1.  Introduction

This Emergency Action Plan (EAP) covers designated actions faculty, staff, and students must take to ensure safety during emergencies. The following emergency response information is provided with the understanding that all situations in a critical incident cannot be predicted, but this information will assist in informing BAU community members of what to do in cases of emergency and establishing the minimum emergency preparedness procedures training for all personnel in our building.

This plan is reviewed and updated annually.

Annual training on this plan includes all key staff members and building occupants to provide the most effective Emergency Preparedness.

Building Coordinator	Shawneen Jones	[email protected]	301-416-9790
Assistant Building Coordinator	Ratchata Niyomsinchai	[email protected]	301-385-7425

1.1.  Additional Resources

The Building Management Company (Lincoln Property) sends a notification to BAU Building Coordinator and Assistant Building Coordinator. BAU officials sends emergency message to students, faculty, and staff email addresses regarding the urgent situation that has the potential to affect their health and safety.

2.  General Emergency Instructions

2.1.  General Instructions for all Emergency Situations:

1. Get out of immediate danger and stay calm.
2. In the event of a fire, or if you feel the building’s occupants are in danger:
a. Activate the building’s fire alarm system BEFORE calling 9-1-1.
b. Evacuate the building immediately!
c. Use the Building Evacuation Maps on each floor.

When calling 9-1-1:

1. Stay on the line with the dispatcher.

2. Provide the address of the building involved and your exact location. This is especially important if you are calling from a cell phone. BAU’s address is listed below:

1510 Street NW, Washington, D.C., 20005

3. Provide a thorough description of the incident to ensure that proper resources are dispatched.

4. When providing a description of an individual, describe from top (head) to bottom (feet).

5. Do not hang up until the dispatcher tells you to.

2.2. Notification of Emergencies

Occupants will be notified of emergencies by either activating the installed fire alarm system, or occupants may receive verbal notification of an emergency.

2.3. Fire and Emergency Reporting

The preferred fire or emergency reporting method is by dialing 911 from any phone (even if the fire is out). Alternatively, activation of any fire alarm system device (smoke/heat detector, sprinkler head) will automatically summon emergency responders.

2.4. Rescue and First Aid

Bay Atlantic University relies on the District of Columbia Paramedics and Fire Department to provide emergency medical response and rescue. However, some Bay Atlantic University staff members are trained and certified to administer minor first aid and use an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) machine.

The nearest AED is located behind the front desk at BAU’s main entrance.

2.5.  Alert System

The alert tone is three (3) distinct beeps, followed by the voice message, “There is a fire emergency reported in the building. Please evacuate immediately.” Also, the fire strobe lights will flash to indicate an emergency condition, and evacuation is required.

2.6.   Building Emergency Contact Information

Name	Title	Floor	Mobile Phone	First Aid/ CPR
Alex Roset	Director of Student Services	1st floor	703-338-6022	YES
Shawneen Jones	HR Director	2nd floor	301-416-9790	YES
Koray Bintas	Academic Deputy Director, Mentora College	3rd floor	202-823-9401	YES
Heath Tjaden	Program Chair	4th floor	571-643-6071	NO

 

3. Building Evacuation Procedures

3.1.  Reasons for evacuating building:

• • Fire or smoke
  • Gas smell
  • Bomb threat in building (see below)
  • Active shooter (see below)

Outside Assembly Locations:

In case of emergency, outside assembly locations are Lafayette Square, McPherson Square, and Franklin Square, in that order.

If an emergency occurs that forces evacuation of the building, the first assembly location is Lafayette Square. If it is impossible to go in that direction (for example, if Secret Service is blocking that direction because it is the direction of the White House), then go to McPherson Square. If it is impossible to go towards McPherson Square, then go to Franklin Square.

3.2. Prior to Exiting

After being notified to evacuate, stop all work activities and evacuate immediately. Close, but do not lock, the doors (locked doors can hamper rescue operations). Remember, you may not be allowed back into the building for an extended time.

3.3. Exiting the Building/ Evacuation Routes

During an emergency evacuation, use the nearest door or stairway if available. There are two stairwells that are accessible on each floor, located on either side of the elevators. Each employee needs to be aware of at least two exit routes in their main building in the event one is compromised. All floors have building evacuation signs. DO NOT USE ELEVATORS for evacuation. Faculty and staff will direct occupants in their area (classroom/floor) to evacuate and lead them to evacuation routes.

There are four exits from the building:

• • The front desk entrance
  • The 1510 H Street main entrance
  • White House Deli (onto H Street, accessible through a door on the north side of elevators, easternmost exit point);
  • The building’s back door (alley behind the building; go through the door on the south side of elevators and walk straight back, down the stairs, and out the door; once in the alley, turn right leads you to H Street, while turning left dead ends amid other buildings whose back doors may or may not be accessible).

3.4. Evacuation of Occupants with Impairments

Bay Atlantic University has designated employees responsible for the evacuation of colleagues who cannot evacuate themselves or need assistance to evacuate expediently. These employees are the Emergency Contact people under section 2.6.

3.5. Critical Equipment Operation

This facility currently has no critical equipment operation or shutdown requirements.

3.6. Additional Assembly Area Information

After exiting the building, all faculty, staff, students, and visitors should follow the evacuation route to the pre-arranged assembly area. It is vital to have both a primary and secondary evacuation point. Both points should be at least 300 feet from the incident scene. The assembly area is the initial location to complete an initial accounting of building occupants and determine if another location is more appropriate.

The Building Coordinator should assign an Assembly Area Manager to each evacuation location:

Lafayette Square              Alex Roset

McPherson Square          Heath Tjaden

Franklin Square                 Koray Bintas

4.  Active Shooter

An active shooter is an individual actively engaged in killing or attempting to kill people in a confined and populated area; in most cases, active shooters use firearms(s) and there is no pattern or method to their selection of victims.

Active shooter situations are unpredictable and evolve quickly. Typically, the immediate deployment of law enforcement is required to stop the shooting and mitigate harm to victims.

Because active shooter situations are often over within 10 to 15 minutes, individuals must be prepared both mentally and physically to deal with an active shooter situation before law enforcement arrives on the scene.

4.1. Good practices for coping with an active shooter situation:

1. Be aware of your environment and any possible dangers

2. Take note of the two nearest exits in any facility you visit

3. If you are in an office, stay there and secure the door

4. If you are in a hallway, get into a room and secure the door

5. As a last resort, attempt to take the active shooter down. When the shooter is at close range, and you cannot flee, your chance of survival is much greater if you try to incapacitate him/her.

6. CALL 911 WHEN IT IS SAFE TO DO SO!

4.2. How to Respond When an Active Shooter is in Your Vicinity

Quickly determine the most reasonable way to protect your own life. Remember that students and visitors are likely to follow the lead of employees and managers during an active shooter situation.

1. If there is an accessible escape path, attempt to evacuate the premises. Be sure to:

a. Have an escape route and plan in mind

b. Evacuate regardless of whether others agree to follow

c. Leave your belongings behind

d. Help others escape, if possible

2. Prevent individuals from entering an area where the active shooter may be

3. Keep your hands visible

4. Follow the instructions of any police officers

5. Do not attempt to move wounded people

6. Call 911 when you are safe

If evacuation is not possible, find a place to hide where the active shooter is less likely to find you. Your hiding place should:

1. Be out of the active shooter’s view

2. Provide protection if shots are fired in your direction (i.e., an office with a closed and locked door)

3. Do not trap yourself or restrict your options for movement

To prevent an active shooter from entering your hiding place:

• • Lock the door
  • Blockade the door with heavy furniture

If the active shooter is nearby:

• • Lock the door
  • Silence your cell phone and/or pager
  • Turn off any source of noise (i.e., radios, televisions)
  • Hide behind large items (i.e., cabinets, desks)
  • Remain quiet

If evacuation and hiding out are not possible:

Remain calm. Dial 911, if possible, to alert police to the active shooter’s location.

If you cannot speak, leave the line open and allow the dispatcher to listen.

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

• • Acting as aggressively as possible against him/her
  • Throwing items and improvising weapons
  • Yelling
  • Committing to your actions

4.3.  How to Respond When Law Enforcement Arrives

Law enforcement’s purpose is to stop the active shooter as soon as possible. Officers will proceed directly to the area in which the last shots were heard.

• • Officers usually arrive in teams of four (4).
  • Officers may wear regular patrol uniforms or external bulletproof vests, Kevlar helmets, and other tactical equipment
  • Officers may be armed with rifles, shotguns, handguns
  • Officers may use pepper spray or tear gas to control the situation
  • Officers may shout commands, and may push individuals to the ground for their safety

How to react when law enforcement arrives:

• • Remain calm and follow officers’ instructions
  • Put down any items in your hands (i.e., bags, jackets)
  • Immediately raise hands and spread fingers
  • Keep hands visible at all times
  • Avoid making quick movements toward officers, such as holding on to them for safety
  • Avoid pointing, screaming and/or yelling
  • Do not stop to ask officers for help or direction when evacuating, just proceed in the direction from which officers are entering the premises

Information to provide to law enforcement or 911 operator:

• • Location of the active shooter
  • Number of shooters, if more than one
  • Physical description of shooter/s
  • Number and type of weapons held by the shooter/s
  • Number of potential victims at the location

Notes: The first officers to arrive at the scene will not stop to help injured persons. Expect rescue teams comprised of additional officers and emergency medical personnel to follow the initial officers. These rescue teams will treat and remove any injured persons. They may also call upon able-bodied individuals to assist in removing the wounded from the premises.

Once you have reached a safe location or an assembly point, 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 until law enforcement authorities have instructed you to do so.

5. Shelter in Place

There may be a time when an emergency occurs in your community due to an airborne chemical release. The outside air quality may be affected to the point that it isn’t safe to be outside. It is usually safer to shelter-in-place until wind disperses and moves the chemical(s) away in a case like this.

Reasons for shelter-in-place:

• • Airborne chemical release
  • Terrorist attack in the vicinity

If an emergency may be a risk to the public, your Emergency Management Official will notify you by telephone or building alarm system.

For airborne chemical releases, the safest immediate action is to shelter-in-place while listening for further instructions.

For most releases, there is not enough time for evacuation.

5.1. Shelter-in-Place Instructions

• • Go inside immediately and turn on the radio or TV for emergency information.
  • If indoors already, stay there!
  • If you are in a vehicle, close all windows, manual vents, and ventilation systems.
  • Close all windows and doors.
  • Turn off all ventilation, forced air heating or cooling systems.
  • Shut all windows and doors – this includes everything that can be closed quickly and easily to prevent the chemical from entering.
  • If at all possible, be in a room with no windows or outside air vents.
  • If possible, seal the door, windows, vents, etc., with plastic sheeting and tape, or with wet rags.
  • Continue listening to radio or TV for further instructions. You may be given instructions to evacuate. You will be notified when the emergency is over. (Use a battery-powered radio if the power is off.)

6. Bomb Threat

Bomb threats are most commonly received via phone, but are also made in person, via email, written note, or other means. Every bomb threat is unique and should be handled in the context of the facility or environment in which it occurs. Facility supervisors and law enforcement will be in the best position to determine the credibility of the threat.

Primary Site Decision Maker: Shawneen Jones

Secondary Site Decision Maker: Ratchata Niyomsinchai

If a bomb threat is made at BAU, the primary and secondary decision makers will decide whether or not to evacuate the building. If the decision is made to evacuate, the evacuation procedures described above will go into effect.

6.1. For threats made via phone

Bomb threats are serious until proven otherwise. Act quickly but remain calm and obtain information with the checklist on the reverse of this card. If a bomb threat is received by phone:

• • Remain calm. Keep the caller on the line as long as possible. Be polite and show interest to keep them talking.
  • DO NOT HANG UP, even if the caller does.
  • Listen carefully. Be polite and show interest.
  • If possible, signal or pass a note to other staff to listen and help notify authorities.
  • Write down as much information as possible—caller ID number, the exact wording of threat, type of voice or behavior, etc.—that will aid investigators.
  • Record the call, if possible.
  • Follow authorities’ instructions. Facility supervisors and/or law enforcement will assess the situation and provide guidance regarding facility lock-down, search, and/or evacuation.

Immediately upon termination of the call, DO NOT HANG UP, but from a different phone, contact authorities immediately with information and await instructions.

6.2.  For threats received by handwritten note or email

Call Shawneen Jones or Ratchata Niyomsinchai

Do not delete the message.

Signs of a suspicious letter or package:

• • Excessive postage
  • Stains
  • Strange odor
  • Strange sounds
  • Poorly handwritten
  • Misspelled words
  • Incorrect titles
  • Foreign postage
  • Restrictive notes

6.3. Bomb Threat Checklist

After receiving a bomb threat, fill out the bomb threat checklist.

7. Suspicious Item

A suspicious item is any item (e.g., bag, package, vehicle, etc.) that is reasonably believed to contain explosives, an improvised explosive device (IED), or other hazardous material that requires a bomb technician and/or specialized equipment to evaluate it further.

Examples that could indicate a bomb include unexplainable wires or electronics, other visible bomb-like components, and unusual sounds, vapors, mists, or odors. Generally speaking, anything that is Hidden, obviously suspicious, and not Typical (HOT) should be deemed suspicious. In addition, potential indicators for a bomb are threats, placement, and proximity of the item to people and valuable assets.

NOTE: Not all items are suspicious. An unattended item is an item (e.g., bag, package, vehicle, etc.) of unknown origin and content with no obvious signs of being suspicious (see above). Facility search, lock-down, or evacuation is not necessary unless the item is determined to be suspicious.

You may encounter a suspicious item unexpectedly or while conducting a search as part of your facility’s or employer’s Bomb Threat Response Plan. If it appears to be a suspicious item, follow these procedures:

1. Remain calm.

2. Do NOT touch, tamper with, or move the package, bag, or item.

3. Notify your facility supervisor, such as a manager, operator, or administrator, or follow your facility’s standard operating procedure.

4. Call 9-1-1 or your local law enforcement if no facility supervisor is available.

5. Explain why it appears suspicious.

6. Follow instructions. Facility supervisors and/or law enforcement will assess the situation and provide guidance regarding shelter-in-place or evacuation.

7. If no guidance is provided and you feel you are in immediate danger, calmly evacuate the area. Distance and protective cover are the best ways to reduce injury from a bomb.

8. Be aware. There could be other threats or suspicious items.

Every situation is unique and should be handled in the context of the facility or environment in which it occurs. Facility supervisors and law enforcement will be in the best position to determine if a real risk is posed and how to respond.

8.     Fire and Smoke Conditions

8.1. Fire Safety Precautions and Fire Systems Equipment

• • Keep doorways, corridors and egress paths clear and unobstructed.
  • Make sure that all electrical appliances and cords are in good condition.
  • Do not overload electrical outlets.
  • Use surge protected multi-outlet power strips and extension cords when necessary.
  • Never store flammable materials in the building.
  • Do not tamper with any fire system equipment such as smoke detectors, pull stations or fire extinguishers. Doing so is a criminal offense.

Raising a false alarm is a criminal offense. It endangers the lives of the occupants and emergency personnel.

8.2. What to do When Detecting a Fire

1. Immediately pull the nearest fire alarm pull station as you exit the building.

2. When evacuating the building, be sure to feel doors for heat before opening them to be sure there is no fire danger on the other side.

3. If there is smoke in the air, stay low to the ground, especially your head, to reduce inhalation exposure.

4. Keep one hand on the wall to prevent disorientation and crawl to the nearest exit.

5. Once away and clear from danger, call the proper authorities and inform them of the fire.

6. Go to the BAU meeting area and await further instructions from emergency personnel.

 

DO’s

DON’T’s

§  DO treat every fire alarm as an emergency. If the alarm sounds, exit the building immediately. §  DO remain in the room if you are unable to exit the building safely because of smoke or fire. Keep the door closed and await assistance from the fire department. If smoke is entering under or around the door, stuff damp rags in the spaces to help keep smoke out. If possible, open a window and waive or hang a brightly colored towel or garment to notify rescue personnel of your location. §  DO close the doors behind you if it is safe to leave your room. §  DO become aware of your neighbors and note if they have not evacuated and tell authorities they are missing and may need assistance.

§  DON’T assume that a fire alarm is a test or burned microwave popcorn. Any alarm could be the result of a dangerous fire. §  DON’T waste time collecting personal items. Take your keys and yourself to safety as soon as possible. §  DON’T use the elevators during a fire emergency; always use the stairs.

 

9.     Medical Emergencies/Injuries

Know the location of safety equipment (eyewash stations/bottles, emergency showers, first aid kits) in your area, and how to use them—where applicable. Adhere to the “Check, Call, Care” regimen regarding injuries, as follows.

Check—If a student or employee is injured, unconscious, or otherwise exhibiting signs/symptoms of an injury that requires immediate medical attention, check the scene to ensure the environment poses no additional risk to the injured person.

1  Unless the environment poses an immediate and additional threat to the injured person (like a building fire), do not move them from the scene.

2. Quickly obtain information relative to the nature and extent of the injury for communication purposes.

3. DO NOT initiate medical care at this time, unless someone assisting you is able to proceed with the following instructions.

Call—Once you have assessed the scene and injured person, call the front desk (extension 5075 from any campus phone) to report the medical condition. The attendant will notify the active building site administrator. Be sure to convey information relative to the nature and extent of the injury, including whether additional individuals are at risk of further injury.

If there is a life-threatening condition, or a situation in which no time can be wasted before an individual must receive medical attention, call 9-1-1 immediately (see guidance on calling 9-1-1 above).

Care—Once you have assessed the scene and notified the front desk and/or called 9-1-1, proceed with 1st aid or triage only if you are capable of administering such care. DO NOT administer 1st aid/triage to an injured person if you are unqualified, as you may place him/her in greater harm.

Upon notification, BAU administration will initiate medical attention in any of 2 ways:

• Trained BAU personnel will themselves administer 1st aid/CPR/triage;
• Trained first responders will ensure that 9-1-1 has been called and remain with the sick or injured individual until professionals arrive on the scene.

As dictated by the nature of the injury and/or the additional medical attention required, BAU personnel may call external responders/ambulatory services to respond and transport injured persons to the appropriate facilities.

If requested, assist emergency crews as necessary.

If the medical emergency results in a building evacuation, assist the disabled in exiting the building. Remember that elevators are reserved for disabled persons during medical emergency evacuations.

10. Report a Crime / Incident / Unsafe Conditions

If you become aware of any crime or other accidental or inappropriate incident occurring on BAU campus or involving BAU community members, immediately report that crime/incident to Shawneen Jones (HR Director) on 301-416-9790 or Ratchata Niyomsinchai on 301-385-7425

If you become aware of any unsafe conditions on BAU campus, notify the front desk (extension 5075 from any campus phone or (202) 644-7200.

Acknowledgements

This Emergency Action Plan was informed by/drawn from various resources, including the following:

Bucks County Emergency Management Agency. Ivyland, PA. http://www.rrt6.org/Uploads/Files/buckcounty_pa_sip_12.pdf

Department of Justice Bomb Threat Guidance Brochure. Department of Homeland Security. https://www.dhs.gov/publication/dhs-doj-bomb-threat-guidance-brochure.

Medical Emergencies or Injuries. Hamilton College, Clinton, NY. https://www.hamilton.edu/documents/2012%20EAP%20For%20Medical%20Emergencies-Injuries.pdf

What To Do In Case Of Fire. University of Arkansas, Little Rock, Arkansas. http://ualr.edu/safety/home/campus-safety-links/fire-safety/what-to-do-in-case-of-a-fire/.