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Emergency Procedures Guide

SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH

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

SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING

A Severe Thunderstorm Warning means severe thunderstorms are imminent.

  • Stay indoors and away from the windows, until the severe storm passes. If you are outside, seek shelter immediately.

TORNADO WATCH

Tornado Watch notification is issued when atmospheric conditions are favorable for the formation of tornadoes in a given area. Under a watch, conditions stay informed by listening to radio or television.

TORNADO WARNING

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

 

Know the location of the nearest emergency shelter. Check with your immediate supervisor or residence hall director for the location of emergency area of refuge. Generally, you should use the lowest level away from windows. Please note: This city’s outdoor emergency siren may sound a warning, but is intended to alert people who are outside to seek shelter. If you’re inside you may not hear this alert.

 

(Severe thunderstorms are occurring.)

The city’s outdoor emergency siren may sound a steady tone for three minutes or longer if there is danger in the immediate area. Move to a place of shelter.

Remain indoors and away from windows until the severe storm passes.

Report any injuries and damage by dialing ext. 2111 and/or 9-911. Give the following information:

  • Your name
  • Building name
  • Type of injury or damage
  • Location of any injured person(s) or building damage
  • Room number you are calling from

(Weather conditions are right for a tornado.)

Continue with normal activities, but continue to monitor the situation.

(Radar or weather spotters have identified a tornado.)

The city’s outdoor emergency siren will sound a steady tone for three minutes or longer if there is danger in the immediate area.

Take the following actions:

  • Use center hallways, bathrooms, or rooms away from windows. If time and space permit, move to lower floors. Stay away from windows and doors. Cover yourself when possible to protect against flying debris. Take a portable radio, flashlight and cell phone if you can. Stay out of auditoriums, gymnasiums and other structures with wide, free-span roofs.
  • After the storm passes, leave badly damaged buildings, if it is safe to do so. Do not use the elevators.
  • If it is not safe or possible to leave the area, stay and wait for assistance.
  • Do not attempt to return to the building unless directed to do so by emergency personnel.
  • Do not turn on or off any utilities or other equipment.
  • Report all injuries and damage to Campus Safety, ext. 2111, and/or 9-911.

Give the following information:

  • Your name
  • Building name
  • Type of injury or damage
  • Location of any injured person(s) or building damage
  • Room number you are calling from

WEATHER ALERT INFORMATION

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

  1. Proceed to a room that can be locked, barricaded, or secured in some way; close and lock all the windows and doors, and turn off all the lights.
  2. 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.
  3. One person in the room should call or text 911, advise the dispatcher of what is taking place, and inform him/her of your location.
  4. Remain in place until the police, or a campus administrator known to you, gives the “all clear”. Unfamiliar voices may be the threat attempting to lure victims from their safe space.
    • Do not respond to any voice commands until you can verify with certainty that they are being issued by a police officer.
  5. After getting to a safe location and without jeopardizing your safety, try and obtain additional clarifying information by all possible means (e.g. Text, campus status webpage, tv, radio, email, etc.).
    • It would be useful to have a cell phone or computer system in the shelter location to assist in obtaining additional information, as well as being able to report out any life-threatening conditions.
  6. Report any suspicious activity if you can do so without jeopardizing your safety. Call or text 911 if possible.

If an active threat is in the same building:

  1. Determine if the room you are in can be locked and if so, follow the same procedure described in the previous paragraph.
  2. 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.
  3. 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:

  1. Try to remain calm.
  2. Call or 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. Normally the location of a 911 call can be determined without speaking.
  3. You have options. You can make attempts to:
    • Run, hide, fight
    • Run: escape the area of threat
    • Hide: seek cover and/or concealment
    • Fight: overpower or distract with force (should be considered a very last resort)
  4. 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:

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

Run – Hide – Fight

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has produced a run, hide or fight training video.  Always remember, run if you can, hide if you can’t, and if neither of those are options, be prepared as a last resort to fight to win.

 

Upon discovering a fire or smoke in a building, activate the fire alarm system by pulling the nearest fire alarm box. IT DOES NOT AUTOMATICALLY NOTIFY THE FIRE DEPARTMENT OR SECURITY.

Call ext. 2111 and/or 911 from an on-campus phone, or 563-387-2111 and/or 911 with a cell phone, and be prepared to give

  • Building name
  • Room number
  • Floor
  • Description of fire/explosion

Do not use elevators during a fire emergency.

When the fire alarm sounds, complete evacuation is required. Walk, do not run, to the nearest identified exit and proceed out of the building. If the identified stairway contains smoke or fumes, use an alternate exit. Close doors and windows as you leave, if safe to do so. The alarm may not sound continuously. If the alarm stops, continue the evacuation and warn others who may attempt to enter the building after the alarm stops.

Leave the building and move away from it, leaving entry-way, roadways, and walks open for arriving fire equipment. Do not return to the building until directed to do so by emergency personnel. All persons should move a safe distance from the building. If you cannot move far enough away from the building on your own, request assistance from emergency personnel.

Campus Safety will assist emergency personnel. Building staff may be needed to allow emergency personnel access to affected areas and should make themselves available upon arrival of the fire department.

Everyone must follow the orders of the emergency personnel when they arrive.

Notify emergency personnel on the scene if you suspect someone may be trapped inside the building.

As a precaution, make sure you are aware of the safety equipment and exit locations in your building and report potential hazards or fire prevention concerns to Campus Safety, ext. 2111.

If you are unable to evacuate:

  1. If unable to evacuate, shelter-in-place in an area with no immediate hazards and call Campus Safety on 387-2111 or 911 and advise of your location.
    • If you are using a Luther College landline to call 911, your location will be identified. Even if the caller is unable to speak, the dispatcher will automatically send help.
  2. If you are unable to call Campus Safety or 911, advise others around you of your location and have them inform emergency personnel of your location.
  3. If you are in no immediate danger, remain where you are and wait for emergency personnel to arrive.
  4. 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.)
  5. DO NOT USE ELEVATORS during an emergency evacuation unless requested by Campus Safety or Fire personnel.
  6. You are encouraged to carry a sounding device like a small whistle, flashlight, and cell phone to alert emergency personnel of your location.

Note: It is best to have arrangements pre-planned for evacuation assistance. Arrangements can be made to reasonably assure that additional assistance is provided to anyone who requires it. Having a plan and practicing it may save your life. If you have any questions or would like to work out a plan in advance, contact Campus Safety 387-2111.

If it is safe to do so, stay with the injured/ill person until help arrives. Do not move the person unless they are in a threatening situation. If the victim must be moved, move as a unit, always supporting the head and the neck. Do not bend or twist the victim’s body. Do not approach victims of electrocution or toxic exposure unless they are clearly away from the hazard.

Call ext. 2111 and/or 9-911. Be prepared to give the following information:

  • Where is the emergency?
  • What happened?
  • How many victims need help?
  • What is being done?
  • Details about the victim(s).

Do not hang up until instructed to do so by the dispatcher (to avoid giving incomplete information).

Be aware of people in your area who are CPR trained, EMTs and/or first responders as well as nearest AED machine (see provided map). Community health issues will be coordinated by Health Services in conjunction with public health authorities.

Contact Campus Safety, ext. 2111, and/or 9-911, in the event of crisis situations like those listed below. Campus Safety and/or the police will make appropriate contacts and referrals.

  • Alcohol and other drug use emergencies
  • Disruptive behavior
  • Discipline issues
  • Mental health/behavioral incidents or concerns
  • Physical injuries
  • Sexual assault
  • Suspicious activity of a concerning nature
  • Threats to public welfare
  • Other concerning behaviors

Any person on campus who receives a bomb threat via telephone call, voice mail, email message, letter, or other communication should proceed as follows.

A. By telephone:

  1. Remain calm and listen carefully.
  2. Keep the caller on the line as long as possible. For example, ask the caller to repeat the message: “I’m sorry, what did you say?”
  3. Identify and record the number from the display on the phone, if available.
  4. Record as much of the caller’s message as soon as possible.
  5. Gather as much information as possible on the Bomb Threat Checklist (included in back of book).
  6. Call Campus Safety, ext. 2111.
  7. Give the checklist to responding Campus Safety staff or law enforcement personnel.

B. By voice mail, email message, letter, or other communication:

  1. Call Campus Safety immediately, ext. 2111. If the bomb threat is received via written communication, do not handle the communication any more than is absolutely necessary and turn the document over to the police when they arrive. The police will want to know the following information:
    • Who found it?
    • Who else was present?
    • Where was it found or how was it delivered?
    • When was it found or delivered?
    • Who has touched it?
    • Have any previous threats been received?
  2. A Campus Safety officer will obtain the information about the bomb threat. The officer will immediately notify the Emergency Response Team chairperson (or the designee). In the event security is unable to contact the Emergency Response Team chairperson (or the designee) within a reasonable time frame, security will confer with the Decorah Police Department for a ruling on an action plan.
  3. The Emergency Response Team will evaluate the situation, consult with appropriate stakeholders, and determine what action will be taken.
  4. The Emergency Response Team will carry out this plan of action.
  5. Campus Safety and/or law enforcement may request people working in the area to assist in sweeping the building. This may be done because people working in the area will be most familiar with what does and does not belong. If a suspicious package or object is located, do not touch it and immediately notify Campus Safety, ext. 2111.
  • Note phone number
  • Date/time of call
  • Note exact wording of the threat

ASK AND RECORD THE ANSWERS TO THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS:

  • What is your name?
  • Where are you calling from?
  • When will the bomb explode?
  • Where is the bomb?
  • Which building is it in?
  • What does it look like?
  • What kind of bomb is it?
  • Why are you doing this?

Note the following:

1. Background noise:

SURROUNDINGS

  • construction
  • factory
  • household
  • kitchen
  • office
  • party
  • street
  • traffic
  • other

NOISES

  • animals
  • bells
  • laughter
  • machines
  • music
  • PA system
  • quiet
  • siren
  • static
  • TV
  • voices
  • other

TELEPHONE CALL

  • external call
  • internal call
  • local
  • long distance

2. Caller’s voice:

VOICE QUALITY

  • breathy
  • broken
  • calm
  • cracking
  • deep
  • excited
  • loud
  • nasal
  • normal
  • ragged
  • rapid
  • raspy
  • shouting
  • slow
  • soft/quiet
  • squeaky/high
  • whispering
  • other

CALLER IS

  • adult
  • child
  • female
  • male

DEMEANOR

  • angry
  • clears throat
  • crying
  • disguised
  • giggling
  • laughing
  • intoxicated
  • irrational
  • righteous
  • sincere
  • stressed

ACCENT

  • accented
  • distorted
  • local accent
  • familiar? sounds like whom?
  • no accent
  • foreign: describe accent

LANGUAGE

  • distinct
  • educated
  • foreign language
  • foul
  • incoherent
  • irrational
  • lisp
  • slurred
  • stuttering
  • uneducated
  • other

MESSAGE

  • read
  • spoken
  • recorded

In all emergencies when using an on-campus phone dial 2111 (Campus Safety) and/or 9-911. Emergency phones are located in many campus parking lots and at building entrances of residence halls and Dahl Centennial Union for use as needed.

When calling:

  • Give your name.
  • Give your phone number.
  • Give building name and room number or other specific location.
  • Describe the condition clearly and accurately.
  • Do not hang up until instructed to do so; other information may be needed.

The following numbers are provided for non-emergency situations. Use of these numbers will still provide a prompt response from the responsible department and keep the 9-911 lines free for emergencies.

  • Campus Safety – ext. 2111
  • Decorah Police Department – 563-382-3667
  • Facilities Services – ext. 1146 or call Campus Safety (after hours)
  • Health Services – ext. 1045
  • Counseling Services – ext. 1375
  • Student Life – ext. 1020

When calling from a campus phone to an off-campus number, dial “9” then number. For example, 9-911, 9-382-3667 or 9–area code and number.

When calling from a campus phone to another campus phone, dial the extension only. For example, ext. 2111. Throughout this handbook on-campus phone numbers are listed by extension only.

All campus office phone numbers start with 563-387-XXXX.

Luther Website and Local Media

In the event of an emergency check Luther College’s emergency site, http://emergency.luther.edu. Bookmark this website in your browser.

For weather related information check, weather.gov, and/or the local radio stations, 100.5 and 104.7 FM, and 1240 AM.

A. Evacuation

  1. Welcome Center operator will call Facilities Services to report location of bomb threat, direct facilities personnel to report to designated area, and tune facilities radios to Channel 7 for instructions and communication.
  2. Welcome Center operator will contact the Campus News Office which will activate the Emergency Communication System, distributing instructions for the given situation.

B. Evacuation of an academic building (Monday-Friday, during regular office hours)

  1. Faculty will instruct students to take book bags and any personal belongings, if easily accessible, and exit the building.
  2. Faculty will instruct students to stay calm and walk as quickly as possible to the closest exit. Faculty will instruct students to maintain safe distance from the threatened building.
  3. The designated areas of refuge are:
    • Upper Campus (Library lawn) for: Campus House, Center for Faith and Life, Center for the Arts, Dahl Centennial Union, Facilities Services, Gjerset House, Jenson-Noble Hall, Koren, Korsrud, Korsrud, Loyalty Hall, Main, Norby House, Olin, Preus Library, Sampson Hoffland Laboratories Sperati Guest House
    • Lower Campus (football field) for: Regents Center, Storre Theatre
  4. Faculty will instruct students to remain in designated area until receiving further instructions.
  5. Faculty, staff, and students will be notified about the bomb threat through the emergency notification system. Updates will be posted on the Luther webpage or at emergency.luther.edu.
  6. Students should await instructions from their professors concerning continuation of their classes. Classes may resume in the following locations:
    • Center for Faith and Life—Main Hall/Recital Hall/Qualley
    • Regents Center—Concourse, north and south lobby, lower hallway
    • Dahl Centennial Union—CAF (anytime between 1:30 and 4:30 p.m.)/Marty’s/Oneota Market/Union Lounge
    • Preus Library—Lobby area
  7. Decorah police and Luther staff will sweep the threatened building.
  8. When search has been completed, police will notify the President (or the designee).
  9. President (or the designee) will go to the designated area to provide further instructions.

C. Evacuation of residence halls (Monday-Friday, during regular office hours)

  1. Welcome Center operator will contact person from residence hall staffing list and instructs first person contacted to pull the fire alarm and begin evacuation. The contacted person will call director of residence life to advise of evacuation.
  2. Security and residence hall staff immediately go to fire alarm enunciator panel area in residence hall being evacuated. RAs direct and escort students to designated area as determined by security. All persons will be instructed to maintain safe distance from threatened building. The designated areas of refuge are:
    • Upper Campus (Library lawn) for: Baker Village, Brandt Hall, College Apartments, Dieseth Hall, Larsen Hall, Miller Hall, Olson Hall, Prairie Houses, Ylvisaker Hall
    • Lower Campus (football field) for: Farwell Hall
  3. Decorah police and Luther staff will sweep the threatened building.
  4. When search has been completed, police will notify the President (or the designee).
  5. President (or the designee) will go to the designated area to provide further instructions.

D. Evacuation of entire campus

  1. Welcome Center operator will contact the Campus News Office which will activate the Emergency Communication System.
  2. Security or designated personnel scan Library lawn.
  3. Persons will be instructed to evacuate to Library lawn. Persons will be instructed to bring personal belongings, if easily accessible, when leaving the area.
  4. Emergency Response Team chairperson (or the designee) will provide further instructions at the Library lawn regarding resuming activities.
    • If needed, instructions will be provided to evacuate to Decorah High School for refuge. Instructions will be provided of availability and transportation to Decorah High School gymnasiums as an area for refuge.
  5. Decorah police and Luther staff will sweep the campus. Building order will be determined by police and Emergency Response Team chairperson as potential area for refuge.
  6. When search has been completed in each building, a report will be given to the Command Center, located in the Dahl Centennial Union. Person in charge at the Command Center will update building checklist.
  7. As buildings are cleared, Emergency Response Team chairperson (or the designee) will notify people that they can return to that building.
    Primary and Secondary buildings of refuge
    Primary buildings: 1. ­ Center for Faith and Life, 2. ­ Regents Center
    Secondary buildings: 1. Dahl Centennial ­ Union, 2. Preus ­ Library
    Primary building for communication: Dahl Centennial Union

E. Evacuation during special events (such as Homecoming, Commencement, Christmas at Luther, sporting events, etc.)

  1. Announcement postponing/canceling the event is made. If unable to communicate with people, Emergency Response Team chairperson (or the designee) will determine if fire alarm should be pulled.
    • Action if event is postponed: All persons will be instructed to move to a designated building. If during Christmas at Luther, choirs will move to the Regents Center (main gym), audience will move to the Regents Center (Sports and Recreation Center). All persons will be instructed to maintain safe distance from the threatened area. Emergency Response Team chairperson (or the designee) will instruct persons to remain in designated building until receiving further instructions, i.e., timeframe for reentering building, etc.
    • Action if event is canceled: Off-campus people will be instructed to leave campus in an orderly fashion. Students will be instructed to return to their residence halls. All persons will be instructed to maintain safe distance from the threatened area.
  2. Decorah police and Luther staff will sweep the threatened building.
  3. When search has been completed, police will notify Emergency Response Team chairperson (or the designee). If event is postponed, police will notify Emergency Response Team chairperson when the building is safe for reentry.

F. Evacuation after hours (5 p.m. to 8 a.m. weekdays, anytime on weekends or holidays)

Residence Hall

  1. Welcome Center operator calls contact person from residence hall staffing list and instructs first person contacted to pull the fire alarm and begin evacuation. The contacted person calls director of residence life to advise of evacuation.
  2. Campus Safety and residence hall staff immediately go to fire alarm enunciator panel area in residence hall being evacuated. RAs direct and escort students to designated building as determined by Campus Safety. All persons will be instructed to maintain safe distance from threatened building.
  3. Campus Safety calls on-duty custodian via radio to open designated building of refuge. In event custodian is not available, Heating Plant operator is called. Custodian/Heating Plant operator will walk through the designated building looking for unusual objects out of place.
  4. Welcome Center operator calls director of Campus Safety, director of facilities services, manager of trade services, and campus news coordinator. Facilities Services personnel on call and other available facilities personnel will be instructed to report to campus.
  5. Decorah police and Luther staff will sweep the threatened building.
  6. When search has been completed, police will notify the president (or the designee) in charge.
  7. President (or the designee) will go to the designated building to provide further instructions.

Academic Building

  1. Security immediately goes to threatened building and pulls fire alarm. Off-campus people will be instructed to leave campus in an orderly fashion. Students will be instructed to return to their residence halls. All persons will be instructed to maintain safe distance from the threatened area.
  2. Welcome Center operator calls director of Campus Safety services, director of facilities services, manager of trade services, and campus news coordinator. Facilities Services personnel on call and other available facilities personnel will be instructed to report to campus.
  3. Decorah police and Luther staff will sweep the threatened building.
  4. When search has been completed, police will notify the president (or the designee) in charge.
  5. President (or the designee) will go to the designated building to provide further instructions.

If threat is in Dahl Centennial Union only
Welcome Center operator transfers calls to Facilities Services Building and moves operation to that building.

For situations that threaten fire or explosion and spills in which hazardous vapors are present, sound the building fire alarm. If you have bodily contact with the spilled material, immediately remove any contaminated clothing and flush all areas affected with large amounts of water (with the exception of chemicals that react with water). Be aware of hazardous materials in your area.

Call Campus Safety, ext. 2111 and/or 9-911, and identify

  • Yourself and the reason you are calling
  • The exact location of the emergency
  • The nature of the emergency
  • Any injuries or symptoms observed
  • All hazardous materials involved, that you are aware of

Evacuate the building, maintaining a safe distance and leave clear access for arriving emergency personnel. Do not return to the area until instructed to do so by emergency personnel. Be available to advise emergency response personnel when they arrive. Someone responsible for the room or building should be present to provide details of the incident.

Notify emergency personnel of those injured or exposed to the effects of the spill and any action taken or needed. (Example: safety shower, medical attention, etc.).

If you observe a crime or behavior that you suspect is criminal, immediately notify Campus Safety, ext. 2111 and/or 9-911. Do not approach or attempt to apprehend the person(s) responsible. Be prepared to provide as much of the following information as possible:

  • What is the person doing?
  • Has anyone been injured?
  • Are weapons involved?
  • Where is it happening?
  • How many people are involved?
  • What are the physical descriptions of those involved, and what are they wearing?
  • If a vehicle is involved, what is the vehicle description and what is the license plate number and state?
  • In which direction did they travel?

In your office or room:

  • Lock your door, even if you are just going down the hall. It takes a thief 10 seconds or less to enter a room and steal your property.
  • Do not leave messages on your door indicating that you are away and when you will be back.
  • If someone asks to use your phone for an emergency call, offer to dial the telephone for them instead of allowing access.
  • Do not put your address on your key ring.
  • Do not leave money out or store it in your office or room.
  • Call Campus Safety at ext. 2111 immediately if you are the victim of a theft from your office or room, or to report suspicious persons or activity.

When walking:

  • Walk in well-lit areas of the campus at night.
  • Walk in pairs when possible and be aware of your surroundings.
  • Inform others of your plan including intended route.
  • Keep your phone on hand and do not use headphones.
  • Walk purposefully, know where you are going, and project a no-nonsense image.
  • Be aware of the location of the emergency blue phones or the Shelter Here Inside Phones (SHIP) located in the main entrances of the residence halls and in Dahl Centennial Union.
  • For an escort on campus, call Campus Safety at ext. 2111.

Protecting your auto or bicycle:

  • Always lock your car.
  • Lock your bicycle to bike racks with hardened-alloy locks and chains, or U-lock locks.
  • Do not leave tempting valuables or property visible inside the car. Lock these items in your trunk.
  • Register your bicycle at the Welcome Center in Dahl Centennial Union.

Protecting yourself when driving:

  • Look into your car before getting in. Lock doors and roll up windows once inside for protection.
  • Do not stop to help occupants of stopped or disabled cars. Continue driving to the nearest phone and call assistance for them or use your cellular phone.
  • If your car breaks down, raise the hood, then lock yourself into your car. Use your cellular phone to call for help if you have one. If someone stops and offers you help, remain in your car and ask them to phone for help if you do not have a cellular phone and/or service.
  • If traveling a great distance and you stop at a rest area at night, attempt to park in a well-lit area. Be extra careful and be aware of your surroundings and the other people at the rest stop. Let others know where you are stopping to rest.

Report any suspected gas leak to Campus Safety, ext. 2111, and/or 9-911.

Be prepared to provide:

  • Your name
  • Nature of the incident
  • The name of the chemical or gas
  • Building name
  • Floor or area affected
  • Room number

Should you detect any hazardous odors or an odor of gas, dial Campus Safety, ext. 2111.

In the event of gas leaks evacuate the area and dial Campus Safety, ext. 2111, and/or 9-911, and wait for further instructions.

Do not use or activate items that can generate a spark in the general vicinity. Light switches, fire alarm pull stations, phones, elevators, etc., can all initiate a spark with resultant explosions. Exit lower or upper floors via the stairs. Do not use elevators.

Confine any fire or fumes to the extent that you can by closing any doors to the affected area, if you can safely do so. In case of a threat of hazardous material, or a chemical spill, do not enter the area. This will help limit the impact of the leak or fire.

Notify others in the immediate vicinity, if you can safely do so.

Upon exiting the building, maintain a safe distance from the building.

Leave adequate room for emergency personnel at the scene.

Do not return to the building until given approval by emergency personnel.

If you have information about the source of the odor or leak, report in person to emergency personnel.

If an incident occurs outdoors, the buildings around you become unstable, or if the air outdoors becomes dangerous due to toxic or irritating substances in the air, it may be safer to stay indoors. Thus, to “shelter in place” means to make a shelter in the building you are in. If you are outdoors, proceed to the closest building quickly or follow instructions from emergency personnel on the scene.

Should this type of situation arise, a shelter in place notification will be sent to the community through our emergency notification system. To shelter in place, close all exterior doors, shut and lock all windows, turn off air conditioners and fans, close off ventilation systems if you are able (college staff will turn off building ventilation systems as quickly as possible when necessary), and place a rolled up towel under the door to the room.

Monitor your cell phone and email for further instructions and additional updates. A subsequent notification will be sent when it is no longer necessary to shelter in place.

Any person who receives or identifies suspicious mail should leave the item alone and not move it.

Immediately contact Campus Safety on 387 2111.

Tips for identifying suspicious packages:

  • Stains or discoloration
  • Leakage
  • Unusual odor
  • Item has been opened and a suspicious substance is visible
  • Restrictive markings, such as confidential, personal, etc.
  • Excessive postage
  • Excessive securing material, such as masking tape, string, etc.
  • Handwritten or poorly typed address
  • Incorrect titles
  • Titles but no names
  • Misspellings of common words
  • No return address
  • Address to someone no longer with your organization or otherwise outdated
  • City or state in the postmark that does not match the return address
  • Excessive weight
  • Rigid envelope
  • Noise
  • Lopsided or uneven envelope
  • Protruding wires and/or tin foil
  • Other irregularities that arouse suspicion on the part of the recipient

WHITE POWDER INCIDENT

Please remember that it is very unlikely that the college would be targeted for any type of adverse action such as this.
If you open an envelope or package containing a message indicating that you have been exposed to a biological threat such as anthrax (a crystalline or powdery substance that may not be seen or noticed), or if you open an envelope or package with the unexplained presence of a white powdery or crystalline substance, do the following:

  1. Remain calm.
  2. Immediately close and lock all doors and windows in the room. Turn off any area fans.
  3. Move away from the envelope or package and any suspected substance but do not leave the room. If others were in the room, they should remain as well.
  4. Call Campus Safety, ext. 2111, and report the incident.
  5. Call Facilities, ext. 1146, to have the HVAC system turned off in the office and general vicinity.
  6. If you have been exposed to a powder or other substance, do not touch your face or attempt to clean up the desk or surface area. If a sink is available in your work area, wash your hands, arms, and face with soap and water.
  7. Wait for further instructions from emergency responders.

Report utility failure to Facilities Services, ext. 1146. If it is after normal business hours, call the Welcome Center, ext. 2000, or Campus Safety, ext. 2111.

Be prepared to provide:

  • Your name
  • Phone number where you can be reached
  • Building name
  • Nature of the incident
  • Floor(s) or area affected
  • Room number

ELECTRICAL FAILURE

Facilities Services personnel will assess the situation and determine the appropriate course of action.

In the event of a significant power failure, the building’s emergency generator will provide limited electricity for emergency lighting.

Elevators will not function in a power failure. Use the stairs if you evacuate the building. If you are trapped in an elevator, use the elevator’s emergency phone to notify Campus Safety, ext. 2111. If there is no emergency phone in the elevator, trigger the elevator’s emergency alarm button.

If an emergency situation occurs that disrupts the information technology equipment, contact the Help Desk, ext. 1000.

STEAM LEAKS

If the steam leak is inside the building, evacuate the area and close the door behind you. Steam can cause severe burns and displace oxygen, and moisture from steam can conduct electricity.

A steam leak may cause the building’s fire alarm to sound. Even if you have ascertained the problem is a steam leak, exit the building immediately.

WATER LEAKS/FLOODING

Do not enter flooded rooms. In the event of water leaks, try to contain the leakage to minimize damage or safety hazards. If it is a significant water leak, avoid the areas where water has accumulated, and wait for help. Water makes an excellent conductor of electricity and therefore, electric shock is possible.

Immediately cease use of all electrical equipment.

Iowa doesn’t have any known major fault lines, but the state has had at least 13 earthquakes with epicenters within the state.  The most recent tremor felt at Luther College was in 2004, which was from an earthquake with an epicenter in north-central Illinois, and had a magnitude of 4.5.  The most significant recorded earthquake felt in the Decorah area was from the New Madrid earthquake of February 7, 1812, which had an estimated magnitude of 8.8. It is estimated that there is a 90% chance of another earthquake along the New Madrid fault of a magnitude of 6.0 by the year 2040.

The procedures to deal with an earthquake are different than for a tornado.  Earthquakes arrive unannounced, leaving no time to take cover or pre-position for the event.

During the Earthquake

  1. If indoors, DROP to the floor under a desk or table or in a doorway; COVER your head and face with your arms.
  2. Stay away from windows and shelves.
  3. Do not use elevators.
  4. If outdoors, move quickly away from buildings, utility poles, overhead wires, parking garages and other structures.
  5. Avoid downed power or utility lines as they may be energized.
  6. If in an automobile, 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:

  1. Be prepared for aftershocks. Aftershocks are usually less intense than the main quake, but can cause further structural damage.
  2. Do not attempt to enter buildings until you are advised to do so by Campus Safety, Decorah Police or Fire Department personnel.
  3. Evaluate the situation and call Campus Safety on 387 2111 for emergency assistance, if necessary.
  4. Do not use flares, torches, lighted cigarettes, or open flames, since gas leaks could be present.
  5. Watch out for broken glass.
  6. If a fire is caused by the earthquake, follow the FIRE RESPONSE PROCEDURES.
  7. Let Campus Safety or other Emergency Responders if you know of someone has been caught in the elevators or is trapped by falling objects.
  8. If the structural integrity appears to be deteriorating rapidly, get out of the building.
  9. EXCEPT FOR EMERGENCY REPORTING, LIMIT THE USE TELEPHONE AND ELECTRONIC DEVICES.
    • Heavy use of electronic devices will overload service capacity and slow the emergency response.
  10. Damaged facilities should be reported to Campus Safety.
  11. 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 to alert emergency crews of your location.
    • Emergency personnel will check buildings as soon as possible after a major quake.

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