Eastern Oregon University > Safety and Security > EOU Emergency Response Procedures

EOU Emergency Response Procedures

Overview / Phone Numbers

Police-Fire-Paramedics – Call 911

Police Non-Emergency – Call (541) 963-1017

Poison Control Center1-800-222-1222

Campus Security541-962-3911


911 Procedures

When to Call 911

  • Call 911 when life/property are in immediate danger
  • When you see smoke or fire
  • When you see a crime being committed
  • When rescue or emergency medical assistance is needed

When Not to Call 911

  • Never call 911 as a joke
  • Do not dial 911 for information such as road or weather conditions, power outages or directions

How To Call 911

  • Dial 911
  • Give the operator the nature of the emergency
  • Give your exact location; street address, building name, room number
  • Give the telephone number from which you are calling
  • DO NOT HANG UP

Mass Illness

Mass illness can be caused by disease organisms or by exposure to toxic substances. Exposure can result from skin contact, ingestion of food or water, or breathing airborne substances or organisms. If you or someone around you becomes ill, especially if the onset is sudden:

  • If symptoms appear serious or life threatening, such as shortness of breath, uncontrolled vomiting, altered mental status or unconsciousness, call 911 immediately.
  • Is there more than one person affected?
  • Does the illness seem to originate from or be confined to a specific area?
  • Did those affected engage in similar activity, such as sharing a meal?
  • Call 911 if multiple persons exhibit similar symptoms in about the same time period.

Disruptive Person / Workplace Violence

When confronted with a problem person:

  • Get assistance from a colleague and call 911 if there is any doubt about your personal safety or the safety of those around you. If the person verbalizes or engages in physical violence have someone call 911 immediately.
  • Be calm and polite but firm. Maintain an outward appearance of composure. This helps to defuse tension.
  • Separate the person from others but remain in the public eye; get help from other staff. Do not take the person or allow yourself to be taken to a private area.
  • Be aware of your surroundings. Do not let the person put you into a corner or other position from which you can’t flee. Keep the person at least a leg-length away so they can’t reach you.
  • Evaluate the situation and think carefully before responding.
  • Try to remain attentive, concerned, and avoid using a tone of voice which is loud or condescending. Empathize with the person and acknowledge their feelings.
  • Listen carefully for clues as to the person’s motivation and likely causes of behavior.
  • Do not physically touch, crowd, or confront the person.  Do not invade their personal space–imagine a three-foot ring around them that won’t be infringed on.

Person with a Weapon

If you observe someone with a weapon or hear shots fired:

  • CALL 911 IMMEDIATELY. If you observe someone whom you believe might be in possession of a weapon call 911.
  • Observe at a distance and provide the following information to the Police Department, if possible:
  • Your exact location and the location of the person or persons involved.
  • What is currently happening or what has happened. Are there injuries?
  • A detailed description of the person or persons involved, including gender, race, clothing, cap or hat, shoes and distinguishing characteristics such as facial hair, glasses, etc.
  • Describe the weapon involved, if known.
  • Describe any vehicle(s) that may be involved and license number(s) if available.
  • Under no circumstances should you confront a person whom you believe is armed.
  • If you are in harm’s way, take cover as quickly as possible. Close and lock doors, stay away from windows and take cover under furniture, etc. If you are outside a building, move away from the situation as quickly as possible and take cover.
  • Ensure your personal safety and the safety of those around you, to the maximum extent possible.
  • Do not attempt to rescue casualties; you may become the next victim.

Biohazards

Bio-hazardous agents are bacteria, viruses, or parasites which cause disease. The agents most likely to be encountered will be body fluids such as blood or vomit. If human blood and/or body fluids are encountered:

  • DO NOT ATTEMPT TO CLEAN UP.
  • Contact your supervisor and call Campus Safety & Security at 541-962-3911.
  • Secure the area to the best of your ability without touching anything contaminated. A trained staff member from will assess the need for cleanup.
  • If direct skin contact with blood/body fluids does occur, immediately wash the affected skin with hot water and soap, and report it to your supervisor.
  • If the skin area is intact (no cuts, abrasions, etc.) this is not considered an “exposure” and there is no danger of being infected with a pathogen.
  • If the affected skin area does have cuts, abrasions, etc., a post exposure evaluation should be performed immediately. Contact your local medical home.
  • Campus personnel who injure themselves and cause a blood spill should clean up the spill themselves, if possible, with a 10% bleach solution.  And call Campus Security at 541-962-3911 to report the incident.

Hazardous Materials

If a chemical spill occurs:

  • If toxic chemicals come in contact with your skin, immediately flush the affected area with clean water for 15 minutes. Use chemical showers and/or eye wash stations, if available.
  • Have someone call Campus Security at 541-962-3911 if you cannot do so yourself.
  • If there is any possible danger, evacuate the area.
  • Notify your supervisor of the extent and location of the spill.

Fire

If you observe fire or smoke:

  • Determine the location of the fire and what may be burning.
  • Call 911. Provide your name and the location of the fire. If in a safe location, stay on the line with the dispatcher until told you may hang up.
  • If you hear the evacuation alarm, proceed to the appropriate assembly area.
  • If the fire is small, you may attempt to put it out with a fire extinguisher if you have been properly trained. Do not jeopardize your personal safety. All fires, no matter how small, must be reported to Campus Security at 541-962-3911.
  • Evacuate your area if you are unable to put out the fire. Close doors behind you to confine the fire. Proceed to the appropriate assembly area.
  • Know alternate exits from your work area. Never allow the fire to come between you and the exit.
  • Before opening a door, use the back of your hand to feel the top of the door, the doorknob, and the crack between the door and door frame. If it feels hot, use your secondary escape route. Even if the door feels cool, open it carefully. If the door is hot, or if smoke is visible, do not open the door. If you have to move through a burning or smoked filled area, stay low to the ground or crawl. Use a damp cloth to breathe through if it is available.
  • Do not break a window unless it is the ONLY means of escape. Oxygen feeds a fire.
  • If you are in a room and cannot escape, leave the door closed, stay low to the floor and hang a white or light colored cloth in an outside window.
  • Do not use elevators.
  • Do not attempt to save possessions at the risk of personal injury.
  • Do not return to the area until instructed to do so by Campus Security.

AREAS OF REFUGE AND SHELTER IN PLACE Persons using wheelchairs should move to Areas of Refuge if available. If these are not available, they should shelter-in-place unless the danger is imminent. Shelter-in-place means remaining in a room with an exterior window, a telephone and a solid or fire resistant door. Call 911 and report the location. For false or needless alarms or an isolated or contained fire, a person with a disability may not need to evacuate. The decision to evacuate will be made by the fire department.


Terrorism, Weapons of Mass Destruction

A terrorist strike on a college campus will likely be limited in scope and may include suicide bombing, other explosive or incendiary devices, or releases of chemical or biological agents. More than one person may be involved and several incidents may occur simultaneously.

  • Report any suspicious person or suspicious activity by calling 911.
  • POSSIBLE SUICIDE BOMBER INDICATORS – A.L.E.R.T
    • Alone and nervous
    • Loose and/or bulky clothing, may not fit weather conditions
    • Exposed wires, possibly through a sleeve
    • Rigid midsection: Explosive device or may be carrying a rifle.
    • Tightened hands: May hold detonation device.
  • If an explosion is seen or heard, follow the guidelines listed under Bomb/Explosion.
  • Be aware of the possibility of a second explosion.
  • If there are unusual odors or a visible cloud, especially in an enclosed area:
    • Evacuate the area immediately
    • Call 911
    • If there is any physical reaction, such as tearing, coughing, difficulty breathing or sudden nausea, get outside to fresh air and seek medical help.
    • Do not attempt to rescue persons who collapse or become unconscious.
  • If you discover any suspicious device, package, envelope, container, backpack or other object:
    • Call Campus Security at 541-962-3911.

Assisting At-Risk Individuals

  1. People who are considered at-risk during an emergency situation include anyone with any condition, temporary or permanent, including sight, hearing or mobility, that may hinder them from recognizing or responding to an alarm or other directions that may be given, or who are not able to evacuate quickly without assistance by means of the stairwells. This may also include persons who do not understand English sufficiently to respond to verbal or written directions.
  2. Faculty and supervisory staff who work with at-risk individuals should meet with them to discuss procedures in case of fire or other emergency. It is important to recognize that those with disabilities know their limitations and abilities better than anyone else. As such, they may already know what is needed to safely evacuate them from an area during an emergency.
  3. Evacuation of at-risk individuals who are otherwise ambulatory, such as the sight or hearing impaired, should take place normally with other building occupants. These people can benefit from an escort, or buddy system, and should be provided one from within the class or work area.
  4. People who are dependent upon equipment for their mobility, such as wheelchairs or crutches, should use elevators unless directed to avoid by the fire department or other emergency personnel. If stairs cannot be used, these individuals must either be transported out of the building by other means or be protected in place awaiting arrival of the fire department. Manual techniques for lifting and/or carrying a person require training and proper application and should not be attempted by the untrained.
  5. Individuals that cannot be safely evacuated from the building should proceed to the nearest safe stairwell in the building with a prearranged escort and remain on the landing near the door with the escort. The exact location of all at-risk individuals must be relayed without delay to the 911 or any responding emergency personnel.

Bomb Threats & Suspicious Objects

If you receive a telephone threat:

  • Remain calm.
  • Try to get the attention of other staff members to help you.
  • Listen carefully. Be polite and show interest. Try to keep the caller talking, so that you can gather more information.
  • After you hang up from the caller dial 911 IMMEDIATELY to report the threat.
  • Check your work space and the areas with which you are the most familiar. If any suspicious object or package is noted, DO NOT TOUCH IT and keep others away. Call 911 immediately to report the object or package.
  • If evacuation is ordered, proceed to the appropriate assembly area.

If you receive a written threat or suspicious parcel:

  • Call 911 immediately.
  • Do not touch the item and try to keep others away from it.
  • If an evacuation is ordered, proceed to the appropriate assembly area.
  • Promptly write down everything you can remember about receiving the letter or parcel. Law enforcement investigators will need this information.
  • Remain calm and follow the instructions of emergency personnel.

Bomb/Explosion

Explosions may be accidental or deliberate and can be caused by chemicals, natural gas, propane, high pressure steam or an explosive device. If you see/hear an explosion:

  • Call 911.
  • Be prepared for possible further explosions.
  • Leave the area, if possible.
  • If unable to leave, take cover under a table or desk or in a windowless interior room, such as a restroom.
  • Stay away from windows, mirrors, overhead fixtures, filing cabinets, bookcases, heavy objects, and electrical equipment.
  • If evacuation is ordered, proceed to the appropriate assembly area.
  • Do not move seriously injured persons unless they are in obvious, immediate danger.
  • Open doors carefully. Watch for falling objects.
  • Avoid using elevators unless they are your only option.
  • Do not use matches or lighters.
  • Be prepared for fire or power failure to follow explosions.

Building Evacuation Procedures

1. All staff and students should:

  • Understand this evacuation plan.
  • Follow evacuation instructions.
  • Know at least two ways out of every building and practice using those exits.

2. When you hear a fire alarm or are told to evacuate the building:

  • Remain calm, leave quickly.
  • Check that all others in their work area are leaving as instructed and accompany or assist disabled persons and any co-worker who appears to need direction or assistance.
  • Report any person who is unwilling or unable to evacuate to emergency personnel or Campus Security.
  • If you are at your workstation, take personal items such as car keys, purse, briefcase, and coat. Do not attempt to take large or heavy objects or attempt to save possessions at the risk of personal injury.
  • Close all doors behind you as you go. Closed doors can slow the spread of fire, smoke, and water.
  • Elevators may shut down during a fire so their use is not recommended.  Proceed to stairways as quickly as possible and in an orderly manner.

3. Once out of the building, move away from the structure and go to the appropriate assembly area

4. Wait for further instructions. Do not re-enter the building until cleared to do so by Campus Security or emergency personnel.


Earthquake

EARTHQUAKE If an earthquake occurs:

  • What to do during an Earthquake:Inside
    • Drop, cover and hold on. Crouch in a safe place (under a sturdy table), protecting your neck and head.
    • If you cannot take cover under furniture, drop into the fetal position; put your head down and cross your arms over your neck and head.  Stay in this position until the shaking stops.
    • Avoid windows and unsecured objects.
    • Stay inside until the shaking stops, then evacuate the building.
    • Take keys, wallets, purses and any emergency supplies with you, as you may not be allowed to reenter.
    • Expect fire alarm and sprinkler systems to activate.
    Outside
    • Move to an open area, away from buildings, trees, street lights, and utility wires.  Avoid entering buildings.
    • Driving: Pull over, but not under bridges, trees, overpasses, or power lines. Stay in car.
    • If you are in the mountains be alert for falling rocks, trees, or landslides.
    After the Earthquake:
    • Be prepared for aftershocks.
    • Check for injuries.
    • Check for hazards such as fires, gas leaks, or downed utilities.