Whiting Oil and Gas Corporation
OFFICE EMERGENCY PROCEDURES
9/11 Lessons Learned An estimated 13,000-15,000 people were successfully evacuated from the two WTC towers. In 2002, Columbia University and the CDC initiated "The World Trade Center Evacuation Study," designed to assess factors that affected evacuation of the two towers. The study participants cited four factors that affected their decision to begin evacuating: • Perceived ability to walk down multiple flights of stairs (more than 80 for certain persons); • Experience in evacuation, including knowledge of stairwell locations and whether individual stairwells led to street level exits; • Concern over leaving their work areas without the approval; and • Information regarding what had occurred, what floors were involved, and how to respond. Direct evidence of the magnitude of the event (e.g., observing an aircraft strike a building, smelling fuel or feeling a building move) caused some persons to leave immediately.
9/11 Lessons Learned (Cont.) After a decision to evacuate was made, many persons stopped to attend to lastminute activities such as making telephone calls, shutting down computers or gathering up personal items. Deciding which route to take stairs or elevators might have delayed evacuation progress for others. Progress was reportedly slowed for some people because of poor physical condition or inadequate footwear such as high-heeled shoes. Two major organizational factors affecting evacuation were identified by participants: • Workplace preparedness planning and training, including evacuation drills; and • Inadequate risk communication. • An announcement broadcast in the South Tower shortly after the first aircraft had struck the North Tower urged workers to remain in the building and likely led many to return to their work stations.
So, What is our Lesson from This?????
Training Objectives
Employee Awareness
Introduction of the Fire Floor Wardens
Employee Preparedness During Emergency Situations
What is an Emergency Procedures Plan? An Emergency Procedures Plan is a document that details procedures to follow if an emergency situation should arise. Some examples are:
Fire or Potential of a Fire Medical Emergency Bomb Threat Weather Related Emergency • Tornado • Thunderstorm • Hail
Whiting Floor Wardens Leaders to ensure the safety of the employees and visitors. Ensure all are evacuated and/or relocated in a safe, calm manner. There are three Floor Warden Levels – A, B, and C. • “A” Floor Warden is responsible for overall emergency procedures • “B” Floor Warden is responsible for assisting with evacuation of all floor occupants • “C” Floor Warden primarily ensures everyone is out of their offices and specifically in remote areas such as bathrooms
All Floor Warden’s get a bonus of $2,000/yr for their services!
NOT!
A Buddy…. What is a Buddy? A “Buddy” is assigned to a person with “Special Needs” to assist during emergency situations. • Buddies help a person get to the shelter inside the stairwell and if possible down the stairwell. • Rescue personnel will be alerted by a Floor Warden of the Special Need individual’s location.
Two buddies (a primary and alternate) from the same floor as the special needs individual are chosen in advance by the Special Needs individual. Note: Floor Wardens, EH&S, or HR should be informed if you have a condition requiring “Buddy” assistance
Current Floor Wardens 12th Floor
19th Floor
• A- Pat Blue (temp) • B- Anna Solodukhina (temp) • B- Daniel Jacobsen (temp) • C- Sheryl Elliot
• A, B, C- Gary Nordlander (The Lone Wolf)
20th Floor
14th Floor
16th Floor • A- Kathryn Dawson • B- Marty Etzel • C- Joe Roberts • C- Sarah Ovitz
• A- Jim Chavez • B- Mike Vendegnia • C- Tom Reger
18th Floor • A- Kent Stolz • B- Sandy Sweetman • C- Tanya Given
• A- Pat Blue • B- Anna Solodukhina • C- Daniel Jacobsen
22nd Floor • A- Ginny Mead • B- Peggy Goss • C- Thelma Hester
23rd Floor • A- David Beck • B- Yvette Arceneaux • B- Carla Wilson • C- Connie Christ
Fire Protection Equipment and Systems Smoke and Heat Detection Fire Sprinklers Fire Alarm Manual Pull Stations Fire Extinguishers Emergency Power and Lighting Systems Smoke Control Elevator Emergency Controls
When the Fire Alarm Sounds‌‌.
The fire alarm will sound and strobe lights will be sounding and flashing on the floor where the alarm has been sounded and on the floors immediately above and below it.
The south stairwell (Across from the Men’s Bathroom) will become pressurized.
All elevators will return to the main lobby and will not be in operation for building passengers.
Now that the Fire Alarm has Been Activated… Building management should make an announcement within a few minutes via the public address system with instructions to the affected floors. • Note that only the floor where the fire alarm has been activated as well as the floor above and below it will be getting the initial announcement. • Another announcement will be made right after that to all other floors.
Activation of the fire alarm system will automatically dispatch the Denver Fire Department to our building.
Personnel from floors other than the initial affected floors will be instructed, if needed, to prepare their floors to relocate/evacuate.
What Should “YOU” Do When the Alarm Sounds? When you hear the alarm and see the strobes:
• Stop all conversations and listen • Immediately get up and begin to descend the stairways to your relocation floor. Do not wait! Begin descending! • Listen for the Floor Warden’s instructions
NEVER assume that it is a false alarm!!
What is the Difference Between Relocation and Evacuation Relocation: Alternative to evacuation. Occupants of the affected floors will begin evacuation of their floor proceeding down the stairway to a designated re-entry floor. • Each floor designated for re-entry is clearly marked on the stairwell wall with the words “Re-Entry”. • Occupants will remain on the relocation floor if it is safe to do so, or until Emergency personnel or the Building Management gives notification to return or evacuate the building. • NOTE: If you want to leave the building and not relocate, please let the Floor Warden know that you are doing so.
Evacuation: There may be emergency circumstances in which evacuation will be necessary. Alerts will be announced via the intercom system.
When Relocation Happens…. Leave in a quiet and orderly manner. If possible, tie back long hair. (Strong air current in the pressurized stairwell, could cause vision impairment).
You should do the following:
Leave no persons behind. (If you cannot reach them or get them to leave, notify a Floor Warden.) Go down the south stairwell to the relocation floor. “A” Floor Warden will immediately go down at the relocation floor. Remain quiet and stay to the right of the stairwell (This will assist emergency responders going past you in the stairwell).
Know Your Relocation Floor!
Floor 20, 19, &18
Floors 23 & 22
Floor 14
Floor 16
Floor 12
Why does it matter what relocation floor you go to‌.aren't they all the same?
I Cannot Get off of the Floor! What do I do?
If some or all exit routes are blocked, secure yourself in a room by shutting the door.
Seal all cracks around the door and any other openings, such as vents or windows, against smoke intrusion by using any materials at hand, such as clothing, tape, paper, etc.
Phone 911 to let people know where you are. If the room you are in has a window, signal those outside by waving and/or taping a sign to the window stating you are trapped.
Do not break the window, as that will draw smoke into the area where you are secured.
Accident or Illness In the event of an accident or illness the following should be followed: • Call 911 from any office phone and report a “Medical Emergency”. • Call the Whiting Receptionist and they will contact Building Security and notify them that 911 was called as well as what floor. • Do not move the patient unless they cannot remain where they are without further endangering his/her life or for life-saving procedures. • Perform first aid/CPR/AED to your level of training. • If possible, have someone meet the responding emergency personnel at the main floor lobby elevators and on the actual floor to direct emergency personnel to patient’s location. TRIVIA – Where is all of this medical emergency stuff?
Threat – What if you Get the Call??? Use the Threat Checklist to gather as much information from the caller as possible. Use the Record-A-Call feature on your phone by pressing the yellow highlighted “R-A-C” (record-acall) button on your telephone keypad. On newer phones next slides will show how to use it. During the call, try to notify a co-worker of the situation via hand signals or on via notepad. If not already done by a co-worker, notify a Whiting Manager of the call.
Threat – What if you Get a Written Threat via Email or Letter??? Written/Emailed threats but must be considered just as carefully
Avoid as much as possible, physical handling of the written threat. This evidence will be analyzed by the Local Law Enforcement for such items as fingerprints, postmarks, handwriting, and typewriting.
If the threat comes via email, do not tamper with the email.
Whiting Management and Local Law Enforcement agencies will evaluate the situation and determine the proper course of action
Workplace Violence
Workplace Violence If you come into contact with a person who threatens the well-being of any person, the following may help keep confrontation to a minimum. • Warn other employees in the area verbally or via telephone. • Go to an area that you believe is safe and not near the threat. • Call 911 immediately! • Notify Whiting receptionist (ext. # 1100 or just press 0) so that warnings and/or evacuation orders can be sent to all employees. • If possible, tell others to evacuate the floor and avoid the area of the perpetrator.
Workplace Violence (cont.) In an effort to improve security within Whiting offices, we will be using a code name on our paging system if there is a problem. If at any time, should you hear the following over the paging system: “MR. WHITING, PLEASE CALL THE RECEPTIONIST” You should remain calm and stay in your offices until you hear further instructions or an announcement that all is well.
Severe Weather Procedures Move away from the building perimeter and exterior glass. Leave your office & close your door if you are located on the building perimeter. Go to the center of the building. • Elevator lobby • Restroom • Stairwell
Do not exit building unless instructed to do so.
Summary It is everyone’s responsibility to understand Whiting’s emergency procedures. • Whiting’s “Emergency Procedures Plan” for the Denver office is located on the Whiting Intranet.
Learn where emergency exits and relocation floors are located. Follow Floor Warden and/or PA system instructions.