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Objective

The objective of this annex is to define the actions and roles necessary to provide a coordinated emergency response by students, administration, faculty, support personnel, visitors and departments for �������� during an emergency situation or disaster. This plan provides personnel and departments with a general concept of potential emergency assignments following a event that requires the evacuation of a building, multiple buildings or the entire �������� Vestal campus.

Situational Overview

An evacuation of individual buildings, or the entire �������� campus may be necessary in case of fire, bomb threat, chemical release or any other hazardous situation that may arise. This document is intended to expedite emergency evacuations if authorized personnel give such an order.

Concept of the Operations

Employee Responsibility

• • Each building occupant should learn the location and operation of fire alarms and fire extinguishers in the work area.
  • Each employee should know the location of at least two exits in the buildings they occupy and be able to find exits in total darkness.
  • Fire doors shall never be blocked open or restricted.
  • Each building occupant must learn to recognize the evacuation alarm and know how to call he �������� Emergency Services Dispatch Center at 607-777-2222.
  • Employees should know where their building’s evacuation muster point is located and be prepared to wait there for further instructions.

Be aware of where emergency equipment is located. In some cases, you may or may not have access to such equipment during and evacuation. Emergency equipment may include fire extinguishers, emergency/first aid kits, Automated External Defibrillators (AED), emergency showers/eyewashes, chemical spill kits, etc.

In addition, know the locations of fire alarm pull stations in the area. In the event of an emergency, such as a fire, the alarm will need to be pulled.

Evacuation Procedures

Building Occupant Evacuation Responsibilities

• • Immediately obey evacuation alarms and orders to evacuate. Tell others to evacuate.
  • No one may remain inside a building when an evacuation is initiated.
  • Classes in session must evacuate.
  • Close windows and doors as rooms are vacated.
  • Proceed calmly but quickly to the nearest emergency exit.
  • Use stairways to evacuate if able to do so.
  • Follow the evacuation route directly to the designated evacuation muster point.
  • Do not reenter the building until authorized emergency personnel give the “all clear” instruction. In the event that the building cannot be occupied for an extended period of time, University Police, Environmental Health and Safety or other authorized personnel will provide additional direction.

Exits and Stairwells

• • Know of at least two exits in the area. Always use the stairwell during an emergency. Do not use elevators.

Evacuation Muster Points

• • Once evacuated, go to the muster point that has been assigned to your area. If you are unsure of where this is ask your instructor/resident advisor/
    supervisor/manager. This location is also listed on the evacuation floor plans posted near each building exit.
    • Once arrived at the muster point, remain at the location or proceed to a secondary emergency assembly area if directed by University Police, Environmental Health and Safety or other authority.

Persons with Mobility or Other Concerns

Students, staff and faculty are encouraged to self-identify medical conditions that may necessitate the need for assistance during an evacuation and/or emergency (i.e. respiratory and/or cardiac conditions, reduced stamina, limitations that interfere with walking or using stairs, vision or hearing loss or limitations, temporary limitations, lifting restrictions, etc.). Students may self-identify to the coordinator of disability services (in the Center for Teaching and Learning). Staff and faculty may self-identify to their direct supervisor or University Police.

Self-identification is voluntary and made available to emergency assistance personnel, if necessary. The Office of Services for Students with Disabilities maintains a list of students who have self-identified with a disability and will continue to maintain this list and share it with University Police each academic semester.

Use the following as a guide for your planning efforts:

• • Building occupants not able to egress through the fire exit stairwells are to move to a pre-determined area of rescue assistance OR an area that provides a barrier between them and the hazard and a window to the outside.
  • Place clothing or cloth out the window to attract the attention of rescuers.
  • Use the provided phone line or a personal cell phone to contact emergency personnel. If there is not a phone line or cell reception, the individuals should notify other individuals who are able to fully evacuate the facility to notify emergency personnel of their location. If the individuals are not able to notify emergency personnel via phone or through another occupant, they are to use the open window to yell for assistance.

Accountability

As college campuses maintain open facilities where students, staff, faculty and visitors are free to come and go, it is unreasonable to expect �������� will be able to determine 100% accountability for all individuals in a building. Although 100% accountability following an evacuation isn’t a realistic expectation, �������� University will make a reasonable effort to identify individuals who may be remaining inside a building.

Building occupants are expected to report to the evacuation muster point as soon as they have evacuated the building. At the muster point, occupants should identify themselves to an instructor, supervisor or staff member. The University employee collecting this information shall perform the following tasks:

• • Collect the names of any individual whom the building occupants report as missing or remaining in the building
    • Report this information to University Police and/or on-scene first responders immediately
    • If a building/class roster is available, staff shall compare the list of known evacuees with the roster to determine individuals that are unaccounted for.
    • Collect the names of all individuals that identify themselves at the muster point.
    • Maintain this information and turn it over to University Police or other official if requested.
    • Direct all evacuees to a secondary emergency assembly area if conditions present a hazard at the primary muster point (i.e. inclement weather, hazardous condition, etc.)

Types of emergencies

Fire

• • Activate fire alarm.
  • Call 607-777-2222 and notify University Police.
  • Notify occupants as you evacuate.
  • Do not use elevators.
  • Close doors to contain fire as you leave.
  • Feel doors. Do not open hot doors.
  • Only attempt to extinguish a fire if trained.
  • Assist persons with disabilities.
  • For those who need help, communicate that need.
  • Move well away from buildings to the primary emergency meeting location.
  • Never reenter a building after evacuating unless cleared by emergency personnel.

Suspicious Object

• • Do not touch or move anything.
  • Call 607-777-2222 and notify University Police.
  • Evacuate.

Hazardous Substance Release

• • Contain spill if trained and if safe to do so.
  • Call 607-777-2222 and notify University Police.
  • Move away or evacuate if there is a health risk.
  • Notify others and close doors as you leave.
  • Notify incident responders if you have details about the hazardous substance.

Campus-wide Evacuation Procedures

Once you have evacuated your building, emergency personnel may advise you that a campus-wide evacuation is necessary. 

�������� is committed to providing a high level of emergency preparedness and response and will provide significant assistance if it becomes necessary to evacuate personnel from the campus in the event of an evacuation order.  University Police will coordinate with other local law enforcement agencies to facilitate the most efficient plan possible.

Your cooperation is vital to the success of this plan. We ask that you follow the evacuation instructions as provided by law enforcement to the pre-determined off-campus evacuation sites. The evacuation sites used for a particular incident will be determined based upon the nature of the emergency and the needs of the community.  Follow the directions of officials for incident specific evacuation instructions.

The goal of this plan is to evacuate all personnel from campus as quickly as possible.  You may be directed in a route that is different from your normal path or directs you away from your desired destination. We ask that you follow the directed routes from campus and then identify an alternate route to your desired destination.

The goal is to get out of harm’s way. Remember that if there is a campus emergency, your goal should be to get out of harm’s way, NOT to get to your car or to take the same route you typically use when leaving campus. In some cases, it may be faster or safer for you to walk or bike to a nearby off-campus location to wait for further instructions.  Remember that your personal safety comes first, so don’t take any chances when it comes to taking the fastest and safest route off of campus. For example, if campus is being evacuated, don’t walk through campus to get to your vehicle or bicycle if it’s faster to walk off campus in another direction. You can always get your car or bike later, once the area is deemed safe.

The nature of the emergency may alter the evacuation routes. Be prepared to follow the instructions of law enforcement officers on the scene. It is also important to note that, depending upon the nature of the emergency, the evacuation routes may be altered.  For example, if the emergency occurs near a major intersection, that intersection would have to be removed as an evacuation route.

Mass transit may be arranged. Depending upon the emergency, �������� may arrange for busses to assist students, especially those who reside on campus or do not have transportation, in evacuating campus. If needed, designated areas where students can meet to take a bus will be communicated.