Fire

Follow the general evacuation procedures as soon as you hear the fire alarm. A building occupant is required by law to evacuate the building when the fire alarm sounds.If there is a fire in your work area:

• First, notify the fire department by pulling the pull station and (from a safe distance) calling University Police at 911 (from a campus phone) or777-2393 (from any phone) to provide details of the situation.
• If you have been trained in the use of a portable fire extinguisher and are able to safely extinguish the fire, you may do so. Be sure you have a safe exit from the area and leave if one extinguisher does not put out the fire.
• Evacuate the building as soon as the alarm sounds and report to Building Coordinator (see "General Evacuation Procedures", Section 12).
• On your way out, warn others nearby.
• Move away from fire and smoke. Smoke is the greatest danger in a fire, so stay near the floor where the air is less toxic.
• Close doors and windows if time permits.
• Touch closed doors. Do not open them if they are hot.
• Use stairs only; do not use elevators.
• Move well away from the building and go to your designated Immediate Assembly Area (IAA) .
• Do not re-enter the building or work area until you have been instructed to do so by the emergency responders.

If you become trapped in a building during a fire

• DO NOT PANIC
• olate yourself from the fire and smoke in an office or stairwell
• f a phone is available, contact University Police at 911 (from a campus phone) or 777-2393 (from any phone) and provide details of your location and situation
• If a window is available, place a large piece of brightly colored fabric (shirt, coat, tablecloth, etc.) outside the window as a marker for rescue crews.
• If there is no window, stay near the floor where the air is less toxic.
• Make noise (tap pipes, bang furniture, blow whistle, shout, etc.) at regular intervals to alert emergency crews of your location.

Mental health emergency

A mental health emergency is any situation involving individuals in distress who are unable to appropriately manage themselves.

A mental health emergency or psychological crisis may include:

• Suicidal behavior
• An individual threatening harm to themselves and/or others
• A psychotic break (sudden loss of contact with reality and or bizarre behavior)
• An unusual or prolonged reaction to traumatic event(s)
• Any behavior that is unreasonably disturbing to the academic, work or living environment

Response procedures

• Contact University Police at 911 (from a campus phone) or 777-2393 (from any phone)
• Call the University Counseling Center at 777-2772 (Mon – Fri, 8am – 5pm)
• For any unusual or potentially dangerous situation:
• Never try to handle a situation that is potentially dangerous to you or others. Call University Police at 911 (from a campus phone) or 777-2393 (from any phone).
• Clearly state that immediate assistance is needed. Report your name, where you are calling from and the nature of the problem.
• All suicide attempts need to be reported to University Police so that proper procedures can be followed to ensure the safety of those involved.

Avoiding violent situations

Inform your supervisor of University Police about any individuals deemed to be threatening or dangerous.

Eliminate opportunities for violence by:

• Alerting University Police
• Knowing your escape route
• Placing a barrier between yourself and the aggressor
• Using effective people / communication skills
•  Having a second person with you.

Reacting to violent situations:

• Maintain eye contact and a positive posture to send out positive signals
• Do not touch or approach a person who may become violent
• Keep the person talking as you maintain a controlled, calm demeanor.
• Show concern yet maintain a safe distance; avoid being alone with the person.
• Call 911 (from a campus phone) or 777-2393 (from any phone) or have someone else contact University Police