Emergency Action PlanNatural Gas Leak

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EMERGENCY RESOURCES

Do not hesitate to contact Campus Safety if you need assistance.

Emergency assistance (on campus dial ext. 3333, cell phone on campus dial (315) 781-3333, off campus dial 911).

For non-emergency assistance dial (315) 781-3000.

Bleeding Control Kits Locations
Assembly Points for Building Evacuations

Emergency Management Team

The HWS Emergency Management Team is directed by leadership from the Office of Campus Safety and the Office of Campus Life in coordination with core groups from across campus, including information technology, operations, facilities and communications. The team also includes an incident response group and a policy group. The team regularly participates in trainings and drills.

NOTIFICATION

In the event it becomes necessary to notify the HWS community of an imminent emergency on campus, notification will be sent using the Everbridge Mass Notification System. Brief and immediate instructions will be given through the Everbridge system when we use it. All other non-imminent communication will be disseminated through the HWS e-mail system and via the Colleges' Twitter account.

To ensure that Everbridge has the correct contact information for emergency notification, faculty, staff and students are encouraged to update their PeopleSoft accounts.

NATURAL GAS LEAK

Natural gas is a staple of many building heating/hot water systems and gas metering devices external to most facilities. Natural gas has a chemical added to the fuel to easily permit its detection by odor. If gas odors are strongly detected inside or outside, and/or if the odors are accompanied by hissing sounds, an immediate emergency may exist.

1. IF YOU SMELL NATURAL GAS OR ANOTHER STRANGE ODOR:

  • Persons smelling natural gas or other strange odors in or around a building should perform the following tasks:
    • Do not turn on or off any electrical appliances or devices.
    • Do not activate the building’s fire alarm system to initiate an evacuation.
    • Alert any passers-by to stay clear of the affected area.
  • If you detect strong natural gas odors in an indoor location and cannot determine the source, immediately vacate the room/space, close any doors behind you and initiate a building evacuation. Do not activate the fire alarm pull station.
  • If you detect strong natural gas odors in an indoor science laboratory, immediately vacate the lab, turn off the gas shut-off valve on your way out the lab door and initiate a building evacuation.
  • Notify Campus Safety at ext. 3333 or (315) 781-3333, and Buildings and Grounds at ext. 3060 or (315) 781-3060. Inform arriving Campus Safety and B&G personnel as to the area of the odor/leak.
  • Depending upon the severity of the emergency, notification of gas leaks may be made by using the HWS Everbridge Mass Notification System or other means, as appropriate. Monitor these alerts for initial information and updates.
  • Evacuation. During building evacuations, assist special needs individuals in exiting the building and proceed to the building’s evacuation meeting point. This location is listed on the evacuation floor plans posted near each building exit.
    • Do not use the elevators. This may cause an explosion due to the density of natural gas in the area.
    • Remain calm and do not panic.
    • If the emergency is impacting your building’s evacuation meeting point, or if you are instructed to do so by college authorities or first responders, proceed to the alternate primary or secondary assembly area and await further directions from officials.

Note: The exact locations of the alternate or secondary sites may differ based upon the nature of the emergency. You will be instructed where these are located by officials during the evacuation process.

IMPORTANT—DO NOT RETURN TO AN EVACUATED BUILDING until and unless told to do so by authorized HWS officials.