Evacuations are conducted when a situation inside a building is dangerous to people. The evacuation directive is issued to clear a room/building/site in a timely and orderly manner. Evacuation directives may come in the form of alarms, verbal direction from authorities, door-to-door, text or e-mail messages, or other means.
Lock-down procedures may be issued in situations involving dangerous intruders or other incidents that may result in harm to people outside site/college buildings. MEMS Team/Facilities/Director of Public Safety will issue a lock-down order by announcing (via speaker, bullhorn, text message, e-mail) and/or sending a messenger to each floor/classroom, or other alternate method.
In the event that a lockdown/shelter-in-place is decided, follow the direction of authorized personnel (Evacuation Team/MEMS Team/Public Safety Officers/other personnel delegated by administrator on duty.)
These directions will include:
- Go into offices/classrooms or secure rooms, lock doors, cover windows.
- Move all people away from windows and doors.
- Have all people get down on the floor.
Allow no one outside of offices/classrooms until the police/fire/authorized personnel give the all-clear signal. An all-clear signal needs to be determined.
EVACUATION
- Follow evacuation drill procedures and route. Follow alternate route if normal route is too dangerous.
- Take employee list/classroom roster and emergency kit.
- Direct employees/students to follow normal evacuation drill procedures.
- If safe to do so:
a. Close all windows.
b. Lock doors. - Assist with disabled and non-English speaking individuals. Immediately notify Public Safety of individuals in need of assistance.
- Proceed to assembly area.
- Evacuated staff will stay with their department. If visitors or students are evacuated, stay with visitors/students unless relieved by replacements.
- Account for employees/take roll again when group arrives at the relocation center.
Supervisors/Faculty:
When in designated assembly areas, account for all employees/students and visitors. Immediately inform response authorities of missing staff and/or student(s).
REVERSE EVACUATION
Reverse evacuation/shelter-in-place provides refuge for employees, students, and visitors within site/campus buildings during an emergency. Shelters are located in areas that maximize the safety of inhabitants. Safe areas may change, depending on the emergency. Be prepared to go into lockdown/shelter-in-place once inside.
- Evacuation Team/MEMS Team/Facilities/Public Safety direct individuals to assemble in safe areas.
- Proceed to the determined designated safe areas in each building. (Bring all people inside building(s)).
- Supervisors are responsible for departmental personnel accountability. (Faculty account for all students after arriving in the safe area.)
- Close all exterior doors and windows.
- Personnel will contact each classroom/department for a headcount.
- All individuals must remain in safe areas until notified by authorized personnel that situation is clear.
If advised:
- Turn off any ventilation leading outdoors.
- Cover up food not in containers or put it in the refrigerator.
- Cover mouth and nose with handkerchief, cloth, paper towels or tissues.
SHELTER-IN-PLACE/LOCKDOWN
Sheltering provides refuge for employees, students, and visitors within buildings during an emergency. Shelters are located in areas that maximize the safety of occupants. Safe areas may change depending on the emergency.
In the event that a lockdown/shelter-in-place is decided, follow the direction of authorized personnel (Evacuation Team/MEMS Team/Public Safety Officers/other personnel delegated by administrator on duty.)
- Fire/Police/Facilities/Public Safety will notify employees of a sheltering-in-place occurrence through phone, loud speakers, runners, text, e-mail, or other means.
- Employees/students/visitors assemble in safe areas. Bring all people inside building(s).
- Department supervisors account for employees (faculty account for all students) when in safe area.
- Contact Evacuation Team/MEMS Team/Facilities if employees/students are missing.
- All must remain in safe areas until notified by fire/police or authorities that situation is clear.
If advised:
- Close all exterior doors and windows and turn off any ventilation leading outdoors.
- Seal doors, windows, and vents with plastic sheets and duct tape if available.
- Cover up food not in containers or put it in the refrigerator.
- Cover mouth and nose with handkerchief, cloth, paper towels or tissues.
- In addition, if lockdown is decided, all students should take cover out of sight and stay low.
- Doors and windows should be locked, if possible, and opened only to students and staff seeking safety or police.
- Lower any blinds or curtains, and turn off electronic equipment that could alert an intruder to your presence.
Supervisors/Faculty if advised of sheltering in place:
- Verify information through Supervisor/Evacuation Team/Public Safety.
- Lock office areas/classrooms.
- Warn employees/students/visitors, if advised.
- Account for all employees/students and visitors.
- Stay with employees/students/visitors.
- Refer media to MEMS PIO.