What To Do In An Emergency

 

General Emergency Procedures

EARTHQUAKE

DURING THE EARTHQUAKE:

  • Stay calm.
  • If indoors, stay there.  Get under a desk or table, or stand in a corner or doorway. Stay away from glass, shelves, and heavy equipment.
  • If outdoors, get into an open area away from trees, buildings, walls, and power lines. CAUTION: Always avoid utility lines as they may be energized.
  • If driving, pull over to the side of the road and stop in the safest place available.  Avoid overpasses, power lines and trees.  Stay in the vehicle for the shelter it offers until the shaking is over.

AFTER THE INITIAL SHOCK:

  • Evaluate the situation. Call 9-1-1 for serious injuries. Notify Campus Security (Ext. 6911), re: serious hazards and injuries.  Provide first aid, following the procedures on the emergency flip chart.  Protect yourself at all times and be prepared for aftershocks.
  • Report damaged facilities to Facilities Operations (Ext. 6572).  Gas leaks and power failures create special hazards. Do not use telephone, light switches or any electrical equipment if you smell gas. (Call Facility Operations from a phone in another area.) Please refer to the Utility Failures procedure on page 44 of this document.
  • Do not use elevators.
  • Follow procedures in this manual for fire (page 31) and hazardous materials (page34) if necessary.
  • In the event of major damage or disruption an announcement will be sent through the emergency zone paging system indicating evacuation procedures.  Assist persons with disabilities to exit the buildings (see Evacuation Procedures for Persons with Disabilities, page 28). Do not use elevators. Keep calm.
  • If instructed to evacuate, go the designated assembly area (avoid trees, signs, buildings, electrical poles and wires). Check in with the designated department evacuation coordinator.  Stay well clear of buildings, trees and power lines. Keep streets, fire lanes, hydrants and walkways clear for emergency vehicles and crews. Do not return to an evacuated building until the official in charge of the evacuation says it is safe to do so. Do not leave campus until you have checked in with department personnel at the assembly area.

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GENERAL EMERGENCY PROCEDURES

 EXPLOSION, AIRCRAFT CRASH, OR SIMILAR INCIDENT

Life threatening explosions may result from falling aircraft, leaking gas, faulty boilers or chemical accidents.

IF THERE IS DANGER OF AN EXPLOSION

  1.  Follow instructions to take cover under a desk or evacuate the building.

  2. Stay clear of windows or glass.

  3. Do not light matches or cigarette lighters.

  4. Do not turn switches on or off; leave them in the position they are in.

  5.  If directed to evacuate, do not use elevators at all in case of fire or earthquake, but assist persons with disabilities to exit the building (See Evacuation Procedures for Persons with Disabilities, page 28).

  6. Go immediately to a designated evacuation assembly area (see map), keeping streets and walkways clear for emergency vehicles. Keep calm. Check in with departmental evacuation coordinator. Do not return to an evacuated building until the official in charge of the evacuation says it is safe to do so.

IF THERE IS AN EXPLOSION INSIDE THE BUILDING

  1. Contact Campus Security (Ext. 6911) and report explosion. Give your name, location and extension number and describe the location and the nature of the emergency. If there are injuries, call 9-1-1 first.

  2. Follow instructions to evacuate the building.

  3. Move crosswind to avoid toxic fumes. NEVER go downwind.

  4. Do not take time to gather personal belongings.

  5. Do not use elevators in case of fire or earthquake, but assist persons with disabilities to exit the building (see Evacuation Procedures for Persons with Disabilities, page 28.)

  6.  Go immediately to a designated evacuation assembly area (see map), keeping streets and walkways clear for emergency vehicles. Keep calm. Check in with departmental evacuation coordinator for head count. Do not return to an evacuated building until the official in charge of the evacuation says it is safe to do so.

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GENERAL EMERGENCY PROCEDURES

INCIDENTS INVOLVING CHEMICALS OR HAZARDOUS MATERIALS

Call:       Campus Security (Ext. 6911)
                      Facility Operations (Ext. 6573)

Hazardous Material= Anything Flammable, Toxic, Corrosive, Reactive, Oxygenic, Cryogenic, or Radioactive

  • If the spill of hazardous material may cause injury, explode, or start a fire, call Modesto Fire Department at 9-1-1. Also call Campus Security (Ext. 6911), and report the spill to your supervisor.

  • Report any other hazardous spill that cannot be controlled and cleaned up using the employee’s normal personal protective equipment (safety goggles, gloves, apron, etc.) with equipment and spill materials readily at hand, to Campus Security (Ext. 6911) and to your supervisor.

  • Report suspected gas leaks or suspicious odors to Facility Operations (Ext. 6373).

Provide the following information:

•   Exact location of spill, including room number if inside a building

•   Name of spilled material

•   Quantity of material spilled

•   Appearance - solid, liquid, odor, color, etc.

•   Nature and extent of injuries or physical effects to those who have been exposed, if any

•   Area of contamination, hazards to humans or the environment inside or outside the facility (e.g. possibility of contamination of groundwater or creeks)

•   Time of release

•   Your name, department, and the phone extension you are calling from

  • Clear the affected area at once and seal it off to prevent further contamination of other areas until Campus Security personnel arrive. Appropriate supervisory personnel (including instructors) should determine if adjacent areas should be evacuated as well.

  • Campus Security will contact the necessary specialized authorities and medical personnel, as outlined in the YCCD/MJC Hazardous Materials/Business Plan.

  • If you are contaminated by the spill, avoid contact with others. Remain in the vicinity, but at a safe distance. Give your name to Campus Security. Obtain required first aid and cleanup by specialized authorities at once.

  • If instructed to do so, follow evacuation procedures.

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GENERAL EMERGENCY PROCEDURES

CHEMICAL OR BIO-TERRORISM

The covert release of a chemical or biological agent will almost certainly go initially undetected in most areas of the country.  Infected persons will begin to present at doctors’ offices, managed care clinics and hospital emergency rooms days, and perhaps weeks, after the release of the chemical or biological agent.  In an overt release, officials will have advanced notice of the outbreak, but most local public health systems will be overwhelmed by community requests for information and treatment as soon as the threat is made public.

Campus response to confirmed incidents of this nature will probably be limited to the following possibilities, depending on circumstances:

  •  Act as an information source, passing on information from Center for Disease Control (CDC), and other government agencies, to students and staff via existing information channels. Information might include infection control precautions and treatment facilities, etc.

  • Potential evacuation and closure of facilities

  • Cooperate with the use of college facilities, if requested, by local agencies

  • Use of universal precautions in the handling of victims to prevent the further infection or contamination of students and staff

SUSPICIOUS MAIL

If a letter/parcel is open and/or a threat is identified:

For Radiological:

  • Limit Exposure – Don’t Handle

  • Evacuate Area

  • Shield Yourself From Object

  • Contact Campus Security (Ext. 6911)

Campus Security will:

  • Call Police

  • Contact Postal Inspectors

  • Call Local Fire Department/HAZMAT Unit

For Biological or Chemical:

  • Isolate – Don’t Handle

  • Evacuate Immediate Area

  • Wash Your Hands With Soap and Warm Water

  • Contact Campus Security (Ext. 6911)

Campus Security will:

  • Call Police

  • Contact Postal Inspectors

  • Call Local Fire Department/HAZMAT Unit

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GENERAL EMERGENCY PROCEDURES

VIOLENT OR DISRUPTIVE BEHAVIOR / CRIME IN PROGRESS

For a Crime in Progress call 9-1-1.

Whenever you dial 9-1-1, follow-up with a call to Campus Security. An Officer will respond to your location to render assistance while waiting for police to arrive. Report all criminal acts and suspicious situations or persons to Campus Security (Ext. 6911) as soon as possible. If there is no answer, call     9-1-1.

Give:                Your name, location, and phone extension

Include:           Nature of the incident

                         Location of the incident

     Description of person(s) involved

                                   Description of property involved

  •  Assist the Officers when they arrive by supplying them with all additional information and ask others to cooperate.

  • Avoid risks.

  • In the event of gunfire or discharged explosives, leave the area immediately using any concealment available. Seek emergency first aid if necessary after the disturbance.

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GENERAL EMERGENCY PROCEDURES

CIVIL DISTURBANCE

Most campus demonstrations will be peaceful.  Attempt to carry on business as normally as possible during a demonstration. Avoid provoking or obstructing the demonstrators.  No action is necessary unless:

  • Demonstration interferes with the normal operations of the College

  •  Demonstrators prevent access to buildings or other College facilities

  •  Demonstration/demonstrators threaten physical harm to persons or damage to College facilities

If any of these conditions exist notify Campus Security at Ext. 6911 and:

  1.  Remain calm!

  2. Stay in your work area.  Continue to perform your work duties until instructed otherwise.

  3. Do not leave the building or structure until Law Enforcement or Fire Department instructs you to do so.

  4. If participants enter your office:

    a.       Be courteous and do not provoke an incident

    b.      Notify your supervisor

    c.       Avoid using the telephone unless there is an emergency

    d.      Do not become a spectator.  Leave or avoid the area to prevent injury or possible arrest

    e.       Do not argue or debate with a participant

  5. Avoid all window areas.

  6. Close drapes.

  7.  Lock doors only if it does not jeopardize evacuation in case of fire.

 

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GENERAL EMERGENCY PROCEDURES

                                                                                    PSYCHOLOGICAL CRISIS

A psychological crisis exists when an individual is threatening harm to himself / herself or others, and/or is out of touch with reality due to severe drug reactions or a psychotic breakdown. Either of these may be manifested by hallucinations, bizarre behavior, or an inability to care for oneself.

If a psychological crisis occurs, you have three choices:

  1.  In an extreme emergency, dial 9-1-1. Never try to handle a situation you feel is dangerous on your own. Protect yourself first. Running away and then calling for help may be the best solution.
  2. Notify Campus Security (6911) of the situation. Clearly state that you need immediate assistance, give your name, your exact location, and briefly describe the situation.
  3. If you do not feel the situation is dangerous but need an immediate response, contact Student Services (Ext. 6060)/ MJC Counseling Department (Ext. 6080). Briefly describe the situation (e.g. student expressing suicidal intent), give your name and location. You may also contact the Stanislaus County Behavioral Health Department (558-4700) for assistance.

Remember that the person who is in distress is asking for help from you in the only way possible for him/her at the time. You are not betraying the person by providing this help. It is best to have the person hospitalize himself/herself if necessary. It is important to know that the person can only be hospitalized in two ways: a) by choice, or b) by the police if he/she is dangerous to self or others.

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GENERAL EMERGENCY PROCEDURES

                                                                                               UTILITY FAILURES

Campus Security: (Ext. 6911)

Facilities Operations: 6572

If utility failure occurs during regular hours, Monday through Friday, 8 AM to 4:30 PM, notify Facility Operations (Ext. 6572).

Always notify Campus Security (Ext. 6911), if there is potential danger or if failure occurs after hours.

PLUMBING FAILURE / FLOODING

Stop using all electrical equipment immediately.  Vacate the area if necessary. Notify Facility Operations (Ext. 6572).

SERIOUS GAS LEAK

Stop all operations. Do not use phone, light switches, or ANY electrical equipment. Get out of the building. Electrical arcing can trigger an explosion! Call Facility Operations (Ext. 6572).

VENTILATION PROBLEM

If smoke odors come from the ventilation system, notify Facility Operations (Ext. 6572) as instructed above. If necessary, vacate the area. If visible smoke comes through, Call 9-1-1 and Campus Security (Ext. 6911).

ELEVATOR FAILURE

If you are trapped in the elevator, notify Campus Security using the Emergency Call Box located on the front panel, which will signal for help.

HOT WATER LINE FAILURE

Immediately notify Facility Operations (Ext. 6572). If necessary, vacate the area.

ELECTRICAL/LIGHT FAILURE

Campus building lighting may not provide sufficient illumination for safe exiting. Keep flashlight and portable radio available for emergencies.

 

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GENERAL EMERGENCY PROCEDURES

  POWER OUTAGES

MJC Presidents Office     

ALL STAFF

  • Stay calm

  • Safety is of primary concern:  remind students that conditions could be dangerous

  • Wait for instructions from the Senior College Administrator or Campus Security

  • Once you have exited the building, do not re-enter the building unless instructed to do so

  • We anticipate the power outage will be short in duration.  We will resume normal operations ASAP

FACULTY

  • If sufficient light exists for safety and instruction, classes should continue.  Otherwise, students are to be assisted from the building.

  • A faculty member will designate a responsible person to stay with any students with physical disabilities until assistance arrives.  Do not leave students with disabilities alone in the classroom

SUPPORT STAFF

  • If the power outage occurs during the day, staff should stay in place and take instruction from their supervisors

  •  Remain in your office area until an administrator or Campus Security dismisses you

  • Turn off office equipment/light switches

  • Shut off computer systems (CPU, monitor and printer) according to established procedures

POWER OUTAGE (EAST & WEST CAMPUS)

  • Closure of the East Campus may not necessarily impact the West Campus

  •  Communication on campus closure will be communicated via MJC Emergency Phones and Campus Security

GUIDELINES FOR MJC CAMPUS CLOSURE IN THE EVENING

  • If there is a power outage between 4-5 pm, staff may be sent home.  Classes will be cancelled until 6:00 pm

  • If the power outage continues beyond 6:00 PM, the senior administrator will cancel classes for the evening

  • If the power outage occurs during evening classes, the evening administrator will cancel classes for the evening.  Campus Security will be notified.  Power outage procedures will be followed

  •  Campus Security will assist in ensuring safety for students, faculty and staff.

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