EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS

One of the many ways that Elmira College communicates with students in the event of an emergency is a text message alert system. This secure messaging system is available to members of the college community free of charge (other than normal service provider fees) and is only used in the event of an emergency. Since the system relies on text messaging, it will function effectively even if cell traffic increases during an emergency.

Campus community members may opt into the system, which sends messages to cell phones, PDAs, email addresses or pagers. No one will receive unsolicited text messages from Elmira College and the system will not deliver advertising content.

The log-in information for registration is your Elmira College email address and secure password. After login, you will be able to enter your cell phone number and carrier to opt-in.

Register here: http://alerts.elmira.edu.

Shelter In Place: Remain calm and seek immediate refuge inside the closest facility it is safe to access. If inside, be sure to close and stay away from all windows.

Limited Lockdown: May be issued due to a potentially hazardous incident on or near campus. If indoors, remain in that location and do not leave. If out on campus, students should return to their residence hall only, not to any other College property location as these will be locked and entrance will not be permitted.

Full Lockdown: Due to an extremely dangerous situation reported on the campus. The campus community is directed to shelter in place, move to a room in which doors can be locked, and stay away from windows. In a full lockdown, no one should leave a position of safety unless needed for their own protection. If out on campus, do not return to a residence hall building or any other college property, as doors will be locked and no one will be able to gain entrance. Rather, leave campus immediately by safest and most direct route possible.

Elmira College follows the Department of Homeland Security recommendations for dealing with and reacting to an active shooter. The current model uses the Run, Hide, Fight concept.

Run – if an active shooter is in your vicinity
Hide – if evacuation is not possible, find a place to hide
Fight – as a last resort, and only if your life is in danger

Please follow the link provided and review the brochure for further information: Active Shooter Pocket Card PDF.

Watch a video on Run. Hide. Fight.

When Law Enforcement Arrives

• Remain calm and follow instructions
• Keep your hands visible at all times
• Avoid pointing or yelling
• Know that help for the injured is on its way

IMPORTANT: DO NOT RETURN TO AN EVACUATED BUILDING until and unless told to do so by College officials.

• Know the location of fire extinguishers, fire exits, and alarm systems in your area and know how to use them.
• The occupants of all College buildings are required to immediately evacuate the building when a fire alarm system is activated.
• DO NOT USE ELEVATORS IF THERE IS AN ACTIVE FIRE.
• Keep streets, fire lanes, hydrants and walkways clear for emergency vehicles and crews.

IMPORTANT: DO NOT RETURN TO AN EVACUATED BUILDING until and unless told to do so by College officials.

Know the location of safety equipment (eye wash stations/bottles, emergency showers, first aid kits) and AED in your area, and how to use them. Follow the “Check, Call, Care” regimen below.

Check - if a student or employee is injured, unconscious, or otherwise exhibiting signs/symptoms of an injury that requires immediate medical attention, check the scene to ensure the environment poses no additional risk to the injured person. Unless the environment poses an immediate and additional threat to the injured person (like a building fire), do not move them from the scene. If possible, quickly obtain information relative to the nature and extent of the injury for communication purposes.

Call - once you have assessed the scene and injured person, call 911 and Campus Safety at ext. 1777 to report the medical condition. Be sure to convey information relative to the nature and extent of the injury, including whether additional individuals are at risk of further injury.

Care - once you have assessed the scene and notified Campus Security, proceed with first aid only if you are capable of administering such care. Do not administer first aid/triage to an injured person if you are unqualified, as you may place him/her in greater harm.

The Elmira region can, at times, experience severe weather. Summer and winter weather can be especially unpredictable so it is important for the campus community to be prepared to take action if severe weather notifications or warnings are issued.

• Check local TV/radio stations, phone/cell messages, and the Elmira College website and social media channels, for specific details related to the College during weather-related events.
• Always use good judgment before deciding to travel on or off campus.
• Dress appropriately for anticipated weather conditions.
• If flooding occurs, seek higher ground and avoid standing or moving water.
• Stay away from downed electrical lines or devices.
• If directed, seek shelter inside a building until notified by officials that it is safe to leave.
• If indoors, stay away from glass windows, shelving and other heavy equipment, and seek refuge within doorways or under desks/tables.
• If outdoors, move quickly away from utility poles that may be energized, and take refuge within the nearest building (as possible).