| Campus Public Safety (CPS) | Off-Campus | Campus Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Police/Fire/Medical | 911 | |
| Non-emergency | (541) 552-6911 | 2-6911 |
| After 5 p.m., weekends, and holidays | (541) 552-6911 | 2-6911 |
| Administrative Office: 8 a.m.–5 p.m., Monday–Friday | (541) 552-6258 | 2-6258 |
| Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) | Off-Campus | Campus Phone |
|---|---|---|
| During normal business hours: 8 a.m.–5 p.m., Monday–Friday | (541) 552-6881 | 2-6881 |
Fire
Fire Occurrence:
- Call 911 and give your name and the location of the fire.
- Evacuate the building immediately.
- Do not return to the building until instructed to do so by authorized personnel.
- Do not walk through or stand in a smoke cloud.
- Tell authorities if you suspect someone may be trapped inside the building.
If you are trapped in a room:
- Place a wetted cloth material around or under the door to prevent smoke from entering the room.
- Close as many doors as possible between you and the fire. Be prepared to signal to someone outside.
If you are caught in smoke:
- Drop to your hands and knees. Crawl toward an exit.
- Stay low, as smoke rises to ceiling level.
- Hold your breath as much as possible.
- Breathe shallowly through your nose and use a filter such as a shirt or towel.
Severe Weather
Severe weather conditions can occur suddenly.
Severe weather in the Southern Oregon area may include accumulations of snow and ice, heavy rains, and/or high winds.
Snow and ice:
- If possible, walk only on paths that have been cleared or sanded.
- Wear appropriate footwear that provides traction when walking.
- Stay clear of sagging or downed power lines.
- Heavy snow and ice may cause tree limbs to fall, therefore avoid areas with heavy concentrations of trees.
- Use extreme caution when driving.
Heavy rains and flooding:
- In the case of extensive roof or window leaks or imminent flooding of ground areas, unplug electrical devices and secure all equipment by moving or covering it.
- Take appropriate actions to secure vital records and chemicals.
High winds:
- If possible, remain inside the building away from windows.
- When outside, avoid areas with heavy concentration of trees.
- Stay clear of sagging or downed power lines.
Wildfires:
- Quickly spreading grass and wild land fires are a serious threat to the campus. When a warning is sent to evacuate due to a nearing fire, immediately leave
Earthquakes
During an earthquake:
- DROP to the ground.
- Take COVER by getting under a sturdy desk or table.
- HOLD ON to it until the shaking stops.
Indoors During an Earthquake:
- Stay away from windows and objects that could fall on you.
- Take cover under a desk or sturdy table.
- Hold the leg of the table or desk so it does not slide away from you.
- Drop to your knees, get into a fetal position, close your eyes, and cross your arms over the back of your head.
- Stay inside until the shaking stops.
- Do not use elevators.
Outdoors During an Earthquake:
- Stay in an open area away from trees, buildings, walls, and power lines.
- Do not enter buildings.
- Drop to your knees, close your eyes, and cross your arms over the back of your head.
- In a moving vehicle, come to a stop and stay in the vehicle until the shaking stops. After the shaking stops, continue driving cautiously and avoiding ramps and bridges.
After the shaking stops:
- Evacuate the building to a clear outside area. Do not use the elevator.
- Be prepared for aftershocks. They can be frequent and be stronger than the first quake.
- If there are injured, call 911 immediately. Avoid using phones, except for emergencies.
- Assist with evacuating people with disabilities or special needs.
- Campus Public Safety will provide instructions for immediate actions by using SOU Alert and bullhorns.
- Help injured or trapped people. Give first aid where appropriate. Do not move the seriously injured unless they are in immediate danger of further injury.
Medical Emergency
- Call (541) 552-6911 or 911 immediately.
- Do not move the victim unless in imediate danger.
- Provide the location, nature of injury or illness, current condition of the victim and any other information needed.
- Remain on the phone until directed to hang up.
- Stay with the victim. If possible send someone to wait for the emergency personel.
- Provide necessary first aid, and keep the patient as calm and comfortable as possible. There is always a first aid kit in the building manager’s office.
- If patient is having seizures, try to prevent injury by moving furniture out of way. When the seizure finishes, roll the individual onto his/her side. Be aware that they most likely will remain unconscious, may have wet themselves, and may have snoring type breathing.
- If you notice any medical identification jewelry, bring this to the attention of the responding emergency provider
Utility Failure
Utility failures include power outages, gas leaks; unusual orders, flooding/plumbing problems, broken or malfunctioning life-safety equipment or elevator entrapment.
If one of these issues occurs:
- Move to a safe area
- Call Maintence numbers: Residence Halls: 541-941-1842, 541-944-1408 or Student Apartments & Family Housing: 541-944-3625. If an emergency call (541)-552-6911 or 911.
- Be prepared to provide failure type and location
- Building may be evacuated due to utility failures
Hazardous Materials Spills
Hazardous Spill:
If a spill occurs, the following steps should be taken:
- Remove yourself from the area and keep others away.
- Do not walk into or touch any of the spilled substance.
- Avoid inhaling gases, fumes, and smoke. Cover your mouth with a cloth while leaving the area.
- Stay away from accident victims until the hazardous material has been identified.
- Try to stay uphill and upwind of the accident
- Call 911 immediately; provide information about the spill (location, injuries, type of chemicals, and amount of spill).
- Leave the immediate area, but remain nearby to direct emergency personnel to the contaminated area.
- Advise others to stay out of the immediate area.
- Assist with obtaining information about the material. Provide Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS), or any information regarding the name of chemical and its usage.
Hazardous Gas Leak:
If a leak in a gas cylinder occurs, the following steps should be taken:
- Confine the fumes or fire by shutting the room door.
- Sound the building fire alarm to begin evacuation.
- Call 911 and provide information about the leak (location, type of gas leaking, injuries).
- Evacuate to a safe area at least 300 feet away from the building.
- Do not return to the building until instructed to do so by authorities.
Suspicious Mail
What makes a piece of mail suspicious?
- It is sent to you from someone with whom you have had a negative encounter.
- It is handwritten and has no return address (or does not appear legitimate).
- It is lopsided, greasy, or lumpy in appearance.
- It is sealed with excessive amounts of tape.
- It is marked with unnecessarily restrictive endorsements such as “Personal” or “Confidential.”
- It has excessive postage.
What should I do with a suspicious piece of mail?
- Do not handle a letter or package that you suspect is contaminated or dangerous.
- Do not shake it, bump it, or sniff it.
- Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water.
- Call Campus Public Safety at 541-552-6911 (2-6911).
What do I do if I’ve opened the mail and discovered suspicious objects or materials?
(threatening letters, explosive devices, powdery substances):
- Put the pieces of mail down. Do not show it to others.
- If the pieces of mail contain a suspicious powdery substance, cover the object gently with something to prevent air or wind from dispersing it further.
- Alert others and secure the area.
- Call 541-552-6911 (2-6911) or 911 to report what you have found.
- Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water.
Threatening Violent Behavior
In the event of an angry or hostile customer, coworker, or student:
- Stay calm.
- Listen attentively.
- Maintain eye contact.
- Be courteous, patient, and respectful.
If shouting, swearing, and threatening continues:
- Signal a coworker or supervisor (have a prearranged code or alarm system for example, “call Todd,” or “Todd called, can someone call him back?”).
- Try not to make any calls yourself.
- Have someone call Campus Public Safety 541-552-6911 (2-6911) or the police.
If someone is threatening you with a gun, knife, or other weapon:
- Stay calm.
- Quietly signal for help using an alarm or code system.
- Maintain eye contact.
- Stall for time.
- Keep talking, but follow instructions from the person who has the weapon.
- Don’t risk harm to yourself.
- Never try to grab the weapon.
- Watch for a possible chance to escape to a safe area.
Bomb Threats
Bomb threats usually occur by telephone.
The person receiving the call should do the following:
- Remain calm and attempt to obtain as much information as possible from the caller. Such as:
– What is your name?
– Where is the bomb located?
– What time is it set to go off?
– What does the bomb look like?
– What kind of bomb is it?
– What will cause it to explode?
– Did you place the bomb?
– Why did you place the bomb?
- Write down the exact words used in the threat while they are still fresh in your memory. Note if they had an unusual voice or accent.
- Call 2-6911 or 911. Give your name, location, and telephone number. Inform the dispatcher of the situation including any information you may have. After you call 911, inform your administrator of the call.
- If instructed to evacuate, move a safe distance away from the building or behind barriers. If severe weather conditions exist, you may move to another building that is a safe distance away. Wait for further instructions given by SOU Alert or by police officials. Do not re-enter the building until instructed to do so.
Crime in Progress
Robbery:
In the event of a robbery, do not resist. Do not attempt to apprehend or interfere with the criminal except for the purpose of self-protection. If you observe a crime or are a victim, report it immediately by calling 911 and giving the following information:
- Location of the incident
- Description of the person (clothing and physical features)
- Observations about the person’s direction of travel and means of travel (i.e., on foot, vehicle type)
Until the authorities arrive, stay calm and write down as much of the following information about the assailant(s) that you can remember:
- Height, weight, sex, and approximate age
- Skin, hair and eye color
- Facial hair and hair length
- Tattoos, piercings, scars, or moles
- Clothing type and color
- Special clothing such as hat, coat, jacket, gloves
- Vehicle description:
– Make
– Color
– License number
– Direction of travel
- Any other items for identification, such as unusual voice or noticeable accent.
Civil Disturbance:
A civil disturbance may occur on SOU’s campus. In the event of civil disturbance:
- Avoid the area of the disturbance.
- Do not interfere with person(s) creating the disturbance or with law enforcement authorities on the scene.
- If the disturbance is outside, stay away from doors and windows.
- Monitor SOU Alert and campus email for further direction.
Active Shooter
If an Active Shooter is in your vicinity:
- Call 911 and tell them any information you may have including location of shooter(s), description of shooter(s) and weapon(s) and how many hostages/injured.
Get Out:
If there is an accesible escape path attempt to evacuate the premises: Have an escape route and plan in mind.
- Evacuate regardless if others follow.
- Leave belongings behind.
- Help others escape if possible.
- Prevent others from entering an area where the shooter may be.
- Keep hands visible.
- Follow the instructions of any police officers
- Do not attempt to move wounded people
Hide Out:
If evacuation is not possible, find a place to hide where a shooter is less likely to find you.
- Hide in an area out of the shooters view.
- Find protection if shots are fired in your direction.
- Lock the doors.
- Block entry into your hiding place.
- Spread out: Don’t huddle together.
- Wait for law enforcement.
Take Out:
As a last resort and only when your life is in immediate danger attempt to disrupt and or incapacitate the shooter(s) by:
- Devise a plan: Committing to your actions.
- Throwing items and improvise weapons.
- Acting as aggressively as possible.
- Yelling
Campus Public Safety
382 Wightman St.
Ashland, OR 97520
Emergency: Dial 9-1-1
Officer Assistance: (541) 552-6911
Campus Public Safety Office: (541) 552-6258