Bomb Threat

If a bomb threat is received by phone:

• Remain Calm. Contact or ask someone to contact University Police, 703-993-2810.
• Record the time and phone number if you have a caller ID.
• Record details of the call or keep the note/email.
• Take no further action until advised to do so by the University Police. Responding officers will assess the threat and advise the building occupants if it is necessary to evacuate the building and/or area.

Bomb Threat

Communicable Disease

Limit the spread of communicable disease before it has the potential to cause serious illness/disease by taking the following steps:

• Wash your hands frequently.
• Cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing.
• Routinely clean and disinfect surfaces.
• Practice a healthy lifestyle; exercise, eat a balanced diet, and get sufficient sleep.
• Avoid public places, work, or school when sick to prevent the spread of a communicable disease.
• Maintain appropriate immunizations and vaccinations based upon the region in which you live and work, and your exposure risk.

Communicable Disease

Earthquake

Follow the below recommendations for how to respond to an earthquake:

If you are indoors: Remain indoors and seek protection until the earthquake subsides. Stay calm and take precautions to protect yourself from potential debris by:

• Drop to the floor and get under or adjacent to a sturdy table, desk, or permanent fixture.
• Cover your head and neck with your arms and hands.
• Hold On to the table or desk you are under as objects may shift during the earthquake.
• If you are not near a sturdy table or desk, drop to the floor against an interior wall and cover your head and neck with your arms and hands.
• Stay away from windows, overhead fixtures, objects on walls, tall furniture, large appliances and cabinets filled with objects that may be displaced and fall during an earthquake.
• If you are in an elevator you are afforded a reasonable amount of protection and should remain in place. Entrapment may occur; notify emergency response personnel by using the elevator phone, help button, or cell phone.
• If you are in bed, remain in bed and cover your head with a pillow.

If You Are Outdoors: Move away from buildings, overhangs, trees, and power lines to a clear area such as a large open public area or field. If you’re driving, pull over and stop in an area that does not have any overhead hazards.

If getting safely to the floor to take cover won't be possible: Identify an inside corner of the room away from windows and objects that could fall on you. People who use wheelchairs or other mobility devices should lock their wheels and remain seated until the shaking stops. Protect your head and neck with your arms, a pillow, a book, or whatever is available.

Earthquake Guide

Evacuation

If you discover smoke or a fire, do the following:

• Activate the fire alarm using a manual pull station located near the exit doors.
• Notify others and evacuate the building.
• Do not use elevators during a fire or evacuation
• Assemble at a designated assembly area and await further instruction from emergency response personnel.

Emergency Evacuation Guide

Hazardous Materials Release

In the event of a release of hazardous materials, take the following steps:

• Report all hazardous waste materials spills and releases to University Police.
• Evacuate the area or building if safety permits.
• Assemble at the designated assembly area and remain upwind of the chemical spill.
• Notify emergency response personnel if you are exposed to a chemical.

Oil and Chemical Spill Response

Medical Emergency

In the event of a medical emergency on campus, follow the below instructions:

• Contact University Police, provide information about the injury and the location of the victim(s).
• Provide first aid or medical assistance if trained and necessary.
• Remain with the victim until emergency response personnel arrive.
• If a victim is unconscious and not breathing, start CPR (if trained), locate an AED, turn it on, and follow the instructions provided by the unit.

Medical Emergency

Missing Person

If you suspect someone is missing, notify the Department of Police and Public Safety immediately by calling: (703) 993-2810, and provide a detailed description of the missing person.

Missing Person

Power Outage and Utility Failure

In the event of a power outage:

• Contact Facilities Management at 703-993-2525 to report a power outage.
• Remain calm, turn off sensitive equipment. Exit the area, and provide assistance to others if necessary.
• Buildings without power, water, heating, ventilation, or air conditioning should not be occupied until utilities are restored.

Power Outage and Utility Failure

Regional Emergency

In the event of a regional emergency:

• Check local news media for updates regarding evacuation, evacuation routes, and emergency shelters.
• Monitor www.gmu.edu for closing or operational modifications.
• Make an emergency plan and keep an emergency supply kit at home, at work, and in your car.
• For instructions on how to build an emergency kit and suggestions for what items to include, visit ready.gov/kit.
• For a list of additional items to keep in your car, as well as, a mechanic check list to prepare your vehicle for emergencies, visit ready.gov/car.
  

Regional Emergency

Shelter-in-Place

During severe weather, a hazardous materials spill, or an on-campus violence emergency, do the following:

• Warn others in the area to move to a shelter.
• Move to an interior room without windows, close the door, and lock the door if appropriate.
• Do not exit the area until the emergency has passed or you are instructed to do so by emergency response personnel.

Tornado & Severe Weather,
Workplace & On Campus Violence,
Oil and Chemical Spill Guide

Suspicious Package

If you come across a suspicious package:

• Do not handle a suspicious package.
• Contact University Police and provide as much information as possible about the situation.
• Notify your supervisor or professor.
• Leave the area or await further instruction from University Police.

Suspicious Package

Tornadoes & Severe Weather

Follow the below recommendations for how to respond to severe weather:

• Monitor television, radio, or weather radio for information about approaching storms.
• If severe weather is expected to impact your area, seek shelter in a hardened structure and follow shelter-in-place procedures (above).
• Stay away from large objects that may fall during a storm, e.g., book cases and shelves.
• If you are unable to find shelter, lie down flat and cover your head with your hands.

Tornado & Severe Weather

Workplace & On Campus Violence

In the event of violence on campus:

• RUN: away from danger to a secure location.
• HIDE: in a secure location if danger is near.
• FIGHT: by whatever means necessary to defend yourself and others as a last resort
.

Workplace and On Campus Violence Guide