Chippewa County Courthouse Security Emergency Procedures Dial 9 9 1 1 FIRE POLICE AMBULANCE Table of Contents Introduction... 2 Explosion... 3 Civil Disorder/Threat to Personal Safety... 4 Chemical Spill... 5 Tornado... 6 Phone Threat, Mail Threat, and Suspicious Object... 7 Written Threat and Suspicious Object... 8 Fire Employee Evacuation Procedure... 9 Storm Shelter Areas... 11 Threat/Security Incident Report... 12
Introduction Chippewa County believes its most important asset is you, its employee. We have developed plans to address dangers, which could threaten your well being. Knowing what to do in an emergency is essential to the plan s success. To this end, preparation for emergencies is the key. Take some time with your supervisor to: Read the quick reference information and procedures outlined in this handbook; Become familiar with the primary and secondary evacuation routes for your department; Familiarize yourself with shelter zones within the building for situations when the need to seek shelter exists. Instructions in this handbook are general and basic ones. They are only guidelines around which each department should develop specific instructions. It is very important that ALL department personnel are familiar with the handling of these emergency/disaster situations before they occur! Above all, stay calm and use good judgment in the event of an emergency. Follow established procedures and the instructions of your department head and supervisors. 2
Explosion Remain calm. Be prepared for possible further explosions. Crawl under a table or desk. Stay away from windows, mirrors, overhead fixtures, filing cabinets, bookcases, and electrical equipment. If evacuation is ordered, go to the designated area specified by your department head or designated person. Do not move seriously injured persons unless they are in obvious, immediate danger (of fire, building collapse, etc.) Open doors carefully. Watch for falling objects. Do not use elevators. Elevators can become inoperative during a fire. In addition, smoke and fire travel up elevator shafts. Do not use matches or lighters. Avoid using telephones. 3
Civil Disorder/Threat to Personal Safety In the event of a disturbance, good judgement and sound action will minimize the disturbance. Individual fear and emotion must be controlled and not communicated to those involved. Take immediate action to protect yourself in the event of a violent confrontation. Contact Sheriff s Department by pulling emergency pull cord, and/or call Sheriff s Department. When the employee believes that he/she is in a situation which is becoming potentially threatening, conclude your business quickly with an attempt to not further escalate the situation. Retreat from the area if your life is in danger. If a threatening individual or group is at large in the building, every effort will be made to give employees adequate time to take protective measures. When you are notified of this situation, please remain at your workstation or other designated secured area until released by your department head or supervisor. Maintain a calm, helpful and businesslike attitude at all times. Employees are not expected to attempt to calm any disturbance that might place them in a situation where physical harm might occur unless this activity is a normal component of his/her job. Complete the THREAT/SECURITY INCIDENT REPORT and give completed form to the Emergency Response Officer (County Clerk). 4
Chemical Spill Do what you can to contain the spill, but do not endanger yourself or others. Contact maintenance personnel to shut down air handling, evacuate the area and close doors. If toxic chemicals come in contact with your skin, immediately flush the affected area with clear water. Call 9-9-1-1. DO NOT call the Hazardous Materials unit directly; the fire department will determine if Haz Mat should be called. Chemical Spill Outside The Building: The courthouse will be evacuated if it is safe to do so. However, the decision may be made to shelter-inplace until the hazard has passed if evacuation will expose workers and the public to toxic substances. Shelter-In-Place Stay inside. Use an interior stairwell to move to an above ground room. DO NOT use elevators. Vents and exhaust fans will be shut down. Shut and lock windows. 5
Tornado Terms/Weather Definitions to Know: 1. Tornado Watch: Issued to alert you to the possibility of a tornado developing in a specific area for a specific period of time. Keep tuned to a radio or television station for further developments. 2. Tornado Warning: Issued when a tornado has actually been sighted or indicated by radar. The warning will indicate the location of the tornado, direction of travel, and period of time movement through a specific area. What to do: 1. If a Tornado Watch is announced, you should: Listen to the radio or television for weather advisory information. 2. If a Tornado Warning is announced, you should: Move to your shelter area immediately (see last page of this booklet for floor plan). If possible lock your office door(s) to secure confidential information. DO NOT USE ELEVATORS DO NOT LEAVE THE BUILDING ESCORT THE PUBLIC TO SHELTER AREAS In the event you CAN NOT make it to the shelter area, move to an interior hallway or room, staying away from all windows. Listen to the radio to announce an all clear before leaving the shelter area. 6
Phone Threat, Mail Threat, and Suspicious Object It is possible that any staff member might someday receive a threatening call, or receive a threatening letter or suspicious parcel in the mail, or discover a suspicious object somewhere on the premises. If You Receive a Telephone Threat: Remain calm. DO NOT transfer call or put on hold. Listen carefully. Be polite and show interest. Try to keep the caller talking, so that you can gather information. Check your caller ID to see if there is a number listed as to where the call is coming from. Write down as many details as you can remember. Police interviewers will need this information. Contact the Police Department (9-9-1-1) and follow their instructions. Report to your immediate supervisor and do not discuss the threat with other staff. If evacuation is ordered, follow the employee evacuation procedure in this booklet. Complete THREAT/SECURITY INCIDENT REPORT and give completed form to the Emergency Response Officer (County Clerk). 7
Written Threat and Suspicious Object If you receive a written threat, suspicious parcel, or find an object with suspicious residue anywhere on the premises: Keep anyone from handling it or going near it. The object may be potentially dangerous. In addition, its preservation is important as evidence for law enforcement. If airborne residue is suspected shut doors, windows and air handling units to that area. Contact your immediate supervisor and the Emergency Response Officer (County Clerk) and follow their instructions. Promptly write down everything you can remember about receiving the letter or parcel, or finding the object. The police interviewers will need this information. Remain calm. Do not discuss the threat with other staff members. If evacuation is ordered, follow the employee evacuation procedure in this booklet. Complete the THREAT/SECURITY INCIDENT REPORT and give completed form to Emergency Response Officer (County Clerk) 8
Fire Employee Evacuation Procedure In advance, each staff person should: Understand the Evacuation Plan. Recognize the sound of the evacuation alarm (same as fire alarm). Know at least two ways out of the building from your regular workplace. When you hear the evacuation alarm or are told to evacuate the building: Remain calm. Immediately shut down all hazardous operations. Leave quickly. It is mandatory that you waste no time and leave immediately. The highest-ranking person who is physically present in each department is responsible for ensuring that all members of his/her department evacuate the area. As you exit, lock up cash and other items as directed by your department. Quickly check nearby restrooms, copier rooms, closets, etc. Accompany and help disabled personnel and visitors who appear to need calm direction or assistance. If possible, lead them to the stairwell behind fire doors. The fire department will assist them the rest of the way. Proceed as quickly as possible, but in an orderly manner. DO NOT push or shove. Hold handrails when you are walking on stairs. Take with you: car keys, purse, briefcase, coat, etc. DO NOT attempt to save possessions at the risk of personal injury. DO NOT use elevators. Elevators can become inoperative during a fire. In addition, smoke and fire travel up elevator shafts Touch doors prior to opening them. A hot door indicates fire on the opposite side, and the door should not be opened. Close all doors behind you as you go. Closed doors can slow the spread of fire, smoke and water. If smoke is encountered, occupants should breathe through a handkerchief or piece of clothing to reduce smoke inhalation. If caught in heavy smoke, drop to your hands and knees and crawl. Hold your breath as much as possible. 9
Employee Evacuation Procedure continued If clothing catches fire, STOP, DROP AND ROLL. Attempting to run will fan the flames and spread the fire. If you become trapped in a room, close the door and cover the doorsill with a towel or other object to limit smoke infiltration. Try calling for help by phone, emergency pull cord, or signal for help from a window. Windows should not be broken out except as a last resort. Breaking a window may cause smoke infiltration from within the building due to pressure differentials or from smoke rising up the side of the building. Report immediately to your designated assembly area. All personnel must be accounted for promptly. Assist your department leader in taking a head count. The names and last known locations of personnel and members of the public not accounted for should be determined and given to the department leader. (Confusion in the assembly area can lead to unnecessary and dangerous search and rescue operations.) Wait for instructions from your department leader, or the Emergency Response Officer. 10
Storm Shelter Areas 11
Threat/Security Incident Report 12