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Environmental Health, Safety and Risk Management
Member, Texas Tech University System The Princeton Review - 373 Best Colleges, 2011 Edition

ASU Emergency Preparedness Guide

Mission

To supply the highest level of preparedness to the lives, property and essential functions associated with the ASU campus community by providing proactive efforts in preparing for and mitigating against all hazards, while utilizing a collaborative approach in responding to and recovering from any type of disaster

Objectives

  • Provide safety to all responders and the public by observing and practicing safety-related guidelines and principles
  • Protect life and property by applying appropriate tactics
  • Keep abreast of and communicate changes in conditions
  • Maintain communication and information flow with all responders and the public, as appropriate
  • Conduct all operations in a safe, cost-effective and efficient manner and do so in an atmosphere free of discriminatory or harassing remarks or actions

How You Can Prepare

An emergency can occur at any time with little or no warning. Taking steps to prepare for a disaster can increase your resiliency in an emergency. Being properly prepared for a situation prior to its occurrence could help save your life and the lives of those around you.

Here are a few suggestions on how you can prepare:

Emergency Preparedness Kits

These kits should be personalized to meet the needs of every family member. Supplies should be kept in a portable container with easy access. It is ideal to have kits located in your house, car and business. Here are a few suggestions on what to include in your kits:

  • Medications
  • Candles and matches
  • First aid kits
  • Battery-operated lantern
  • Important documents
  • Duct tape
  • Emergency telephone numbers
  • Extra batteries
  • Pet supplies
  • Battery-operated radio
  • Wind-up flashlight
  • Pocket multi-tool
  • Non-perishable, ready-to-eat food
  • Blankets
  • Water (one gallon per day per person)

In Case of Emergency (ICE)

First responders urge residents to add the acronym ICE into their cell phone lists of contacts. This allows paramedics or police to contact a pre-designated relative or next-of-kin in an emergency. When adding your ICE contact:

  • Choose a responsible person to be your ICE contact and record his/her information.
  • Inform your ICE contact of your decision.
  • Add the contact as a new entry and label it under the heading “ICE” (i.e., ICE-Mom).

CPR/AED Training

Being certified to properly administer Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and use an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) gives you the knowledge that could save a life. The San Angelo American Red Cross offers training sessions the second Saturday of every month. For more information, please call (325) 658-4409 or visit the office at 4202 S. Bryant Blvd.

Stay Safe

Read these tips so that you can make knowledgeable decisions during times of crisis.

Armed Subject

If leaving the building is an option:

  • Remain calm.
  • Exit the building quickly and quietly.
  • Tell anyone you see to evacuate the building.
  • From a safe location, call 9-1-1 and University Police at (325) 942-2071.

If leaving is NOT an option:

  • Seek protection immediately.
  • Enter the nearest room.
  • Close, lock and barricade the door.
  • Turn off all lights and cover windows.
  • Take shelter behind furniture.
  • Turn cell phones to vibrate or mute.
  • If possible, call 9-1-1. Inform police of the incident and your location.

Bomb/Bomb Threat/Suspicious Package

  • DO NOT handle or disturb the package.
  • Notify your supervisor and/or administration personnel.
  • Call 9-1-1 and University Police at (325) 942-2071 and follow dispatchers’ instructions.

Hazardous Materials Spill

  • Evacuate the affected area and move to a safe location.
  • Alert others to stay clear of the area.
  • Call University Police at (325) 942-2071 and Environmental Health, Safety and Risk Management at (325) 942-2180.
  • Provide the dispatcher with information on the type, quantity and specific location of the spill.
  • Follow instructions of emergency personnel.

Fire

If you discover a fire:

  • Activate the nearest fire alarm.
  • Use the nearest exit or alternate safe route to evacuate the area.
  • Use stairs only – do not use elevators!
  • Call 9-1-1 and University Police at (325) 942-2071, once you are at a safe distance from the fire.
  • Do not re-enter the building until instructed to do so by emergency personnel.

Flash Flood

  • If a flood watch or warning occurs for the area you are in, move to higher ground immediately.
  • If you are in a campus building that begins to flood, notify University Police immediately at (325) 942-2071, then exit the building for a facility that is not flooding.
  • Do not drive through flooded roadways. A small amount of running water can sweep your car downstream.
  • If your vehicle stalls in water, leave the vehicle immediately and move to higher ground.
  • If caught outdoors, climb to high ground and stay there.

Severe Weather

Remember:

  • Watch: Conditions are favorable for the development of severe weather. Remain alert to weather conditions.
  • Warning: Severe weather has been sighted in the area.

If outdoors:

  • If possible, seek shelter indoors immediately.
  • Lay flat in the nearest depression, ditch or ravine and cover your head.

If indoors:

  • Move to the lowest, most interior point of the shelter, away from windows and glass.
  • Avoid large open areas with free-span roofs, such as gymnasiums or auditoriums.
  • Take cover under heavy but stable furniture, if possible.
  • Cover your head and the back of your neck.

Evacuation

  • Fire alarms or oral notice will usually sound an evacuation.
  • Safely stop your work. Remain calm and orderly.
  • If safe to do so, close doors and windows, but do not lock them. Walk to the nearest safe exit via the stairway. Never use elevators.
  • Follow instructions from the University Police or other emergency personnel.
  • Go to the pre-determined emergency assembly area and report to your supervisor.
  • Keep all parking lots, walkways and roadways clear for responding emergency vehicles and personnel.
  • Never re-enter any building until the “all clear” is given by University Police or other properly identified emergency personnel.

Utility Failure

Flooding or steam line failure:

  • Stop using all electrical devices.
  • Notify University Police at (325) 942-2071 of the specific location.
  • As necessary, evacuate the area or building.
  • In the event of a steam line failure, evacuate the area by exits that avoid the steam leak. Call University Police at (325) 942-2071.

Gas leak:

  • Cease all operations immediately and evacuate the area, notifying others as you leave.
  • Do not switch lights on or off. Do not take time to open windows or close doors.
  • At a safe location, call University Police at (325) 942-2071.  
  • Do not re-enter the building until given the all clear by emergency personnel.

People trapped in an elevator:

  • If you are trapped, use the emergency phone in the elevator or push the alarm button and wait for help.
  • If you discover trapped persons, keep them calm and call University Police at (325) 942-2071.