Home/Student Life & Support/Campus Safety & Security/Emergency Business Continuity Plan/Hazardous Release

Incident Response | EMBCP

Print This Page

5.2.4 Hazardous Release

Procedures to be followed:

  • If a hazardous substance is discovered on the campus, the individual shall immediately contact Security at 670-0789 and provide as much information as possible. At a minimum, the individual should provide a description of the substance (color and texture) and any specific characteristics (odor, smoke, etc.). Exposed individuals should quarantine themselves at a safe location.
  • If a telephone call or information is received stating HAZMAT material is somewhere on the campus:
    • Recipient will write down the call as precisely as possible, noting time of call, length of call, any distinguishing characteristics of the caller’s voice, to include male/female, accent, age, etc., and the possible location.
    • Recipient does not hang up the phone when the call is completed. Keep the line open or place it on “hold”.
    • Recipient immediately contacts security and advises him/her of the call, and provides a detailed written text.
  • In addition to contacting the Incident Commander, Security will call 911 advising local fire/HAZMAT authorities of the situation and request local emergency services assistance. Fire/HAZMAT authorities should be updated of the situation upon their arrival. Law enforcement officials should be sent to initiate any police actions.
  • The Incident Commander will direct that the affected area be evacuated and isolated.
    • When necessary and as directed, Faculty and Staff will inform students of the situation and ask them to leave all personal belongings, to include books, backpacks, and coats in the isolated area and evacuate the room or area that is potentially affected. They will move into a safe location as designated by officials onsite.
    • Faculty and office staff should be the last to leave the area/classroom and should conduct a quick review to assure the isolated area is evacuated.
  • Security will be posted to ensure no one enters the isolated area until emergency personnel arrive and the area is determined to be safe.
  • All students, faculty, and staff will vacate all affected areas and move into a safe location as designated by officials on site.
  • When necessary, Facilities will isolate the appropriate utilities (ventilation, air conditioning, etc.) within the building to further prevent the air-borne spread of any substance.
  • Once fire/HAZMAT authorities arrive, the Incident Commander will assist them. Only trained personnel should attempt to perform a methodical search of the buildings.
  • The fire/HAZMAT authorities will notify the Incident Commander when reentry to the isolated area can be made.
  • If a hazardous release occurs outdoors on the campus grounds or at a nearby location that may affect the campus, the following procedures will be taken:
    • A Shelter-in-Place order will be issued.
    • Facilities will shut down the appropriate utilities (ventilation, air conditioning, etc.) within the building to further prevent the air-borne spread of any substance.

Hazardous Release – On Campus

Chemical, Radiation or Biological Release (Inside a Building)

Expected Impact

  • General panic.
  • Injuries (chemical) or sickness.
  • Immediate fatalities and/or fatal exposures possible.

Expected Consequences

  • College operations in the affected building(s) are shutdown.
  • Government authorities assume incident command & may commandeer College resources.
  • Violation penalties from regulatory agencies.
  • Law suits.
  • Serious PR exposure.

Suggested Action Steps

  • EMBCP activated
  • IRT contacted
  • EMT notified
  • Activate the EOC
  • Eliminate a terrorist attack as a possibility
  • Consider evacuating the campus
  • All entrances closed
  • Ventilation systems in affected building(s) shutdown
  • Personnel in affected building(s) are quarantined
  • Most Critical Plans / Resources:
    • Public Relations
    • Facilities
    • Security
    • EH&S
    • Student Health Services

Chemical, Radiation or Biological Release (Outside on Campus)

Expected Impact

  • General panic.
  • Injuries (chemical) or sickness.
  • Immediate fatalities and/or fatal exposures possible.

Expected Consequences

  • College operations will likely be shutdown.
  • Government authorities assume incident command & may commandeer College resources.
  • Violation penalties from regulatory agencies if campus responsible.
  • PR exposure.

Suggested Action Steps

  • EMBCP activated
  • IRT contacted
  • EMT notified
  • Activate the EOC (if travel to the EOC possible)
  • Eliminate a terrorist attack as a possibility
  • Campus not evacuated / everyone remains indoors
  • All ventilation systems shut down
  • Personnel in affected areas are quarantined
  • All entrances closed
  • Most Critical Plans / Resources:
    • Public Relations
    • Facilities
    • Security
    • EH&S
    • Nearly all resources critical

Hazardous Release – Off Campus

Chemical Release

Expected Impact

  • Probable panic.
  • College activities probably not directly affected.
  • Indirect impact such as the loss of utility services is possible.

Expected Consequences

  • Once the situation becomes known it will be impossible to concentrate on normal activities.
  • College effectively paralyzed.
  • Government authorities may commandeer College resources.

Suggested Action Steps

  • EMBCP activated
  • IRT contacted
  • EMT notified
  • Activate the EOC
  • Be prepared to shut down all ventilation systems
  • Eliminate a terrorist attack as a possibility
  • All campus entrances & exits closed
  • All individuals may be instructed to leave the Campus grounds and to seek shelter inside buildings
  • Most Critical Plans / Resources:
    • Public Relations
    • Security
    • EH&S

Biological or Radiation Release

Expected Impact

  • Panic almost certain.
  • College activities probably not directly affected.
  • Indirect impact such as the loss of utility services is unlikely but possible.

Expected Consequences

  • Once the situation becomes known it will be impossible to concentrate on normal activities.
  • College effectively paralyzed.
  • Government authorities may commandeer College resources.

Suggested Action Steps

  • EMBCP activated
  • IRT contacted
  • EMT notified
  • Activate the EOC
  • Be prepared to shut down all ventilation systems
  • Eliminate a terrorist attack as a possibility
  • All campus entrances & exits closed
  • All individuals may be instructed to leave the Campus grounds and to seek shelter inside buildings
  • Most Critical Plans / Resources:
    • Public Relations
    • Security
    • EH&S

Notes on Hazardous Releases:

  • We are assuming that this is an accidental non-terrorist event.
  • A chemical release will likely affect a limited area; individuals can be routed out of harm’s way. A shutdown of College operations will likely be of a short duration unless the release is on or very near Campus.
  • A biological or radiation release may directly impact the Campus even if the point of release is off Campus.
  • An accidental release is most likely a chemical release.
  • For a chemical release it may be necessary for individuals on lower floors to move to upper floors, conducting a “vertical evacuation.”

Next Steps

Request Information Visit Apply