GENERAL
EMERGENCY PROCEDURES
When you become aware of an emergency situation
where life or property is threatened, contact Case Police dispatch
immediately at 368-3333. It is imperative that everyone
follows the directives of emergency response personnel.
This includes Case Police/Security, Case Safety, local Police
and Fire/EMS personnel. Know the location of safety equipment
in your work area and how to use it. Familiarize yourself
with emergency evacuation routes for your building.
WHAT YOU SHOULD DO
Calmly tell the dispatcher:
- Who you are
- Where you are
- The nature of the emergency
- If anyone needs medical attention
- Any circumstances that may help or impede response personnel
- What phone number you can be contacted at, if any
- Try to remain calm and inform others that help is coming
and follow any directions given by dispatchers or emergency
personnel
WHAT WILL HAPPEN
The dispatcher may ask for additional information from you and/or
give you directions on proper response
- The dispatcher will contact appropriate emergency response
agencies, Case Police/security and other campus resources
as necessary
- The Case Police supervisor will coordinate the response
- Emergency personnel will handle the situation and give
further instruction to affected persons
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EVACUATION
CRIMINAL
INCIDENT
WHAT YOU SHOULD DO
- Report any crime in progress on campus to Case Police dispatch
at 368-3333
- Report any crime in progress off campus in University Circle
to the University Circle Police at 368-2222, or call 9-1-1.
- In both cases, tell the dispatcher your name and your
location
- Give a description of what is taking place
- Give a thorough description of any suspect(s); physical
description, clothing, vehicle information and direction
of travel
- Tell the dispatcher if there are any injuries and the
extent of those injuries
- Give the dispatcher a call back number if more information
is needed
- To report routine or non-emergency incidents, call Police
dispatch at 368-3333
WHAT WILL HAPPEN
- Case and/or University Circle Police officers will respond
to the incident, take appropriate action, render any assistance
needed and gather report information. Other agencies or Case
personnel will be notified as necessary
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MEDICAL
EMERGENCY
WHAT YOU SHOULD DO
- Call Case Police dispatch at 368-3333
- Give the dispatcher the following information
a) Your name
b) The location of the injured/ill person(s)
c) Type of injury or illness
d) Approximate age of victim(s)
e) Is the victim conscious?
f) Is the victim breathing?
g) Is the victim bleeding?
h) Any known medical condition of the victim(s)
i) Give a call back phone number in case there is a need
for more information
- Do not move the victim(s)
- Do not attempt to give medical care unless you are trained
to do so
- Stay with the victim(s) and reassure him/her until help
arrives
WHAT WILL HAPPEN
- The dispatcher will notify police and EMS if it appears
necessary from information gathered
- Police or security officers will respond and assess the
situation for further response. EMS will be notified
if necessary and not already done
- Police or security officers will give medical care if
needed, according to their training until EMS arrives
If the victim(s) are ambulatory and do not need EMS, the University
Circle Police will provide a transport to University Hospital.
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FIRE
WHAT YOU SHOULD DO
- If you smell or see smoke or fire, begin evacuation by pulling
an alarm station
- Call Case Police dispatch at 368-3333 if it is safe to do
so
a) Tell the dispatcher your name
b) Give the dispatcher the exact location of the fire and
any other information you may have about the fire
- Do not attempt to fight the fire yourself unless you have
been trained in the use of
firefighting equipment and it is safe to do so.
- Evacuate the building, closing doors behind you to contain
the fire. Exit via stairwells only, DO NOT attempt to use
elevators.
- Exit quickly and do not attempt to take anything with you
- Assist disabled persons or direct emergency personnel to
them
- Do not let the fire or heavy smoke come between you and
an exit.
- If you get caught in heavy smoke, take short breaths, crouch
down or crawl.
- If the fire or smoke keeps you from exiting the building,
go to a room far away from the fire, shut the door, open or
break open a window and signal for help
- Once outside a safe distance from the building, return to
the building only when instructed to do so by emergency personnel
WHAT WILL HAPPEN
- The dispatcher will notify the appropriate Fire Department
and Case Police/Security.
- Case Police/Security will respond and coordinate with the
responding fire personnel.
- Once the actual fire or fire alarm situation is resolved,
Case Police/Security or the fire personnel will give the clear
to re-enter the building or will give other directions
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HAZARDOUS
MATERIALS INCIDENT
WHAT YOU SHOULD DO
- Call Case Police dispatch at 368-3333
- Tell the dispatcher your name
- Give the exact location of the hazardous material spill/release
- If possible give the source, character, amount and extent
of the material spill/release
- Notify the dispatcher of any injuries associated with
the incident
- Leave a call back phone number if further information
is needed
- Shut windows, turn off open flames and open hoods in the
area
- Keep others from entering the affected area
- Stay a safe distance from the material that has been spilled
or released and wait for Police/security officers or Safety
personnel to arrive
WHAT WILL HAPPEN
- The responding police or security officer will contain the
scene and tend to any injured persons
- The responding officer will communicate initial findings
to the police supervisor and dispatcher
- Police will notify the responsible facility personnel, Safety
Services and other Case personnel as needed.
- Police/security will notify state or local agencies if their
help is needed or if notification is required
- Evacuation, containment and clean up will be conducted as
directed by the Safety Services representative or state/local
agency incident commander
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BOMB
THREAT
WHAT YOU SHOULD DO
- If you receive a phone call bomb threat, listen carefully
and write down everything that is said, starting with the
exact time of the call
- Keep the caller talking as long as possible and ask the
following:
- Ask the caller to identify him/herself
- Where is the bomb located?
- When will the bomb go off?
- What type of bomb is it?
- What does the bomb look like?
- Why was the bomb planted?
- Determine caller characteristics
- Age
- Male/female
- Accent
- Voice characteristics (calm, nervous, excited, laughing)
- Listen for background noises; other voices, traffic, airplanes,
trains, machinery, music etc.
- Call Police dispatch at 368-3333 immediately after finishing
the call.
- Give the dispatcher your name, phone extension, and
room number
- Tell the dispatcher that you received a bomb threat
and give a basic description of the nature of the call
- Stay in the area so that you can meet with the responding
officer
WHAT WILL HAPPEN
- The dispatcher will notify Case Police and the University
Circle Police
- The dispatcher will also notify the Cleveland Police Bomb
Squad
- Case Police and University Circle Police will conduct a
search of the building(s) mentioned.
- After speaking with the person who took the call, University
officials and University Circle Police, in conjunction with
the Cleveland Police, will decide what further action should
be taken, including possible evacuation
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SUSPICIOUS
OBJECT
WHAT YOU SHOULD DO
- If you see or become aware of a suspicious object or receive
a suspicious letter or parcel, do not handle it or allow anyone
to go near it
- Call Case Police dispatch at 368-3333
- Tell the dispatcher your name, phone extension and room
number
- Tell the dispatcher why you think the object is suspicious
- Wait for the responding officer to arrive to give further
information
WHAT WILL HAPPEN
- The dispatcher will notify Case Police and University Circle
Police
- Responding officers will meet with the caller to gather
information
- Case Police and University Circle Police management will
decide if further actions areneeded after consulting with
University officials. This may include evacuation, notification
of Case Safety Services, Cleveland Police Bomb Squad or Cleveland
Fire Department
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SHELTER
IN PLACE
An incident may occur which dictates you
remain inside a building during an emergency. A decision to
shelter in place may or may not be obvious based on information
known to you at the time. Your decision to shelter in place
may come from first responders’ instructions, or may be
made on your own initially. This decision should be made based
on what gives you the best chance of remaining safe and avoiding
putting yourself in a more harmful situation.
Factors to consider when deciding whether to evacuate or shelter
in place include:
- Where is the threat now and where is it likely going?
- Where will I be safest now, and in the near future?
- Will I be more likely to get help for myself and others by
evacuating or staying in place?
- Does this space provide adequate safe shelter for the emergency
at hand:
i.e. locking door, place to take cover/hide, availability of
more than one exit, windows to
allow alerting and rescue, phone/internet/e-mail available?
WHEN TO SHELTER IN PLACE
- When a tornado warning is sounded (find appropriate shelter
within the building)
- During a hostile intruder/active shooter situation
- During a hostage/barricade situation
- During a power failure
- If you cannot leave due to being trapped by a fire or hazardous
materials release
- Any other situation where it is apparent that leaving will
put you in a potentially more harmful situation than staying
in place.
- When instructed to do so by University or local first responders/emergency
personnel
WHEN NOT TO SHELTER IN PLACE (EVACUATE)
- Anytime you hear a fire alarm bell/horn sounding
- If you smell smoke or know there is an actual fire or hazardous
material release, and you have a safe evacuation route away
from danger.
- Any other situation where it is apparent that staying in
place will put you in a potentially more harmful situation
than leaving.
- When instructed to do so by University or local first responders/emergency
personnel
WHAT TO DO IF YOU MUST SHELTER IN PLACE
- If it is safe to do so, move to an area furthest away from
the incident/hazard.
- As soon as possible, if it is safe to do so, notify emergency
responders (368-3333 on campus or 9-1-1) and keep responders
informed of changes in your situation
- Be aware of your surroundings and be ready to move quickly
if needed
- In case of hostile intruder, lock doors and plan for a secondary
escape route
- Leave only if told to do so by responders, or the situation
changes requiring evacuation. Notify responders if you must
evacuate before being told.
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TORNADO
A tornado warning is an alert from the National Weather Service
stating that a tornado has been sighted. In case of a
tornado warning, the County Emergency Alert System will be activated,
meaning an alert will be broadcast over all local television
and radio stations with information and instructions.
Additionally, emergency vehicles will broadcast warnings over
their public address systems in affected areas. The Dispatch
Center monitors a weather information network, and will receive
the same National Weather Service Information.
WHAT YOU SHOULD DO
- Move to the basement or ground floor center hall of the
building you are in, close office doors as you leave
- Do not use elevators
- Stay away from windows and doors with glass panes
- Sit or crouch in an inner hall or room
- Do not leave the tornado safety area until given the all
clear from emergency personnel
WHAT WILL HAPPEN
- The dispatcher will send a broadcast phone message to the
campus, with information and instructions.
- Police and security officers will first evacuate high-rise
building occupants to lower floors and/or other safe areas.
- Other buildings will be evacuated to safe areas as time
allows.
- University Circle Police will patrol University Circle,
broadcasting warnings on their vehicle P/A systems.
- Dispatchers and police/security officers will monitor the
situation with the National
Weather Service and local authorities.
- Once the tornado threat has passed, officers will notify
building occupants and give the all clear.
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FLOOD
OR WATER DAMAGE WHAT YOU SHOULD
DO
- Call Case Police dispatch at 368-3333
- Tell the dispatcher your name
- Tell the dispatcher the exact location of the flooding,
including all areas affected
- Tell the dispatcher the source of the flooding if known
- Give the dispatcher a call back number if more information
is needed
- Evacuate the area if you feel your safety is at risk,
especially if the flooding is near electrical equipment
- If you know the source of the water and are confident you
can stop the flooding safely, do so. (i.e. turn off valve
or unclog drain)
WHAT WILL HAPPEN
- The dispatcher will notify Case Police/Security and Maintenance
to respond
- Responding personnel will identify the source and stop the
flooding as soon as possible
- If a risk is identified because of the flooding, affected
areas may be evacuated
- Necessary repairs and clean up will be initiated
- The all clear to return will be given by responding personnel
when approved
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WHAT YOU SHOULD DO
- Remain calm and stay where you are
- Assist others in your area who are not familiar with the
space
- Call Case Police dispatch
- Tell the dispatcher your name and location
- Tell the dispatcher what areas are affected by the power
outage
- Tell the dispatcher how long the power has been out
- Give the dispatcher a call back number if more information
is needed
- Do not open cold rooms, refrigerators, incubators or other
temperature sensitive areas
- Evacuate only if instructed to do so by emergency personnel,
or by your supervisor if safe lighting conditions are present
WHAT WILL HAPPEN
- The Police dispatcher will notify Case Police/Security and
Maintenance to respond
- Responding personnel will determine if outside help is needed
and consult with department management of the areas affected
- If an evacuation is necessary, responding emergency personnel
will coordinate the evacuation
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ELEVATOR
EMERGENCY
WHAT YOU SHOULD DO
- Use the elevator phone to call Case Police dispatch
- Tell the dispatcher your name and that you are stuck in
an elevator
- Tell the dispatcher what building you are in and which
elevator
- Tell the dispatcher if others are in the elevator with
you and how many
- If the elevator you are in has no phone or it does not work,
push the ‘emergency” or “bell” button
until you hear acknowledgement that help is on the way
- Do not attempt to exit the elevator through a hatch or pry
the doors open.
- Do not exit the elevator if the doors open and you are between
floors, unless instructed to do so by emergency personnel.
The elevator could move, endangering your life
WHAT WILL HAPPEN
- The dispatcher will notify Case Police/Security and Maintenance
to respond
- Maintenance will respond and allow safe exit from the elevator.
The fire department or elevator company will be called if
further help is needed
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The University President and the Office of University
Communication have primary responsibility for releasing information
to the news media. Major incidents and emergencies may
draw interest from local or national media. It is of paramount
importance that only accurate, factual information is released.
Incorrect or incomplete information could be detrimental to
the University, its employees and students. Refer all
news media inquiries to the Office of University Communication,
Adelbert Hall at x4440.
If University Communication cannot be contacted, call Police
dispatch at 368-3333.
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ACTIVE
SHOOTER / HOSTILE INTRUDER
How you respond to an active shooter will be dictated by the
specific circumstances of the encounter, bearing in mind that
there could be more than one shooter in the same situation.
WHAT YOU SHOULD DO
- If an active shooter is outside your building:
a) Go to a room that can be locked, if one
cannot be found readily, try to determine if there is a nearby
room that can be locked which you can reach safely.
b) Once you are in a secure room, close and
lock all the doors and windows.
c) Turn off lights and get everyone down
on the floor so nobody is visible from outside.
d) Have someone in the room call campus police
at 368-3333 and tell the dispatcher quietly what you know,
where you are, how many people are with you, what you are
wearing, if there are any injuries and any other information
the dispatcher requests.
e) When you are finished talking to the dispatcher,
put the phone on silent/vibrate so the dispatcher can call
you back, answer only if you are sure it is safe to do so.
f) Remain in place until police gives you
instruction.
g) An unknown voice may be the shooter trying
to lure you from safety, so do not respond to any voice commands
unless you can verify it is a police officer.
- If an active shooter is in the same building you are:
a) Remain calm, and follow steps above.
b) Additionally, if you cannot find a secure
room, you may look for an exit you can reach safely, moving
away from the shooter (s), following safe movement instructions
below.
c) If you see police officers, wait for them
to interact with you. If they do not see you, stay put and
identify yourself calmly and wait for their instructions.
Do exactly what they instruct you to do.
- If an active shooter enters your office/classroom space:
a) If possible, call campus police dispatch
368-3333, or 911.
b) If you cannot speak, leave the line open
so the dispatcher can hear what is going on.
c) If there is no opportunity for escape
or concealment, a possibility to negotiate may exist
d) An attempt to overpower the shooter may
also exist.
* Attempts to negotiate or overpower the shooter may risk the
lives of participants or others nearby. This decision will be
made quickly based on what gives you the best chance at survival.
f) If you decide to flee, make sure you have
an escape route and plan in mind.
g) Do not carry anything so you can move
quickly and not be mistaken for the shooter.
h) Keep your hands visible for police and
follow their instructions exactly.
i) Do not stop to help any injured victims
or try to remove them, leave them where they are and notify
authorities of their location.
j) Do not leave until you have been cleared
to do so by police.
WHAT WILL HAPPEN
- The dispatcher will notify Case Police, the University Circle
Police, the Cleveland Police and EMS.
- The first responding officers will enter the building to
locate the suspect. Police officers are trained respond directly
to the area where shots were last heard. Their purpose is
to stop the shooting as quickly as possible.
- Police officers may be dressed in regular patrol uniforms,
or may be wearing tactical uniforms consisting of external
bulleproof vests, helmets, boots and dark clothing.
- Police officers may be carrying a shield and be armed with
rifles, shotguns and/or handguns. They may also use teargas
or pepper spray.
- Regardless of how they appear, remain calm, do not be afraid
of them and follow their instructions carefully.
- Put down anything you are carrying and keep your hands visible
to the police at all times.
- The first officers to arrive will not stop to aid injured
persons. Rescue teams of other officers and medical personnel
will follow the first officers into secured areas to treat
and
remove injured persons.
- Continue to follow instructions of police and university
officials until you are released.
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