Emergency Procedures Guide

FOR ALL EMERGENCIES, CALL OR TEXT 911.

When calling 911:

Stay on the line with the dispatcher.
Provide the building name, address (if known), and your exact location within or around the building (e.g., floor number, room number, nearest entrance).
Clearly describe the incident to ensure the appropriate resources are dispatched.
Do not hang up until the dispatcher instructs you to do so.

Emergency Telephone System (ETS)

Nearly 300 Emergency Telephone System (ETS) boxes are strategically located across campus. They connect to the Purdue Public Safety Dispatch Center and are yellow or black with a blue light on top, marked EMERGENCY or 911.

NON-EMERGENCY RESOURCES

Purdue Police: 765-494-8221, purdue.edu/police

Purdue Fire: 765-494-6919, purdue.edu/fire

Environmental Health and Safety: 765-494-6371, purdue.edu/rem

Office of Emergency Preparedness: 765-494-0446, purdue.edu/emergency-preparedness

Disaster Recovery: 765-494-2000

Safe Walk Program: 765-494-SAFE (7233)

Work Request Center: 765-494-9999

Purdue University Student Health Center (PUSH): 765-494-1700, purdue.edu/push

Counseling and Psychological Services: 765-494-6995, purdue.edu/caps

Employee Assistance Counseling: 765-494-7707, purdue.edu/hr/CHL/no-cost_Wellness/EAP

PurdueALERT is the university’s emergency notification system, used by public safety officials to warn students, faculty and staff of imminent danger through multiple communication methods. These notifications serve as an initial alert, prompting recipients to seek further information.

PERIODIC TESTS: PurdueALERT is regularly tested at the beginning of each academic semester.

TEXT MESSAGE OPT-IN PROCEDURES:
To receive a text message, one must opt into the system by:

Visit https://www.purdue.edu/ehps/emergency-preparedness/purduealert-text/.
Enter your Purdue career account information.
Click on "Change my emergency contact number."
Enter your phone number.

PurdueALERT incorporates the following systems on campus (some to all layers may be used based on the specific incident):

• All-hazards outdoor warning sirens

• Text message (opt-in required, see above)

• X/Twitter feed: @purdueALERT

• Desktop pop-up alerts or alert beacons

• Digital signs

• Email (everyone with a purdue.edu address)

• Campus Safety Status website

• Boiler TV

• Local TV and radio stations

For more information, go to the PurdueALERT- Emergency Warning Notification site.

IF YOU DISCOVER A FIRE:

Immediately evacuate the building, closing doors and windows behind you.
Manually activate the building’s fire alarm system as you exit the building.
DO NOT USE THE ELEVATORS.
Locate persons with disabilities and provide assistance, if possible. Otherwise, provide their location to emergency personnel.
When your safety is not in jeopardy, call 911 and provide the following information:
a. Name of the building
b. Location of the fire within the building
c. A description of the fire and how it started (if known)
Report to your department’s designated emergency assembly area.

ONCE THE FIRE ALARM IS ACTIVATED:

Walk quickly to the nearest exit. DO NOT USE THE ELEVATORS.
If you are able, help those who need special assistance.
Notify emergency personnel if you believe someone may still be in the building.
Gather away from the building at the emergency assembly area.
DO NOT re-enter the building until the fire department or police personnel give an all-clear.

IF CAUGHT IN SMOKE:

Do not breathe the smoke.
If you encounter smoke, stay low and go.
Breathe through your nose and use a shirt or towel to breathe through.

IF TRAPPED IN A BUILDING:

Move to a room with an outside window, if possible.
Close all doors and windows.
Stuff clothing, towels or paper around the cracks in the door to help keep smoke out of your refuge.
Attempt to signal people outside of the building. Call 911 and tell the dispatcher where you are. Do this even if you can see fire department personnel from the window.
Stay where emergency personnel can see you through the window and wave a light-colored item to attract their attention.
Be patient. Rescue of occupants within large structures will take time.

IF YOU ARE UNABLE TO EVACUATE:

If unable to evacuate, shelter in place in an area with no immediate hazards and call 911. Advise the dispatcher of your location.
If you are unable to call 911, advise others around you of your location and have them inform emergency personnel of your location.
If you are in immediate danger, move to an area where you can shelter in place (recommended areas would be a room with an outside window or a room with a sprinkler system, if available).
If you are in no immediate danger, remain where you are and wait for emergency personnel to arrive.
DO NOT USE ELEVATORS during an emergency evacuation unless requested by emergency personnel.
You are encouraged to carry a signaling device like a small whistle, flashlight or cell phone to alert emergency personnel of your location.

Note: It is best to have arrangements preplanned for evacuation assistance. Arrangements can be made to reasonably assure that additional assistance is provided to anyone who requires it. Contact the Purdue Fire Department if you have questions or need additional information at 765-494-6919.

A psychological crisis exists when an individual is threatening harm to himself/herself or is agitated and disruptive.

If it appears an individual may cause harm to themselves or to others, call 911 immediately.

If a psychological crisis occurs:

Students

Contact Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) at 765-494-6995 Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.

After hours, call the Purdue Crisis Line at 765-495-4357.

Faculty and Staff

Contact the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) at 765-494-0111 Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 12 p.m. or 1 p.m. and 5 p.m.

After hours, contact Crisis Center at 765‑742‑0244 or 765‑423‑2255.

At any time, call or text 911.

In an unusual or potentially dangerous situation, remember the following:

Never try to handle a situation that you feel might be dangerous. Call 911 for help.
Give your name, location and nature of the problem.

Resources

Disability Resource Center
Ernest C. Young Hall, Room 830
155 South Grant Street
West Lafayette, IN 47907
765-494-1247

Counseling and Psychological Services
Psychological Sciences Building
601 Stadium Mall Drive, Room 246
West Lafayette, IN 47907
765-494-6995

Office of Institutional Equity
Ernest C. Young Hall, 10th Floor
West Lafayette, IN 47907
765-494-7253

Employee Assistance Program at Center for Healthy Living
1400 West State Street
West Lafayette, IN 47907
765-494-0111

Student Health Center
601 Stadium Mall Drive
West Lafayette, IN 47907
765-494-6995 (Health Center)
765-742-0244 (Crisis Center)
765-494-1724 (Extended Care)

The Purdue Fire Department provides Advanced Life Support Emergency Medical Services. Services are provided 24 hours a day. Firefighters are certified as emergency medical technicians (EMTs) or licensed paramedics.

Illness or injury to students, faculty, staff, visitors and guests:

In the event of a serious injury or illness, immediately call 911. Provide the following information:
- Your name and telephone number
- Nature of the illness or injury
- Location of the emergency (building and room number)
- The extent of the accident/injury and the number of people involved: Is the victim conscious, breathing, bleeding?
- Chemical or radioactive materials involved
Send someone to the building entrance to meet the ambulance personnel, if possible.
Only trained personnel should provide first aid or CPR.
Students with minor illnesses or injuries are eligible for minor care at the Purdue University Student Health Center.
The individual making the call should continue to stay on the phone with the dispatcher and answer as many questions as possible.

Faculty and staff must complete the First Report of Injury (FROI) form for all incidents of job-related illness and injury. Please visit the Environmental Health and Safety website for the form and instructions.

Suspicious Activity

Examples include a person is behaving strangely, an object is out of the ordinary or there is a gut
feeling that something is wrong.
If something is spotted, CALL 911.

Criminal Activity

If the crime is an emergency that requires immediate police and/or medical response, call or text 911.
If the crime is not an emergency, contact the Purdue University Police Department at 765-494-8221 to report the crime.

Reporting crimes in progress:

If you are a victim or a witness to any in-progress criminal offense, call or text 911. Provide as much of the following information as possible:

• Nature of the incident

• Location of the incident

• Description of suspects involved

• Injuries that have occurred

• Description of any weapons involved

• Description of property involved

Stay on the line with the dispatcher until help arrives. Even if you cannot communicate, keep the line open.

If you have become a victim of a crime and it is not an emergency or life-threatening situation, call the local jurisdictional police department. Contact information is available below. Be prepared to provide at least the following information:

• Your name

• Your address

• Your telephone number

• A brief synopsis of what occurred

• Your exact location at the time of the call (room #, apartment #, campus building, etc.)

Reporting crimes not in progress:

Purdue University Police Department, 765-494-8221

West Lafayette Police Department, 765-775-5200

Lafayette Police Department, 765-807-1200

Tippecanoe County Sheriff's Office, 765-423-9321

Be aware! Stay alert! If you see something, say something!

Report Suspicious Activity
1-877-226-1026
www.in.gov/iifc

765-494-8221
Purdue University Police Department

In case of emergency, call/text 911.

Shelter in place refers to a designated area of safety when it is not safe to go outside, such as an interior room with no or few windows, and taking refuge in that location. If you are told to shelter in place, follow the instructions provided below. Different situations require different locations.

You may be requested to shelter in place for events such as an active threat (for example, an active shooter incident), tornado warning, hazardous materials release and as directed by emergency personnel.

You must immediately seek shelter in the nearest facility or building (preferably in a room with no windows) when:

You hear the outdoor all-hazards emergency warning sirens
Directed by other PurdueALERT emergency warning notification layers
Directed by emergency personnel

Try to obtain additional clarifying information by all possible means, including the WL Campus Emergency Status webpage, TV, radio, email, etc.

Follow the shelter-in-place procedures in the Active Threat, Tornado Warning or Hazardous Materials release located in this document, as applicable.

If an active threat is outside your building, your best option may be to shelter in place:

Proceed to a room that can be locked, barricaded or secured. Close and lock all the windows and doors and turn off all the lights.
Hide under a desk, in a closet or in the corner. If possible, get everyone down on the floor and ensure that no one is visible from outside the room.
One person in the room should call/text 911, advise the dispatcher of what is taking place and inform them of your location.
Remain in place until the police, or a campus administrator known to you, gives the all-clear.
After getting to a safe location and without jeopardizing your safety, try to obtain additional clarifying information by all possible means, including the Campus Safety Status webpage, text or email.
Report any suspicious activity if you can do so without jeopardizing your safety. Call/text 911 if possible.

If an active threat is in the same building:

Determine if the room you are in can be locked. If so, follow the same procedures above.
If your room cannot be locked, determine if there is a nearby location that can be reached safely and secured, or if you can safely exit the building.
If you decide to move from your current location, be sure to follow the instructions outlined below.

If an active threat enters your office or classroom:

Try to remain calm.
Call/text 911, if possible, and alert police to the location of the threat; if you can’t speak, leave the line open so the dispatcher can listen to what’s taking place.
You can make attempts to run, hide or fight:
- Run and escape the area of threat
- Hide by seeking cover and/or concealment
- Fight by overpowering or distracting with force (should be considered a very last resort)
If the threat leaves the area, proceed immediately to a safer place and do not touch anything that was in the vicinity of the threat.

Under all circumstances:

If you decide to flee during an active threat situation, make sure you have an escape route and plan in mind.
Do not carry anything while fleeing; move quickly, keep your hands visible and follow the instructions of any police officers you may encounter.
Do not attempt to remove injured people. Leave wounded victims where they are and notify authorities of their location as soon as possible.

Severe Thunderstorm Watch means severe thunderstorms are possible, continue activities and monitor the situation.

Severe Thunderstorm Warning means severe thunderstorms are imminent. If you are outside, seek shelter immediately.

Tornado Watch means atmospheric conditions are favorable for the formation of tornadoes in a given area. Under a watch, stay informed by radio, TV or weather apps.

Tornado Warning means that a tornado has been sighted and poses a definite threat to a given area. If the warning is for your area, take shelter immediately.

All-hazards Warning Sirens:

Outdoor sirens will sound for a period in excess of approximately three minutes. When you hear the sirens seek shelter first, then seek more information through the PurdueALERT layers, including local radio and TV stations.
The all-clear signal is announced by radio and television stations. The sirens remain silent.

Siren testing:

All Tippecanoe County sirens are tested at 11 a.m. on the first Saturday of every month, except during periods of adverse weather conditions.

What to do during a Tornado Warning:

Move to the predetermined shelter location as designated in your Building Emergency Plan.

The shelter location is normally the basement, sub-walk or lowest level of the building away from windows and exterior doors.
Interior hallways and restrooms on the lowest level offer the next best shelter.
In a high-rise building, vacate the top floors and move to a lower floor or basement.
If time permits, occupants of wood-frame or brick buildings with wood floors should leave the building and go directly to a more substantial concrete building, preferably with a basement.
Be prepared to kneel facing the wall and cover your head.
Share notification with others. Assist persons with disabilities, if possible.
Try and obtain additional clarifying information, including text, email, the WL Campus Emergency Status page, TV, radio or weather apps.
If in a vehicle, get out and seek shelter in a sturdy building. If a building is not available, lying flat in depression such as a ditch or ravine offers some protection. Be aware of potential flooding.

Chemical, Biological or Radiological Spills, Gas Leaks or Odors

For spills, releases or incidents requiring special training, procedures or personal protective equipment (PPE) that is beyond the abilities of present personnel, take the following steps:

Immediately notify affected personnel and evacuate the spill area. Pull the fire alarm if building evacuation is required.
Call 911 to report the incident.
Give the operator the following information:
- Your name, telephone number and location
- Time and type of incident
- Name and quantity of the material, if known
- The extent of injuries or damage, if any
If possible, seal off the affective area to prevent further contamination of others until the arrival of emergency personnel.
Anyone who is contaminated by the spill should wash off the contamination; remain in the vicinity, and give his/her name to the emergency personnel. If needed, first aid can be started immediately.
No effort to contain or clean up spills and or releases should be made unless you have been trained in the proper methods to do so.
Take appropriate steps to make sure no one evacuates through the contaminated area.
If an alarm sounds, follow established building evacuation procedures (see Evacuation).
Incident command will be set up near the emergency site. Please report any information regarding the incident here.
Do not re-enter the area until directed by emergency personnel.

If you are directed to shelter in place due to a hazardous material (HAZMAT) accidental release, the air quality may be threatened and sheltering keeps you inside an area offering more protection. If possible, take the following actions:

Close all windows and doors.
Move to the shelter-in-place location.
- Select an interior room above ground with the fewest windows or vents.
Do not go outside or attempt to drive unless you are specifically instructed to evacuate.
Do not use elevators.
Share notifications with others. Assist persons with disabilities, if possible.
Try and obtain additional clarifying information by all possible means, including text, email or the WL Campus Emergency Status page.

Earthquakes are rare in Indiana. Even so, everyone must initiate emergency precautions within a few seconds after the initial tremor is felt, assuming the worst possible case.

During the Earthquake

If indoors, DROP to the floor under a desk or table or in a doorway; COVER your head and face with your arms, and HOLD. Stay away from windows, shelves and heavy equipment.
If outdoors, move quickly away from buildings, utility poles, overhead wires, parking garages and other structures.
If in a vehicle, stop in the safest place available, preferably an open area away from power lines and trees. Stop as quickly as safety permits and stay in the vehicle for the shelter it provides.

After the initial shock:

Be prepared for aftershocks. Aftershocks are usually less intense than the main quake, but can cause further structural damage.
Protect yourself at all times.
Evaluate the situation and call 911 for emergency assistance, if necessary.
Open windows to ventilate the building. Watch out for broken glass.
Determine whether anyone has been caught in the elevators or was trapped by falling objects. If so, call 911.
If the structural integrity appears to be deteriorating rapidly, evacuate the building.
Damaged facilities should be reported to the Purdue Public Safety Dispatch Center at 765-494-8221.
Should you become trapped in a building, stay calm.
- If a window is available, place an article of clothing (shirt, coat, etc.) outside the window as a marker for rescue crews.
- If there is no window, tap on the wall at regular intervals.
- Emergency personnel will check buildings immediately after a major quake.

Electrical/Light Failure

Some buildings may not be equipped with emergency lighting or the emergency lighting may not provide sufficient illumination for safe exiting. It is recommended that you consider keeping a flashlight and a portable radio in your office/work area.

Plumbing Failure/Flood/Water Leak

Cease using all electrical equipment. Call the Work Request Center at 765-494-9999; after hours call the Purdue Public Safety Dispatch Center at 765-494-8221.

Natural Gas Leak

Cease all operations, exit the area immediately and call the Purdue Public Safety Dispatch Center at 765-494-8221. Do not attempt to correct the problem yourself. Do not concern yourself with appliances or equipment. Leave the area immediately.

If you discover a major water leak, gas leak or other major utility failure, take the following action:

Call 911.
Give the building name, floor, room number and nature of the problem.
Provide the name of a person to contact and their phone number.
Do not attempt to correct the problem on your own. The Purdue Public Safety Dispatch Center will notify the necessary emergency or maintenance personnel.

For all non-emergency situations, call the Work Request Center at 765-494-9999.

Elevator Malfunction

If you become trapped in an elevator, use the emergency telephone or activate the elevator emergency bell.

If you are not inside the elevator but hear an elevator bell, please take the following actions.

Call 911.
Give the emergency dispatcher the following information:
- Name of the building
- Location within the building of malfunctioning elevator
- Where the car is stopped if known
- Whether a medical emergency exists