Emergency Preparedness & Procedures

Index

Emergency Operations
Media Relations/Authorized Spokesperson
Smoke/Fire
Tornado/Severe Weather
Workplace Violence/Individual with Weapon/Active Shooter/Hostage
Bomb Threat
Suspicious Mail or Packages
Demonstrations/Disorderly Gatherings
Earthquake
Evacuating Campus Buildings
Facility/Building Emergencies

Emergency Operations

Follow these procedures for the conditions described.  Depending on circumstances, changes in the procedures may be announced by the university’s Incident Commander or the President.  The Incident Commander is the Senior Vice President for Administration/CFO or designee in most situations.

Primary Emergency Procedures

1. Call MUW Police at 662-241-7777 or call 911.  When in doubt, call 911.
2. Give brief facts and stay on the line if requested.
3. Alert those in your immediate area.  Coordinate response with emergency officials.
4. Follow instructions from emergency personnel or W-Alert announcements.

Media Relations/Authorized Spokesperson

Accurate information can mean life or death in an emergency.  The university designates a single spokesperson to release timely facts as they are verified. Inaccurate information can cause confusion and potential harm to others.

1. Never speculate to friends, family, or the media about what is happening.  You may not have all the facts.
2. Refer questions to the Executive Director of University Relations. 
3. Designated spokespersons are:
   1. Executive Director of University Relations  662-242-3689 (cell, 24/7)
   2. University General Counsel   662-329-7104 (office)

SMOKE OR FIRE

1. Call 911.
2. Pull fire alarm.
3. Evacuate the building.
   1. Assist those with special needs.
   2. Close doors to prevent spread of smoke/fire.
   3. DO NOT USE ELEVATORS.
   4. Move away from the building.
4. Call MUW Police    662-241-7777
5. Follow instructions from emergency responders.

TORNADO/SEVERE WEATHER

TORNADO WATCH
Conditions are favorable for tornadoes to develop.  Remain alert.  Monitor conditions.

TORNADO WARNING
A tornado has been sighted or indicated by radar.  Emergency procedures will begin.

1. Sirens will be activated by local emergency personnel. 
2. A W-Alert will be issued.
3. Seek shelter immediately in an interior hallway or the lowest level of a building away from windows.  You will be instructed to SHELTER IN PLACE.
4. Make sure students in classrooms are instructed about a safe place to shelter.  
5. Secure laboratories.  Shut off gas burners or equipment that could cause health/safety issues.
6. Stay sheltered until further instructions.

EMERGENCY COMMUNICATION CHANNELS

1. W-Alert (used primarily if immediate action is required for safety)
2. MUW web page
3. Social media (Facebook, Twitter)
4. Voice-activated sirens
5. MUW Police communications
6. Also follow local media/weather channels for updates

TESTING TORNADO ALERT SYSTEMS

1. Tornado sirens are tested monthly on the first Wednesday at 9 a.m.  They will NOT normally be tested in inclement weather. 
2. The voice-activated public address system is tested monthly on the first Wednesday.  It will not be tested during holidays and university breaks.

WORKPLACE VIOLENCE—INDIVIDUAL WITH WEAPON—ACTIVE SHOOTER–HOSTAGE

WORKPLACE VIOLENCE/INDIVIDUAL WITH A WEAPON

1. If you see an individual carrying a weapon or witness an act of violence that threatens others on campus, report it immediately to MUW Police:  662-241-7777.
2. In case of a direct threat, building occupants should go to rooms that can be locked.  Lock all doors and windows.  Turn off lights. Close blinds.
3. Follow instructions from authorized emergency/law enforcement personnel.

ACTIVE SHOOTER

1. Stay as calm as possible.
2. Do not try drastic action.  Don’t call attention to yourself.
3. If you can escape the area safely, do so.
4. If there is no chance to escape, lock doors and barricade yourself; hide behind a solid object. 
5. Silence cell phones, radios, TVs, or other noises.  Turn off lights.  Close blinds. 
6. One person should call 911 with a detailed description of the shooter and situation.  Try to observe details that would help responders.
7. ONLY AS LAST RESORT, IF YOUR LIFE IS IN IMMINENT DANGER, SHOULD YOU CONFRONT THE SHOOTER.

HOSTAGE SITUATION

If you have observed a hostage taken:

1. Call MUW Police:  662-241-7777.
2. Stay as calm as possible.  Provide as much description as you can of the hostage-taker and situation.

If you are part of the hostage situation:

1. Do what you are told without argument. 
2. Speak only when spoken to and only when necessary.
3. Do not try to negotiate.
4. Try to stay away from windows and doors, where law enforcement officers might enter. 

BOMB THREAT

THREAT RECEIVED BY PHONE AT AN OFFICE

1. Try to get as much information as you can from the caller.  [Refer to Bomb Threat Checklist in this booklet.]
2. If someone else is in the office, develop a signal that alerts the person to listen in on the call.
3. Take quick notes.  What was the voice like? Was there background noise? Were there distinguishing details?
4. Once you hang up, immediately call campus police:  662-241-7777. 
5. Prepare to evacuate the building.

THREATS RECEIVED BY MAIL OR E-MAIL

1. Do not throw away or delete any possible evidence.
2. Call MUW Police immediately:  662-241-7777.

BOMB THREAT INFORMATION CHECKLIST

SUSPICIOUS MAIL OR PACKAGES

If you receive a suspicious piece of mail or package on campus:

1. Immediately call MUW Police:  662-241-7777.
2. Do NOT handle the suspicious article.  Let emergency personnel decide how to handle.
3. Anyone who has previously handled the suspicious article should be identified. They may need to be isolated.
4. The Incident Commander or MUW Police will determine the next steps.

DEMONSTRATIONS/DISORDERLY GATHERINGS

Not all demonstrations are unlawful.  They may be permissible if they:
–Do not disrupt classwork or involve substantial disorder to campus
–Do not invade the rights of others

If a demonstration interferes with normal campus activities or is disruptive:

1. Call your supervisor and MUW Police:  662-241-7777.
2. The MUW Police will notify the Vice President for Student Affairs. 
3. Remain in your office or classroom.

EARTHQUAKE

While unlikely, there is a remote possibility of an earthquake in the region.  If an earthquake occurs:

CLASSROOM OR OFFICE

1. Shelter in place underneath a desk or table.
2. Stay away from windows, shelving, or large freestanding furniture such as partitions.
3. Use drop-and-cover technique. Drop to both knees, and with both hands behind neck, bend forward and cover face in arms.
4. If jackets or backpacks are nearby, use them for added protection.
5. Once the event is over, evacuate and move away from the building.

OUTDOORS

1. Move to an open space away from buildings, power lines, lights poles, and trees.
2. Use drop-and-cover technique in an OPEN space. 

DRIVING

1. Stop the vehicle away from buildings, power lines, bridges, and overpasses.
2. Stay in your vehicle until the event is over.
3. Proceed with caution, avoiding downed power lines, or potentially damaged bridges or ramps.

IN ALL SITUATIONS

1. Anticipate the aftershock.  It will come.
2. Wait for instructions from emergency/law enforcement personnel.

EVACUATING CAMPUS BUILDINGS

WHEN DO YOU EVACUATE?

–When the fire alarm is sounded
–When emergency or law enforcement personnel direct evacuation
–When the Incident Commander/administrative personnel determine the need for evacuation

WHAT IS THE EVACUATION PROCEDURE?

1. Faculty should bring the class attendance list. Leave the building in an orderly manner. Students should stay with their class and instructor.
2. Staff members should follow similar procedures.
3. Assist anyone with special needs; or notify emergency responder of special needs.
4. Once outside, all should convene in a central location.

ONCE OUTSIDE, WHAT ARE THE PROCEDURES?

1. Check class/staff rosters to be sure everyone has evacuated.
2. If someone remains in the building, notify the nearest emergency responder.
3. Classes/office staff should remain together until released by authorities.  Emergency/law enforcement personnel must have access to continue to work the scene.

FACILITY/BUILDING EMERGENCIES

PERSON STUCK IN ELEVATOR

1. Turn on the elevator alarm or use the emergency phone
2. Call MUW Police:  662-241-7777

PLUMBING FAILURE/FLOODING

1. Call Facilities:  662-329-7396
2. After hours, call MUW Police:  662-241-7777

INTERIOR GAS LEAKS

1. If gas is smelled inside a building, the fire alarm is pulled, the building is to be evacuated, call 911 and Campus Police: 662-241-7777.
2. Columbus Fire and Rescue will arrive and make sure that everyone is evacuated, 911 will call Atmos Energy and investigate the smell.
3. Campus Police will respond to make sure that no enters or reenters the building.
4. After the investigation is completed, Columbus Fire and Rescue will notify Campus Police whether or not the building is safe to reenter.

EXTERIOR GAS LEAKS

1. If gas is smelled outside, the individual will call Campus Police: 662-241-7777.
2. Campus Police will respond to the reported area.
3. Campus Police will contact 911 and report the smell of gas.
4. 911 will contact Atmos Energy and report the smell of gas.
5. Columbus Fire and Rescue along with Atmos Energy will respond and investigate the smell.