Emergency Quick Guide

Reporting Emergencies

If you discover an emergency situation on the MCLA college campus:

• Call Campus Police immediately at 413-662-5100 (Extension 5100) or 911.
• Stay calm.
• Give your name, location, and emergency.
• Think - What emergency services do I need?
• Stay on the line with emergency dispatchers if safe to do so.  Answer questions and follow the instructions of emergency personnel.
  

Fire Emergency

Smoke is the greatest danger in a fire.  As you evacuate or if you are trapped, always stay near the floor where the air is less toxic.  STAY LOW!

Familiarize yourself, in advance, with fire extinguisher locations, evacuation routes/exits, and fire alarm pull stations.

• Activate the closest fire alarm pull station.
• Exit & stay low by getting down on your knees or belly if necessary.  Make your way out via the safest route and nearest exit.
• Assemble at the designated evacuation assembly point and await further instructions.

If trapped during a fire:

• Shout at regular intervals to alert emergency personnel to your location.
• Indicate your location to emergency responders by placing an article of clothing outside a window.
• Stay low near the floor where air will be less toxic.  Continue shouting.

Medical Emergency

All MCLA Campus Police Officers are certified First Responders trained in CPR/AED & First Aid.  The Campus Police Department is equipped with AEDs (Automatic External Defibrillators).

• Call Campus Police immediately at 413-662-5100 (Extension 5100) or 911.
• Serious Wound - quickly Apply direct pressure using a clean thick pad or cloth to help control bleeding.
• Lay the victim down, if possible, and safe to do so.  Elevate bleeding body parts.  Cover the person with a blanket or coat to reduce body heat loss.
• Neck, spine or back injury - DO NOT MOVE the person unless the immediate environment can cause further harm to the patient.
• Check breathing & pulse - Use middle and index fingers to feel for pulse in neck artery under the lower jaw line.
• Unresponsive - no pulse, not breathing - If you know CPR begin immediately.  Ask a bystander to call 911 to activate EMS.
• Seizure activity - clear area around patient to protect from further injury.  DO NOT place anything in patient's mouth or attempt to restrain them.

Chemical Emergency

Damage to individuals and/or to the environment can be caused by any sudden or non-sudden release of hazardous materials.  Hazardous materials can potentially encompass a wide variety of chemicals as well as human waste and other contaminates.

• Assume all unidentified substances or vapors are toxic and hazardous.
  
• Evacuate the area where the contamination has occurred immediately.  If safe to do so, seal off the area to prevent further spread of contaminate.
• Call Campus Police immediately at 413-662-5100 (Extension 5100) or 911.
• Be specific when reporting the nature, amount, and exact location of the involved material.
• Wait in a safe location for further direction and limit exposing others to the contaminate.
• Never enter/re-enter a space where a contaminate has been released.

Serious Crime or Violence

No two situations are ever alike, but in the instance of a serious crime or act of violence safeguarding lives is always paramount!

• Call Campus Police immediately at 413-662-5100 (Extension 5100) or 911 if you observe a criminal or violent act.
• Be specific when reporting the nature, location, number of people, and if there are weapons involved.
• Stay on the line with emergency dispatchers if it is safe to do so.  Answer questions and follow the instructions of emergency personnel.
  
• Remain calm and try not to panic.  Use common sense to determine whether to evacuate or shelter in place.
• Remember details - clothing description, physical characteristics, more than one suspect, etc...
• Assist emergency personnel when they arrive by supplying them with pertinent information.
• Intervention should only be considered as a life-saving last resort.

Bomb Threats

Bomb threats must be taken seriously, as well as suspicious objects or potential bombs.

If you observe a suspicious object or potential bomb on campus, DO NOT HANDLE IT! 

• Evacuate the area keeping a safe distance away from where the potential hazard is located.
  
• Notify Campus Police immediately at 413-662-5100 (Extension 5100) or 911.
• Be specific when reporting the nature, description, and location of the suspicious object or potential bomb.
• Never enter/re-enter a space where a suspicious object or potential bomb is located.

If you receive a bomb-threat call:

• Remain calm and listen carefully!
• Keep the caller on the line as long as possible.
• Notify Campus Police immediately at 413-662-5100 (Extension 5100) or 911 by having someone call from a different telephone.
• Note time of call, gender, approximate age of the caller, background noise, emotional state of the caller, speech patterns, and if possible, a caller ID number on the phone.

• Ask the following: When is the bomb going to go off?  Where is it right now?  What does it look like? What kind of bomb is it?  What will cause it to explode?  Who placed the bomb?  Why did they place the bomb there?  What is your name?  What is a telephone number I can reach you at?

Natural Disaster

Fear at the time of a disaster may breed panic, and this panic can account for more injuries than the disaster itself.  Keeping personnel and students calm is critical in preventing panic.

In the event of an earthquake:

• Shelter in place at the first sign an earthquake is happening
  
• Identify safe areas such as doorways, under sturdy furniture, and against bare walls.
• Move to those safe areas immediately.
• Stay away from windows and area underneath where objects hanging or being stored can fall.

In the event of a tornado:

• Evacuate if time allows.
  
• Shelter in place immediately if the tornado is a sudden event!
• Go to lower level areas, preferably in an interior room or hallway where there are no windows.
• Use heavy furniture for shelter if possible.
• Always follow the directions of emergency personnel.

Campus Emergency & Courtesy Phone Locations

All blue light phones labeled "EMERGENCY" connect directly to the Campus Police Emergency Line by activating the push button.

• Church Street Center - West Entrance
• Venable Hall - Exterior Quad Level
• Athletic Complex
• Ashland Street Parking Lot
  
• Bond Street/Townhouse III Parking Lot
• Amsler Campus Center Gym
  
• Berkshire Towers Main Entrance

All brown courtesy phones can be used to connect to the Campus Police Emergency Line by dialing extension 5100.

• Eldridge Hall - FL 1 - Lobby
• Freel Library - FL 1 - Basement
• Mark Hopkins - FL 1 - Vending Lobby
  
• Bowman Hall - FL 0 - Vending Lobby
• Bowman Hall - FL 1 - Quad Level
• Bowman Hall - FL 2 - Advising
• Murdock Hall - FL 0 - Computer Support
• Murdock Hall - FL 1 - Front South
• Campus Center - FL 0 - Training Room
• Campus Center - FL 1 - Marketplace
• Campus Center - FL 2 - Restrooms
• Campus Center - FL 3 - Elevator Lobby
• Church St. center - FL - Boiler Room
• Venable Hall - FL 1 - Vending
• Venable Hall - FL 2 - Mailroom
• Townhouse A - FL 0 - Laundry Room
• Townhouse H - FL 0 - Greenhouse
• Berkhsire Towers - FL 0 - Main Entrance
  

Building Evacuation Instructions

Whenever you hear the building alarm sound or are instructed to evacuate by a college official acting within the performance of their duties:

• Do not panic.
• Do not ignore the alarm or request.
• Leave the building immediately in an orderly fashion.  If you are the last person out of a room close doors (Do Not Lock) behind you.
• Do not take time to go to lockers or offices to collect personal items.
• Follow the quickest evacuation route from where you are to the nearest marked exit.  (See posted evacuation plans.)  Be familiar with alternate routes and exits.
• Do not use elevators.
• Classes, meetings, events, etc. must be dismissed for evacuation out of the building.
• Do not go back to your classroom or office for any reason.
• Proceed to the nearest evacuation assembly point  (EAP) for your building.  If the designated EAP is unsafe or blocked, proceed to an alternate assembly point via the quickest and safest route.
• Stay at the EAP until you are told by emergency personnel it is ok to leave.
• Report any knowledge regarding missing people or people still in the building to emergency personnel.
• Never go back into an evacuated building or area unless directed to do so by emergency personnel or a college official acting within the performance of their duties.
  
  
  

CAMPUS MAP

Building Evacuation - Mobility Impaired

Any person unable to use stairs or needing assistance in evacuating a building should proceed to the nearest designated "safe room/area" or remain in the office or classroom if it is safe to do so.  Emergency personnel will check safe room/areas and other places they are notified of where someone has taken shelter.

If you are on a building floor WITHOUT exit doorways and you hear a fire alarm or ordered to evacuate:

• Go to the nearest safe room/area immediately.  Safe rooms/areas are indicated in posted evacuation plans.
• Inform a building occupant or dial the Campus Police Emergency Line at extension 5100 to alert responding emergency personnel to your location.
• Call 911 to ensure rescue personnel are notified of your presence and location inside a building.
• Tell them you need immediate assistance evacuating, your exact location (building name, floor, room number, stairwell, etc.), give the phone number you are calling from, and remain by the phone.

Emergency dispatchers have direct communication with responding personnel and may need more information from you to assist their efforts to evacuate you.

If you are on a building floor WITH exit doors and you are able to do so:

• Leave the area if it is safe to do so.
• Ask for the assistance of other building evacuees if necessary.

How To Respond When an Active Shooter Is In Your Vicinity

Quickly determine the most reasonable way to protect your own life.  Remember that students and guests are likely to follow the lead of supervisors, faculty and staff during an active shooter situation. 

1.  Evacuate

If there is an accessible escape path, attempt to evacuate the premises.  Be sure to:

• Have an escape route and plan in mind.
• Evacuate regardless of whether others agree to follow.
• Leave your belongings behind.
  
• Help others escape, if possible and if it is safe to do so.
• Prevent individuals from entering an area where the active shooter may be.
• Keep your hands visible.
• Follow the instructions of any police officers.
• Do not attempt to move wounded people.
  
• Call 911 when you are safe.

2. Hide Out

If evacuation is not possible, find a place to hide where the active shooter is less likely to gain access and find you.

Your hiding place should:

• Be out of the active shooter's view.
  
• Provide protection if shots are fired in your direction.
• If possible, not trap you or restrict your options for movement.

To prevent an active shooter from entering your hiding place:

• Lock the door.
• Barricade the door with heavy furniture.

If the active shooter is nearby:

• Lock the door.
• Silence your cell phone.
• Turn off any source of noise (i.e., radios, televisions.
• Hide behind large items (i.e., cabinets, desks).
• Remain quiet.

If evacuation and hiding out are not possible:

• Remain calm.
• Dial 911, if possible, to alert police to the active shooter's location.
• If you cannot speak, leave the line open to allow the dispatcher to listen.

3. Take Action Against the Active Shooter

As a last resort, and only when your life is in imminent danger, attempt to disrupt and/or incapacitate the active shooter by:

• Acting as aggressively as you can against him/her.
• Using or throwing items as improvised weapons.
• Yelling.
• Committing to action.
  

How To Respond to Law Enforcement During An Active Shooter

Law enforcement's purpose is to stop the active shooter as soon as possible.  Officers will proceed directly to the area where the last shots were heard.

• Officers usually arrive in numbers of 1-4.
• Officers may wear regular patrol uniforms or external bulletproof vests, helmets and other tactical equipment.
• Officers may be armed with rifles, shotguns and handguns.
• Officers may use pepper spray or tear gas to control the situation.
• Officers may shout commands and may push individuals to the ground for their safety.

How to react when law enforcement arrives:

• Remain calm and follow officers' instructions.
• Put down any items in your hands (i.e., bags, jackets, etc.).
• Immediately raise hands and spread fingers.
• Keep hands visible at all times.
• Avoid making quick movements toward officers such as lunging at them to hold on to them for safety.
• Avoiding pointing, screaming and/or yelling.
• Do not stop to ask officers for help or direction when evacuating... just proceed in the direction from which the officers are entering the premises.

Information to provide to law enforcement or 911 operator:

• Location of the active shooter.
• Number of shooters, if more than one.
• Number and type of weapons held by the shooter(s).
• Number of potential victims at the location.

The first officers to arrive to the scene will not stop to help injured people.  Expect rescue teams comprised of additional officers and medical personnel to follow the initial officers.  The rescue teams will treat and remove any injured people.  They may also call upon able- bodied individuals to assist in removing the wounded.

Once you have reached a safe location or an assembly point, you will likely be held in that area by law enforcement until the situation is under control and all witnesses have been identified and questioned.  Do not leave until law enforcement authorities have instructed you to do so.