9.5 Campus Emergencies

This section contains the recommended procedures to be followed during specific types of emergencies. It is suggested that the procedures always be followed in sequence unless conditions dictate otherwise.

Fire

Whether response by the fire department is required or not, immediately report all fire incidents to Campus Police/Safety:

Demorest Campus Police: 706-939-1349
Athens Campus Security:

Daytime: 706-433-1785
After hours: 706-433-1789

In the event of a fire:

Activate the fire alarm
Call 911 (dial 9, then 911 if calling from a campus phone) and give location of fire
Call Demorest Campus Police or Athens Campus Security and
If possible, leave the area immediately. Close, but do not lock doors behind you as you exit the building.
Isolate the fire by closing all doors on your way out. DO NOT LOCK THE DOORS.
Assist injured and disabled persons.
DO NOT use elevators – use the stairways.
DO NOT stop for personal belongings or records.
DO NOT stand in smoke. Drop to your knees or stomach and crawl to the nearest exit covering your nose and mouth with a cloth to avoid inhaling smoke.
If ignited, drop and roll to extinguish fire.
Stay out of the way of emergency personnel.
Notify either emergency personnel or fire fighters on the scene if you suspect someone may be trapped inside.
DO NOT RETURN TO THE BUILDING unless instructed to do so.

Trapped inside: If you become trapped:

Call 911 (dial 9, then 911 if calling from a campus phone), if possible.
Open a window, if one is available, and place an article of clothing (shirt, coat, etc.) outside the window as a marker for emergency personnel.
Stay near the floor where there is least smoke.
Cover your mouth with clothing to avoid inhaling smoke.
Do not open a door if smoke is pouring in or around the bottom, or it feels hot.
Shout to alert emergency personnel of your location.
Rescue: Do not attempt to rescue anyone. Notify emergency personnel immediately.

Evacuation (Apply to All Evacuation Situations)

Evacuate the building following emergency evacuation routes posted on doors and in hallways. Evacuate buildings to a distance of at least 500 feet from the building.

Room Evacuation – Students and employees may be asked to move to a shelter area in each building designated for gathering during emergencies. Room evacuation routes are posted inside classrooms, offices, dorm rooms and study areas.

Building Evacuation - Evacuation of a building will occur when an alarm sounds and/or upon notification by a Campus Police/Security or an Emergency Response Team member. Evacuation routes that identify nearest exit doorways are posted in all public buildings. Once outside, evacuees should proceed to an all-clear area that is at least 500 feet from the affected building. Keep streets, hydrant areas, and walkways clear for emergency vehicles and authorized personnel.

Campus Evacuation - Evacuation of all or part of the campus grounds will be announced by Campus Police/Safety and shall take place without delay.

Earthquake

Due to the sudden and unpredictable nature of earthquakes, as well as the low probability of this type of emergency in our area, there will most likely be no advance warning, making this a reactive situation. Campus Police/Safety will notify the various departments and offices of the University if an earthquake occurs. The Emergency Notification Plan will be activated as needed.

If you are inside a building: (Drop, Cover and Hold On)

Stay where you are until the shaking stops. Do not run outside.
Drop down onto your hands and knees so the earthquake doesn’t knock you down.
Cover your head and neck with your arms to protect yourself from falling debris.
- If you can move safely, crawl for additional cover under a sturdy desk or table.
- Stay away from glass, windows, outside doors and walls, and anything that could fall, such as light fixtures or furniture.
Hold on to any sturdy covering so you can move with it until the shaking stops. If getting safely to the floor to take cover won’t be possible:

Identify an inside corner of the room away from windows and objects that could fall on you and get as low as possible to the floor.
For individuals with mobility issues, or those who use wheelchairs and other mobility devices:
- Wheelchairs or other wheeled mobility devices: lock the wheels of the wheelchair and remain seated until the shaking stops. Protect your head and neck with your arms, a pillow, a book, or whatever is available.
- Crutches or other mobility-assistant devices: lean against an available wall, away from windows, glass, outside doors and walls, and anything that could fall. Drop the mobility devices to the ground and use your arms to protect your head and neck. Try to get on the floor away from glass, windows, outside doors and walls, and anything that could fall, such as light fixtures or furniture, if possible.

If you are outside when you feel the shaking:

Move away from buildings, streetlights, and utility wires then, “Drop, Cover, and Hold On” until the shaking stops.

If you are in a moving vehicle when you feel the shaking:

Stop as quickly and safely as possible and stay in the vehicle. Avoid stopping near or under buildings, trees, overpasses, and utility wires. Proceed cautiously once the earthquake has stopped. Avoid roads, bridges, or ramps that the earthquake may have damaged.

After an Earthquake:

When the shaking stops, look for a clear path to safety, leave the building and go to an open space away from damaged areas.

If you are trapped, do not move about or kick up dust.
If you have a cell phone with you, use it to call or text for help.
Tap on a pipe/wall or make noise, so that rescuers can locate you.
Once safe, be prepared to “Drop, Cover, and Hold on” in the likely event of aftershocks.

Lock-down and Shelter-in-Place

A lock-down is used to protect building occupants in the case of an emergency. This requires the residents of a building to “Shelter in Place” where they are located once an emergency is identified and declared by the President, or appropriate delegate, unless there is a specific threat within the building that requires them to exit.

During a lock-down, police and other emergency personnel respond to the emergency. Under the supervision of the Director of Facilities Management and Safety, and the Chief of Police for Piedmont University, the Demorest Campus has post certified peace officers and the Athens Campus has security guard personnel on duty from 4 pm to 8 am. The University is also connected to a network of law enforcement and emergency support that allows for a coordinated response across agencies.

Campus Buildings: All campus buildings will be locked to prevent entrance from the outside. The resident director, staff, or faculty member who has building keys will lock all exterior entrances. Students and personnel should not exit the building unless the situation in the building requires escape. Campus Police/Safety may not be available to assist in the locking of the buildings if an emergency exists on campus.

Faculty and Students: Faculty will move students to any lockable room in the building or remain in the classroom with the door barricaded if possible.

Residential Students: Students in residence halls must remain in their rooms with the door locked.

Staff: Staff will remain in their offices, or secure area, preferably without windows, with the door locked.

All-Clear Notification: All Students, faculty and staff must remain in the building they are currently in until such time as the lock-down status is removed. Notification of an "All-Clear" will be transmitted through all previous available communications methods. You should monitor updates via Piedmont’s website, e-mails and our Campus E-Alerts.

Weapon Threat / Armed Intruder / Active Shooter

Every situation is different and the threatened individual will have to rely on his/her best judgment as to the best course of action. Don’t let curiosity mislead you. Don’t assume, for instance, that the popping sound you hear must be a firecracker or sound from a movie being played in another classroom and go outside to investigate. Wait, listen, and if you believe at all that a dangerous situation is evolving, put this plan into action. Your own safety and the safety of others are the top priority. The following are general procedures.

NOTE: AT NO TIME SHOULD ANY FACULTY, STAFF, OR STUDENT CONFRONT AN ARMED INTRUDER.

Immediate or Imminent Violence: Upon hearing shots or being notified an active shooter or armed intruder is on campus take the following steps:

Immediately clear all students and staff from hallways, if safety permits.
Close and lock all office and classrooms doors.
Shut off all lights.
If blinds on windows, pull blinds down if it can be done safely.
Get yourself and others down on the floor and up against a solid interior wall.
Stay out of sight and out of the line of fire of any windows.
If possible, place yourself and others behind a solid object between you and any doors or windows (desks, file cabinets, chairs, and tables).
If a door cannot be locked, begin piling and interlocking tables, chairs, and desks—anything available—against the door to block it and create a barrier.
After securing the room, maintain absolute silence. Turn off radios, computer monitors, and silence all cell phones.
Allow no one to leave the secured area.
If you find yourself in an open area and unable to find a secure office or room to lockdown in, run away from the sounds of gunfire as fast and far as possible.
If running away may somehow put you in danger, try to get behind a solid barrier. If possible, try to hide in a location that is out of sight.

Notify 911:If you have been alerted that a shooter or armed intruder is on campus, 911 has most likely been notified. If you are the one responding to hearing shots being fired, immediately call 911 (dial 9, then 911 if calling from a campus phone) when you are in a secure area. Realize that 911 lines may be jammed with other calls.

If you get through, say: “This is Piedmont University. We have an active shooter on campus. Gun shots fired.I am calling from the__________ Building and if you have the information, inform the dispatcher of:

Number of shooter(s)
Direction of travel through or from building
Race and gender of shooter(s)
Color of clothing and garment type
Physical features: height, weight, hair color, facial hair, glasses, tattoos.
Type of weapon
Name or shooter(s) if known
Number of injured
Type of injuries

Follow law enforcement instructions: Remain in your secure location and do not come out until the all-clear has been given by law enforcement or an administrator known to you. An unfamiliar voice or voices may be the shooter or shooters attempting to lure you from your place of safety. Do not respond to any voice commands until you can verify with certainty that the commands are being issued by a police officer or administrator whose voice you recognize.

Ignore Fire Alarms: Once you are aware an active shooter is on campus, ignore any fire alarms. The alarm may be a trick to draw you out into the open. Again, stay in your secure area, be quiet, and wait for the all clear to be given.

If Confronted By A Threatening Person:

Remain as calm as possible. Be cooperative and patient.
Offer to listen. Do not judge or argue with perceptions.
Allow the hostile person his or her personal space (at least 3 feet).
If you are standing, stand at an angle to the individual rather than face-to-face.
Keep your hands in plain view, preferably at your sides.
Do not make gestures of physical contact that might seem threatening.
Keep gestures and body language open and non-threatening. Use a low, soft, slow voice when speaking. Ask/tell the person before you make any moves.
Be truthful - to lose credibility can be catastrophic.
Be observant. Note as much as possible about the aggressor, including type and number of weapons, state of mind, what was said. Pay attention to details about the space you are in. If you are released or decide to escape, this information will be needed by police to ensure the safety of others.

Bomb Threat

All bomb threats must be taken seriously. Bomb threats can be delivered in a variety of ways including in-person, via telephone or in writing. The most dangerous means is in- person; the most common means is via telephone.

Telephone Bomb Threat:

Remain calm.
If the caller allows you to talk, ask questions from the Bomb Threat Checklist; keep the caller talking as long as possible.
Signal a co-worker to call Campus Police @ 706-939-1349 while you continue talking. Call 911 in Athens
Campus Police should notify 911 and the President.
The President or designee will facilitate an evacuation of the building, if deemed necessary, with the assistance of Campus Police/Safety and possibly the local police and/or fire department.
Return to the evacuated building will be allowed ONLY after the Emergency Response Team gives the “all clear” notification.

In-Person Bomb Threat:

Remain calm.
Do not approach the individual. Never get close enough that you could panic the person or be used as a hostage.
If possible, try to segregate the individual from others.
Try to draw the attention of one or two others so they can call (in order) 911 (dial 9, then 911 if calling from a campus phone) and then Campus Police @ 706-949-1349.
Talk to the individual in a calm and rational manner; put the person and yourself at ease as much as possible.
Try to get the individual to speak; let the person do most of the talking; ask questions about the bomb, its location, and description.
Let law enforcement replace you as the negotiator when they arrive at the scene.
Once you leave the scene, relay all information to any other officer present.
Immediately write down everything you remember. Using Appendix C – Bomb Threat Checklist may be helpful.
Remain accessible to law enforcement until you are told to do otherwise.
Bombs/Suspected Packages:
If you should spot a suspicious object, package, etc., or if you suspect an item delivered to campus may be a bomb:
DO NOT MOVE, TOUCH OR TAMPER WITH THE ITEM!
Calmly notify others in the immediate area and evacuate.
If there is a fire alarm in your area, DO NOT ACTIVATE IT. You do not want to frighten everyone.
Call Campus Police/Security:
- Demorest Campus Police: 706-939-1349
- Athens Campus Security:
Use a campus phone and dial 9 for an outside line, then 911 for emergency assistance. DO NOT USE A CELL PHONE! A cell phone could potentially set off the package.
Stay calm when calling
Clearly state the type of emergency
Clearly state the location of the suspicious package or letter, your name, location and phone number from which you are calling.
Do not hang up until told to do so.
Call Demorest Campus Police or Athens Campus Security to notify them that 911 has been called and emergency personnel are en-route. Campus Police/Security will notify the President.
Campus Police/Security will assist with evacuation.
Return to area will be allowed ONLY after Campus Police/ Security or the Emergency Response Team gives the “all clear” notification.

Hazardous Material Leaks/Spills: (flammable, toxic, corrosive, oxygenic, cryogenic)

If a gas cylinder or other chemical container should begin leaking and if, in the judgment of the persons responsible for such materials, it presents any danger to them or the other building occupants the following steps should be taken:

Confine the substance: by shutting the supply valve(s) and shutting the room door(s).
Sound the building fire alarm: so evacuation can begin.
Evacuate to a safe area: at least 500 feet away from the building. Do not return to the building until instructed that it is safe to do so.
Call 911 (dial 9, then 911 if using a campus phone):
- Stay calm when calling
- Clearly tell the dispatcher you are reporting a chemical spill/release and the following information:
  - Name of material (if known)
  - Exact location of the spill or release.
  - Extent of contamination (i.e. water system, air handling system)
  - Quantity (if known)
  - Appearance & characteristics (i.e. solid, liquid, gas, odor, color)
  - Injuries
  - Your name, department, and phone number you are calling from
Do not hang up until told to do so.
- Contact the Facilities Management at ext. 1102 or 1144 and explain the situation. (In Athens, call Facilities Management at ext. 8185.)
- Call your administrator/supervisor.

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Section 9 – Emergency Preparedness Plan