Emergency planning at Greenville College is looked upon as a continual, on-going responsibility, and with that in mind the below information is being provided for the campus community. This is intended to give users quick and easy access to basic information on recommended response to a variety of potential emergency situations. Please recognize that no single set of instructions can anticipate all potential emergencies, and that this information is provided only as a guide. 


MEDICAL EMERGENCY

In the event of a medical emergency, immediately call 911 for emergency medical services and an ambulance. Provide the location of the medical emergency, including which room as well as the nature of the emergency.


Notify the campus response line at ext. 7777 (618-664-7777 from a cellular phone).


If someone else is available, have them meet the ambulance personnel outside the building to guide them to the emergency.

Do not provide first aid assistance unless you are trained to do so and have permission from the individual (if they are able).

Do not move the person unless he/she is in immediate danger.

If the person is unconscious
• DO NOT try to give fluids.
• DO NOT attempt to awaken by shaking.
• DO loosen tight clothing, especially around the neck if breathing is restricted.
• DO begin CPR if the person is not breathing and you are trained to do so.


If the person is conscious
• Get as much information as possible (i.e. type injury/sickness, age, medical conditions, medications, allergies, etc.).
• Reassure the person that help is on the way.
• DO NOT let the person drive home or to a hospital.

If the person is having a seizure, DO NOT restrain him/her. Move any objects or desks away to prevent the person from being injured.


LOCKDOWN

A lockdown is a potentially life-threatening situation on campus that may involve weapons and/or violence. Notification will be made by all means possible.

  • Remain calm.
  • Immediately lock your office or classroom door. If there are non-threatening students/staff remaining in the hallway ask them to step into your room/office.
  • Direct others to move away from doors and windows. Do not open your doors for any reason. Authorities will have keys.
  • Cover room windows as best as possible, turn off the lights and close the blinds/curtains.
  • Do not call emergency services or campus safety unless you have a life-threatening emergency or can provide useful information pertaining to the situation.
  • Take roll of students/staff present and be prepared to provide it to authorities if needed.
  • If you hear what may be gunshots, direct those in the room to lie as flat on the floor as possible.
  • Remain in a lockdown until otherwise instructed by authorities or campus administration.


FIRE

A fire may include visible flames or strong odors of burning. The appropriate emergency action is for persons to evacuate the building quickly and safely and call 911 and the campus response number at 7777 (618-664-7777 from a cell phone).

 

IMMEDIATE ACTION

• If you are the person who discovered the fire, extinguish it only if you can do so safely and quickly.
• Use an appropriate fire extinguisher to control the fire only if you have had fire extinguisher training, the fire is confinable, and your personal safety is not placed in jeopardy.
• If the fire is extinguished, call Campus Safety at 618-664-7777.


IF THE FIRE CANNOT BE EXTINGUISHED

• Confine the fire by closing the doors.
• Pull the nearest fire alarm.
• Alert others.
• Exit the building, assisting anyone who needs help in the evacuation.
• Call 911
• Call the campus response line at extension 7777 (618-664-7777 from a cell phone).
• Meet the Fire Department when they arrive.


EVACUATING A BUILDING

• Close the doors to your immediate area.
• Feel closed doors from top to bottom. If it is hot, DO NOT proceed, go back.
• If the door is cool, crouch low and open the door slowly. Close the door quickly if smoke is present so you do not inhale it.
• If no smoke is present, exit the building via the nearest stairwell or exit.
• If you encounter heavy smoke in a stairwell, go back and try another stairwell.
• EVACUATE the building via the nearest exit. Assist others in exiting the building.
• DO NOT use elevators.
• Avoid smoke-filled areas.
• If exiting a smoke-filled area, stay low to the ground and crawl to the nearest exit.
• If your clothes catch fire DO NOT RUN. STOP...DROP...ROLL.

 

BOMB THREAT

If you receive a bomb threat (typically received via telephone)
Obtain as much detail as possible about the bomb and its location.
• The exact location of the bomb.
• The time set for detonation.
• What the bomb looks like.
• What type of explosive the bomb contains.
• Why the bomb was placed.

Immediately notify Campus Safety (618-664-7777) providing as much information as possible.
Be alert for suspicious items or packages. Visually inspect areas of your room or office. If you noted anything suspicious report them to authorities.
If the threat is received by letter do not handle it after it has been opened; preserve for authorities.
Be prepared to evacuate the area if ordered to do so.
If ordered to evacuate, faculty and staff shall assist with an orderly exit from the building. People evacuated should be moved at least 500 feet from the evacuated facility.
Doors to all evacuated areas of the building shall be left open on exiting the area.
Wait for further instructions.
DO NOT call Campus Safety or authorities during the incident unless you have information related to the situation or a life-threatening emergency.

 

EARTHQUAKE

During an earthquake, remain calm and quickly follow the steps outlined below:
• If INDOORS seek refuge in a doorway or under a desk or table. Stay away from glass, windows, shelves and heavy equipment.

• If OUTDOORS, move quickly away from buildings, utility poles and other structures. Caution: Always avoid power or utility lines as they may be energized.

• After the initial shock, evaluate the situation; and if emergency help is necessary, call 911 or Campus Safety. Report any injuries and the location.

• Damage to facilities should be reported to Physical Plant / Facilities Services.

If there is a strong odor of natural gas, please relay this information to Campus Safety and evacuate the building.


ACTIVE THREAT

SEE: HTTPS://WWW.READY.GOV/ACTIVE-SHOOTER FOR ADDITIONAL INFO. Remember, no two incidents are ever identical. Each must be evaluated independently, therefore the following response concepts could include: 


RUN and escape, if possible. • Getting away from the shooter or shooters is the top priority. • Leave your belongings behind and get away. • Help others escape, if possible, but evacuate regardless of whether others agree to follow. • Warn and prevent individuals from entering an area where the active shooter may be. • Call 911 when you are safe, and describe shooter, location, and weapons. 


HIDE, if escape is not possible. • Get out of the shooter’s view and stay very quiet. • Silence all electronic devices and make sure they won’t vibrate. • Lock and block doors, close blinds, and turn off lights. • Don’t hide in groups- spread out along walls or hide separately to make it more difficult for the shooter. • Try to communicate with police silently. Use text message or social media to tag your location or put a sign in a window. • Stay in place until law enforcement gives you all clear. • Your hiding place should be out of the shooter's view and provide protection if shots are fired in your direction. • Lock and barricade doors • Turn off lights • Close blinds • Block windows • Turn off radios and computer monitors • Keep occupants calm, quiet, and out of sight • Keep yourself out of sight and take adequate cover/protection i.e., concrete walls, thick desks, filing cabinets (cover may protect you from bullets) • Silence cell phones • Place signs in exterior windows to identify the location of injured persons. 


FIGHT as an absolute last resort. • Commit to your actions and act as aggressively as possible against the shooter. • Recruit others to ambush the shooter with makeshift weapons like chairs, fire extinguishers, scissors, books, etc. • Be prepared to cause severe or lethal injury to the shooter. • Throw items and improvise weapons to distract and disarm the shooter. 


Be cautious about Un-Securing an area.