Daniels Evacuation Plan INTRODUCTION Living in Colorado and working at a prominent organization such as the University of Denver, several hazards exist that could directly impact our safety.  The goal of this document is to identify these hazards and outline a plan to minimize their adverse effects. TYPES OF HAZARDS NATURAL HAZARDS Tornadoes.   Generally, tornadoes occur between April and September.  They are very unpredictable.  A Tornado Warning is issued when tornadoes are possible in your area. Remain alert for approaching storms.  This is the time to review where the safest places within the building are located, and listen to the radio, television, or the Internet for further developments.  A Tornado Watch is issued when a tornado has been sighted or indicated by weather radar. Severe Weather.  This includes severe thunderstorms, which can develop very quickly, and snow storms that will take longer to occur. A Severe Thunderstorm Warning means there is a severe thunderstorm in your area, which has produced high winds, hail, and dangerous lightning. This storm may have been reported by someone in the area, or indicated on radar.  Once you are in a safe place, stay tuned to weather reports, and follow any safety rules given.  A Severe Thunderstorm Watch means conditions are favorable for the development of severe thunderstorms which can produce hail, high winds, dangerous lightning and possibly tornadoes in and close to the watch area. If you are in the watch area, keep up to date on the latest weather information, as the watch may soon change to a warning. Earthquakes.  Earthquakes do occur in Colorado.  There are no warning signs and for a short period of time they are very violent.  They can cause considerable property damage. OTHER HAZARDS Fire.  Electrical fires are the most common.  However, cigarettes, matches, paper on hot plates, etc. can also start fires. Workplace Violence.  Violence is a deliberate act against a person or property that will result in either physical or emotional harm.   This includes physical assaults, threats of assault, and harassment. Examples include physical abuse, sexual assault whether completed or attempted, battery, vandalism, arson, menacing, stalking, etc.  The harassment of someone also creates a hostile environment through unwelcome words, actions, or physical contact not resulting in physical harm. Bomb Threats.  A call is received that an explosive device has been placed within the building.  ALL threats must be taken seriously. Power Outages.  Unplanned power outages occur occasionally.  They can be caused by a number of factors and usually do not last long enough to require evacuation of the building.  EVACUATION PLANS GENERAL  Each school and department will designate one primary and one alternate individual who will be responsible for insuring that other members of the school/department are aware of the proper procedures and plans.  Inherent with this responsibility is knowing where fire extinguishers are, possessing the ability to keep people informed, and staying calm.  If an evacuation does occur, these individuals will quickly check all of the offices within their areas to insure that everyone has departed.  They will be the last ones out of their areas.  It is also critical that the faculty members are made aware of the plans because they will be responsible for providing the leadership to insure the safety of their students during class. TORNADOES At work: DO NOT use the elevator, use the stairs. Go to P1.  Move away from the stairs to allow other people into the area. Avoid places with wide-span roofs or glass walls such as The Marcus Commons, classrooms, or large hallways. Get under a piece of sturdy furniture such as a heavy table or desk and hold on to it. Use arms to protect head and neck. If outdoors: If possible, get inside a building. If shelter is not available or there is no time to get indoors, lie in a ditch or low-lying area or crouch near a strong building. Be aware of the potential for flooding. Use arms to protect head and neck. If the building is hit by a tornado: Help injured or trapped persons.  Give first aid when appropriate. Do not try to move the seriously injured unless they are in immediate danger of further injury. Verbally call for help.  Expect medical personnel to arrive, but due to the possible damage in the area, it may take them some time before they can begin treating the injured. Get out of the building, especially if you smell gas or chemical fumes. SEVERE WEATHER Stay inside and away from windows and exterior doors, and listen to weather reports from a radio (primarily AM 850 KOA), TV, or Internet. In open country, find a ditch or culvert and crouch down low to the ground. Cover your head with your hands for protection. Stay away from trees and tall objects! EARTHQUAKES During the quake, if you can, get under a desk or table or stand in a doorframe until the quake subsides.  If you are close to an exterior door, get out and away from the building. DO NOT use the elevator. Help injured or trapped persons.  Give first aid when appropriate. Do not try to move the seriously injured unless they are in immediate danger of further injury. Verbally call for help.  Expect medical personnel to arrive, but due to the possible damage in the area, it may take them some time before they can begin treating the injured. FIRES If the fire is in your area, quickly assess the situation.  If the fire is small, use the closest fire extinguisher, then notify Campus Safety (x3000) immediately. If you are unable put out the fire, notify Campus Safety (x3000), pull an alarm, and get everyone out. If a fire alarm is sounded, close your office door and leave the building using the closest exit.  To help get an accurate accounting of all staff, everyone should meet in the circle area on Warren Avenue (University Hall, the Mary Reed Building, and the Iliff School border the circle).  This way we might be able to identify if someone may need to be rescued from the building as well as stay out of the way of fire rescue. Remember: DO NOT USE the elevator NEVER GO UP.  Once you have descended the stairs, never go up to retrieve belongings. IF SOMEONE NEEDS ASSISTANCE IN GETTING OUT OF THE BUILDING try to get them to either the north or south stairwells.  Let emergency personnel know that        someone is in need of rescue assistance and give them the exact location.  WORKPLACE VIOLENCE   If there is a threat: Tell the person to leave the premises. Call Campus Safety (x3000). During a confrontation: Keep talking - speak clearly. Never let your guard down. Avoid touching and no threatening gestures. De-escalate, never swear, laugh or ridicule. Present confident demeanor Ask someone to call Campus Safety (x3000). Reassure the aggressor. Be non-judgmental. Keep arms low. Speak in a calm manner. BOMB THREAT If a member of a school or department receives a call that a bomb has been placed in the building, DO NOT become an interrogator, but the questions to be asked of the caller are: When will it go off? Where is it? What type of bomb is it? What does it look like? Why did you plant the bomb? While the person is on the phone or immediately afterward, call Campus Safety (x3000) and follow their instructions. POWER OUTAGES If the power outage last more than a few seconds, turn off computers to avoid damage caused by possible power surges. Do not attempt to use the elevator. Remain in your classroom or workplace and follow instructions provided by facilities managers. If the outage is anticipated to be of extended duration, classes and/or work may be cancelled.  See evacuation steps for Fires below. CONCLUSION These plans may appear very simple.  There is a reason for this simplicity.  During crises, it is easier to remember and act upon the simple items versus a complex list. They are all common sense.  The bottom line to reacting to both environmental and other hazards is: “Get away from the danger.”