EMERGENCY PROCEDURES Quick Reference Guide
TO REPORT AN EMERGENCY: 860.768.7777 cell phone Ext. 7777 campus phone Blue Light Emergency Phone Towers located around campus LiveSafe app Download the free LiveSafe app in your cell phone’s app store.
INTRODUCTION
This guide provides recommended emergency responses and general guidelines. It’s important to remember every situation is different, but being familiar with the following information and procedures will allow you to act quickly in an emergency. All employees and students should regularly review the guide. More detailed procedures can be found on the Department of Public Safety website, hartford.edu/publicsafety
CAMPUS EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS
The University of Hartford maintains an Emergency Notification System, providing communication on various platforms when emergency alerts or communications are required. All employees and students are automatically included in the system, and the end user is prompted via the network to update their contact information on a regular basis. The University also has outdoor siren alerts, which will only be activated in an extreme emergency, in conjunction with emergency notifications. Please visit hartford.edu/alert for more information on our emergency alert system.
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FIRE ALARM—
FIRE IN A CAMPUS BUILDING IN CASE OF FIRE
• Activate the nearest fire alarm pull station as you exit.
• Evacuate at the nearest exit.
• Contact Public Safety at 860.768.7777 or ext. 7777.
IF THE FIRE ALARM SOUNDS WHEN IN A BUILDING
• If the door handle is not hot, open cautiously.
• Help others leave the building in an orderly fashion as you are able.
• Do not use the elevator.
• In the case of smoke, crawl and keep low to the floor.
• Close all doors when you exit.
• If you cannot exit via a staircase, go to a stairwell and wait for assistance.
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IF YOU ARE TRAPPED
• Seal cracks around the door to prevent smoke from entering.
• Signal from a window but DO NOT break the glass unless absolutely necessary as outside smoke may be drawn in.
• Open the window a few inches to hang a brightly colored cloth out the window and signal the fire department.
ONCE OUTSIDE
• Do not re-enter the building, and keep a safe distance.
• Follow the instructions of the on-scene emergency responders.
• If possible, keep your class, group, or residential hall together, or form a group with others nearby, and do a head count if applicable.
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FIRE/FIRE ALARM
INJURED OR ILL PERSON IN CLASSROOM OR OFFICE
Immediately call Public Safety at ext. 7777 or 860.768.7777. Personnel are State of Connecticut certified Emergency Medical Responders trained in First Aid/CPR/AED who can triage and stabilize medical emergencies.
PROVIDE THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION
• Exact location of the patient and, if possible, the patient’s name.
• Call back information (your name and phone number) in case you are disconnected.
• Gender and approximate age of patient.
• Nature of injury or illness.
• Pertinent medical history, if known.
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INJURY / ILLNESS
WHAT TO DO UNTIL HELP ARRIVES
• Remain calm.
• If available, send someone to meet the officer.
• Keep patient still and comfortable. DO NOT move the patient unless they are in immediate danger.
• Ask the patient, “Are you okay?” and “What is wrong?” Does the patient respond?
• Check breathing and check for a pulse. If there is no pulse, you may begin to perform CPR or use an AED.
• You may assist the patient in controlling serious bleeding by helping them apply direct pressure to the wound.
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INJURY / ILLNESS
ACTIVE SHOOTER OR OTHER VIOLENT BEHAVIOR
If you receive an emergency notification or observe someone with a weapon with intent to cause harm:
EVACUATE
• Have an escape route plan in mind.
• Leave your belongings.
• Keep your hands visible.
• Encourage others to escape, if possible.
• Prevent people from entering an area where the dangerous person may be.
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ACTIVE SHOOTER
HIDE OUT
• Block entry to your hiding place, lock or barricade all doors.
• Close blinds, cover windows, and turn off lights.
• Silence cell phones.
TAKE ACTION
• This is dangerous, but depending on your situation, it could be your last option.
• Attempt to incapacitate the suspect.
• Act with physical aggression and throw items at the suspect.
When it is safe to do so, call Public Safety at 860.768.7777 if you witness an active shooter or other violent behavior.
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ACTIVE SHOOTER
LOCKDOWN ON CAMPUS
If you receive emergency notification of a lockdown on campus, please do the following:
REMAIN CALM
• If you’re outside during a lockdown, seek cover in the nearest unlocked building.
• If that is not possible, move to another building, or leave campus if it is safe to do so.
• Once inside, find an interior room and lock or barricade the doors.
• Turn off lights, silence phones, close curtains and blinds, and move away from windows.
• Await further instruction.
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LOCKDOWN
WAIT FOR THE “ALL CLEAR”
• Public Safety will send an “All Clear” message over emergency notification when it is safe to leave.
• Stay calm and be patient.
• Follow all instructions from law enforcement; do your best to cooperate.
• After evacuation, stay in secure areas until instructed otherwise.
9 LOCKDOWN
SHELTER IN PLACE
Shelter-in-place events are usually weather-related emergencies, but may be triggered for HAZMAT incidents or other emergencies. This may be needed if a local police department is containing a threat off-campus in a nearby community. When it is necessary to shelter in place, you will be safest by moving inside to a building space that protects you from the danger. Follow instructions in a text alert to remain in your building or on campus. Do not leave until an “All Clear” is received.
IN CASE OF SEVERE WEATHER
• Immediately seek shelter inside the closest sturdy building.
• Stay away from windows, glass, and unsecured objects that may fall.
• Seek shelter in interior rooms and corridors.
• Avoid large, free-standing expanses such as auditoriums and gymnasiums.
• Do not use elevators.
• Do not leave until an “All Clear” is received.
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SHELTER IN PLACE
IN CASE OF A TORNADO
• Seek lowest level possible.
• Crouch near the floor and seek additional shelter under a sturdy desk or table, or cover your head with your hands.
IN A HAZMAT SITUATION
• Many toxic chemicals have a vapor density greater than that of air, and will seek lowest ground. Do not shelter below grade.
• Close windows.
• Secure ventilation systems.
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SHELTER IN PLACE
THREATS
THREATS
Threats may be made by social media users or over the phone. While the person often wants to simply create an atmosphere of anxiety and panic, all instances will be taken seriously and investigated by Public Safety.
SOCIAL MEDIA THREAT
• If you see a direct threat or violent language on social media, report it immediately to Public Safety—even if you are unsure if the person is serious. Reporting may also be done anonymously through the LiveSafe app.
• Take screenshots of the language and send them to Public Safety.
• Don’t engage with the person on social media.
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BOMB THREAT
• If you receive such a threat, remain calm.
• Attempt to transfer the call to Public Safety at ext. 7777.
• If that is not possible, ask questions: Where is the bomb? When will it go off? What kind of bomb is it? What does the bomb look like? What will cause it to go off?
• Take notes on everything being said.
• Note any background noise, voice characteristics, the caller’s emotional state, etc.
• Report all gathered information to Public Safety.
Immediately report any explosion by dialing 7777 on a campus landline or dial 860.768.7777 on your cell phone. You may also use the LiveSafe app.
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BOMB
THREAT
RESOURCES
RESOURCES
Public Safety
860.768.7777 (emergency)
860.768.7985 (routine)
Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS)
860.768.4482
Office Residential Life
860.768.7792
Center for Student Success
860.768.4999
The safety and security of our campus community is our top priority. Thank you for your partnership in remaining informed, aware, and proactive.
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