• Read and listen to media announcements.
• Check the Fairmont State website for official word and full details.
• Check the main phone number for announcements (304) 367-4000 or 800-641-5678

The Institution will contact the following Media:

A mental health emergency is a situation in which an individual is experiencing mental, emotional and/or psychological disturbances and stress that may result in a threat or harm to her/himself and/or others.

Determine if the student is a danger to themself or others, or does the student need immediate assistance for any reason.

YES

• The students’ conduct is clearly reckless, disorderly, dangerous, or threatening. This includes self-harm or brandishing a weapon.
• IMMEDIATELY: CALL CAMPUS POLICE (304) 367-HELP (4357) OR 911
• After speaking with campus police or 911, report concern by filling out the CARE Form

I'M NOT SURE

• The student shows signs of distress, but I am not sure how serious this is. After interacting with the student, I feel uneasy and/or concerned about the situation.
• During office hours, stay with the student and walk them to Falcon Wellness and Mental Health Services if they are willing.
• If it is after-hours or the student is unwilling to go to Falcon Wellness and Mental Health Services, fill out a CARE form. Students can contact ProtoCALL after hours by calling (304) 367-4155

NO

• I am not concerned for the student's immediate safety, but they are having significant academic and/or personal issues and could use support.
• Fill out a CARE form which will be triaged by a member of Falcon Wellness and Mental Health Services.
• Direct student to Falcon Wellness and Mental Health Services to set up counseling. Students can call the office after hours (304-367-4155) to be connected to ProtoCALL, our after-hours crisis line.

QUESTIONS? Contact: Falcon Wellness and Mental Health Services 3rd Floor, Falcon Center | (304) 367-4155

This type of incident is unpredictable, and your immediate response depends on the situation you encounter.

If it is possible to do so SAFELY, exit the building immediately, moving away from the immediate path of danger, and take the following steps:

Call 911 or (304) 367-4357 if you can.

1. Evacuate to a safe area away from the danger and take protective cover; notify anyone you may encounter. Keep hands visible at all times.
2. If not safe to evacuate, go to the nearest room.
   • Close and lock the door.
   • Turn off the lights.
   • Stay away from doors and windows.
   • Keep quiet.
   • Stay there until assistance arrives.
3. If unable to evacuate or seek a secured location, fight with everything you have in order to save your life.
4. Individuals not in harm’s way are to take protective cover, staying away from windows and doors until notified otherwise.

• Call 911 or (304) 367-4357 to report the location and size of fire. Always call from a safe location.
• Alert people in the immediate area of the fire and evacuate.
• Confine the fire by closing doors as you leave.
• Activate a fire alarm by pulling on an alarm box on your way out of the building.
• Evacuate the building. Do not use elevators unless directed to do so by authorized emergency personnel.
• Do not re-enter the building until authorized emergency personnel give the “all clear” signal.
• If you notice smoke or fire in your path, use alternative exit routes.
• If heat or flames block your exit routes, stay in the room with the door closed. Consider ways to signal for help, including calling 911 or (304) 367-4357, or signaling from window if possible.
• If possible call (304) 367-4357 to advise authorities you are trapped in the building.
• Report all fires, even those which have been extinguished, to Campus Police at (304) 367-4357.

If you must use a fire extinguisher:

• Pull the safety pin on the grip handle.
• Aim the nozzle at the base of the fire.
• Squeeze the handles all the way together.
• Sweep the extinguisher from side to side.

Nearest fire extinguisher

Note: There are different types of fire extinguishers for use on different types of fires. Familiarize yourself with the type and operation of fire extinguishers in your work area.

HOW TO SURVIVE A BUILDING FIRE:

• Know the building. Take time to familiarize yourself with the layout of the building such as:
  • Emergency evacuation for your floor
  • Locations of all pull stations on your floor
  • Locations of all fire extinguishers on your floor
• Crawl if there is smoke. Cleaner air will be near the floor. If you are caught in smoke, get down and crawl on your hands and knees.
• Go to the nearest exit or stairway. If the nearest exit is blocked by fire, heat, or smoke, go to another exit. USE AN EXIT STAIRWAY – DO NOT USE ELEVATOR. If the stairway fire doors are closed, they will keep fire and smoke out and protect you until you are outside. Close doors behind you to confine fire and smoke.

IF YOU ARE ON FIRE:

• Stop, drop, and roll. If your clothes are on fire, stop, drop, and roll wherever you are. Rolling will smother the flames.
• Cool down burns. Immediately use cool water on burns. DO NOT use ointments, butter, or lard. Seek medical attention immediately.

FIRE DRILLS:

• Periodic unannounced fire drills will be conducted as required by West Virginia State Law. ANY TIME a fire alarm sounds, building occupants must vacate in accordance with instructions given by the proper authorities. Failure to vacate may result in citation, fine, or disciplinary action.

STAFF RESPONSIBILITIES:

• No staff member shall silence an alarm until after the proper authorities have secured the building.
• All staff members will comply with requests from Campus Police and/or other emergency response. No staff member should enter any area that appears unsafe. Staff priority is to evacuate the building and instruct and assist others to do the same.
• Staff members are required to file an incident report with the proper authorities by 8:00 a.m. the following day.

AFTER A FIRE ALARM:

• No person shall return to the building until directed to by campus officials or the Fire Department.

Placards or signs are posted outside all rooms containing hazardous materials or equipment.

CHEMICIAL SPILLS:

Detailed safety procedures are in place in all campus laboratories where dangerous materials are used and stored. If you encounter a chemical spill and no trained individuals are in the area:

• Notify Campus Police at (304) 367-4357
• DO NOT walk into or touch any spilled material.
• Avoid inhaling fumes, smoke and vapors, even if no hazardous materials are involved.
• ISOLATE the area by sealing it off or closing doors.
• Notify people in neighboring offices and classrooms.
• Turn off space heaters and extinguish open flames in the area.
• EVACUATE the affected area or building and do not re-enter the area until told to do so by authorized emergency personnel.
• Most chemicals are odorless so remember just because you can’t smell it doesn’t mean it’s not harming you.

RADIOACTIVE MATERIALS

Minimal radioactive materials are utilized in some campus laboratories. Those that might be encountered are considered low-level sources of radiation and pose minimal threat when properly stored and handled. If you encounter what you believe to be radioactive material:

• Notify Campus Police at (304) 367-4357.
• DO NOT touch the material.
• ISOLATE the area by sealing it off or closing doors.
• Notify people in neighboring offices and classrooms.

Instructors and supervisors should be proactive and be aware of people who will need assistance.

ASSISTING BLIND/VISUALLY IMPAIRED:

• Clearly announce the type of emergency.
• Offer your arm for guidance.
• Tell the person where you are going, and alert him/her to obstacles along the way.
• Keep them informed of what is happening.

ASSISTING DEAF/HEARING IMPAIRED:

• Turn lights on and off to gain the person’s attention.
• Indicate directions with gestures or a written note.

ASSISTING MOBILITY IMPAIRED/WHEELCHAIR USERS:

• Elevators should not be used to move people with disabilities.
• Seek volunteers to assist students/personnel with physical disabilities to the nearest enclosed stairway or designated areas for rescue assistance.
• One individual should remain with the person(s) if it can be done without unreasonable personal risk.
• Others should advise emergency personnel of the location so that the evacuation can be completed.
• If an imminent danger situation exists and the person requests assistance in evacuation before emergency personnel can arrive, assist in finding volunteers to evacuate the person per his/her instructions.

IF YOU ARE PHYSICALLY CHALLENGED (EVEN TEMPORARILY) OR VISUALLY IMPAIRED:

• If you are physically challenged, you should:
  • Be educated about fire safety.
  • Plan ahead for emergency situations.
  • Be aware of your capabilities and limitations.
  • Notify proper authorities of your conditions so aid may be given in case of a fire.
• In case of a fire, look for places of refuge, like stair enclosures or behind fire doors. ELEVATORS WILL NOT OPERATE WHEN THE ALARM SOUNDS AND ARE NOT SAFE TO USE DURING FIRES. It may be better to stay in your room.
• Visually impaired should take the hand of another person to assist with exiting the building.
• Persons confined to a wheelchair or crutches should not attempt to evacuate the building using these devices unless they have ramped or level access to a designated exit. If access to one of these exits is unavailable, proceed to the nearest fire exit and wait for emergency personnel assistance.

If you are required to leave the building immediately, but are unable to (because of physical disability, injury or obstruction):

• Go to the nearest area of safe refuge.
• Notify Campus Police at (304) 367-4357.
• Signal out the window to emergency responders if possible.
• Remain calm.

My identified safe refuge area is:

STAFF RESPONSIBILITIES:

• No staff member shall silence an alarm until after the property authorities have secured the building.
• All staff members will comply with requests from Campus Police and/or other emergency response. No staff member should enter any area that appears unsafe. Staff priority is to evacuate the building and instruct and assist others to do the same.
• Staff members are required to file an incident with the proper authorities by 8:00 a.m. the following day.

In the event of a major utility failure, call the Physical Plant at (304) 367-4110 if between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. At all other times, or if unable to reach Physical Plant, contact Campus Police at (304) 367-4357.

• Remain calm; move cautiously to a lighted area.
• Turn off and unplug computers and other voltage-sensitive equipment.
• Provide assistance to others if necessary.

ELECTRICAL OUTAGE:

• Evacuate the building if the fire alarm sounds or upon notification by authorized emergency personnel.
• In laboratory buildings. Fume hoods do not operate during power outage and most laboratories should not be used until the ventilation is properly restored.

GAS LEAK/UNUSUAL ODORS:

• Cease all operations immediately.
• Do not use cell phones or other electronic equipment.
• Do not switch lights on or off.
• Evacuate as soon as possible.

FLOODING/PLUMBING FAILURE

• Cease using all electrical equipment.
• Avoid contact with the water.
• Evacuate the building.

A lockdown is ordered any time it is unsafe to leave the building. A lockdown will be ordered by the Campus Police Department or other designated authority. You may be notified of a lockdown by various means including public address systems, paging notification systems, mass e-mails, text messaging, web site, telephone notification or other means available based on circumstances of the incident.

DURING LOCKDOWN YOU SHOULD:

• Remain calm.
• Remain in your assigned area so a full accounting can be made of everyone inside of the building.
• Close and lock doors. Stay away from all windows and doors. Turn off all lights and remain silent. Do not use cell phones except for emergency notification to Campus Police at (304) 367-4357.
• Move to a location in the room which is not visible to someone looking through the door. If gunshots are heard everyone should move to the floor.
• Students and staff in hallways or other open areas must proceed immediately to a classroom or office where they can safely be locked in. If a classroom or office door is locked, proceed to the next closest available room to take cover.
• If you see someone other than emergency personnel attempting to enter the building notify (304) 367-4357 IMMEDIATELY.
• NO ONE SHOULD LEAVE THE SECURED ROOM UNTIL DIRECTED TO DO SO BY THE AUTHORIZED EMERGENCY PERSONNEL.
• If building becomes unsafe, evacuate only if safe to do so.

• Seek medical attention.
• Contact immediate supervisor.
• Contact the Campus Safety Coordinator at (304) 367-4290.
• Complete the Occupational Injury/Illness Report and submit it to the Campus Safety Coordinator within 24 hours of injury.
• Participate in the Return to Work Program (if necessary).