All-Hazard Emergency Response

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“This is an emergency”

Your call-back number

A description of the emergency

Your name

Whether you need an ambulance, fire and/or police

Your exact location

Click each image to learn more.

FLOODING:

Depending on the type of flooding:

Evacuate if told to do so
Relocate to higher ground or a higher floor
Shut off utilities
Move important papers, computers and other electronics out of danger from rising waters

FLASH FLOOD:

If you are under a flash flood warning:

Find shelter immediately
Do not walk, swim or drive through flood waters
- 6 inches of water can knock you down
- 1 foot of moving water can sweep your car away
- 80% of flood deaths occur in vehicles
Go to the highest level of a building if trapped. Only go on the roof if necessary and once there, signal for help. To avoid getting trapped, do not climb into a closed attic area.

STANDING WATER:

In any flooding or standing water situation, remember:

Two feet of running water is enough to wash away your car
There can be unpredictable road damage and other dangers/entrapments hidden by the flood waters.
During clean-up, be careful of illness-carrying raw sewage and dead animals.
Be careful to use cleaning supplies in well-ventilated areas and do not mix chemicals.

Move your mouse over the table to see the answers.

DURATION

How long does it last?

COVERAGE AREA

Where is the impact?

ADVANCED NOTICE

How long do I have?

ACTIONS

What should I do?

WATCH

Severe weather possible

A few to several hours 20 minutes to an hour

Large sections of states or sections of a few states

An hour to several hours

Have a plan

WARNING

Severe weather imminent

20 minutes to an hour

Portions of counties

Minutes

Take cover

Hover over each image to learn more.

A graphic of pulling the pin on a fire extinguisher

Pull the pin. Hold the extinguisher away from you and release the locking mechanism.

A graphic of aiming the nozzle of a fire extinguisher at a fire

Aim low, pointing the extinguisher at the base of the fire.

A graphic of squeezing the trigger of a fire extinguisher

Squeeze the lever slowly and evenly.

A graphic of sweeping a fire extinguisher across a fire

Sweep the nozzle from side to side.

Know your exits: This concept is discussed frequently in our situational awareness class. When you enter a new space, locating primary and secondary exits is important. A concert, sporting event, or religious gathering is a good time to think about where you would exit in an emergency.

People in the front row of a concert standing behind a metal barrier

Avoid fixed structures: In the analysis of crowd deaths that have occurred, many involved people being crushed between the pressing crowd trying to escape and an immovable object like a concert stage, fencing, a piling, column, or metal scaffolding.

Stay on your feet: While you may be tempted to go low to the ground away from the chaos going on around you in a panicked crowd, this is never a good idea. Stay on your feet with your arms up and hand spread to ensure you have breathing space. Going low raises the risk of being crushed by people and someone falling on top of you in a panic to get out.

Stay on the edge of the crowd: If possible, setting yourself up on the edge of a crowd or near the exits provides more opportunities in an emergency to escape quickly. It is more difficult to do this in the middle of the group. Think about the last time you sat in the back or middle of an airplane when it was time to deplane.

Arms up in dense crowds: If you find yourself surrounded by panicked people in a crowd, raise your hands in front of you in a defensive stance (think boxing with palms spread out). This creates a bubble of space between your mouth/nose and the crowd allowing you to breathe.

Move diagonally: if you are in the middle of a panicked crowd moving toward an exit, do not try to push against the flow of the crowd, but rather move diagonally toward an exit point or safer location. This concept is similar to being caught in a riptide current in the ocean. The force of the water is too powerful to overcome, so the correct response in a riptide is to swim diagonally toward the shore.

Hover over each image to learn more.

Water Leaks

Pipes can become broken or displaced, causing the risk of flooding and unsafe hallways and stairs.

Foundation Cracks

These can occur and pose a building collapse or partial collapse risk.

Gas Leaks

Gas pipes can be broken or displaced during an earthquake, risking of explosions and unsafe air.

Earth Slippage

The foundations of roads, hills and outdoor terrain can become unstable and pose a safety risk during an evacuation.

Falling Objects

Powerlines, roofing, and concrete from higher floors all pose a risk of falling from above to harm those evacuating an earthquake.

Liquification

Soil can become liquified and unstable following an earthquake.

Flooding

Flooding risk occurs both inside and outside the building as pipes burst or become displaced.

Fire

Fires pose a heightened risk during the aftermath of an earthquake, as the water pipe system may have been disrupted.

Hover over each image to learn more.

Gather Supplies

Consider things like lights, first aid supplies, food, portable stove, clothing, and small tools.

Have a Go-Kit

Supplies like these should be portable and stored within a go-kit (a bag or small box) that is able to be taken easily during an emergency.

Fill the Bathtub

Bathtubs are one place where large amounts of water can be collected and stored for cleaning or cooking.

Freeze Water

Frozen water bottles provide cooling for the freezer as well as water for drinking when things eventually melt.

Click to choose your response.

EVACUATION

A stairwell with a arrow pointing down it

The minimum safe distance from a hazmat spill is 100 yards.
Head uphill, upwind and upstream.
Plan ahead – know your rally point. You should identify several locations where individuals can gather following an evacuation.

SHELTER-IN-PLACE

Hover over each image to learn more.

Notify administrator: Communicating with the administrator on the site is important to share information related to where people are sheltering and aid in the emergency response.

Shut off heating/cooling: This will limit the spread of hazardous material throughout the building. Intakes often fresh air into the ductwork, potentially dispersing toxic material throughout the building.

Lock doors and windows: Likewise, shutting doors and windows will prevent hazardous gas into the building is another step in risk mitigation.

Wait for all clear: This is the only way people in a shelter-in-place can be sure the danger has been addressed before leaving your location.

Wet towel/tape: A wet towel or piece of clothing under the door or the window frame can help prevent fumes from entering the building. Tape is another way to prevent fumes from entering a building.

Hover over each image to learn more.

A sign reading "shelter" with an arrow pointing left

A sign on a tree trunk for a rally point

A woman walking with a white assistance cane

A woman holding her hair back to reveal a hearing aid

A man in a wheelchair looking back at the camera

Primary Exit

What is the primary exit from the building, and are you able to access this exit?

Secondary Exits

While our tendency as humans is to exit from the same entrance we came out of, consider secondary exits that may provide a safer evacuation point.

Refuge Points

Refuge points are defined as enhanced locations or those with natural protections from fire, such as a stairwell. Evacuating to a refuge point may be a good option if the exits are blocked or if you are evacuating someone who needs special assistance.

Rally Points

The primary rally point is the main location where a group meets outside a building during an evacuation. There should always be more than one rally point in case the primary rally point is blocked, dangerous, or inaccessible.

Visual Impairments

Explain the emergency and offer assistance
Offer your arm for guidance
Do not grasp them unless they are in severe danger
As you walk, advise them of obstacles
Once you reach safety, ask if further help is needed

Hearing Impairments

They may not hear emergency alarms
Turn lights off/on to gain the person’s attention
Gesture to Indicate directions
Write a note with evacuation directions
Assist to safety as needed

Mobility Impairments

Evacuate these individuals as injured persons
Assist and accompany to the evacuation site if possible
Use a sturdy chair (or one with wheels) to move the person
Help carry the individual to safety

Wheelchair

Check with the individual on their preference
Determine if a chair is available
Remove any immediate dangers
Immediately advise arriving first responders of special evacuation cases

Hover over each letter to learn more.

Suspicious or Unattended Item?

IS IT

HIDDEN

Placed out of sight

Appears purposely concealed

H

OBVIOUSLY SUSPICIOUS

Unexplainable wires or electronics

Bomb-like components

O

not TYPICAL

Out of place for the location

Potentially related to a threat

T

Treat with caution

Try to determine the owner

Report to an authority

R

Recognize the Indicators of a Suspected Explosive Device

Indicators can be related to the characteristics, events, location, or time, including whether the item is Hidden, Obviously suspicious, or not Typical (HOT).

A

Avoid the Area

Don't touch the suspected item. Instead, immediately move and direct others to move away immediately.

I

Isolate the Suspected Item

Establish a perimeter to secure the area and continue to direct people away. Use frontal and overhead cover and if available, wear personal protective equipment.

N

Notify Appropriate Emergency Services

Describe the Suspicious items and persons, the person's Actions, the Location of the item, the Time of placement and discovery, and Your actions to mitigate risk (SALTY).