Campus Emergency Procedures

An “active shooter” is an individual actively engaged in killing or attempting to kill people in a confined and populated area. Although the likelihood of an active-shooter incident in our organization is small, recent events remind us that we are not immune from these types of tragedies. In most cases, there is no particular pattern to the active shooter’s selection of victims. Some common motives for the violence are anger, revenge, and ideology.

If you encounter an active-shooter situation, you must quickly determine the most practical way to protect your own life. You will need to decide whether to — RUN, HIDE or FIGHT!

Run — if there is an accessible escape path

• Leave your belongings behind
• Help others escape, if possible
• Do not attempt to move the wounded
• Prevent others from entering an area where the active shooter may be
• Keep your hands visible
• Call 911 or University Police (518-564-2022) when you are safe

Hide — if evacuation is not possible

• Hide in an area out of the shooter’s view
• Lock door or block entry to your hiding place
• Silence your cell phone (including vibrate mode) and remain quiet

Fight — Take action by disrupting the shooter — but only as a last resort and only when your life is in imminent danger.

• Fight as a last resort and only when your life is in imminent danger
• Attempt to incapacitate the shooter
• Act with as much physical aggression as possible
• Improvise weapons or throw items at the active shooter
• Commit to your actions . . . your life depends on it

When Law Enforcement Arrives

The first officers to arrive on scene will not stop to help the injured. Expect rescue teams to follow initial officers. These rescue teams will treat and remove injured.

What to Do

• Remain calm and follow instructions
• Drop items in your hands (e.g., bags, jackets)
• Raise hands and spread fingers
• Keep hands visible at all times
• Avoid quick movements toward officers, such as holding on to them for safety
• Avoid pointing, screaming or yelling
• Do not ask questions when evacuating

Information to Provide to 911 Operations

• Location of the active shooter
• Number of shooters
• Physical description of shooters
• Number and type of weapons shooter has
• Number of potential victims at location

Once you have reached a safe location, 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 the area until law enforcement authorities have instructed you to do so.

When responding to a bomb threat: DO NOT HANG UP THE PHONE!

During the Call

Stay on the phone and follow these steps:

1. Ask someone to call University Police at 518-564-2022.
2. Talk with the caller, try to take notes, record the Caller ID, and any exact words.
3. Be aware of whether the individual is male or female, young or old, calm or angry. Note any background noises.

Ask These Questions:

1. Where is the bomb?
2. What does the bomb look like? What kind of bomb is it?
3. What will cause the bomb to explode?
4. Who placed the bomb? Why was the bomb placed? Where are you calling from? What is your name?

After the Call

1. Immediately contact University Police at 518-564-2022.
2. Remain calm; do not panic.
3. If you are told to evacuate, walk to the nearest exit, and tell other people to exit.
4. Move to a safe area at least 50 feet from the building.

Bomb Threat Checklist from the Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency

What You Can Do When There Is a Bomb Threat — Video

Responding to a Conscious Choking Victim

• In a medical emergency, Dial 911.
• If a choking victim can’t speak or breathe, follow these steps:
  • Obtain consent.
  • Lean person forward.
  • From behind, wrap your arms around victim’s waist.
  • Make a fist and place thumb side of your fist against victim’s upper abdomen, below rib cage and above navel.
  • Grasp fist with other hand and press into their upper abdomen with a quick upward thrust five (5) times.
  • Do not squeeze ribcage; confine the force of thrust to your hands.
  • Repeat five (5) back blows and five (5) abdominal thrusts until object is expelled.

Responding to Unconscious Choking Victim

• In a medical emergency, Dial 911.
• Place victim on back. Give 30 chest compressions.
• Look for object in mouth.
• Remove if seen. Try two (2) rescue breaths.
• If breaths do not go in, continue 30 chest compressions, look for object, try two (2) rescue breaths until air goes in.

Crime, Threatening Person, Workplace Violence

Reporting crimes:

Immediately call University Police at 518-564-2022 if you think a crime is being committed or has occurred.

• Report anything that is out of place or suspicious to University Police.
• Describe the location of the incident and person’s age, gender, appearance, etc.
• All employees must report workplace violence to their supervisors.

Threatening persons:

• Call University Police at 518-564-2022 or dial 9-1-1.
• Protect yourself, stay calm and avoid conflict.
• Keep a safe distance.
• Place barriers between you and the suspect.
• If possible, seek protection in a classroom/office with locks and a phone.
• Immediately leave the building if it does not put you at risk.
• Trust your instincts and use sound judgment.

During an Earthquake

Resources for those with disabilities

If indoors:

• Stay indoors. Most injuries occur from falling debris while trying to evacuate.
• Take cover under a table, bench or desk, and hold on or go to an interior wall or hallway.
• Keep clear of windows that may break and furniture or large objects that could fall over.
• If an evacuation is necessary; the fire alarm systems will be activated.
• Be careful and alert to falling objects or debris.

If you hear the fire alarm:

• Do not attempt to evacuate until the shaking has stopped
• Gather your personal belongings: keys, purse, medication and any available emergency supplies. Once evacuated you may not be allowed to re-enter the building.
• Use the emergency stairwell.
• Be alert to falling objects and debris.
• Report injured or trapped people and/or any signs of structural damage you observe to security or emergency responders.

If in an elevator:

• You are probably better protected than most people — the elevator will not fall down the shaft, and nothing heavy can fall on you.
• If the power fails, the elevators will stop, and the lights will go off. Remain calm. Use the emergency phone in the elevator or push the alarm button to report your situation to University Police. University Police will respond to your call as quickly as possible.
• Don’t attempt to rescue trapped people or to escape from an elevator.

If outdoors:

• Stay outdoors.
• Move to an open area away from trees, buildings, utility poles and signs.
• If in your vehicle, carefully pull over keeping away from overhead objects such as trees, buildings, utility poles, signs, and overpasses.
• Stay in the vehicle until the shaking stops.

After an earthquake:

• If an evacuation is necessary, the fire alarm system will be activated.
• Do not call University Police or 911 for information.
• Only use your phone for emergencies, to report injured or trapped people or to report signs of structural damage.
• Using your phone during the first 15-30 minutes after a significant emergency will contribute to overloading the phone system with calls and may delay emergency assistance to those who need it most.

Evacuating Buildings

During an Emergency

• All buildings must be evacuated when a fire alarm sounds or upon notice from University Police or other authorized personnel.
• When evacuating a building, close your door and always exit from the closest egress door.
• Alert others to follow when evacuating the building.
• Never use elevators during a fire.
• When outside, go to a designated assembly area at least 50 feet from the building and follow instructions.
• Keep streets, fire lanes, hydrant areas and walkways clear for emergency vehicles and personnel.
• Do not return to an evacuated building, unless notified by a building contact (administrative buildings), C.A./C.D. (residential buildings), or University Police.

Evacuating People with a Disability

If you have a special need that prevents you from exiting:

• Move to a safe location near a stairwell to be rescued by a member of the fire department.
• Once at your safe location, call University Police 518-564-2022 or emergency responders at 911 and provide the following information:
• Exact location (floor, stairwell number, etc.)
• Name
• Cell phone number
• Information about any assistance you need to evacuate
• If possible, ask another person to accompany you to the safe location and to immediately notify emergency responders of your exact location once they have evacuated.

Responding to a Fire

Dial 911

• Activate a pull box if the building alarm has not sounded.
• Do not fight the fire.
• Close the door to the room after exiting.
• Exit the building using emergency exits and stairwells.
• Do not use elevators.
• Once outside, go to your building’s assembly area. Stay at least 50 feet from the building.
• If there are any issues during the evacuation, seek out a building contact (administrative buildings) or R.A.//R.D (residential buildings) and report those issues to them. Building contacts can be identified by their fluorescent green safety vest with the words “building contact” on the back.
• When it is safe to return to the building, building contacts will blow their whistles, using three short blows. This is the all-clear signal, indicating that it is safe to return to the building. University Police will provide the all-clear in the absence of a building contact at residential buildings.
• If you are unable to evacuate the building, dial 911 with your location, then remain in the room, close the door to the room, and block the bottom of the door with a wet towel, if possible, to prevent smoke from entering.
• If possible, identify your location by hanging clothing outside a window.

Dealing with Harassing Telephone Calls

The best way to deal with harassing telephone calls is to simply stay calm and hang up when they occur. The caller usually wants a reaction. Just hanging up will usually stop the calls. Also, don’t talk about the calls other than to report the incident. There is a chance that the caller is an acquaintance and may be encouraged by your anxiety.

If the calls do not stop or if the calls are obscene or threatening you should act.

What Should I Do?

You should contact local law enforcement and your local telephone company to file a report with them, and upon request, they may block the caller. Be sure to maintain a log of the calls. Write down the following, immediately — you may forget, if you wait:

• Time and date of the call(s). (keep a log)
• Gender of the caller
• Describe the caller’s voice
• What did the caller say?
• Age of the caller (how old did he/she sound? )
• Did the caller seem intoxicated?
• Tone/Voice: accent or speech impediment?
• Was there any background noise?
• Was a phone number/name displayed on your Caller ID?
• How do I stop the calls?

Responding to Large Spills

• Protect yourself and notify people in your area about the spill.
• Turn off all ignition sources around flammable materials.
• Evacuate the room, floor or building, as necessary.
• Close doors to prevent people from entering the area.
• Dial 911 and call University Police at 518-564-2022 to report spills and medical emergencies.

When Reporting a Spill

• Any personal injuries that occurred.
• The location of the spill: building, room number or area.
• The name of material spilled: spell it clearly and slowly.
• The amount of material spilled.
• How the spill occurred if known or suspected.
• Who saw the spill and when it occurred.
• Provide a call-back telephone number.

Reporting Hazards

• All hazards (damaged floors, broken elevators, spills, etc.) must be reported to facilities by calling 518-564-5044 (weekdays) or 518-564-5030 (evenings or weekends).

Responding to Injuries

• In a medical emergency dial 911, then call University Police at 518-564-2022, if possible.
• Provide medical treatment, if qualified.
• Stay on the phone until instructed to hang up.
• Give as much information as possible (location, nature of injury, cause of injury).
• Employees must notify their supervisor as soon as possible.

Reporting Incidents/Accidents and Injuries

• All incidents/accidents and injuries must be reported to your supervisor, University Police or Student Health Services. Accident report forms can be obtained from University Police, Student Health Services and Human Resource Services.

Reporting Hazards

• All hazards (damaged floors, broken elevators, spills, etc.) must be reported to facilities by calling 518-564-5044 (weekdays) or 518-564-5030 (evenings or weekends).

When a person is a danger to him/herself or others because of a mental health problem, call for immediate assistance

• In case of medical emergency, Dial 911.
• Call University Police at 518-564-2022.
• Clearly state immediate help is needed.
• Report your name, your location, the person’s name, their location, phone number, and the nature of the problem.

A person is considered a danger to himself, herself or others when he/she has

• Threatened or attempted suicide, verbally or in writing.
• Engaged in efforts to prepare to commit suicide.
• Deliberately caused injury to self.
• Expressed thoughts of wanting to harm other people, verbally or in writing.

Provide responding personnel with as much information as you know about the person, including

• Mental health history.
• Name of therapist/psychiatrist (if applicable).
• Medications the person is taking (if applicable).
• Recent changes in behavior.
• Recent use and history of alcohol/drug use.
• History of suicide threats, attempts and/or other violent behaviors.
• Ability to manage daily living skills (eat, bathe, etc.).

If you are concerned about the mental health of a fellow student, faculty or staff member and are unsure whether their behavior constitutes an immediate call to University Police, please contact the Behavioral Assessment Committee by calling the Student Health & Counseling Center at 518-564-2187.

Information related to Personal Safety resources.

Information related to Sexual Assault resources.

Shelter-In-Place means to seek immediate shelter and remain there during an emergency rather than evacuate the area. Shelter-In-Place will only be used when an evacuation is not safe. Certain events may necessitate the initiation of SUNY Plattsburgh’s Shelter-in-Place Protocol, which can be found below. Notification to shelter will be made using all means of communication available by authorized personnel (i.e. University Police, SUNY NY Alert, Residence Life staff, etc.). All occupants should seek shelter or remain inside their building until an all clear has been given by authorized personnel.

Shelter-in-place situations

Hazardous incident

• Move to a room with no windows that can open or are open.
• Rooms that have little or no outside ventilation are preferred.
• Close any open windows and doors.
• Only come out when you are told that it is safe.

Violent person

• Stay in your room/office/classroom.
• Notify those around you, and encourage others to remain in the building rather than to try to leave.
• Lock doors, cover the window, pull down the blinds, turn off the lights and stay calm.
• Stay away from windows.

Weather

• Move to the basement of the building, this usually provide the best protection.
• Move to an interior room with no windows, or a hallway on the lowest floor possible.
• Move to an interior stairwell if all rooms have windows.
• Stay in the center of the room away from doors and windows.
• Stay in place until the danger has passed.

Handling suspicious packages or envelopes:

• Do not shake or empty contents.
• Do not carry the package. Place it on a stable surface.
• Do not sniff, touch or look closely at it or any spilled contents.
• Leave the area, close doors, and prevent other people from entering the area.
• Call University Police at 518-564-2022 to report suspicious packages.
• Wash hands with soap and water to remove any contamination.
• If possible, identify people who may have been in contact with the suspicious package.

Identifying suspicious packages and envelopes:

• Strange labeling: too much postage, no return address, strange wording.
• Soiled packaging: powdery substances, stains, odors.
• Other signs: heavy weight, ticking sound, protruding wires or foil.

Who to Contact:  Report utility emergencies to facilities at 518-564-5044 (weekdays) and 518-564-5030 (evenings/weekends)

Power Outage

• Turn off all appliances and devices (e.g., stoves, gas burners, heaters, computers, etc.).
• Secure all work and experiments.
• Immediately notify your supervisor.
• Do not use flammable materials until power is restored.
• Evacuate the building if you are notified.

Gas Leak

• Immediately stop all operations and evacuate the area, notifying other occupants/visitors as you leave.
• Do Not take time to close doors or switch lights on or off.
• Do Not re-enter the building until notified by University Police.

People Trapped in Elevator

• Use the emergency phone in the elevator or push the alarm button.
• Don’t attempt to rescue trapped people or to escape from an elevator.
• Wait for help and remain calm until help arrives.

Flooding or Water Break

During:

• Stop using all electrical devices if flooding occurs.
• Move electrical devices off floors, including power strips, etc.
• Avoid direct contact with wet surfaces, since flood waters may have become contaminated (i.e. raw sewage, oil, gasoline, etc.) when leaking into buildings or may be electrically charged.
• Evacuate the flooded area if you feel you are in danger or if you are notified.

After:

• Wear gloves when you are handling or cleaning wet surfaces to avoid direct skin contact.
• Use cleaning agents and disinfectants on surfaces which may have come in contact with flood waters.
• Dispose of wet paper and porous materials which cannot be dried since they may promote mold growth if they are not properly dried.

For up-to-date information on the status of classes and operations at the main campus of SUNY Plattsburgh, please call:

• SNOWLINE: 518-564-SNOW (7669)

Decisions to cancel/delay classes at the main campus of SUNY Plattsburgh will be made as early as possible in the day, preferably prior to 6 a.m. or as soon as possible, if affecting afternoon/evening classes.

The campus community is then notified through various means, including:

• A message will be sent to the campus community via e-mail as an Emergency/Critical Announcement.
• An announcement will be placed on the homepage www.plattsburgh.edu, under Campus Alerts at my.plattsburgh.edu, and additional information will be posted on www.plattsburgh.edu/emergency.
• Local radio and television stations will be notified as soon as a decision is made.
• In the residence halls, posters will be placed on entry doors announcing the cancellation of classes due to inclement weather.

Severe Thunderstorm — Know the Terms

• Severe Thunderstorm Watch — Tells you when and where severe thunderstorms are likely to occur. Watch the sky and stay tuned to NOAA Weather Radio All Hazards, commercial radio, or television for information.
• Severe Thunderstorm Warning — Issued when severe weather has been reported by spotters or indicated by radar. Warnings indicate imminent danger to life and property to those in the path of the storm.

During a Thunderstorm

• If you are in a forest, seek shelter in a low area under a thick growth of small trees.
• If you are in an open area, go to a low place such as a ravine or valley. Be alert for flash floods.
• If you are on open water, get to land and find shelter immediately.
• If you feel your hair stand on end (which implies that lightning is about to strike), squat low to the ground on the balls of your feet. Place your hands over your ears and your head between your knees. Make yourself the smallest target possible and minimize your contact with the ground. DO NOT lie flat on the ground.

Tornado — Know the Terms

• Tornado Watch — Tornadoes are possible in and near the watch area. Review and discuss your emergency plans and check supplies and your safe room. Be ready to act quickly if a warning is issued or you suspect a tornado is approaching. Acting early helps to save lives! Watches are issued by the Storm Prediction Center for counties where tornadoes may occur. The watch area is typically large, covering numerous counties or even states.
• Tornado Warning — A tornado has been sighted or indicated by weather radar. There is imminent danger to life and property. Move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy building. Avoid windows. If in a mobile home, a vehicle, or outdoors, move to the closest substantial shelter and protect yourself from flying debris. Warnings are issued by your local forecast office. Warnings typically encompass a much smaller area (around the size of a city or small county) that may be impacted by a tornado identified by a forecaster on Radar or by a trained spotter/law enforcement who is watching the storm.

Be alert to changing weather conditions. Look for approaching storms. Look for the following danger signs:

• Dark, often greenish sky and large hail.
• A large, dark, low-lying cloud (particularly if rotating).
• Loud roar, similar to a freight train.

If you are indoors:

• Go to a pre-designated shelter area such as a basement or storm cellar.
• If there is no basement, go to the center of an interior room on the lowest level (closet, interior hallway) away from corners, windows, doors, and outside walls.
• Put as many walls as possible between you and the outside.
• Get under a sturdy table and use your arms to protect your head and neck.
• Do not open windows.

If you are outdoors:

• Try to get inside and seek shelter.
• If you are unable to get inside:
  • Lie flat in a nearby ditch or depression and cover your head with your hands.
  • Be aware of the potential for flooding.
  • Do not get under an overpass or bridge. You are safer in a low, flat location.
  • Watch out for flying debris. Flying debris causes most fatalities and injuries.

Know the Terminology:

Definitions of Weather Watch, Warnings and Advisories.