Emergency Response Guide

Campus shooting incidents are highly unpredictable. An emergency notification will be issued instructing the affected facilities/areas or entire campus to implement Lockdown procedures. Proper reaction is dependent upon the situation and a number of circumstances, but the general concept is: run, hide or fight.

Run Concept

The best option for survival is to escape. Exit the facility/area immediately, if safe to do so, and try to accomplish the following actions:

• Quickly and quietly move away from the danger.
• Notify anyone you encounter to exit the area.
• Call University Police to report the incident and provide the following information:
  • Exact location and nature of incident
  • Description of shooter (race, sex, clothing)
  • Description of weapons (rifle, pistol)
  • Number of casualties/fatalities involved
  • Exact location, name and call-back number
• Leave campus or wait in a safe place to be evacuated by police.

Hide Concept

If exiting the facility/area is not possible, implement Lockdown procedures:

• Move to nearest room that can be secured.
• Lock doors/windows and close blinds/curtains.
• Turn off devices that emit light or sound.
• Seek protective cover behind large furniture.
• Do not answer the door or verbal inquiries.
• Call University Police to provide information.
• Reassure others and assist the injured.
• Wait for police to respond or the “All Clear” to be issued before exiting room.

Fight Concept

If you encounter the shooter and you cannot escape, consider taking the following actions:

• Do not make sudden movements or provoke the shooter.
• Physical attack should be a last resort to preserve your life or the lives of others.
  • Work together or alone to disable shooter.
  • Use aggression or improvised weapons.

Police Response Concept

• Primary objective is locate/neutralize shooter.
  • Need number and description of shooters
  • Need number and types of weapons
• Will not treat injured or evacuate occupants.
• Officers will engage suspects, if threatened.
• Everyone is initially treated as a suspect.
• Search and clear operation protocols:
  • If near suspect(s) when officers arrive, drop to floor, empty your hands and remain quiet.
  • Do not run toward officers or scream or yell.
  • Keep hands visible and obey commands.
  • Expect to be put on ground and searched.

Post-Incident Actions

• EMS will respond and treat the injured.
• Evacuation will be coordinated.
• Personnel will be escorted to secure areas.
• Communications & Marketing will handle media.

Bomb threats are usually received via telephone.

• Stay calm and pay attention to details.
• Write down information as the caller says it and take accurate notes, including:
  • The exact time of the call
  • The exact words the caller used
• Ask the caller the following questions and attempt to get the information passively:
  • When is the bomb going to explode?
  • What does the bomb look like?
  • Where is the bomb located?
  • What kind of bomb is it?
  • What will cause the bomb to explode?
  • Did you place the bomb? Why?
  • Where are you calling from?
  • Where do you live?
  • What is your name?
• Try to keep the caller on the phone as long as possible, and listen for and record the following:
  • Age and gender of caller
  • Speech pattern, accent or nationality
  • Emotional state of the caller
  • Background noises
  • Anything to help determine the origin of the call
• Have another person call University Police to relay the caller information as it is recorded. Note: The person should be far enough away to not be overheard by the caller.
• Follow University Police instructions.

A suspicious package can be a box, container or letter.

Characteristics

• Bulky, lopsided, rigid or uneven
• Missing postage or return address
• Incorrect titles or misspelled labels
• Leaks, stains, powders or protruding items
• Contains a ticking, vibration or other sound

Instructions

• Do not handle/disturb, and slowly move away.
• Record the location, description and mailer’s and addressee’s names and addresses.
• Clear immediate area/room of all persons.
• Notify University Police at 325-942-2071.
• If the package has emitted a powder or substance:
  • Instruct people in immediate area to wash exposed skin with soap and water.
  • Record names of these people and direct to a designated safe area to await instructions.
  • Turn off HVAC system and cordon off area.

Abnormal behavior may be displayed by someone who is threatening physical harm to themselves or others, appears to be out of touch with reality, or is acting irrational. The person could be having a psychological crisis or be under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Approach the situation by focusing on the person’s behavior and its consequences, and follow the guidelines below.

Illogical or Irrational Behavior

• Have someone notify a supervisor about the situation.
• Stay calm and stay with the person.
• Have someone notify University Police and provide the following information:
• • Description of the situation and location
  • Description of the disruptive individual and observed symptoms/behaviors
  • Names of individuals involved
• Be supportive/compassionate until help arrives.
• Maintain a safe distance and do not confront or try to detain the individual.
• Do not argue with or aggravate the individual.
• Have someone meet University Police to direct them to the scene and provide information.

Attempting to Harm Themselves or Others

• Have someone notify a supervisor about the situation.
• Stay calm and try to assist the injured.
• Call 9-1-1 if victims require medical treatment.
• Have someone notify University Police and provide the following information:
• • Description of the situation and location
  • Description of the disruptive individual and observed symptoms/behaviors
  • Names of individuals involved
  • Names of injured and description of injuries
• Provide first aid/CPR if you have been trained and/or feel comfortable.
• Have someone meet University Police and other emergency personnel to direct them to the scene and provide information. 

Facilities Management should be immediately notified of incidents that affect the facility infrastructure.

• During normal business hours: 325-942-2355
• After normal business hours: 325-942-2071

Power Failure

• Notify Facilities Management.
• If you are instructed to evacuate the facility:
• • Leave using the nearest stairwell/exit.
  • Do not use elevators.
• Laboratory personnel should secure chemicals to prevent vapors from reaching hazardous concentration levels. 

Flood

• Do not turn off electricity while standing in water.
• Immediately stop using electrical devices.
• If a sink or toilet is the source, attempt to shut off water supply valve.
• Notify Facilities Management.
• If you are instructed to evacuate the building:
• • Exit using the nearest stairwell.
  • Avoid areas of standing or rushing water.
  • Do not use elevators.

Evacuations are normally directed by University Police or a BERT member due to a perceived hazard, such as a fire or bomb threat, in a facility or area that threatens the welfare of those in close proximity. Evacuees should move at least 300 feet upwind from the hazard and not re-enter the facility or area until the “all clear” is issued. University Police may direct the mode (on-foot or by vehicle) and the direction of travel.

Facility Evacuation

BERT and Housing & Residential Programs staff are responsible for directing evacuations of their assigned facilities when there is a perceived hazard or when directed by University Police.

• Direct occupants to use the nearest safe stairwell/exit to evacuate.

• Ensure occupants move to the assembly area and are accounted for.

• Report the status of the evacuation to University Police via emergency call box.

• Help keep parking lots and streets clear for emergency responders.

• Ensure people do not enter the facility until the “all clear” is received.

Zone Evacuation

The campus is divided into three zones, and evacuation may be directed for one or all of the zones based on the nature and severity of the incident. If a zone evacuation is directed, personnel may seek shelter in facilities in one of the unaffected zones. If the entire campus is directed to evacuate, University Police will direct the mode and the direction in which the campus should evacuate.

Weather Advisory/Watch

An advisory or watch is issued when conditions are favorable for a specific weather event.

Notify appropriate faculty/staff of developing weather and begin monitoring the event.

Weather Warning

A warning is issued when there is an indication of an imminent life-threatening weather event.

Notify faculty, staff, students and visitors of the situation and implement an emergency action plan.

An ASUAlert severe weather warning will be issued for tornadoes and thunderstorms containing lightning, hail and excess winds. In the event of severe weather warnings, the campus population should:

• Implement shelter-in-place and alert others.
• Shut off equipment that is not surge protected.
• Move to a designated shelter within the facility.
• Avoid areas with windows and close doors to protect shelter areas from flying debris.
• Report facility damage and/or injuries to University Police.

Storm Shelters

Storm shelter signs are posted in campus facilities, indicating established shelter areas. If you cannot get to one of the designated Storm Shelters, move to the lowest floor of the facility, away from windows, and close all the doors to prevent injury from flying debris.

• NO PLACE outside is safe when thunderstorms are in the area!
• If you hear thunder, lightning is close enough to strike you.
• When you hear thunder, immediately move to safe shelter; a building or an enclosed, metal-topped vehicle with the windows up.
• Stay in the shelter at least 30 minutes after you hear the last sound of thunder.

 Lightning Strike

• Immediately call 9-1-1 to request medical response.

• Request that someone bring the nearest automated external defibrillator (AED) unit to the scene.

• Administer first aid/emergency treatment to the extent at which you have been trained and/or are comfortable.
  • If the victim stops or has stopped breathing, administer CPR.
  • If the heart has stopped beating, turn on the AED unit and follow audio instructions.

Note: People struck by lightning carry no electrical charge and cannot shock other people.

Significant rain events occurring over a short period of time may result in the flooding of roadways/low-lying areas.

• Do not drive through standing water as the vehicle may stall, trapping you.
• Do not drive through streams as the vehicle may be swept away by floodwaters.
• Do not attempt to cross a stream where water is above your knees because you may be swept away.

Floodwaters should also be avoided because they may contain hazards, such as chemicals, large debris, sewage or downed power lines. 

Severe Injuries

• Call 9-1-1 to report the incident and request medical assistance.
• Notify University Police at 325-942-2071.
• If there is no immediate danger to you or the victim, stay with the victim until help arrives.

• Request assistance from others to make notifications and/or help treat the injured.
• Administer first aid/emergency treatment to the extent at which you have been trained and/or are comfortable.
  • Prevent heavy blood loss
  • Maintain breathing
  • Treat for shock
• If you suspect a back or neck injury, do not move the person unless the situation is life threatening (i.e., a building collapse). Symptoms of head, neck or back injury are:
  • Complaints of severe pain in neck or back
  • Complaints of weakness, numbness or paralysis, or lack of control of limbs
  • Ongoing changes to levels of consciousness

Report all accidents/incidents to Environmental Health and Safety.

Electrical Shock

• Immediately call 9-1-1 to request medical response.
• Request that someone bring the nearest automated external defibrillator (AED) unit to the scene.
• Do not touch the person until he/she has been separated from the electrical source.
  • Turn off power via circuit breaker, fuse box or switch.
  • If unsafe/unable to turn off power, separate the person from current using a non-conductive item.
  • Do not attempt to turn off or separate the person from a high voltage source.
• Administer first aid/emergency treatment to the extent at which you have been trained and/or are comfortable.
  • If the victim stops or has stopped breathing, administer CPR.
  • If the heart has stopped beating, turn on the AED unit and follow audio instructions.

• Notify University Police and Environmental Health and Safety at 325-942-2180.
• Refer those requiring medical treatment:
• • Students: the University Clinic
  • Employees: an approved health care network provider
  • Visitors: nearest minor emergency clinic

Fire Notification Procedures

• Activate the nearest fire alarm pull station.
• Call 9-1-1 to report facility and location of fire.
• Evacuate facility via the nearest exit, notifying occupants as you leave.

Fire Evacuation Procedures

• Before opening a door, place the back of your hand against it to see if it is hot.

• If cool to the touch:
• • Open the door slowly and check for smoke.
  • Stay low and avoid smoke-filled areas.
  • Use the nearest accessible stairwell or exit.
  • Do not use elevators.
  • Close all doors as you exit.

• If the door is hot, remain in room:
• • If you are on the ground floor, carefully exit via a window.
  • If you are on an upper floor, call 9-1-1 to report your location and status.
  • Place a towel under the door to block smoke.
  • Open a window, if possible.
  • Hang a towel or clothes from a window to mark your location.
  • Stay low to avoid smoke and heat.

• Meet at an assembly point after exiting and remain at least 300 feet upwind from the facility.
• Keep all parking lots, walkways and roadways clear for emergency responders and vehicles.
• Prevent people from entering the facility.
• Do not re-enter the facility until an “all-clear” is received.

Remember: If clothes catch fire, drop to the floor and roll back and forth. If assisting someone else, smother the fire with a blanket or rug and notify an emergency responder for assistance.

The Hazardous Chemical Storage and Spill Contingency Plan provides guidance for how to safely mitigate and respond to hazardous material spills.

Spill Response Procedures

• Alert individuals in close proximity to the spill.
• Evacuate the area/facility if the substance poses an inhalation or other exposure hazard.
• Notify Environmental Health and Safety at 325-942-2180, and University Police at 325-942-2071.
• Provide the following information:
• • Type of spill (chemical/biological)
  • Specific location of the spill
  • The substance and quantity involved
  • Hazards associated with the substance
  • Any injuries/medical treatment requirements

Remediation Procedures

• Attempt to contain the spill to the extent at which you have been trained and/or are comfortable.
• • Use appropriate personal protective equipment: gloves, eye protection, mask, etc.
  • Use appropriate absorbent/containment materials and procedures.
• If you do not feel comfortable containing the spill, keep the area secure and wait for appropriate personnel to arrive.

For questions or concerns regarding chemical handling and storage, chemical spill response and/or laboratory safety standards, contact Environmental Health and Safety at 325-942-2180.

• Cease all operations immediately and evacuate the area/facility, alerting others as you leave.
• • Extinguish open-flame sources.
  • Do not switch electrical devices on/off.
  • Do not close drawers, windows or doors.
• Report the leak to University Police.
• After evacuating, move upwind, at least 300 feet away from the affected area/facility.
• Do not re-enter the area/facility until cleared to do so by University Police or the fire department.