Emergency Procedures: Know what to do

 
Emergency Procedures: Know what to do
 
Fire
  • If You Discover Fire, See Smoke Or Smell Gas:
    • Sound alarm to warn occupants;
    • Evacuate IMMEDIATELY using the nearest safe exit and proceed outside and clear the building to a minimum distance of 100 metres (300 feet) to the nearest assembly point. DO NOT USE ELEVATORS FOR EVACUATION PURPOSES;
  • If you require assistance to evacuate:
    • Take shelter in a safe location;
    • Inform someone of your location;
    • Ask them to give Campus Enforcement and Patrol (CEP) or Fire Department your location;
  • If trained to do so, fight fire using a fire extinguisher only if small and not between you and an exit;
  • Call 911 and Department of Transportation and Works Security 709-778-0644.
 
Evacuation
  • If The Fire Alarm Sounds or You Are Advised to Evacuate:
    • Stop all work and remain calm;
    • Evacuate IMMEDIATELY using the nearest safe exit and proceed outside and clear the building to a minimum distance of 100 metres (300 feet) to the nearest assembly point. DO NOT USE ELEVATORS FOR EVACUATION PURPOSES;
  • If you require assistance to evacuate:
    • Take shelter in a safe location;
    • Inform someone of your location;
    • Ask them to give CEP or Fire Department your location;
  • Do not try to remove any vehicle from the parking lot/garage;
  • Obey all instructions from the Emergency Wardens;
  • Comply with Fire Department orders;
  • Return to the building only when authorized to do so.
 
Active Intruder

View the Active Intruder educational video. Log in to your my.mun.ca account and play the video on the emergency management channel on the main page.

An active intruder threat involves a situation where an individual or individuals come on campus with the intention to cause serious harm to others. The intruder(s)’ usual intention is to continue until stopped by police and/or suicide.

Many of these incidences are often over in a very short period of time—ten to fifteen minutes. You need to assess your situation and take responsibility for your personal safety and security. Try to stay calm. Trust your instincts, and use care when making decisions. It is important to understand that any action taken or not taken during an active intruder incident may involve life-threatening risk.

Assume a Survival Mindset:

  • Figure Out – Try to determine what is happening around you and if you are in danger but without putting yourself at risk;
  • Get Out – If you have not been detected, and you have an escape route, your best option may be to leave, if it is safe to do so;
  • Hide Out– If you cannot leave safely, you must seek shelter from an armed intruder(s);
    • Move to the nearest room you feel is safe;
    • Lock and/or barricade the door if possible;
    • Turn off lights and/or maintain minimal lighting;
    • Close/lock and stay away from all windows and blinds;
    • Lie flat on the floor or take adequate cover out of sight;
    • Comfort others who may be panicking and assist injured if necessary;
    • Consider making a plan in case the intruder(s) gains access to the room;
    • Remain calm and quiet;
  • Get the Word Out – If safe to do so, call 911 and report the incident. After you notify 911, silence your phone;
  • Wait Out – Wait for police to arrive. Do not enter hallways, stairwells, etc. until instructed to do so. Upon arrival of the police, obey their instructions, including showing your hands when asked to do so.
 
Severe Weather

In Newfoundland and Labrador, severe weather storms are most likely to bring high amounts of rain, snow, ice, strong winds and/or freezing rain -- many times all within a short time span. These storms can cause flooding, downed trees, structural damage and, in some instances, power outages. Consideration will be given to the cancellation of classes or closure of the University when the local weather forecast and/or campus conditions warrant such action. Memorial’s decision to close the university or cancel classes is based on the safety of students, staff and faculty.

Memorial University will consult local meteorologists and Metrobus officials. The decision to delay opening or to close early is based on numerous factors including weather conditions, road conditions, busing and conditions on campus. In particular, the university will rely on the threshold criteria for public alerts about weather hazards as defined by Environment Canada in order to assess potential impact relating to specific weather warnings.

Occasions may occur when weather-related conditions necessitate that the University implement a delayed opening time or an early closure. In all cases, employees and commuting students must use their best judgment in determining their personal safety when traveling between home and the campus.

Advisories for late openings and/or closures will normally be issued by 7 a.m. and early closures will normally be announced at least one hour in advance. Listen to local radio stations for advisories and check www.mi.mun.ca or follow Memorial on Twitter @marineinstitute for information.

Methods of Communication

Web
The Marine Institute’s website alert system will be activated if there is an emergency, class cancellation or closure advisory. A message will be posted on the Institute’s home page outlining the emergency announcement.

Check these websites:

Social Media
Check the official Institute Twitter feed @marineinstitute, Instagram feed marine.institute or Facebook page

Radio
Listen to local radio stations that provide emergency information in the St. John’s area:

  • CBC Radio One 640 AM
  • VOCM 590 AM
  • OZFM 94.7 FM
  • Coast 101.1 FM
  • CHMR 93.5 FM (accepts only daytime advisories)
 
Infectious Disease

Infectious Disease is defined by Memorial University as an infectious disease that is spread from person to person through casual contact or respiratory droplet to include, but is not restricted to the following:

  • Influenza;
  • Chickenpox;
  • Norovirus;
  • Measles;
  • Meningitis;
  • Tuberculosis;
  • Mononucleosis;
  • West Nile Virus.

An Infectious Disease may be transmitted directly from one body to another without the aid of other objects, e.g. kissing, droplet spray from sneezing, coughing, spitting, singing or talking. It may be transmitted directly when an object transmits the organism. Objects of transmission may be clothing, linen, utensils, food, water, milk, air, soil, or insects.

The University endorses a 3 C Campaign (Clean, Cover and Contain) to help prevent the spread of communicable diseases.

The 3C Campaign will help prevent the spread of communicable diseases:

  • Clean – Wash your hands;
  • Cover – Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue or the crook of your arm;
  • Contain – Contain your illness; stay home and rest.
 
Hazardous Spill Or Gas Leak
  • Take prompt action to prevent further release or harm to persons in the area as per the Hazardous Spill or Gas Leak procedures found on the Emergency Management website;
  • Evacuate immediately and sound the building alarm if you have any doubts about your safety or that of others in the area of a spill or leak;
  • Call 911 and Department of Transportation and Works Security 709-778-0644.
 
Bomb Threat
  • If threat is received by phone, use the Bomb Threat Guidelines (available on the Emergency Management website) and gather as much information as possible, then call 911;
  • If a threat is received in writing, call 911 immediately and turn over the document to them;
  • Do not touch any suspected items. Should a suspected item be located, call 911;
  • Evacuate if advised to do so.
 
Medical Emergency
  • If illness or injury is serious, do not move the person;
  • Call 911 and follow instructions;
  • If appropriate and available, get someone with First Aid Training to help;
  • Send someone to meet emergency personnel outside and direct them to the person’s location.
 
Power Outage
  • Report the power failure to Facilities and Technical Services at 709-778-0510;
  • Evacuate to your nearest assembly point, if advised to do so and await further instructions;
  • Do not re-enter the building unless advised to do so by emergency personnel;
  • If in an elevator, use the telephone and assistance from emergency personnel will be forthcoming;
  • If in a dark workspace, determine whether or not you can move cautiously to a lighted area. If you are not able to do so, stay where you are. A search of the building will be conducted and you will be assisted to ensure a safe evacuation;
  • If in a residence, await instructions from your residence life adviser;
  • Assist others if necessary.
 
IM/IT Infrastructure Failure And Computer Security

Contact the Information and Communications Technologies Help Desk at 709-778-0628 for IM/IT equipment systems failures (including Banner (student or finance), student portal, Brightspace (hardware support), telephone systems, and/or network failure) or computer security issues (including malware, hacking, phishing, virus, identity theft and/or data theft).