09:19:00 Emergency Preparedness Evening Operations

PURPOSE

The purpose of this policy is to establish emergency preparedness protocol and guidance for evening operations when staffing is limited on campus.

POLICY

Safety on campus is the responsibility of each individual. As a guide to actions that should be taken it is the policy of Walters State Community College that emergency preparedness information will be distributed to all new employees upon being hired and attending a scheduled orientation. The full Emergency Preparedness Plan will be made available to all employees on the College’s web site under password protection. Emergency Preparedness flip chart guides will be posted in each classroom and office. 

Because of the limited number of persons on campus during evening operations, it will be important for all faculty and adjunct faculty, Distance Education staff and Campus Police to be familiar with the basic protocols for evacuation, relocation, lockdown, and sheltering-in-place. In most instances, the Emergency Message System (EMS) will be activated, clear, and concise instructions given. In all situations where Campus Police cannot be contacted, call local emergency dispatch by dialing 911. Then take the appropriate action as warranted.

EVENING OPERATIONS PROCEDURE

In the event an emergency requiring evacuation or relocation occurs during evening operations, primary responsibility for emergency notification rests with the Campus Police Department. In most occurrences, the Campus Police office will be the first alerted to impending disaster information. Upon receipt of credible information of an actual emergency, the on duty Campus Police officer(s) will activate the Emergency Message System for the building/campus affected. Faculty and staff should then activate the Building Emergency Action Plan (BEAP) for the building occupied.

Because personnel are limited during evening operations, it is necessary for all faculty, adjunct faculty, and staff to be familiar with the BEAP for the building occupied and to be prepared to initiate the BEAP should the need arise.  It will be the responsibility of the offices of Distance Education to ensure that evening staff are appropriately informed, trained, and understand the need to be familiar with basic emergency action and to assist in executing the BEAP.

Procedures for activating the Building Emergency Action Plan:

1. Notify Campus Police and provide:

1. Name
2. Location to include building, room number or area
3. Details concerning what is occurring and if there are injuries

   2. If contact cannot be made with Campus Police, dial 911 and provide:

1. Name
2. Location to include building, room number or other location.
3. Details concerning what is occurring and if there are injuries.
4. Remain on the line to answer any questions needed.

   3. After making contact with police, immediately execute the appropriate outside evacuation, inside relocation or lockdown/shelter-in-place plan. When possible, notifications should be made throughout the building. Evacuation or relocation should follow the outlined plan for the building occupied.

   4. If contact is first made with Campus Police, the on-duty officer will verify credibility of the emergency and will notify outside emergency service agencies of the incident as warranted. Local law enforcement or other emergency personnel may be deployed to assist in the execution of the Emergency Preparedness Plan. If time permits, notify Campus Police of the Emergency and action taken. Campus Police will also notify Distance Education.

   5. When the situation is under control, Campus Police will notify individuals at the designated evacuation rally points and/or relocation areas with further instructions.

10/19