This guide is to assist the campus community in responding to emergency situations.
Armed Threat / Active Shooter
Call 911 as soon as it is safe:
- Tell the operator what you have seen or heard to include number, location, description, clothing worn and activity of the armed person(s), and the type of weapon(s) if you can tell.
If it is safe to leave the building or area do so immediately and find a safe place to wait.
If you do not believe it is safe to leave, go to a lockable room in the building. These rooms may be indicated on building safety plans.
If you can only find a room that cannot be locked:
- Use whatever is available to block the door. Jam chairs, podiums, tables and cabinets against the door.
- Check to see if any windows can be used to make an emergency exit.
- Turn out the lights, remain quiet and hide under tables and chairs.
If a shooter enters your room:
- If you can run from the room and away from the shooter, do so.
- If there is no escape route, you will have to assess the situation and make a difficult decision: Lie as still as possible beneath the tables and chairs; or, with anything you can use as weapons, physically attack the shooter until you can make an escape or the shooter is unable to continue the attack.
When exiting the building or area do not be mistaken as a dangerous threat:
- Keep your hands fully visible to the police at all times.
- Follow the officer’s instructions and let them approach you. Do not reach or grab for an officer.
- Expect to be escorted to and detained at an assembly area. For your safety, stay put until police identify and release you.
Information will be sent out using William & Mary’s mass notification system as it becomes available.
Bomb Threats
If you receive a bomb threat:
- Take a deep, calming breath.
- If your phone has caller ID, write down the caller’s number.
- If possible, get someone near you to call 911 . If not call 911 immediately after you receive the entire threat.
Keep the caller on the phone as long as possible by asking questions:
- What is your name?
- When is the bomb going to explode?
- Where is the bomb?
- What does the bomb look like?
- What kind of bomb is it?
- What will cause it to explode?
- Is the bomb yours?
- Why was it placed here?
- Where are you calling from?
- What is your address?
Make notes about the following:
- Exact time you received the call and words used by the caller.
- What you remember about the caller’s voice. Did it sound familiar?
- Were there any background noises?
Civil Disturbance
Civil disturbances include riots, disruptive demonstrations or other non-peaceful assemblies.
If you suspect that a civil disturbance may occur, call the William & Mary Police Department non-emergency line at 757-221-4596.
If you see a civil disturbance:
- Call 911 and give the operator the exact location and details about the disturbance.
- Avoid becoming involved or otherwise inciting the disturbance by your actions.
- Log off computers and secure all sensitive information if the disturbance is in your work area.
- Stay away from any windows or glass doors between you and the disturbance.
Confrontational Situations
Preventative means to avoid confrontations:
- Encouraging bystanders to say something when they see someone behaving in a way that isn't congruent with our community of trust
- Learning how to engage in healthy relationships and recognize early warning signs of abuse in relationships
- Getting regular wellness checks at the doctor to promote physical and mental health
- Learning how to find balance in your life and creating living and working environments that are healthy and free from violence
- Learning strategies to lower your risk for unwanted outcomes when choosing to drink alcohol
- Seeking help if you are worried about someone or seeking help for yourself if you are having any sort of difficulty
- Creating an environment where people feel comfortable asking for help and supported when they do
Be aware:
- Of your surroundings, exits and residence/office/class escape routines
- Of your co-workers, friends, students, peers
- Of the types of violence, of the warning signs and of the resources available
- Of the laws, regulations, policies, of what is a workplace violence issue and what is not
- Of how you report a threat or concerning behaviors
- Of how you refer an employee or student for help
Remember - naturally occurring or spontaneous events may be triggers for confrontations
If you or someone you know is being threatened by a confrontational person and are in fear of your safety or well-being, you can contact the William & Mary Police Department to report the threatening behavior. William & Mary Police Department: 757-221-4596
How to respond to a violent person:
- Get to a secure location as soon as possible
- Notify the Police
- Provide all the information available to you
- Do not try to be the mediator!
- Remain calm
Earthquakes
Earthquakes occur without warning and may be so violent that you cannot run or crawl. It may not be advisable, or even possible, to evacuate yourself from a building until the initial quake stops. In addition, recent studies of injuries and deaths caused by earthquakes in the U.S indicate you are much more likely to be injured by falling objects than crushed in a collapsed building. It is suggested that you:
DROP to the ground (before the earthquake drops you!),
Take COVER by getting under a sturdy desk or table, and
HOLD ON to it until the shaking stops.
If there isn’t a table or desk near you, drop to the ground in an inside corner of the building and cover your head and neck with your hands and arms. Do not try to run to another room just to get under a table.
Indoors: Drop, cover, and hold on. Drop to the floor, take cover under a sturdy desk or table, and hold on to it firmly. Be prepared to move with it until the shaking stops. If you are not near a desk or table, drop to the floor against the interior wall and protect your head and neck with your arms. Avoid exterior walls, windows, hanging objects, mirrors, tall furniture, large appliances, and kitchen cabinets with heavy objects or glass. Do not go outside!
In bed: If you are in bed, hold on and stay there, protecting your head with a pillow. You are less likely to be injured staying where you are. Broken glass on the floor has caused injury to those who have rolled to the floor or tried to get to doorways.
In a high-rise: Drop, cover, and hold on. Avoid windows and other hazards. Do not use elevators. Do not be surprised if sprinkler systems or fire alarms activate.
Outdoors: Move to a clear area if you can safely do so; avoid power lines, trees, signs, buildings, vehicles, and other hazards.
Driving: Pull over to the side of the road, stop, and set the parking brake. Avoid overpasses, bridges, power lines, signs and other hazards. Stay inside the vehicle until the shaking is over. If a power line falls on the car, stay inside until a trained person removes the wire.
In a stadium or theater: Stay at your seat and protect your head and neck with your arms. Don't try to leave until the shaking is over. Then walk out slowly watching for anything that could fall in the aftershocks.
What NOT to do:
DO NOT stand in a doorway. In modern houses and buildings, doorways are no safer, and they do not protect you from flying or falling objects. Get under a table instead!
DO NOT run outside! Trying to run in an earthquake is dangerous, as the ground is moving and you can easily fall or be injured by debris or glass. Running outside is especially dangerous, as glass, bricks, or other building components may be falling. You are much safer to stay inside and get under a table.
Fires & Extinguisher Use
The responsibility of living away from home includes personal fire safety.
- Learn each campus building's evacuation plan.
- Participate in fire drills as if they were the real thing.
- Activate the fire alarm and evacuate the building immediately if you discover a fire or smell smoke.
- Check your room door before opening by using the back of your hand. Do not open the door if the handle is hot.
- Stay in your room and seal the base of the door with a towel or sheet.
- Call 911.
- Turn on your room lights and raise the blinds.
- Check for smoke and fire outside your window. If it is safe to do so, open your window and hang a sheet outside to alert firefighters to your location.
- Stop, drop and roll if your clothes catch on fire. Cover your face and roll from side to side until the flames are smothered.
Building Evacuation
Some campus emergencies, including gas leaks and building fires, may require building evacuation. During a building evacuation, follow these steps:
- Calmly evacuate the building when instructed by fire alarm or other alert notification method.
- Retreat to a safe place or pre-arranged muster point outside the building.
- Identify a location where you and your co-workers/classmates will check-in with each other.
- Remain in your safe location until everyone is accounted for and notify emergency responders if you think someone may be trapped.
- Do not re-enter the building until emergency personnel determine it is safe.
Using a Fire Extinguisher
- Only use a fire extinguisher if you are comfortable with your ability to effectively fight the fire
- If you decide to use the fire extinguisher remember to position yourself between the fire and the exit
- Remember PASS: Pull the pin – Aim for the base of the fire – Squeeze the handle – Sweep from side to side
Additional Fire Safety Rules
Plan fire escape routes
- Know where all exits are located in the building and plan two escape routes
- Practice your escape plan
- Do not use the elevators
Feel the door handle
- If the door handle is hot, don’t open it - go to a window and call for help
- If the handle is not hot, open cautiously checking for smoke or fire before going out
Don't look for other people or gather up your things
- Beat on doors and yell “FIRE” as you leave
- Don’t hesitate or stray from your path as you leave
Crawl low on the floor
- Thick smoke can make it impossible to see – breathe through your nose or through a shirt
- Do not breathe the smoke - toxic chemicals from smoke can be deadly in minutes
Close the door behind you
- You may help keep the fire from spreading
- You may protect your possessions from fire and smoke damage
If you can’t get out, get someone’s attention
- Yell and scream
- Hang a sheet out of the window and then close the window tightly to hold it in place
- Stay low, there is less smoke and poisonous gasses close to the floor. Use wet towels to block smoke from entering the room
Gas Leaks, Fumes & Vapors
If you smell natural gas or any other fumes or vapors immediately leave the area and call 911.
Tell the operator who you are, where you are and where you smelled the odor.
Provide any information you may know about odor, or any other hazardous materials possibly in the building.
Building Evacuation
Some campus emergencies, including gas leaks and building fires, may require building evacuation. During a building evacuation, follow these steps:
- Calmly evacuate the building when instructed by fire alarm or other alert notification method.
- If you can, help others who require assistance to evacuate. If you are not able to assist, tell rescuers where you last saw them. When possible, use enclosed stairways to exit if you are not on the building entrance level.
- Leave ventilation systems running unless instructed by fire or safety officials to shut them off.
- Quickly turn off all flame and spark producing equipment in the area (i.e. Bunsen burners, calorimeters, atomic absorption).
- Retreat to a safe place or pre-arranged muster point outside the building.
- Identify a location where you and your co-workers/classmates will check-in with each other.
- Remain in your safe location until everyone is accounted for and notify emergency responders if you think someone may be trapped.
- Do not re-enter the building until emergency personnel determine it is safe.
Hazardous Materials
Do not attempt to clean up a spill or release unless you are fully trained and have the proper equipment.
If a hazardous material spill or release happens, use approved materials and methods to safely contain any remaining material and isolate the hazardous area if this can be done without injury to yourself or others.
Once you are in a safe area, call 911.
Try to have the following information about the spill or leak:
- Name of material
- Quantity of material released
- Time of the incident
- Location of the incident
- If anyone was injured by, or exposed to the material
- If a fire or explosion was involved
- Your name, number and current location
When the fire and safety officials arrive, follow their instructions:
- Evacuate the area and remain in designated spaces until the situation is determined to be safe.
- Provide Safety Data Sheet (SDS) to responders. If SDS is not accessible in the spill area copies are normally located outside the building in a KNOX-BOX near an entrance.
If the hazardous material spill or release happens outside:
- Evacuate the area if it is necessary
- Always stay upwind of the material spill or release
Medical Emergencies
Call 911 immediately. Be ready to tell the operator your exact location and status of the injured person.
DO NOT MOVE an injured person unless you are in immediate danger.
Assess the Status of the Injured Person:
- Remember the “ABC” of first aid - Awake, Breathing and Continue care.
- Ask the person if they can hear you. Speak loudly and clearly. If they are conscious and lucid explain what has happened and ask if they want help. If there is no answer, ask them to open their eyes and gently shake the person's shoulder while watching for any response. If the patient is still not responsive, shout for help and make sure someone has called 911.
- If there is no breathing, prepare to start CPR. Send help to get an Automatic External Defibrillator (AED locations are noted on W&M fire evacuation maps). Remember to check the airway to enable breathing. If you are uncomfortable performing rescue breathing continue with chest compressions at the rate of 100 per minute until the AED is ready to operate or a paramedic arrives.
- With help on the way, use first aid techniques to control bleeding if necessary while also maintaining the airway and monitoring the person’s condition.
Possible Spine Injuries:
If a spinal injury is suspected but you absolutely must roll the person because he or she is vomiting, choking on blood or in danger of further injury, you need at least one other person. With one of you at the head and another along the side of the injured person, work together to keep the person's head, neck and back aligned while rolling the person onto one side.
Choking:
Call 911 immediately. If a person appears to be choking, ask them if they want your help. Encourage them to continue to breath, but if all gasping for air has stopped and the person is not breathing normally, perform the Heimlich maneuver (assuming you have been trained). If the person is passed out from apparent choking, apply the Heimlich maneuver. Check for an airway and continue care until help arrives.
Control Bleeding:
Put pressure directly on the wound. If you have some type of gauze, use it. Gauze pads hold the blood on the wound and help the components of the blood to stick together, promoting clotting. If you don't have gauze, terrycloth towels work almost as well.
If the gauze or towel soaks through with blood, add another layer. Never take off the gauze. Peeling blood soaked gauze off a wound removes vital clotting agents and encourages bleeding to resume.
Public Health
Pandemic Influenza
New flu viruses, such as H1N1, influenza virus, create a greater threat for a pandemic.
- Get your flu shot!
- Wash your hands. Many germs spread through human contact, so wash your hands frequently.
- Practice good cough and sneeze etiquette by covering your mouth and nose when you cough and sneeze. Use tissues to trap germs.
- Stay away from people who are sick or not feeling well. Healthy adults infected with the virus may infect others beginning one day before symptoms develop and days after becoming sick.
- Stay home if you are sick. It is better for you to get well and prevent the spread of the virus to others.
- Students - go to the Student Health Center.
Campus Evacuation
A wide-spread emergency, such as a severe hurricane or large-scale public health emergency, may require an evacuation of the entire campus. Understand the different types of campus evacuations:
Mandatory Evacuation
- Students are required to evacuate residence halls and leave campus for a safer location. All residence halls will be locked.
- The campus will close soon after a mandatory evacuation is issued.
- Students should implement their evacuation plans.
Available Resources for Evacuations
- W&M Parking & Transportation
- Amtrak
- SA Rideshare
Behavioral Concerns
Emotional and mental wellness is an enormous concern within the campus community. There are far too many examples of what can happen when stress, physical abuse, substance abuse, chemical imbalances, and other mental disorders overwhelm a person leading them to act destructively toward themselves or others. Often, people caught in such a struggle will indicate their situation through behaviors like:
- Noticeable changes in personality, mannerisms or appearance
- Withdrawal from friends, family and disinterest in once pleasurable activities
- Reduced productivity or performance, persistent boredom, difficulty concentrating
- Increasing moodiness, irritability or hostility
- Expressing feelings of despair
Concerns about the behavior or emotional stability of a classmate or colleague should be communicated to the Counseling Center, an Academic Dean, Human Resources or through the Report Concerns website.
Early intervention and support may help a person struggling with their issues to avoid long term problems, better manage their condition and reestablish their behavioral stability. Reporting your concerns, individually or with comments from others, allows the university to offer the individual assistance, address worries and make necessary decisions regarding our community’s safety.
If there are immediate health and safety concerns surrounding a person’s behavior because of written or spoken threats, previous violence or abuse, violations of the law or university policy, or possession of firearms or other weapons, you should call the William & Mary Police Department by dialing 911 or 757-221-4596.
Mental disorders are common throughout our society and very much affect college age adults. We must pay attention to those around us and know that there are abundant resources for those few who may need help before their behavioral struggles get out of control.
Other resources to call:
- William & Mary Police Department non-emergency number: 757-221-4596
- Counseling Center: 757-221-3620
- Office of the Provost: 757-221-1993
- Resident Assistants for students living on campus
- After hours call the William & Mary Police Department: 757-221-4596
Shelter In Place
The term, shelter-in-place, means to immediately seek shelter and remain there during an emergency rather than evacuate. Shelter-in-place should only be used when evacuation is not safe. The decision to shelter-in-place will be announced by W&M officials. In making such decisions the university consults with appropriate entities such as state and local officials and the National Weather Service. There are only a few emergency situations requiring that we shelter-in-place. These include such incidents as a tornado warning, a radiation release from Surry Nuclear Power Plant, a hazardous material spill or a violent person. While similar in concept, each incident type does have unique shelter-in-place considerations. Familiarization with these concepts will help with personal protection decision making.
When it is understood that an eminently dangerous situation exists and evacuation is inadvisable, notification will be given to shelter-in-place. This announcement will be made using the university's Emergency Notification System as soon as it is feasible in order to provide the campus community as much time as possible to take protective actions.
The following recommendations should be considered:
Tornado / Severe Weather
- Basement or Substantial Masonry walls
- Small Interior Room or Stairwell
- No Windows / Glass
Hazardous Material
- Small Interior Room or Stairwell (For a chemical hazard, select a room above ground level.)
- Seal Windows / Door Cracks
- Turn Off Ventilation
Power Plant Release
- Basement or Substantial Masonry walls
- Seal Windows / Door Cracks
- Turn Off Ventilation
Armed Threat
- No Windows / Glass (Exterior windows can be an escape route if in the same building as the threat. Avoid sheltering in rooms with interior windows that would allow you to be seen from another room or hallway.
- Lock / Barricade Doors
Suicide Threats
A person suffering a psychological crisis may display pre-violent behavior before acting out. These behaviors can vary greatly depending on an individual's personality, resolve for destruction or even their level of intoxication thus making it difficult to describe. Whether the signs are obvious to a stranger or only detectable because of a level of intimacy shared with a person in crisis; anytime you encounter behavior that you believe will imminently lead to violence toward oneself or others call 911 immediately.
If you are with a person who appears solely intent on self-destruction, remain with him or her only if you believe it is safe to do so. While keeping an eye on him or her, call 911 and describe for the operator their behavior. If at any time you feel threatened you should leave the person alone and go to a place where you can safely call 911.
Stay on the phone with the 911 operator until the operator ends the call.
Suspicious Packages
Letters and packages of most any shape and size can be made into lethal weapons using hazardous biological, chemical, energetic or incendiary materials. Below are some typical characteristics that should make you suspicious that a letter or package could be dangerous:
- Powdery residue or material on the outside.
- Arrives unexpectedly or comes from someone unfamiliar to you.
- Sent with excessive postage, handwritten or poorly typed addresses, has incorrect titles or uses only titles with no names, or has misspellings of common names.
- Addressed to someone who is no longer at that location or is otherwise outdated.
- No return address given or uses a non-verifiable address.
- Unusual weight for the size of the letter or package. Also could be lopsided or oddly shaped.
- Wrapped with an excessive amount of tape.
- Displays delivery restrictions such as “Personal for” or “Confidential”.
- Strange odor or stains on the envelope, box or wrapping.
If you find or have received a suspicious package or letter:
- Do not touch it, smell it, dunk it in water or move it.
- Evacuate the building and call 911*.
*Do not use a mobile phone, walkie-talkie or other signal generating appliances within 300 feet of the package.
Weather Emergencies
Hurricanes
Watch
A hurricane watch means that hurricane conditions (sustained winds of 74 mph or higher) are possible within the specified area. A hurricane watch is issued 48 hours in advance of the anticipated onset of tropical-storm-force winds in an area. During a hurricane watch, review your plan for evacuation in case a hurricane or tropical storm warning is issued. Listen closely to instructions from local officials.
Warning
A hurricane warning indicates that hurricane conditions (sustained winds of 74 mph or higher) are expected somewhere within the specified area. Because hurricane preparedness activities become difficult once winds reach tropical storm force (sustained winds of 39 to 73 mph), the hurricane warning is issued 36 hours in advance of the anticipated onset of tropical-storm-force winds to allow for important preparation. During a hurricane warning, complete storm preparations and immediately leave the threatened area if directed by local officials.
Severe Thunderstorms
Watch
A severe thunderstorm watch indicates that severe thunderstorms are possible in the area. You should plan what you will do and what items you will need should the storm arrive. If you hear thunder outside, go immediately indoors to avoid being struck by lightning. Remember that lightning can strike as far as 10 miles from the storm.
Warning
A severe thunderstorm warning means that severe thunderstorms are imminent or already occurring in the area. You should take shelter in a fully enclosed building or a vehicle with a metal roof (not a covered patio, open garage, and not a convertible). Avoid showers, sinks and electronic equipment during an electrical storm. Stay inside for 30 minutes after the last rumble of thunder.
Tornados
Watch
A tornado watch indicates that weather conditions are favorable for the formation of tornados in the watch area. You should stay informed about weather conditions and plan what you will do and where to go if a tornado warning is issued.
Warning
A tornado warning means a tornado has already been spotted or that doppler radar is indicating storm circulation that can quickly spawn a tornado. The campus emergency siren will sound this warning. You should seek shelter in a basement or an interior hallway of a sturdy building immediately.