Responsible for the overall approval of the Emergency Action Plans, decision making during an emergency, and communicating with the Fire Department in an emergency.

FIRE

EMERGENCY ACTIONS

Upon notification of an emergency situation:

1. Verify that the Fire Department has been called.

2.  Inform the receptionist to make an evacuation announcement indicating where the Safe Refuge area is. Note:  Since all emergencies are different, the Safe Refuge area is never a pre-designated site.

3.  Instruct the employees in your area to evacuate the building immediately  – instruct employees where to evacuate to. Choose an evacuation site that is out of the way of emergency equipment and out of the way of danger. Remind coworkers to close doors as they exit.

4.  Report to the Safe Refuge Area to receive reports from Department Managers regarding the status of their evacuation, injuries, fatalities, and employees needing assistance. Department Managers will take a head count to verify all employees and visitors are accounted for and report to the Emergency Director. If anyone is reported missing report it to the Fire Department immediately.

5.   Assist Fire Department as needed:

      ·  Restricting entry to the building

      · Directing occupants to the Safe Refuge Area

 

AFTER THE EMERGENCY

·   Follow instructions from Fire Department, allowing re-entry when permission is granted.

·     Keep Department Managers and employees informed of the situation.

·   Be prepared to send employees home if necessary.

 

FOR ALL EMERGENCIES:

Be prepared to report all information to Fire Department personnel including the time of incident, how notified, departments evacuated, injuries, problems, etc.                                                    

EARTHQUAKE

PRE-EMERGENCY PLANNING:

Read General Information: Earthquake

DURING AN EARTHQUAKE: REMEMBER DUCK, COVER & HOLD

1.   Get under a desk, table or other sturdy object and hold on; or brace yourself against a wall. Protect your head.

2.   Stay away from windows, bookcases, filing cabinets and any objects that may fall or shatter. Do not dash for exits.

3.   Do not smoke or use matches or lighters in case of gas leaks.

4.   Do not be surprised if electricity goes off.

 

AFTER AN EARTHQUAKE:

1.  Assess emergency systems – see if fire alarms or sprinklers have been activated accidentally or if there is a fire.

2.  Check utilities and condition of building. Assist in shutting off gas, water and electricity, if necessary. Check building for damage and for injured occupants.

3.  Receive status reports from Department Managers regarding extent of injuries, hazards and building damage in each area.

4.  Assess damage and take emergency actions. Order evacuation or relocation as necessary. GENERALLY, IT IS SAFER TO REMAIN INSIDE THE BUILDING.

5.   Verify appropriate outside emergency services i.e. Fire Department, Paramedics, utility companies, etc. have been called. If regular telephone communications are not working, use cellular phone to call for help.

6.   If evacuation is ordered, assemble occupants at Safe Refuge area outside and away from the building. This safe refuge area cannot be pre-selected. It will depend upon damage caused by the earthquake.

7.   Listen to the radio for emergency reports/information channel 1620 AM CitiSOUNDS. Keep occupants quiet and calm. Keep occupants informed to prevent spreading of rumors.

8.   Determine if employees need to be sent home.

9.  Cooperate with Public Safety officials.

BE PREPARED FOR AFTERSHOCKS.

 

BOMB THREAT

PRE-EMERGENCY PLANNING:

1.  Read General Information:  Bomb Threat

2.  The bomber has a distinct advantage over the other criminals because he/she can pick his time and place from afar and use the bomb threat as a weapon to achieve his criminal objective.

3.  There are certain steps that can be taken to prevent a bomb threat. To do this, the access to likely hiding places (both inside and outside the building) must be made as difficult as possible. Some precautionary measures that can be taken are:

·         Control entry to limit access to likely hiding places.

·         Develop a procedure to inspect incoming parcels.

·         Keep exits unobstructed.

·         Control access to certain areas.

·         Maintain effective key control.

·         Maintain adequate lighting both inside and outside.

BOMB THREAT EVALUATION 

1.   The safety and security of all occupants is of utmost importance. Proper coordination will assure smooth handling of all bomb threats with the least amount of inconvenience to all concerned.

2.   The Police Department should be notified of all threats.

3.   The Safety Director has full authority to make the decision to partially or totally evacuate or not to evacuate. If a caller indicates that the bomb has already been placed in the building, evaluation and judgment regarding the evacuation must be made quickly. The decision to evacuate should be a cooperative effort between the Police Department and Safety Director.