WOODBURY UNIVERSITY EMERGENCY RESPONSE PLAN

This information is intended to help staff, faculty and students respond to emergency situations which may occur on the Woodbury campus. Such emergencies can occur at any time and without warning, but their effects can be minimized if proper emergency procedures are established and followed. Woodbury University is committed to the safety and security of all members of the campus community. In times of emergency, the University will provide an appropriate campus wide response to assure life safety and minimize losses.

Woodbury University has adopted an Emergency Response Plan to guide our response to various types of emergencies. This plan includes coordination with local and state emergency response agencies. The Woodbury University Emergency Response Plan incorporates an extensive team of professionals trained to deal with potential campus wide emergencies. In the event of an emergency, this team will be activated to address whatever contingencies may arise. The University also maintains a supply of equipment such as first aid supplies, food, water and blankets which may be used in the event of an emergency.

Please remember that emergency preparedness is also an individual responsibility. This brochure will serve as quick reference for efficient action during emergencies, and should be kept in an easily accessible location at all times. All staff, faculty and students should take the time now to read and become familiar with the contents of this guide before an emergency occurs.

Reporting an Emergency

To report an emergency, call:

818.252.5208/extension 208 (if on campus) OR 911 (if off campus)

State: “This is an emergency.”

Give the dispatcher

· Your location

· The nature of your emergency

· Phone number from which you are calling

· Your name

Do not hang up until you are sure no further information is required.

Important Phone Numbers

Campus Security 818.252.5208

Off campus Emergency 911

Campus Nurse 818.252.5238

Procedures During Emergencies

Blood or Body Fluid Spill

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration Office (OSHA) has set forth regulations that employers must adhere to for the purpose of protecting the health of its employees against the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and Hepatitis B virus. Members of the University community who are present during a situation in which there is a blood or body fluid spill are to follow these procedures:

1. Do not touch the material. You may cover it with a paper towel or some other type of disposable material available. Stay by the material so no one accidentally comes in contact with it while awaiting the response person.

2. Report the situation to Maintenance (171).

3. If the blood or body fluid is from an injury, the injured party should be offered materials to hold pressure over the wound if such material is available. If blood soaks through dressings, the injured person should apply more dressing directly on top. Do not remove blood soaked materials. If the injured individual is unconscious and unable to hold pressure to a wound, assistance is needed. A protective barrier of latex gloves should be worn by the individual assisting. Individuals not trained who choose to assist do so at their own risk.

Bomb Threat

If you observe a suspicious object or potential bomb anywhere on University property, do not touch, handle or move the object. Contact Security immediately (208) and clear the area.

If you receive a telephone call bomb threat, you should ask the caller:

· Where is the bomb located?

· What does it look like?

· When will the bomb explode?

· What kind of bomb is it?

· Why did you place the bomb?

Keep the caller on the line as long as possible. Signal to someone else in the room to call Security (208). Try and record the following information about the call:

· Time and date of the call.

· Age and gender of the caller.

· Speech pattern, accent, tone of voice, etc.

· Emotional state of the caller.

· Background noise.

Security will contact Burbank PD to conduct a detailed bomb search. Employees are asked to make a cursory inspection of their area for suspicious objects or things that are out of the ordinary and report them to appropriate authorities. Do not open drawers, cabinets, or turn lights on or off. If you find something, do not touch, handle, or move the object.

a. Evacuate the building. Go to your designated meeting area and check in with your Building Captain.

b. Please assist persons with disabilities.

c. Do not use elevators.

d. If requested, please assist emergency personnel

e. An Emergency Operations Center (EOC) will be established. Unless you have official business, please do not go to the EOC.

f. If you need first aid, please check with your Building Captain.

g. Do not return to an evacuated building unless instructed to do so by a University administrator or other official.

Chemical or Hazardous Material Spill

A spill of hazardous chemicals or radioactive material must be reported immediately to Security (208) and the Burbank Fire Department (911). Security will contact the necessary specialized authorities and medical personnel.

a. When reporting, be very specific about the nature of the materials involved and the exact location of the spill.

b. Evacuate the area or building. Do not allow anyone to return to the site without specific permission.

c. Individuals who may be contaminated must avoid contact with others as much as possible, remain in the vicinity, and give their names to Security. Instructions for first aid and clean up will be provided by the appropriate authorities.

d. All others should proceed to their designated meeting area and check in with their Building Captain.

e. Please assist persons with disabilities.

f. Do not use elevators.

g. If requested, please assist emergency personnel.

h. An Emergency Operations Center (EOC) will be established. Unless you have official business, please do not go to the EOC.

i. If you need first aid, please check with your Building Captain.

j. Do not return to an evacuated building unless instructed to do so by a University administrator or other official.

Civil Disturbance or Demonstrations

Most campus demonstrations such as marches, meetings, picketing and rallies will be peaceful and non-obstructive. Demonstrations should not be disrupted unless one or more of the following conditions exists:

· Interference with the normal operations of the University

· Prevention of access to offices, buildings, or other University facilities

· Threat of physical harm to persons or damage to University facilities or property

If any of these conditions exist, Security should be notified and will be responsible for contacting and informing the President and other key administrators. Depending on the nature of the demonstration, the appropriate procedures should be followed:

Peaceful, non-obstructive demonstrations

Generally, demonstrations of this kind should not be interrupted. Demonstrations should not be obstructed or provoked and efforts should be made to conduct University business as normally as possible.

If demonstrators are asked to leave but refuse to do so by regular facility closing time,

a. Arrangements will be made with Security to monitor the situation during non-business hours, or

b. Determination will be made to treat the violations of regular closing hours as a disruptive demonstration.

Non-violent, disruptive demonstrations

In the event that a demonstration blocks access to University facilities or interferes with the operations of the University,

a. Demonstrators will be asked to terminate the activity by the Chief Student Affairs Officer or designee.

b. If demonstrators persist in the disruptive activity they will be apprised that failure to discontinue the specified action may result in disciplinary actions including suspension or expulsion or possible intervention by civil authorities.

c. Efforts should be made to secure positive identification (including photographs) of demonstrators in violation to facilitate later adjudication.

d. The need for an injunction and intervention of civil authorities will be determined by the President and the Chief Student Affairs Officer.

e. If determination is made to seek the intervention of civil authorities, demonstrators should be so informed.

Violent, disruptive demonstrations

During Business Hours:

a. Notify the Chief Student Affairs Officer of the disturbance.

b. The Chief Student Affairs Officer will:

i. Report the circumstances to the President or designee.

ii. Notify key administrators and, if appropriate, the administrator responsible for the building or department.

iii. Notify the Director of Public Relations

iv. Arrange for a photographer

v. In consultation with the President, determine the need for an injunction and intervention of civil authorities

After Business Hours:

a. Notify Security of the disturbance.

b. Security will investigate the disruption and report/notify the Chief Student Affairs Officer.

c. The Chief Student Affairs Officer will:

i. Report the circumstances to the President or designee.

ii. Notify key administrators and, if appropriate, the administrator responsible for the building or department.

iii. Notify the Director of Public Relations

iv. Arrange for a photographer

v. In consultation with the President, determine the need for an injunction and intervention of civil authorities

Earthquake/Aftershocks

During an earthquake or aftershock, try to remain calm and quickly follow the steps outlined below:

a. If indoors, seek refuge under a sturdy desk or table. Stay away from glass, windows, shelves, and heavy equipment.

b. If outdoors, move quickly away from buildings, power lines, utility poles and other structures.

c. If in an automobile, stop in the safest place available, preferably away from power lines and trees. Stop as quickly as safety permits, but stay in your vehicle for the shelter it provides.

d. Be aware of the possibility of aftershocks.

e. If there is any chance that the building may be unsafe, evacuate. When in doubt, evacuate! Go to your designated meeting area and check in with your Building Captain.

f. Please assist persons with disabilities.

g. Do not use elevators.

h. If requested, please assist emergency personnel.

i. An Emergency Operations Center (EOC) will be established. Unless you have official business, please do not go to the EOC.

j. If you need first aid, please check with your Building Captain.

k. Do not return to an evacuated building unless instructed to do so by a University administrator or other official.

Explosion/Aircraft Down

In the event of an explosion or a downed aircraft on campus, the following actions should be taken:

a. Immediately take cover under tables, desks, and other large objects that provide protection against falling glass or debris.

b. Notify the Burbank Fire Department (emergency 911) and campus Security (208).

c. If necessary, or when directed to do so, activate the building alarm.

d. Evacuate the building if the alarm sounds or if instructed to do so by an administrator. Go to your designated meeting area and check in with your Building Captain.

e. Please assist persons with disabilities.

f. Do not use elevators.

g. If requested, please assist emergency personnel.

h. An Emergency Operations Center (EOC) will be established. Unless you have official business, please do not go to the EOC.

i. If you need first aid, please check with your Building Captain.

j. Do not return to an evacuated building unless instructed to do so by a University administrator or other official.

Fire

Notify Security (208) immediately in the event of any fire on campus. Secure the nearest fire extinguisher. If the fire is very minor in nature, promptly direct the charge of the fire extinguisher toward the base of the flame. For large fires or a small fire you cannot easily control, call emergency 911 and Security (208).

a. If possible, activate the building alarm. Evacuate the building. DO NOT LOCK THE DOORS. Go to your designated meeting area and check in with your Building Captain.

b. Please assist persons with disabilities.

c. Do not use elevators.

d. If requested, please assist emergency personnel

e. An Emergency Operations Center (EOC) will be established. Unless you have official business, please do not go to the EOC.

f. If you need first aid, please check with your Building Captain.

g. Do not return to an evacuated building unless instructed to do so by a University administrator or other official.

If you become trapped in a building during a fire and a window is available, place an article of clothing outside the window as a marker for rescue crews. If there is no window, stay near the floor where the air will be less toxic. Shout at regular intervals to alert emergency crews of your location.

Mail Procedures

Please follow the procedures listed below in the event Central Services or campus departments receive a suspicious parcel.

What constitutes a suspicious parcel?

1. Characteristics that should trigger suspicion include letters or parcels that:

a. Are unexpected or from someone unfamiliar to you.

b. Have no return address, or have one that cannot be verified as legitimate.

c. Show a city or state in the postmark that doesn’t match the return address.

d. Are of unusual weight given the size or are lopsided or oddly shaped.

e. Are marked with restrictive endorsements such as “personal” or “confidential.”

f. Have protruding wires, strange odors, stains, or crystallization.

g. Emit a ticking sound.

2. What should a person do if they receive a suspicious parcel in the mail?

a. Do not try to open the parcel.

b. Isolate the parcel.

c. Evacuate the immediate area.

d. Wash your hands with soap and warm water.

e. Notify Security immediately at extension 208

Poisoning/Epidemic

If you suspect someone has been poisoned:

a. Visually observe the scene before approaching to make sure it is safe.

b. Remove the victim from the source of poisoning, if necessary.

c. Check the victim’s level of consciousness, including breathing and pulse.

d. Care for any life-threatening conditions.

e. If the victim is conscious, ask questions to gather more information.

f. Call emergency 911 and campus Security (208).

g. Look for any containers—DO NOT TOUCH THEM. Keep others from touching or moving them.

h. Do not give the victim anything to eat or drink.

i. If the victim vomits, save some of the vomit. The hospital might need to analyze it to identify the poison.

If poisons such as wet or dry chemicals get on the skin, flush the affected area with large amounts of water. Call emergency 911 and campus Security (208) and continue flushing until assistance arrives. If running water is not available, dry chemicals should be brushed off with a firm object. Be careful not to get chemicals in your eyes or the victim’s eyes.

Epidemic

If a communicable disease is identified, the Los Angeles County Department of Health will instruct University personnel in the appropriate protocol.

Utility Failure

In the event of a utility failure during business hours, please notify Maintenance (171). If the failure occurs after business hours please notify Security (208).

Electrical/light failure—Residence hall staff should be prepared with flashlights and portable radios for electrical emergencies.

· Remain calm

· Provide assistance to students, visitors and staff in your immediate area

· If you are in an unlighted area, proceed cautiously to an area that has emergency lights

Elevator failure—If you become trapped in an elevator use the emergency call button to notify Security.

Plumbing failure/flooding—Cease using all electrical equipment. Notify Maintenance (171). If necessary, vacate the area.

Gas leak—Cease all operations. Do not switch on lights or any electrical equipment. Electrical arcing can trigger an explosion. Notify Maintenance (171).

Ventilation—If you smell smoke or other odors coming from the ventilations system immediately notify Maintenance (171). Cease all operations and vacate the area.

VIOLENCE

If confronted with violent activity OUTSIDE, the following actions should be taken:

a. Go inside the nearest building as quickly as possible. If you cannot get inside, make yourself as compact as possible, putting something between yourself and the violent individual. Do not gather in groups.

b. Notify the Police (emergency 911) and campus Security (208). Be prepared to give officers the following information:

· Your name

· Location of incident (be as specific as possible)

· Number of violent individuals and weapons involved (if known)

· Identification of violent individuals (if known)

· Your location

If the occurrence is INDOORS:

a. Go to the nearest room or office. Close and lock the door.

b. Crouch under tables or desks, turn out the lights, and keep as quiet as possible.

c. Notify the Police (emergency 911) and campus Security (208). Be prepared to give officers the following information:

· Your name

· Location of incident (be as specific as possible)

· Number of violent individuals and weapons involved (if known)

· Identification of violent individuals (if known)

· Your location

DO NOT pursue or attempt to detain suspects.

Evacuation Zone Locations