Actions to Take in an Emergency

The actions that you should take in an emergency depend on the type of incident. The following pages describe the types of emergencies that may affect our campus and offer a list of recommended actions for each.

An AED (automated external defibrillator) is a lightweight, portable device that delivers an electric shock through the chest to the heart. The shock can potentially stop an irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia) and allow a normal rhythm to resume following sudden cardiac arrest.

Locations

  • Campus Safety Vehicle (mobile)
  • Shroyer Health Center (Health Services Office), first floor, hallway
  • Bertha Brossman Blair Music Center, main floor, main lobby outside Lutz Hall
  • Administration Building, first floor, center of the hallway
  • Carnegie Hall, first floor, foyer/staircase area
  • Maude A. Laughlin Hall, first floor, foyer area
  • Vernon and Doris Bishop Library, first floor, entry area
  • Neidig-Garber Science Center (2), ground level floor (2nd level), main lobby, AND fourth floor, central foyer area
  • Clyde A. Lynch Hall, first floor, center lobby area
  • Frederic K. Miller Chapel, first floor, narthex
  • Allan W. Mund College Center (2), first floor, across from information desk, AND lower level hallway, outside Lebegern Learning Commons
  • Arnold Sports Center (2), main lobby near weight room AND west information desk
  • Jeanne and Edward H. Arnold Health Professions Pavilion (3), first floor, near the entry door; second floor, west end of the hallway; and Room 135
  • Fencil Art Building, main floor, classroom
  • Facilities Service Office, main office area
  • Suzanne H. Arnold Art Gallery, Zimmerman Recital Hall, main hall area
  • Nursing Education Facility (2, TBD)

You should quickly determine the most reasonable way to protect your own life in an active shooter situation.

Action Options Include*

Evacuate—if there is an accessible escape path, evacuate to a safe and distant location.

Hide—if evacuation is not possible, find a place to hide where the active shooter is less likely to find you.

Take action—as a last resort, and only when your life is in imminent danger, attempt to disrupt and/or incapacitate the active shooter.

Call 911

Call LVC Campus Safety at ext. 6111

*The first three actions are from FEMA recommendations made in their online training session for an active shooter scenario.

It is important that individuals take appropriate actions if they receive a suspicious package or envelope, or a threatening phone call regarding a biological agent.

Actions

  • Remain calm and alert.
  • Do not handle a suspicious package.
  • Do not use cellular phones or radio communication.
  • Call 911.
  • Call LVC campus safety at ext. 6111.
  • Alert other employees and be prepared to evacuate the building.
  • Evacuate the building if directed to do so by College or other emergency officials. (See Building Evacuation Procedures)
  • Return to the building only when given the “all clear” signal by emergency personnel.

Note: Individuals who may have been exposed to a biological agent will be kept separated from other individuals within an enclosed area until properly examined or treated.

A total power outage affecting the entire campus is referred to as a “blackout.”

Actions

  • Remain calm and alert.
  • Turn off all light switches.
  • Set equipment switches to OFF.
  • Increase ventilation by opening windows.
  • Notify facilities services (ext. 6340) or campus safety (ext. 6111) if your area has an emergency generator that does not start.
  • Evacuate the building if directed to do so by College or other emergency officials. (See Building Evacuation Procedures).
  • Follow directions of LVC campus safety and/or residential life personnel.

Note: The following are not considered critical incidents/emergencies: a small power outage affecting only a few buildings on campus or a brownout resulting in a reduction in voltage by the power utility company during periods of heavy power usage.

Bomb threats may be delivered in a variety of ways including written communication, verbally, through a recording, or a third party. Most threats are called into the target. All threats should be taken seriously and never ignored.

If the threat is received by phone, try to have another person listen to the call if possible. Keep the caller on the line as long as possible and ask for the message to be repeated for clarity.

Note: Do not use two-way radios or cellular phones. Radio signals have the potential to detonate a bomb. Do not touch or move a suspicious package.

Actions if a bomb threat is received by phone:

During the call:

  • Remain calm. Keep the caller on the line for as long as possible. DO NOT HANG UP, even if the caller does.
  • Listen carefully. Be polite and show interest.
  • Try to keep the caller talking to learn more information.
  • If possible, write a note to a colleague to call the authorities or, as soon as the caller hangs up, immediately notify them yourself.
  • If your phone has a display, copy the number and/or letters on the window display.
  • Complete the Bomb Threat Checklist immediately. Write down as much detail as you can remember. Try to get exact words.
  • Immediately on termination of call, DO NOT HANG UP, but from a different phone, contact authorities immediately with information and await further instructions.

After the call:

  • Call 911 and LVC campus safety (ext. 6111). Important note: Do not use two-way radios or cellular phones. Radio signals have the potential to detonate a bomb.
  • Do not touch or move a suspicious package.
  • Do not share the information with anyone except emergency personnel and selected College officials. Note that only designated College officials can share information publicly.
  • Follow Omnilert for evacuation information, if applicable.

 

Actions if a bomb threat is received by handwritten note:

  • Call 911 and LVC campus safety (ext. 6111). Important note: Do not use two-way radios or cellular phones. Radio signals have the potential to detonate a bomb.
  • Handle note as minimally as possible.
  • Do not touch or move a suspicious package.
  • Do not share the information with anyone except emergency personnel and selected College officials. Note that only designated College officials can share information publicly.
  • Follow Omnilert for evacuation information, if applicable.

 

Actions if a bomb threat is received by email:

  • Call 911 and LVC campus safety (ext. 6111). Important note: Do not use two-way radios or cellular phones. Radio signals have the potential to detonate a bomb.
  • Do not delete the message.
  • Do not touch or move a suspicious package.
  • Do not share information with anyone except emergency personnel and selected College officials.
    Note that only designated College officials can share information publicly.

A civil disturbance or riot is a gathering that has become significantly disruptive and may involve property damage, threats to individuals, etc.

Actions

  • Call LVC campus safety at ext. 6111.
  • Make note of description, names, etc. of individuals involved.
  • Stay or move to a safe area away from the disturbance.
  • If possible, lock the area to prevent unauthorized entry.

If there is a death/fatality on campus, it is very important that authorities are notified immediately so that the area can be secured and an investigation initiated as quickly as possible.

Actions

The person who discovers or witnesses a fatality should:

  • Remain calm.
  • Call 911 and LVC campus safety (ext. 6111).
  • If safe to do so, stay with the victim until authorities arrive.
  • If you are a witness, write down as much information as possible.
  • Touch as little as possible as the area may be a crime scene.

The town of Annville is in an area where the risk of earthquake exposure to the College is considered slight: Seismic Zone 1 as defined by the Uniform Building Code.

An earthquake and any subsequent aftershocks may trigger secondary events such as a fire (see the section on Fire), flooding (see Flooding), and the release or spread of hazardous materials (see Hazardous Materials Incident).

Actions

If shaking is felt, the following are appropriate:

  • Get under a desk, table, door arch, or stairwell.
  • If none of the above is available, move to an interior wall and cover your head with your arms.
  • Stay away from large glass windows, shelving systems, and tall room partitions.

When shaking has stopped:

  • Survey the immediate area for trapped or injured persons.
  • Evacuate the building using Building Evacuation Procedures.
  • Return to the building only when given the “all clear” signal by emergency personnel.

An explosion may occur within a facility because of a laboratory accident, a gas leak, or a bomb device. An explosion also may be accompanied by a fire (see the section on Fire) or a medical emergency (see Medical Emergency).

Actions

  • Activate building alarm system.
  • Call 911 and report location of explosion/fire.
  • Call LVC campus safety at ext. 6111.
  • Evacuate the building using the nearest exit (see Building Evacuation Procedures).

In the event of a fire—large or small—the building should first be evacuated according to Building Evacuation Procedures and then the fire should be reported.

Students and employees should become familiar with the location of emergency exits, stairwells, alarm pull stations, and fire extinguishers in buildings they regularly use. During an evacuation, please be aware of individuals with special needs and be prepared to help as required.

Actions

In the event of a fire or suspected fire:

  • Pull a fire alarm to activate the fire alarm system.
  • Feel the door before opening it:
    • If hot, do not open; stuff towels or blankets at bottom; signal for help from window.
    • If cool, use caution when opening door.
  • If you can help control the fire without personal danger, use fire extinguisher if trained; otherwise leave the area.
  • Never allow fire to come between you and an exit.
  • Leave the building—DO NOT use elevators. Do not waste time locating personal items.
  • Make sure everyone has left immediate area; close doors behind you.
  • Call 911 when you are out of the building.
  • Remain at scene in a safe location; report to emergency personnel and College officials as they arrive.

In response to an audible fire alarm:

  • Evacuate the building (see Building Evacuation Procedures) if audible alarm sounds.
  • Leave the building—DO NOT use elevators. Do not waste time locating personal items.
  • Make sure everyone has responded to the alarm, as you leave.
  • Accompany and assist persons with disabilities.
  • Shut all doors behind you to help slow the spread of fire and smoke as you leave.
  • Return to the building only when given the “all clear” signal by emergency personnel.

Additional guidelines:

  • Do not break windows unless necessary to escape. Oxygen feeds the fire.
  • Stay low if moving through smoke. Crawl on hands and knees and breathe through nose using cloth filter if you are caught in smoke.
  • If advancing through flames hold your breath; move quickly; cover head and hair; keep head down and eyes closed as much as possible.

The College is in an area outside the 500-year flood plain with little or no probability of direct flooding from area streams, creeks, and other bodies of water. However, flooding may still occur as the result of surface or ground water entering below-grade areas.

Actions

As a precaution:

  • Stay out of and away from flooded area(s), and do not drive through standing waters.
  • Move equipment, supplies, and machinery to a higher elevation when possible and practical.
  • Identify equipment that might have to be shut down.
  • When safe (e.g., not in the presence of water) and necessary, electrical power should be disconnected.

After a flooding incident:

  • Call LVC campus safety (ext. 6111) or 911.
  • Lock areas to prevent unauthorized entry.
  • Identify areas for damaged materials.

Note: Stay out of the flooded area(s). Do not enter until electrical power has been turned off and given the “all clear” by emergency personnel or College officials.

Hazardous materials include compressed gases, corrosive liquids, or flammable liquids that may be stored, used, or transported on the campus. In addition, trains that pass through the campus often carry hazardous materials.

There are two types of hazardous materials incidents:

  1. Non-emergency, non-health-threatening incident—A spill that is not the result of container failure, is less than one ounce (30 ml), and can be cleaned up within 15 minutes; this type of spill does not require recording or reporting but must be cleaned up immediately.
  2. Emergency, health-threatening incident—all other spills are considered emergency, health-threatening incidents and must be reported and recorded following procedures designated by various state and federal agencies.

Actions

On-campus incidents when any type of potentially hazardous material appears to be leaking or poses a danger to people:

  • For an emergency incident, call 911 and LVC campus safety (ext. 6111). For a non-emergency incident, call LVC campus safety ext. 6111).
  • Confine the fumes or fire by shutting room doors.
  • If possible, extinguish flames and ignition sources.
  • Sound the building alarm.
  • Evacuate the building using Building Evacuation Procedures.
  • Return to the building only when given the “all clear” signal by emergency personnel.

Railroad or highway incidents:

  • Call 911 and LVC campus safety (ext. 6111).
  • Evacuate the building using the Building Evacuation Procedures.
  • Return to the building only when given the “all clear” signal by emergency personnel.

The instructions of local civil defense, emergency preparedness officials, and the National Weather Service will be used to formulate a response to a potential hurricane/tropical storm event. College officials will decide whether the College will be closed and what personnel will stay on site.

During the storm, employees remaining on campus will monitor the progress of the hurricane or storm. Even though the College is not located in a flood-prone area, there is the potential for water damage from a hurricane or tropical storm if heavy rains overtax street and storm drains (see the section on Flooding).

Quick and responsible action during a medical emergency is critical. Students and employees who are not trained to use medical equipment or perform procedures such as CPR should refrain from taking any action beyond calling for help and dialing 911.

Actions

Three basic steps:

  • Call 911.
  • Do not move a seriously injured person unless it is a life-threatening situation or it is necessary to prevent further injury.
  • If safe, stay with the victim and attempt to keep him or her as calm and comfortable as possible.

Additional steps:

  • Call LVC campus safety (ext. 6111).
  • Call LVC health center (ext. 6232).
  • Give CPR and first aid if appropriately trained.
  • Keep the victim warm to avoid shock and elevate lower extremities if possible.
  • Remain with the victim until an ambulance or qualified medical personnel arrive.

You should report the concern to the appropriate on-campus personnel if you or your friends/colleagues are concerned that a student or employee is missing.

Actions

  • Contact LVC campus safety (ext. 6111) or a member of the student affairs/residence life staff (ext. 6230).
  • Provide the name of the person, date/time last seen, and other pertinent information.

If a serious incident occurs at a nuclear power plant, radiation could be released into a river as a liquid and travel downstream, or it could be released into the air as a gas and carried by the wind along a pathway consisting of an area within about a 10-mile radius of the plant.

The College is not located within the 10-mile evacuation area for Three Mile Island (TMI) in Middletown, Pa., as defined by the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency. However, College officials may order an off-campus evacuation if it is believed that an incident at TMI poses a possible threat to students and employees. Instructions for the evacuation will accompany the announcement of such an evacuation.

Note: The College is the designated evacuation site for the Milton Hershey School, which is in the 10-mile evacuation area for TMI. The on-campus location normally will be the LVC Sports Center. College staff and Metz Culinary Management will provide assistance caring for the evacuees.

In a public health emergency, the Pennsylvania Governor has broad power to issue an emergency order to protect the public health. Whenever possible, LVC will follow guidelines and recommendations established by the Governor, the Pennsylvania Department of Health, Center for Disease Control, and other identified authorities.

The College president has the authority to make emergency decisions, including closing the College, if they deem it is appropriate.

Special sensitivity is necessary when dealing with sexual assault and rape. The primary concerns are the subject’s physical and emotional health and safety, the safety of the College community, protection of the subject from undue embarrassment or publicity, and ensuring confidentiality.

Actions

  • When confronted with the possibility that a sexual assault or rape has occurred, attend to the needs of the subject and help facilitate getting medical attention.
  • Encourage the subject to seek medical attention or to go to the Shroyer Health Center (717-867-6232 or extension 6232).
  • You are mandated to report the assault to a campus safety officer, student affairs administrator, or human resource employee. You are welcome to have a Title IX advocate of your choosing to join you for support when you report. A list of Title IX advocates can be found here.

Additional Actions

  • The following procedures should be followed to preserve evidence:
    • Do not clean up the location where the assault was committed, e.g., room, car.
    • The subject should not bathe, shower, or douche if they are willing to get medical attention. An off-campus doctor will instruct the subject on hygiene and medications to protect one’s health.
    • Do not discard any clothing worn during the assault; put it in a paper bag (do not use a plastic bag).
  • Call the Office of Campus Safety (717-867-6111 or extension 6111), student affairs (717-867-6233 or extension 6233), or human resources (717-867-6416 or extension 6416) to file a report. Pursuant to the Clery Act, Title IX, Lebanon Valley College employees are required to report all allegations of sexual assault.
  • Student affairs or human resources representative will inform the subject of the right to press charges and proceed with the College investigation. Arrangements can be made to transport the subject to a medical facility or Shroyer Health Center, and other resources will be made available.

LVC students, faculty, and staff who see any potentially threatening social media messages about the College or any of its people should immediately contact the student affairs staff members on call (residential life and campus safety).

Actions

  • Contact a member of the residence life staff (ext. 6230) and campus safety (ext. 6111).
  • Provide the threatening message(s), its location (specific social media site), and other pertinent information.

Quick and decisive action during both suicide attempt and suicide threat is critical. All threats should be taken seriously as if the student or employee intends to complete it. Students and employees who are not comfortable doing the following should call 911 immediately.

Attempted Suicide

Actions

The basic steps:

  • Call 911.
  • Call LVC campus safety (ext. 6111) to report.
  • Do not move a seriously injured person unless it is a life-threatening situation or necessary to prevent further injury.
  • Roll person over on their side to prevent choking if the victim is unresponsive.

Additional steps:

  • Call LVC counseling services (ext. 6696) and LVC health services (ext. 6232) if during regular business hours.
  • Keep the victim warm to prevent shock and remain with the victim until an ambulance or qualified medical personnel arrives.

Threatening Suicide

Actions

  • Call 911.
  • Call LVC campus safety (ext. 6111) to report.
  • Take threat seriously and ask to walk them over to the Shroyer Health Center if applicable.
  • If they resist, call counseling services (ext. 6696) or Crisis Intervention (717-274-3363) for assistance.
  • Ask for weapons/drugs intended to cause self-harm.
  • Do not leave person alone until professional personnel are consulted.

If a threat is received by phone, it is desirable to have another person listen to the call if possible. A calm response to the caller could result in additional information being collected. Since the caller is the best source, keep them on the line as long as possible and ask for the message to be repeated for clarity.

Actions

During the call:

  • DO NOT hang up.
  • Remain calm, be courteous, and listen.
  • Attempt to find out why the caller is upset.
  • Identify the type of threat and to whom it is directed.
  • Check caller ID if available.
  • Write down as much information as possible.
  • Get as much information as possible.

After the call:

  • Call 911.
  • Call LVC campus safety (ext. 6111).
  • Do not share the information with anyone except emergency personnel and selected College officials. Note that only designated College officials can share information publicly.

A tornado watch signifies that weather conditions exist that may produce tornadoes. A tornado warning indicates there has been a sighting or detection of an advancing tornado. An emergency may be declared for campus if the National Weather Service issues a tornado warning.

Actions

As a precaution:

  • Move quickly to an underground area such as a basement.
  • If an underground area is not available, use:
    • Small interior rooms without windows on the lowest floor.
    • Hallways on the lowest floor away from doors and windows.
    • Rooms constructed with reinforced concrete, brick or block, with no windows and a heavy concrete floor or roof system.
    • Any protected area away from doors and windows.

As soon as the tornado passes:

  • Evacuate–DO NOT use elevators.
  • Assist those with accessibility needs.
  • Do not open doors if smoke or heat is present (see the section on Fire).
  • Be alert to open or unprotected floor openings, shafts, etc.
  • Avoid areas of potential collapse.
  • Be alert for energized electrical equipment, wiring, fixtures, etc.
  • Proceed to assembly area as directed by College or other emergency officials.
  • Return to the building only when given the “all clear” signal by emergency personnel.

You should report it immediately to emergency personnel if a train derailment occurs on campus..

Note: A train derailment may be accompanied by hazardous materials (see Hazardous Materials Incident), medical emergencies (see the section on Medical Emergency), explosions (see Explosion), or fires (see Fire).

Actions

  • Call 911.
  • Call LVC campus safety (ext. 6111).
  • Move to a safe location away from the affected area. Move upwind if possible to avoid airborne hazardous materials.