Public Safety

Emergency Procedures

Accidents and Medical Assistance
In the event of a medical emergency, immediately contact the Chatham University Public Safety Department at extension 1111.

1. Remain calm.
2. State your name.
3. State the type of emergency.
4. State the location of the injured person- be specific.
5. Indicate the type and extent of injuries- be specific.
6. State the injured party’s name, if known.
7. Do not hang up until the officer advises you to do so.
8. Do not move the injured unless there is a threat of additional injury.

Bomb Threat

1. The person receiving the call: Document an accurate description of what the caller says as outlined in the Bomb Threat Policy and Procedure. Keep the caller on the telephone as long as possible. This person should remain in the area to talk to the officers when they arrive.
2. Second person (if available): Call the Public Safety Department at extension 1111.
3. Instruct everyone in the area not to turn off any lights or electrical devices in the building.
4. DO NOT TOUCH ANY SUSPICIOUS PACKAGES, BOXES, GIFT BOXES, OR OTHER ITEMS YOU MAY NOT RECOGNIZE. Report any unusual items immediately.

Disaster Plan
The authority to declare a campus state of emergency rests with the President of Chatham University or her/his designee.

A disaster is any event or occurrence, which has taken place and has seriously imparted or halted the operations of Chatham University. All disasters must be immediately reported to the Public Safety Department at extension 1111.

The following procedure is to be followed after a campus state of emergency has been declared:
When a declaration has been made only registered students, faculty, staff and affiliates (i.e. persons required by employment) are authorized to be present on Chatham University properties. Individuals will be required to show proof of their legitimate need to be on the property. Those that cannot show proof will be advised to leave the property or be subject to arrest. In addition, only those faculty and staff members who have been assigned an emergency pass by the Director of Public Safety will be permitted to enter the immediate disaster area.

Disruption of Services
UTILITY FAILURE - If there is a utility failure (electric, natural gas, sewage, water, elevator or fire alarm), notify the Facilities Management at extension 1273 during normal business hours, for telephone failures notify Information Services at extension 1112 during normal business hours, after hours notify the Public Safety Department at extension 1111. In addition, use the following information for dealing with the failure:

ELECTRICITY – Some buildings have generators that will power emergency lighting. Use flashlights, light sticks or battery-powered lanterns.

NATURAL GAS –Turn off all gas equipment. Since heating will be affected: if cold, use blankets and coats to keep warm until gas is restored or you are relocated to another building.

SEWAGE - Do not flush toilets or use water. Use facilities in other buildings until system is corrected.

TELEPHONES – Use cellular telephones for communication.

WATER– Conserve water, use bottled water for drinking. Be sure to turn off water in sinks.

ELEVATORS – Do not attempt to remove trapped persons, wait for Facilities Management or Public Safety personnel to arrive. Do not use elevators during fires or natural disasters.

FIRE ALARM – Smoking should be discontinued in residents’ rooms until the system is back in service.

Earthquake

1. Remain calm.
2. Notify the Public Safety at extension 1111.
3. If indoors, seek cover in a doorway, under a desk or table.
4. Stay away from windows, shelves, etc.
5. If outdoors, move quickly away from buildings, utility poles, trees and other structures.
6. If in a vehicle, stop at the first available safe area.
7. After the initial shock has subsided, evaluate the situation. If there are no apparent aftershocks, and the building appears to be stable, remain inside until advised to evacuate. If it is determined that the building appears unstable, immediately evacuate the building and seek alternative shelter.
8. If it is determined that evacuation of the building is necessary, activate the fire alarm. The fire alarm will be used to notify the other occupants to evacuate the building.
9. Assist others in evacuating the building.
10. Assist any injured persons.
11. Once outside the building, all persons should meet in the designated meeting area for fire alarms.

Evacuation
Everyone will evacuate a building when the fire alarm is sounded.

1. Remain calm.
2. Upon activation of the fire alarm, all occupants will immediately exit the building using the nearest exit and meet in their designated meeting area (the meeting area should be at least 500 feet from the building).
3. Community members that are familiar with the evacuation procedures should alert others in the building to follow the same procedures.
4. Community members must assist the disabled in exiting the building.
5. Do not use elevators.
6. Once the building is evacuated, the Facility Coordinator or designee will conduct a head count to insure that everyone has exited the building.
7. Community members must immediately advise the Facility Coordinator and/or the responding Campus Police Officers regarding the possibility and location of any persons who have not yet evacuated the buildings due to injury or incapacitation.
8. No one is permitted to re-enter an evacuated building until the building is determined to be safe by the emergency service personnel and the Public Safety Department advises that re-entry into the building is permitted.

Fire
Remember R.A.C.E:

RESCUE anyone in immediate danger from smoke or flame.
ALARM by pulling the fire alarm and notifying Public Safety at extension 1111.
CONTAIN the fire and smoke by closing doors as you evacuate.
EXTINGUISH the fire using the proper extinguisher. If the fire is too intense, evacuate the area.

To use a fire extinguisher remember P.A.S.S:

PULL the pin.
AIM fire extinguisher at base of the fire.
SQUEEZE the handle.
SWEEP the spray from side to side.

General Safety
FIRE SAFETY:

1. All storage must be at least 18 inches below the ceiling.
2. All flammable materials/chemicals must be stored in an area approved for such storage.
3. Access to fire pull stations, fire extinguishers, fire hoses and fire exits may not be blocked at any time.
4. Door wedges used to prop open doors are prohibited.
5. Keep combustible items made or cardboard, paper, wood, rubber or textiles away from all heat sources.

GENERAL SAFETY:

1. If the use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is required to perform a task, it is mandatory that you wear the PPE.
2. Always make sure chemical containers are labeled clearly.
3. Know the location of and how to use emergency showers and eyewash stations.
4. Smoking is not permitted inside buildings except in designated areas.
5. Know what to do in the event of a fire or disaster.
6. Report all accidents and near misses to the Public Safety Department.
7. Know the location of the Material Safety Data Sheets for the products you use.

If you have any questions or concerns about safety or security, contact the Public Safety Department at (412) 365-1230 or safety@chatham.edu

Material Safety Data Sheets
(Hazardous Communication)

Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) contain valuable information on the safe and proper use of hazardous products and chemicals. In the event of a spill of hazardous chemicals, please refer to the Spill Response section below.

If there is an MSDS needed for a product in this department, contact the product’s supplier, retrieve the information from the Internet*, or contact the Director Public Safety Department. Know the location of the binder that contains the MSDS for the products you use.

*MSDS Information available at:
www.hazard.com/msds

Spill Response (Chemicals)
If you can answer YES to any of the following, notify the Facility Coordinator (if you don't know who the Facility Coordinator is, contact the Public Safety) to initiate clean up using the proper Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and spill clean up supplies:

1. Is the identitiy of the chemical known?
2. Is the quantity small enough to be controlled in this area?
3. No one in the area is experiencing signs of over exposure?

If you can answer NO to any of the above, cease activities and evacuate the immediate area. Then:

1. Call the Public Safety Department at extension 1111.
2. If the spill has the potential to cause a fire, explosion or serious health hazards, pull the fire alarm in order to evacuate the building.

Prevention and Compliance:

1. All chemicals must be properly labeled and stored.
2. If you transfer chemicals from a labeled container that is intended only for your immediate use, no labels are required on the portable container.
3. Follow the Material Safety Data Sheet's (MSDS) recommendations for Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
4. Spill kits must be available and readily accessible. Know their locations.

Weather Emergencies
Weather emergencies may occur in such forms as tornadoes, thunderstorms, heavy snow, hail or lightening. The most important factor when dealing with severe weather is early detection.

WATCH: Conditions are right for a severe weather event.

WARNING: Signifies that a severe weather event is occurring.

TORNADOES, THUNDERSTORMS, HAIL OR LIGHTNING:

1. If you see a funnel shaped cloud contact Public Safety Department at extension 1111.
2. Go to the basement or the lowest level of your building. Pick a central location in a protected area under stairwells or heavy furniture. Stay away from windows or chimneys.
3. Cover your head.

WINTER STORMS:
A winter storm warning is issued when heavy snow of four or more inches is expected in a 12 hour period.

1. Conserve energy. Close off rooms not used.
2. Dress warmly in layers.
3. Make sure you have a battery powered flashlight on hand.
4. Travel in daylight and only if absolutely necessary.

Timely Warnings/Safety and Security Advisories

 In the event that a situation arises, either on or off campus, that, in the judgment of the Chatham University Police Department (“CCPD”) constitutes an ongoing or continuing threat, a campus-wide “timely warning” will be issued. The warning will be issued through the University e-mail system to students, faculty, and staff.

Depending on the particular circumstances of the crime, especially in all situations that could pose an immediate threat to the community and individuals, the CCPD may also post a notice on the campus bulletin boards, providing the Chatham community with more immediate notification. In such instances, a copy of the notice is posted in each residence hall and academic building. Anyone with information warranting a timely warning should report the circumstances to the CCPD, by phone 412-365-1230 or in person at the Department of Public Safety.