Emergency Information:
What Should You Do?
One of the most common emergency responses on campus is the evacuation of a building.
Evacuation
For any number of incidents including fire, chemical spill, gas/utility leak, or severe weather.
- Collect your personal belongings.
- Follow signs to exit building.
- Help those who need extra assistance.
- Head to designated safe point.
Fire
The University does conduct fire drills and will be coordinating them throughout the year on campus to prepare our community. Our process is as follows:
Activation of the notification system:
Pulling of the fire alarm
Response of the community:
- Take all of your belongs.
- Evacuate the building in a calm, orderly manner.
- Follow instructions from the emergency personnel.
Response of trained designated emergency responders:
Evaluate and address situation.
End of incident:
When notified by emergency personnel, community members return to normal activities.
Seek Safety or Barricade
Act of Violence
If you receive a text of an act of violence in your immediate area (ie. active assaulter, campus violence, etc)
- Go to a room if you are not in one
- Lock and block doors.
- Turn out lights and stay low.
- Put phone on vibrate.
- Remain quiet and calm; listen for activity, signs of help or direction.
- Local police or university officials will secure the scene and make announcements through Emergency Notification system.
Medical Attention
If someone is in need of medical attention:
- Remain calm.
- Call Public Safety at x2999 from any University phone, 215-572-2999 from a cell phone or pick up any campus Emergency Phone. For off-campus medical emergencies, call 911. Public Safety will respond to a situation in which any staff member, student, or visitor of the University requires emergency medical assistance.
- Unless it is unsafe to do so, remain on the scene until Public Safety arrives.
- Do not move the injured person unless there is danger of further harm.
- Keep the injured person warm.
- Do not exceed your training or knowledge when attempting to render first aid.
Similar procedures are in place to respond to a variety of potential crises, including the following:
- Tornados or Chemical releases on- and off-campus
- Technology emergencies
- Suspicious packages
- Pandemic emergencies
- Weather emergencies
- Workplace violence
Extra Emergency Response Planning Information
Tornados or Chemical releases on- and off-campus
- Stay inside and look for lowest level room with interior walls. Stairwells, bathrooms and closets are locations.
- Put as many walls as possible between you and the exterior of building
- Avoid interior and exterior doors.
- Move away from areas where cleaning supplies (any chemicals) or fuel is stored.
- Secure all doors – close, lock a
- Secure or remove from your shelter all items that are not secure (office supplies, items on shelves, knives, scissors, etc.)
Technology Emergency Management Procedures
The Arcadia University Information Technology Disaster Recovery Plan (DRP) is a plan for the university to provide business continuity in the event of a disaster, natural or man-made, that destroys part or all of the university’s resources, including IT and communication equipment, data and even the physical space of the university’s campus. The DRP is the process, the policies, and the procedures for restoring operations critical to the resumption of university business, including regaining access to data (records, hardware, software, etc.), communications, workspace, and other business processes.
Suspicious Packages
Information includes details regarding what a “suspicious package” may look like and where it may be delivered. It also suggests time tested methods for the appropriate actions to be taken if such a package/letter is discovered.
Pandemic Emergencies
Recognizing the broad reach of any major exposure to diseases is an essential component of this plan. Maintaining close contact with local and national authorities on communicable diseases and constantly considering any preparations necessary for both short-term and long term consequences are part of the primary aspects of institutional planning and response.
Weather Emergencies
Our geographic region is generally not prone to unexpected extreme weather conditions. This section of the Emergency Response Manual provides guidelines for responding to both forecasted severe weather and the unexpected (tornados, earthquakes, etc) weather emergency.
Workplace Violence
At Arcadia University we work hard to ensure that we maintain a safe and secure environment in which to work, live and study. It is important for all employees to note that Arcadia University policies strictly forbid the behaviors that can contribute to violent actions at the University. See Arcadia University Employee Handbook for details. This policy applies to all employees including staff, faculty, temporary employees, student workers as well as consultants and sub-contractors.
