This quick reference is produced by Sacred Heart University’s Department of Public Safety. It covers potential emergencies on campus and what you can do to respond.
Click here to download a detailed Emergency Plan Handbook.
INITIAL ACTIONS
The individual discovering or receiving information about an incident will take the following steps:
1. Call Public Safety ext. 7911 or Emergency 911 (Off-campus - 371-7911)
2. Provide the following information:
- Your name
- Nature of incident
- Location of incident
- Severity of injuries or property damage
- Telephone number (for a call back)
3. Take- action to protect students, faculty, staff and property. This might include:
- Moving people away
- Isolating and securing the area
- Providing assistance as needed to students and personnel
- Directing Public Safety responders to the scene
4. Await instructions from Public Safety, police, fire or University officials. These instructions will be given by alarm, text message and/or email.
FOR INCIDENT INSTRUCTIONS AND UPDATES
Email, Text Messaging, Voice Command, Sirens
Website - www.sacredheart.edu
Phone - 203-371-7911
Radio - 91.1 FM WSHU, 600 AM WICC,108 FM WEBE, 99.9 FM WEZN
RESPONSE OPTIONS
Please take the following steps in response to the specific directions issued by Public Safety
Seek Shelter
IF INSIDE:
- Use a desk or other piece of furniture as a shield
- Move away from windows
- Make body as small as possible and stay low
- Remain quiet, still and be prepared to move quickly
IF OUTSIDE:
- Try to get behind any solid object
- Lie flat, with face away from source of event
- Cover your head and face
- Remain quiet, still and be prepared to move quickly
EVACUATION
- Instructions to evacuate will be issued by Public Safety, police or University officials
- Evacuate students and staff quickly, but in an orderly fashion to a safe area
- Calm students and remain quiet
- Assist handicapped persons or those in need
- Do not turn off lights or equipment
- Close all doors behind you - do not lock doors
- If you observe something unusual or suspicious, do not touch it
- Remain in a safe area until receiving notification to return to the facility
Lockdown
- No one will be allowed to enter the Campus
- Faculty will oversee the lockdown by drawing blinds, where possible, locking doors and windows, and turning off lights
- Disregard any knocks on the door and be alert
- All students and personnel should move into isolated sections of building and remain quiet
- Faculty will be notified when it is safe to resume normal operations
EVACUATION / RELOCATION SITES
Emergency Shuttle Bus Locations
Based on the emergency, this will be determined and announced. You will be dropped off at these locations:
Pitt Center
Edgerton Center
Cambridge Campus
101 Oakview Drive
Relocation sites:
To be announced
TYPES OF INCIDENTS
In response to the following incidents, please take the recommended actions:
Hostage Situation
- Avoid reckless actions or quick moves
- Do everything your captor says to do
- Speak only when spoken to
- Stay calm, try not to show emotion openly
- Sit, if possible, to avoid appearing aggressive
- Don’t turn away from captor unless ordered to
- Model the appropriate behavior that you would expect of your students
Fire/explosion
Activate the fire alarm system by pulling the alarm
Evacuate the building immediately in a safe and orderly manner
If a heavy smoke condition exists, get low to the ground and crawl to the safest exit
Alert authorities with any information once you have reached a designated "safe area"
Know your building - have a primary and secondary escape route in mind
Hazardous Material Release/Gas Leak
- Avoid contact with the material spilled
- Do not turn any electrical devices on or off
- Do not use cell phones
- Be prepared to evacuate the building
Bomb Threat
If you receive a call indicating there is a bomb in the building:
- Remain calm, do not hang up
- Record time of call
- Attempt to keep the caller on the phone as long as possible
- Document and report everything the caller says: ask questions about type and location of device, time of detonation, and reason for planting the device
- Document characteristics of the caller's voice (loud, muffled, accented, intoxicated, etc.)
- Listen to any background noise that may be present (television, traffic, music, etc.)
Violent Intruder/Active Shooter
- Do not confront the intruder
- Calm students and remain quiet
- Draw blinds to windows and secure doors; turn off lights and equipment
- Disregard any knock on the door or unfamiliar voices
- Be alert for students who may still be in the hallway
- All students should move into an isolated corner of the room or building, reducing their exposure to windows and doors
- If shots are heard, have everyone get low to the ground and seek shelter (if possible)
IF INSIDE:
- Use a desk or other piece of furniture as a shield
- Move away from windows
- Make body as small as possible and stay low
- Remain quiet, still and be prepared to move quickly
IF OUTSIDE:
- Try to get behind any solid object
- Lie flat, with face away from source of event
- Cover your head and face
- Remain quiet, still and be prepared to move quickly
Weather Emergencies
All outdoor activities will be suspended when thunder is heard
Shelter should be sought indoors by all members of the community until the severe weather is no longer a threat Occupants of temporary or portable facilities (trailers) should move into a building Depending on the severity of the storm, all occupants should be brought into the interior corridors away from outside windows. Close all doors. Do not take time to collect personal belongings Protect yourself from falling objects by taking shelter beneath a desk, table or bench Stay way from outside walls and windowsKEY WEATHER TERMS
Watch - Threatening weather is likely. Remain alert and prepared to implement a plan for action
Warning - Severe weather is occurring or has been indicated by radar. Take immediate action.
Fall - Hurricane Season
Winter - Snow and Ice Season
Spring - Thunderstorm Season
Earthquakes occur anytime without warning