Chautauqua Institution Emergency Guide
Reporting Emergencies/Contact Information
Medical – Fire – Police Emergency: CALL 911 Immediately
Department of Safety & Security: 716-357-6225
Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Office: 716-753-2131
New York State Police: 716-665-3113
Chautauqua Buildings and Grounds: 716-357-6208
Poison Control: 800-222-1222
Fire
IN ALL CASES OF FIRE, PULL FIRE ALARM AND CALL 911 IMMEDIATLEY
• Quickly evacuate all rooms, close doors but do not lock doors.
• Follow Evacuation Procedure (next page).
Building Evacuation
Building is to be evacuated when alarm sounds or upon notification by appropriate personnel
• Leave personal belongings behind (coats, purses, etc.).
• Leave building by the nearest marked exit and alert others to do the same.
• Once outside, proceed to a safe area away from the building.
• Remain outside unit the “All Clear” signal is given by Institution personnel.
Tornado/Earthquake
Stay away from exterior walls and windows. Stay inside, remain as calm as possible and follow these steps:
Tornado
• Seek refuge in a basement, doorway, or under desk or table. STAY AWAY FROM GLASS WINDOWS.
• If outdoors, quickly move away from buildings, utility poles and other structures. Always avoid utility lines.
• For tornados, lie flat with head covered in a low-lying area if possible.
Earthquake
• After the initial shock, evaluate the situation and if emergency help is needed, dial 911.
• If an emergency requiring immediate evacuation exists, activate the fire alarm (if applicable), move to nearest exit and alert others.
• Damaged facilities, gas leaks and power failures should be reported as soon as practical.
Hazardous Materials Spill
• Vacate the affected area at once and if possible, block it off to prevent further contamination of other areas.
• As soon as possible, call the Department of Safety & Security at 716-357-6225, or 911 if an immediate emergency.
• If necessary or instructed to do so by authorized personnel, activate the building fire alarm and follow evacuation procedures.
• Anyone who may be contaminated by a spill is to avoid contact with others if possible. They should remain in the vicinity and give
their names to appropriate personnel.
• Authorities may contact HAZ-MAT, fire department, County Health Department and/or medical personnel if necessary.
Utility Failures
IF THERE IS A POTENTIAL FOR DANGER, CALL 911 and/or ACTIVATE FIRE ALARM AND FOLLOW EVACUATION PROCEDURE
• Electrical Failure: Where available, generators will provide emergency power.
• Elevator Failure: If trapped in an elevator, push the emergency alarm and/or use the emergency telephone.
• Downed Utility Lines: Maintain a safe distance and avoid downed lines or anything in contact with them.
• Gas Leak: DO NOT turn on light switches, or use telephones or any electrical equipment. DO NOT PULL FIRE ALARM. Leave the area and call 911 or the Department of Safety & Security at 716-357-6225.
• Steam Line Failure: Contact Chautauqua Institution Buildings and Grounds.
• Ventilation Problem: If smoke odors come in through ventilation system, immediately vacate the area and contact Chautauqua Institution Buildings and Grounds.
• During an Extended Water Outage: Hand sanitizer and bottled water will be made available.
Shelter in Place
To shelter in place means to seek immediate shelter and remain there during an emergency rather than evacuate.
IT IS USUALLY PREFERRED TO EVACUATE. WHEN NOT SAFE TO EVACUATE, SHELTER IN PLACE SHOULD BE USED.
• Preferred location is an interior room, hallway or stairwell with few or no windows.
• Preferred location would have access to restrooms and drinking water.
• If underground shelter is not an option, go to in interior room or hallway on the lowest level.
• Stay away from windows, doors and outside walls, if possible. Go to the center of the room.
Weather-related shelter in place recommendations:
• At times it may be best to remain indoors (tornado, earthquake, severe thunderstorm, hail).
• Determine where to take shelter if instructed to do so.
• If indoors: Drop to the ground and take cover under furniture. During earthquake, hold on until shaking stops.
• Stay away from windows, outside doors and walls.
• Stay inside until safe to go outdoors. DO NOT USE ELEVATORS.
Violent Person shelter in place recommendations:
• If you have determined that it is unsafe to get out, hide in a location where doors can be secured.
• Remain as calm as possible. Silence cellphone and follow Active Shooter page of this guide.
Active Shooter
ACTIVE SHOOTER: If you hear shots fired or witness an armed person shooting at people.
• Quickly determine the best way to protect your life (see below).
• Notify the police at 911 or Department of Safety & Security at 716-357-6225 if you can safely do so.
Evacuate If Possible:
• Have an escape route and plan in mind.
• Leave your belongings behind.
• Keep your hands visible to responding police officers.
Hide Out:
• Hide in an area out of the active shooter’s view.
• Block entry to your hiding place, turn off lights and lock doors.
• Place yourself and others strategically in the room. DO NOT huddle together.
• Silence cellphones.
• Ignore fire alarms, unless you see smoke or fire.
Take Action:
• As a last resort and only when your life is in imminent danger, FIGHT!
• Attempt to incapacitate the shooter. Use anything you can find around you as a weapon.
Suspicious Package/Bomb Threat
A package may be considered suspicious if:
• It has no return address
• Excessive postage
• Stains on package
• Strange odor
• Strange sounds coming from package
• Unexpected delivery
• Poorly handwritten
• Misspelled words
• Incorrect titles or generic title
•Marked “personal” or ”confidential”
*It has no return address *Excessive postage *Stains on package *Strange odor *Strange sounds coming from package *Unexpected delivery *Poorly handwritten *Misspelled words *Incorrect titles or generic title *Marked “personal” or ”confidential”
SUSPICIOUS PACKAGE ON GROUNDS:
• If you observe a suspicious package or potential explosive device, DO NOT HANDLE, MOVE OR TAMPER WITH PACKAGE.
• Clear the area immediately and call 911 and the Department of Safety & Security at 716-357-6225.
• DO NOT USE CELLPHONE WITHIN 300 FEET OF A SUSPICIOUS PACKAGE.
BOMB THREAT BY TELEPHONE:
• Any person receiving a bomb threat by telephone should attempt to keep the conversation going for as long as possible. Use alternate phone to alert authorities.
• Use a calm voice to engage the caller and note the conversation using the last page of this guide.
• If an emergency requiring immediate evacuation exists, activate the fire alarm, walk quickly to the nearest exit and alert others to do the same. Follow building evacuation steps.
• Immediately call 911 or the Department of Safety & Security at 716-357-6225
What to do if you receive a bomb threat by telephone
Questions to ask caller:
- Where is the bomb located?
- When will it go off?
- What does it look like?
- What kind of bomb is it?
- What will make it explode?
- Did you place the bomb?
- Why did you place the bomb?
- What is your name?
Record the exact wording of the threat
Record information about the caller:
- Where is the caller located (background/level of sounds)?
- Estimated age
- Is voice familiar?
- If yes, who does it sound like?
How to describe the caller’s voice:
• Male
• Female
• Accent
• Angry
• Calm
• Clearing throat
• Coughing
• Cracking voice
• Crying
• Deep
• Deep breathing
• Disguised
• Excited
• Incoherent
• Laughter
• Lisp
• Loud
• Message read
• Nasal
• Normal
• Ragged
• Rapid
• Slow
• Slurred
• Soft
• Stutter
REPORT ALL CALLS TO DEPARTMENT OF SAFETY & SECURITY 716-357-6225 AND 911