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GSU Safety Booklet coverClick here to download the GSU Safety Booklet

  • ACTIVE SHOOTER

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    An active shooter is defined as an armed person who has used deadly force on people and continues to do so while having unrestricted access to additional victims. Active shooter incidents on college campuses are rare, but recent campus shootings demonstrate that faculty, staff and students should be prepared for any type of emergency. If you witness any armed individual or shooter on campus at any time, immediately call 9-1-1.

    If the Shooter is Outside the Building

    • If it is possible to flee the area safely and avoid danger, do so. Notify anyone you may encounter to exit the area immediately. Evacuate to a safe area away from the danger and take protective cover. Stay there until assistance arrives.
    • Dial 9-1-1.
    • Go to the nearest room or office, or core area of the building, if safe to do so.
    • Barricade doors and block windows.
    • Turn off all the lights, close blinds and close and lock all windows and doors.
    • Seek protective cover for yourself and any others (concrete walls, thick desks, filing cabinets may protect you from bullets).
    • Keep occupants calm, quiet and out of sight.
    • Silence cell phones.
    • Do not answer the door.
    • Place signs in exterior windows to identify the location of injured persons.
    • Remain where you are until an "all clear" instruction is given by an authorized known voice.
    • If faculty, staff or students do not recognize the voice that is giving instructions, they should not change their status (stay put). Unknown or unfamiliar voices may be false and designed to give false assurances.

    If the Shooter is Inside the Building

    • If it is possible to flee the area safely and avoid danger, do so. Notify anyone you may encounter to exit the building immediately. Evacuate to a safe area away from the danger and take protective cover. Stay there until assistance arrives.
    • Dial 9-1-1.
    • If it is impossible for you to leave, secure yourself in your space.
    • Barricade doors and block windows.
    • Turn off all the lights, close blinds and close and lock all windows and doors.
    • Seek protective cover for yourself and any others (concrete walls, thick desks, filing cabinets may protect you from bullets).
    • Keep occupants calm, quiet and out of sight.
    • Silence cell phones.
    • Turn off radios and computer monitors.
    • Do not answer the door.
    • Place signs in exterior windows to identify the location of injured persons.
    • Remain where you are until an "all clear" instruction is given by an authorized known voice.
    • If faculty, staff or students do not recognize the voice that is giving instructions, they should not change their status (stay put). Unknown or unfamiliar voices may be false and designed to give false assurances.

    If the Shooter Comes in your Class or Classroom

    • There is no one procedure the authorities can recommend in this situation.
    • Attempt to get the word out to other faculty or staff, and call 9-1-1, or email University Police if that seems practical.
    • Use common sense. If hiding or leaving the area is impossible, attempt to negotiate with the individual.
    • Attempting to overcome the individual with force is a last resort that should only be initiated in the most extreme circumstances.
    • Remember, there may be more than one active shooter.
    • In a shooting incident, the University Police are in charge until University Park Police or other law enforcement personnel are on the scene.
    • Be careful not to make any changes to the scene of the incident since authorities will investigate the area later.
    • In case you must flee, do not go to the normal gathering site for your building. Get as far away from the shooting scene as possible and then contact authorities.

    For additional information visit The Department of Homeland Security.

       

    • AIRPLANE CRASH

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      Call 911 immediately. Give all pertinent information and your exact location, including building wing and room number. Do not hang up until the emergency personnel so directs.

    • BODY FLUID SPILLS

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      Call 911 immediately. Give all pertinent information and your exact location, including building wing and room number. Do not hang up until the emergency personnel so directs.

      Do not clean up spills unless you have been properly trained to do so.

      If a person is injured, assist as appropriate.

    • BOMB THREATS

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      Call 911 immediately. Give all pertinent information and your exact location, including building wing and room number. Do not hang up until the emergency personnel so directs.

      If it is determined by DPS that the threat is real, an evacuation will be implemented.

      If directed to evacuate, follow the Evacuation Guidelines.

    • CAMPUS MAPS

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      Here are links to download the maps and listings of Tornado Shelters in the GSU Campus:

    • CIVIL DISTURBANCE

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      A demonstration should not be disrupted unless one or more of the following conditions exist as a result of the demonstration:

      Interference with normal operations of the university.

      Prevention of access to university facilities.

      Threat of physical harm to people.

      Threat or actual damage to university property.

      If there is an immediate threat of bodily harm or damage to property, call 911. Give all pertinent information and your exact location, including building wing and room number. Do not hang up until the emergency personnel so directs.

    • EARTHQUAKE

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      During an Earthquake: 

      Find shelter under a sturdy desk or table if possible, kneel down and cover your head with your arms. Standing in a doorway is another option.

      Stay away from windows, temporary walls, partitions, and free standing objects such as file cabinets, bookshelves, etc.

      Do not panic or attempt to evacuate.

      Do not attempt to use the elevators.

      The initial shock of an earthquake usually lasts less than a minute.

      After the Earthquake: 

      If you or others are injured and require medical assistance, call 911. Give all pertinent information and your exact location, including building wing and room number. Do not hang up until the emergency personnel so directs.

      If directed to evacuate, follow the Evacuation Guidelines.

    • EXPLOSION

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      Call 911 immediately. Give all pertinent information and your exact location, including building wing and room number. Do not hang up until the emergency personnel so directs.

      If it is safe to do so, assess the extent of the damage sustained and/or the injuries involved and provide this information to DPS.

      Alert all personnel in the immediate area, checking for any damage or dangerous conditions.

      Do not use the elevators.

      Evacuate the building following the Evacuation Guidelines.

    • FIRE OPEN OFFICE AREA

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      Activate the nearest fire alarm.

      Call 911 immediately. Give all pertinent information and your exact location, including building wing and room number. Do not hang up until the emergency personnel so directs.

      Describe the extent of the fire. If the fire is small and you know how to use a fire extinguisher, locate and use the nearest fire extinguisher.

      If you cannot extinguish the fire:

      • Alert all personnel in the area.
      • Exit the room or hallway immediately.
      • Close any doors in your immediate area.
      • Evacuate the building following the Evacuation Guidelines.

    • FIRE ENCLOSED ROOM FIRE OUTSIDE THE DOOR

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      Feel the door with the back of your hand. If it is hot, do not open the door. (if it is not hot, see below).

      Call 911 immediately. Give all pertinent information and your exact location, including building wing and room number. Describe to DPS the extent of the fire, if known.

      Place an article of clothing or other obstruction along the bottom of the door to keep smoke out.

      Move as far away from the door and heat source as possible.

      Wait for rescue personnel to arrive.

      If you feel the door and it is not hot: 

      Call 911 immediately. Give all pertinent information and your exact location, including building wing and room number. Describe to DPS the extent of the fire if known.

      Slowly open the door while standing behind it. If no danger is present, activate the nearest fire alarm and proceed to the nearest exit.

      If the area is filled with smoke, stay low or crawl to the nearest exit.

      Evacuate the building following the Evacuation Guidelines.

    • HAZARDOUS MATERIAL RELEASE

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      Hazardous materials include chemical and biological agents in either a solid, liquid or gaseous state. If there is a large spill or release of a hazardous material, or if hazardous vapors are being released:

      • Evacuate the area immediately.
      • If possible, isolate the spill or vapor release by closing doors, etc.
      • If the material made contact with your skin or eyes, proceed to the nearest safety shower or eyewash (or a washroom if a safety shower or eyewash are not in the vicinity) and flush the exposed area with copious amounts of water for 15 minutes or until medical assistance arrives.
      • Call 911 immediately. Give all pertinent information and your exact location, including building wing and room number.
      • If possible, identify the released material and obtain a Safety Data Sheet to provide to the emergency responders.

    • MAIL THREATS/SUSPICIOUS PACKAGES

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      If a suspicious package is discovered on campus, call 911 immediately. Give all pertinent information and your exact location, including building wing and room number. Do not hang up until the emergency personnel so directs.

      Do not move, shake or open the package. Isolate it immediately.

    • REPORTING CONCERNS & THREATS

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      Student Concerns Program

      The Student Concerns Program is designed to ensure timely outreach to students that are believed to be in distress or acting in a manner of concern, and connect them to resources best suited to address the conveyed concern. Since faculty and staff play a key role in identifying students who are in distress, the Student Concerns Program depends on referrals that identify students who might benefit from proactive outreach and assistance.

      Faculty and staff are encouraged to report behaviors or concerns of any GSU student by using the Student Concerns Program online form to identify students and describe their area(s) of concern. Visit the Student Concerns Program website for more information about the program.

      Campus Threat Assessment Team

      GSU has decided to take a hands-on, holistic approach to ensure that tools are in place to reduce risks related to campus violence through the Campus Threat Assessment Team.

      To help in our efforts to ensure the safety of the campus community, please report all concerning behaviors that are potentially threatening, harmful to self or others, or disruptive to the university's mission.

    • SERIOUS INJURY OR ILLNESS

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      Call 911 immediately. Give all pertinent information and your exact location, including building wing and room number. Do not hang up until the emergency personnel so directs.

      Do not attempt to move an injured person unless doing so may prevent further injury.

      If necessary, and if trained to do so, provide first aid/CPR to the injured person.

      Remain with the injured or ill person until emergency personnel arrive and you are relieved by the emergency personnel.

      Do not obstruct emergency personnel.

    • SEVERE WEATHER

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      Severe Thunderstorm Watch- severe thunderstorms are possible in the area.

      Severe Thunderstorm Warning- severe thunderstorms are occurring in the area.

      Tornado Watch- conditions are favorable for the possible development of tornados in the area.

      Tornado Warning- a tornado has either been sighted or identified by weather radar.

      Severe thunderstorms are capable of producing damaging winds, hail and lightning. When severe thunderstorms are present, there is often a heightened risk that tornados could occur. DPS will alert the campus if a Tornado Warning is issued or if a tornado has been spotted in the area. Warnings will be issued by local television stations, local news radio stations, and NOAA weather radio. Local governments may activate outdoor sirens, but in most cases, building occupants may not be able to hear them.

      Should a severe weather notification occur:

      Move the designated shelter areas following the guidelines.

      Here are links to download the maps and listings of Tornado Shelters in the GSU Campus:

      If you cannot reach a designated shelter area, move as far away from the windows as possible. Lie down on the floor, under a desk or table if possible, curl up and protect your head and eyes.

      Do not use elevators or cell phones.

      Call 911 to report any injuries or damage when possible.

    • UTILITY OUTAGE

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      If a loss of power causes a threat to people or property, call 911 immediately.

      Notify Facilities Development & Management, 708.534.4515 immediately.

       All personnel should remain in their respective areas unless directed otherwise by DPS or designated authority.

    • WATER-RELATED EMERGENCIES

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      Call 911 immediately. Give all pertinent information and your exact location, including building wing and room number. Do not hang up until the emergency personnel so directs.

      Do not touch any electrical outlets, equipment, etc.

      Evacuate the area.

      If outside, do not drive through flooded areas.