Evacuation and Shelter-In-Place Scenario

Shelter-In-Place vs. Evacuation

The decision to establish a Shelter-In-Place or to Evacuate will often be made by the Emergency Operations Center. In such times, the Emergency Operations Center will contact the Hazard Comunications Coordinator with information and specific instructions.

However, it is never intended for any members of the campus comunity to be at risk awaiting instructions. If an emergency situation arrises that necessitates immediate action, emergency responders will advise people as to the proper response for such events. For example, a fire within the building, a fire alarm sounding, or other events of immediacy and danger call for immediate evacuation.

Shelter-In-Place Procedure

If you are ever advised to shelter-in-place:

  • Isolate yourself as much as possible fromt eh external environment
    • contact Facilities Management to shut down air handling systems (x2661);
    • shut all doors and windows;
    • seal cracks around doors and windows as much as possible.
  • Provide for your comfort (as much as possible)
  • Communicate needs
  • Notify emergency management personnel of status
  • Monitor all available communications
  • Notify family when possibleof delayed arrivals

Materials Department's Return to Work Policy

Procedures for returning to work:

Before an employee travels to work following an after-hour emergency situation, the employee must:

  1. Obtain information regarding the status of the emergency;
  2. Obtain information about the road conditions on the way into work.

The final decision to return to work proceding an after-hour emergency is the personal choice and responsibility of each employee.

Bomb Threat

The University will consider all bomb threats as authentic until fully investigated.

Bomb Threat Procedures:

  • The person receiving the bomb threat should remain calm and attempt to obtain as much information as possible from the caller (see checklist below).
  • Call 9-911 to inform the Police Department of the situation.
  • The Police will assist in determining if an evacuation is necessary.
  • Inform your supervisor and /or the Department Head.
  • If you spot a suspicious object, package, etc., report it to the Police, but under no circumstances should you touch it.
  • If instructed to evacuate, move to your department's Emergency Assembly Point provided it is at least 300 feet from the building in question.
  • It is possible for radio transmissions to detonate certain devices, so do not transmit radios and /or cellular phones within 300 feet of the targeted area.
  • Do not re-enter until authorized to do so by UCSB emergency response personnel.

The Police Department may post the entrance with the following sign:

WARNING

The University has received an anonymous bomb threat against this building. We have no way of knowing if this is a serious threat. Officials have conducted a preliminary search and have found no suspicious items. Whether or not you enter is a matter of your personal discretion.
- Campus Police

Bomb Threat Checklist

Questions to Ask:

  1. When is the bomb going to explode?
  2. Where is the bomb?
  3. What kind of bomb is it?
  4. What is your name?
  5. Where do you live?

Caller Description:
Try to decipher caller's:

  • Sex
  • Approximate Age
  • Race

Background Sounds:
Try to listen for backgound noise:

  • Street noise
  • Voices
  • Music
  • Animals
  • Static

Caller's Voice
How did the caller sound?

Calm Laughing Lisp
Angry Crying Raspy
Excited Nasal Deep
Slow Normal Ragged
Rapid Distinct Accent
Soft Slurred Distinguished
Loud Stutter Familiar

Report any Bomb Threat immediately by dialing 9-911

Earthquake

The following procedures apply for earthquakes:

Outside

  • Get to an open area away from trees, buildings, and power lines.

Vehicle

  • Pull to the side of the road away from underpasses, bridges and buildings. Remain in the vehicle until the shaking stops. Do not leave the vehicle if a power line has fallen on or near it.

Inside

  • Stay away from windows and get under a desk or a table.
  • Duck, cover, and hold
  • In a hallway, sit against the wall and protect your head with your arms.
  • In an auditorium, duck between the rows of seats and protect your head.
  • Wait inside until the shaking stops, then evacuate the building and go to your Emergency Assembly Point.
  • Do not use elevators for evacuation.
  • Designated personnel should assist individuals with mobility disabilities to a safe location.
  • Report to your department's Hazard Communication Coordinator (Karen Hanson or Deryck Stave). The Hazard Communication Coordinator will complete a department status report and will transmit it to the Emergency Operations Center.
  • Do not re-enter the building until authorized to do so by County Fire or UCSB emergency response personnel.

Fire

The following procedures apply for fires:

  • If a fire starts that is beyond your control to extinguish, evacuate the area and close the door.
    • Activate the nearest fire alarm pull station. (See floorplan)
    • Follow the evacuation route established by your department. (See floorplan)
  • Evacuate when the fire alarm rings / strobe flashes.
    • Inside a room:
      Feel doors at the top for heat. Do not open a door if it is warm to the touch. If smoke or fire is present in the hallway, close door and place materials at the base to block smoke.
    • On the first floor:
      If windows are operable and circumstances permit, use them for evacuation if necessary.
    • In a multistory building:
      If not on the ground floor with operable windows and if hallways are impassible, call 9-911 and wait for emergency personnel.
  • Call 9-911 on a campus phone, or 911 on a pay phone, and report the location, extent, and type of fire.
  • Do not use elevators.
  • Designated personnel should assist individuals with mobility disabilities to a safe location.
  • Stay up-wind of smoke and fire. (Note: Use your Department Emergency Assembly Point if it is in an upwind location.)
  • Report to your department's Hazard Communication Coordinator. The Hazard Communication Coordinator will complete a department status report and will transmit it to the Emergency Operations Center.
  • Do not re-enter the building until authorized to do so by County Fire or UCSB emergency response personnel.
  • Report all fires, even those that are self-contained and extinguished.
  • If a fire extinghuisher has been discharged, call EH&S (X3305) for servicing.

Hazardous Materials Releases

The following procedures apply for major incidents involving hazardous material releases that cannot be controlled by department personnel:

  • Alert personnel in affected and adjacent areas.
  • If possible, use signs and/or barricades to isolate the area.
  • Evacuate the area and close the door.
  • If the release cannot be contained in the area, activate the nearest fire alarm pull station.
  • Call 9-911 on a campus phone or 911 on a pay phone; explain what has occurred.
  • Stay up-wind of smoke and fire. (Note: Use your Department Emergency Assembly Point if it is in an upwind location.)
  • Ask for assistance from your department Emergency Response Team (ERT) member.
  • Report spills to the EH&S Hot Line, X3194 (24 hour hot line)
  • If Campus Emergency Operation Center has been activated, report to your department's Hazard Communication Coordinator. The Hazard Communication Coordinator will complete a department status report and will transmit it to the Emergency Operations Center.
  • Do not re-enter the building unitl authorized to do so by County Fire or UCSB emergency response personnel.
  • Call Environmental Health and Safety at X3194 for general odors.
    Call Dispatch at 9-911 for suspected natural gas odors.

For non-emergency incidents requiring assistance from Environmental Health and Safety, call the EH&S 24-hour Hot Line at X3194

Severe Weather

The following procedures apply for severe weather situations:

If at home:

  • Assess conditions prior to leaving home.
    • Check on road conditions before traveling by calling state and local services.
    • Listen to all available media for conditions, as well as news releases and voice mail messages from UCSB.
      • Voice mail: 893-8800, dial phone extension and voice mail password when prompted.
      • People who do not have voice mail can call the information line, 893-8000, for the same recorded message.
  • Contact the department for more information, if possible.
  • Do not risk your life in order to return to campus

If at work:

  • Determine whether the campus has been closed.
  • Listen to media reports, especially KCSB, FM 91.9.
  • Check voice mail regularly for new messages and updates.
  • Check campus email for pertinent messages.
  • If Campus Emergency Operation Center (EOC) has been activated, transmit any pertinent information regarding the emergency to your deparment's Hazard Communication Coordinator, and receive any instruction on emergency procedures. The Hazard Communication Coordinator will complete a department status report and will transmit it to the Emergency Operations Center.
  • Do not leave the campus and get on the roads if you have not been able to determine if it is safe to do so.

Utilities Emergencies

The following procedures apply to utility emergencies:

Gas:

  • If you smell gas, evacuate and call 9-911 on any campus phone (or 911 from a pay phone).
  • If appropriate, activate nearest pull station.
  • Do not turn on any electrical equipment or light switches.
  • Evacuate to your Emergency Assembly Point.

Electrical:

  • If not connected to a surge protector, unplug sensitive equipment.
  • Disconnect hazardous equipment according to department plan.
  • After a power outage, check elevators for trapped individuals and call 9-911/911 if necessary.
  • Stay away from downed power lines, notify authorities.
  • During an extended power outage, you may have to leave the building and go to your Emergency Assembly Point. There you will wait for further instructions from emergency response personnel.

Water:

  • Do not drink water from any campus system after an earthquake or a flood.
  • Report plumbing breaks to Facilities Management, X2661, or, after business, hours to Police Dispatch, X3446.

Heating and Ventilation:

  • Report air conditioning or heating problems to Facilites Management, X2661, or, after hours, to Police Dispatch, X3446.

Note:
If the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) has been activated, report to your department's Hazard Communication Coordinator. The Hazard Communication Coordinator will complete a Department Emergency Status Report and transmit it to the EOC.