How to Report an Emergency

To report an emergency, call Campus Police at: 911

Tell the dispatcher: "This is an emergency", followed by the following information:

• The nature of the emergency.
• Your name.
• The phone number from which you are calling.
• Your location.

Do not hang up until you are sure no further information is required, unless there is an immediate threat to your safety.

After notifying emergency personnel, watch for the arrival of the emergency personnel and assist in directing them to the appropriate location.

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Specific Emergency Procedures

Bomb Threats

Report all bomb threats to Campus Police at 911.

All bomb threats must be taken seriously. After Police personnel have been notified, evacuation may be necessary.

When there has been a threat, if you see a package or unknown object in an unusual place, DO NOT TOUCH IT. If you receive a bomb threat, try to obtain the following information:

1. When is the bomb going to explode?
2. Where is it right now?
3. What does it look like?
4. What kind of bomb is it?
5. What will cause it to explode?
6. Did you place the bomb? Why?
7. What is your name?

• Sex of caller
• Approximate Age
• Speech pattern/accent
• Any background noise?
• Phone number where the call was received
• Date and time the call was made

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Mail Bombs

The likelihood of your ever receiving a bomb in the mail is remote. Unfortunately, however, a small number of explosive devices have been mailed over the years resulting in the death, injury, and destruction of property.

What can you do to help prevent a mail bomb disaster? First, consider whether you or your organization could be a possible target. Some motives for mail bombs include revenge, extortion, love triangles, terrorism, and business disputes.

Keep in mind that a bomb can be enclosed in either a parcel or an envelope, and its outward appearance is limited only by the imagination of the sender. However, mail bombs have some unique characteristics which may assist you in identifying a suspect mailing. To apply these factors, it is important to know the type of mail your organization and your home receive. Look for these signs:

• Mail bombs may bear restricted endorsements such as "Personal" or "Private." This factor is important when the addressee does not usually receive personal mail at the office.
• Addressee's name/title may be inaccurate.
• Return address may be fictitious.
• Mail bombs may reflect/distorted handwriting or the name and address may be prepared with homemade labels or cut-and-paste lettering.
• Mail bombs may have protruding wires, aluminum foil, or oil stains and may emit a peculiar odor.
• Cancellation or postmark may show a different location than the return address.
• Mail bombs may have excessive postage.
• Letter bombs may feel rigid, or appear uneven or lopsided.
• Parcel bombs may have unprofessionally wrapped with several combinations of tape used to secure the package and may be endorsed "Fragile-Handle With Care" or "Rush-Do Not Delay."
• Package bombs may have an irregular shape, soft spots, or bulges.
• Package bombs may make buzzing or ticking noise or a sloshing sound.
• Pressure or resistance may be noted when removing contents from an envelope or parcel.

If you are suspicious of a mailing and are unable to verify the contents with the addressee or sender:

• Do not open the article.
• Isolate the mailing and evacuate the immediate area.
• Do not put in water or a confined space such as a desk drawer or filing cabinet.
• If possible, open windows in the immediate area to assist in venting potential explosive gases.
• If you have any reason to believe a letter or parcel is suspicious, do not take a chance or worry about possible embarrassment if the item turns out to be innocent - instead, contact Campus Police at 911 for immediate professional assistance.

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Chemical Spills

Any chemical spill should be reported to Campus Police
(911). Do not attempt to clean up a spill unless authorized by trained personnel.

If necessary, be prepared to evacuate the building. Following evacuation, stay upwind from the spill. All laboratory personnel should be prepared to assist in assessment of spills within their area. Steps should be taken to secure all chemical containers and gas cylinders.

All areas should have procedures for spill prevention, containment, and control.

Visit the NC State Environmental Health & Safety Center, which handles the removal of chemicals, for more information.

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Crimes in Progress

Do not attempt to apprehend or interfere with the criminal except in cases of self-protection.

If safe to do so, stop and take the time to get a good description of the criminal. Note height,weight, sex, color, approximate age, clothing, weapon possessed, method and direction of travel, and name (if known). If the criminal is entering a vehicle, note the license plate number, make and model, color, and outstanding characteristics of the vehicle.

Call Campus Police (911). Give your name, location, and department (if applicable). Advise them of your situation and remain where you are, if possible, until contacted by an officer.

For crime prevention tips, call Crime Prevention at 515-5963.

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Persons With Disabilities

Students, faculty, and staff with disabilities have special needs and problems in the event of an emergency. Preparation is key. Assign someone now to provide assistance for such individuals in the event of an emergency. Urge individuals with disabilities to maintain an extra supply of medications or supplies needed to cope with their disability.

Experience in past emergencies has shown that chances of survival for disabled individuals are usually quite good due to the fact that they have often learned to cope with obstacles on a daily basis. The campus community can help by ensuring that disabled individuals receive emergency warnings and are not forgotten during the response effort. During evacuations, those with disabilities must be assisted to evacuate using stairways.

WHEELCHAIR USERS: Frequently, wheelchair users have respiratory complications. Remove them from smoke or fumes immediately. If evacuation is necessary, wait until other building occupants have evacuated and the stairwells are clear. With the assistance of a Police Officer or volunteers, carry the individual down the stairs. Consult wheelchair users in advance as to their preference with regard to ways of being removed from the wheelchair, the number of people necessary for assistance, whether to extend or move extremities when lifting, whether a cushion or pad should be brought along, how they are carried on a flight of stairs, and after-care if removed from the wheelchair.

VISUALLY IMPAIRED PERSONS: In the event of an emergency, tell a visually impaired person the nature of the emergency and offer to guide him/her. As you walk, tell them where you are and advise of any obstacles. When you have reached safety, orient them to where they are and ask if any further assistance is needed. Remain with them as long as you are needed.

HEARING IMPAIRED PERSONS: Persons with impaired hearing may not be aware of emergency alarms and an alternate warning technique may be required. It may be necessary to get the individual's attention by writing a note or turning the light switch on and off, then indicating through gestures or in writing what is happening and what to do.

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Fires

IF YOU DISCOVER A FIRE:

Activate the fire alarm. Call Campus Police at 911 and report the type and location of the fire.

Be prepared to give the Telecommunications Officer information about the fire.

Use a fire extinguisher only on small (waste basket-sized) fires, and only if safe to do so.

Never attempt to fight a fire larger than wastebasket-sized. Even a small fire can generate enough smoke to cause serious injuries. Use the appropriate type of extinguisher. Always stay between the fire and the exit.

Fire extinguisher instructions:

• P - PULL safety pin from handle.
• A - AIM at base of fire.
• S - SQUEEZE the trigger handle.
• S - SWEEP from side to side.

Alert others and GET OUT. Move everyone away from the area of the fire; close all doors as you move in order to slow down the spread of fire. Walk, do not run--keep noise to a minimum. Do not use elevators. On stairways, use the handrails and keep to the right. Check all doors for heat (top and bottom) with the back of the hand. If hot, do not open. Assist people with disabilities (refer to the people with disabilities section).

If you are caught in heavy smoke, drop to hands and knees and crawl: hold breath as much as possible, breathe shallowly through nose and use blouse, shirt, or jacket as a filter. If your clothes catch on fire, DO NOT RUN! STOP, DROP, and ROLL. If you are trapped by a fire in a room, call Public Safety, if possible, to report you are trapped. Place cloth material around/under door to prevent smoke from entering. Retreat/close as many doors as possible between you and the fire. Be prepared to signal from a window, but do not break glass unless absolutely necessary (outside smoke may be drawn in).

Following evacuation, relocate away from the building, and do not return until you are notified by Campus Police that it is safe to do so.

ALL ALARMS SHOULD BE TAKEN SERIOUSLY. If you hear a fire alarm, evacuate. Thoroughly familiarize yourself now with all possible routes you could take to exit your building during a fire.

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Medical Emergencies

Report all medical emergencies immediately to Campus Police (911). Report the nature of the problem, your name, and the location of the victim.

If you are trained, give first aid. Do not move the victim unless imminent danger makes it unavoidable. Keep the victim comfortable.

Have someone meet and escort the Police Officers and medical personnel to the victim.

Provide all requested information. University employees should report injuries immediately to their supervisor.

Keep a first aid kit nearby.

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Utility Failure

GAS LEAK:

When there is a suspected gas leak within any building on campus, it should be reported immediately to Campus Police
(911).

If necessary, be prepared to evacuate the building.

As a precaution, avoid lighting matches or turning lights on or off.

ELEVATOR FAILURE:

If you are in an elevator that stops, use the emergency elevator phone or alarm button to call for help.

Never attempt to pry open the doors or overhead hatch of a stopped elevator. Such actions by unskilled personnel may result in injury. Specially trained elevator mechanics will take care of the problem.

PLUMBING FAILURE and FLOODING:

During working hours, call the Physical Plant (515-2991). In the event of flooding, call Public Safety at (911). Avoid any contact with electrical equipment or lines.

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