reassurance.
3. If victim cannot speak, breath or cough say, “I’m going to help you.”
   Have someone call 911.
4. Stand behind the victim and place your arms around the abdomen and make a fist with one hand.
5. Place the thumb side of the fist slightly above the navel and well be low the breast bone.
6. Grasp the fist with the other hand and provide quick upward thrusts into the abdomen.
7. Repeat thrusts until the object is expelled or victim becomes unresponsive.
8. If the victim becomes unresponsive begin CPR and continue until help arrives.

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FACULTY / STAFF RESPONSIBILITIES

If you are notified of a hazardous materials incident:

• Clear the area immediately if instructed to do so by the emergency providers, providing assistance to those with special needs. If you observe what you believe to be an unauthorized release of any
  pollutants to the environment, call the Office of Campus Safety 740-587-6777.

If you are notified of a gas leak:

• Evacuate students, faculty/staff in an orderly fashion to the evacuation site, providing assistance to those with special needs.
• Check your classrooms/offices making sure everyone is out of the building.
• Remain with your students and report any missing or stranded persons to the fire department when they arrive.

HAZARDOUS MATERIALS INCIDENT

PROCEDURE: If you are involved with or observe a hazardous material (biological, chemical, radiological, fuel, or oil) spill, incident, or release for which assistance is needed, do this:

• If the incident is indoors, close all doors in order to isolate the area if it is safe to do so.
• From a safe area, call “0” from a campus phone or 740-587-6777 from a cell phone.
• Be prepared to provide the following information regarding the spill or release:
  • Name and quantity of the material
  • Time and location of the incident
  • If anyone is injured or exposed to material
  • If a fire or explosion is involved
  • Your name, phone number, and location
• Follow instructions provided by the emergency responders. Arrange for someone to meet emergency responders.
• If available, present the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) of substances involved to emergency responders.
• Evacuate, if asked to by officials. Remain in a safe designated area until released by emergency responders.

>>>DO NOT attempt to clean up a spill or release unless you are trained to do so and have the proper equipment. If you are notified of a incident, follow the instructions provided by the emergency service officials.<<<

GAS LEAK

PROCEDURE: If you detect natural gas, fumes or vapors, do this:

• Call “0” from a campus phone or 911 from a cell phone.
• Clear the area immediately if instructed to do so by the emergency dispatcher, providing assistance to those with special needs.
• Provide your location and the location of the odor to the dispatcher.
• Provide as many details as possible to the dispatcher.

If an evacuation is ordered by the emergency responders:

• Leave all ventilation systems operating unless instructed otherwise by emergency responders.
• Leave the area immediately, avoiding elevators unless necessary.
• Identify those persons with special needs, and provide assistance if possible. Otherwise, provide their location to emergency responders.
• Report to your department’s designated gathering point to be accounted for.

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Medical Assistance

Call Whisler Hall Health Center: 740-587-6200 or Emergency: 740-587-6777

The nurse at Whisler Hall Health Center or the Emergency operator is trained to provide guidance as to how serious the situation is and the best means of transportation to the Health Center. The nurse will know if an Emergency responders will be needed, or if Campus Safety should transport you to the Health Center.

The head residents are trained in minor first-aid and also have first-aid kits available as necessary.

Hours of Operation

During the Fall and Spring semesters, the Health Center is open 24 hours a day.

During college holidays and summer, the Health Center is closed.

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