If you are involved in a situation where someone has entered the area and started brandishing a weapon such as a gun or knife or other object, the following actions are recommended. It should be noted that these types of incidents are unpredictable. The guidelines listed are recommendations that are based on past national experiences. You may have to alter some of these suggestions depending on the situation.

• Avoid (starts with your state of mind)
• Be aware of your surroundings: Always identify at least two exit paths in any building.
• Have an exit plan: Know where you will go before you need to move.
• Move away immediately: If you hear or see a threat, put as much distance between yourself and the source as possible. Help others escape if possible.
• Leave your belongings: Your life is more important than your phone, bag, or laptop.

 

• Deny (when getting away is not an option)
• Create barriers: Lock the door and use heavy furniture to barricade the entrance.
• Turn off the lights: Make the room look unoccupied.
• Silence your electronics: Turn off ringers and vibration settings on phones.
• Stay out of sight: Move away from doors and windows; hide behind large objects that provide cover.

 

• Defend (your right to protect yourself)

• As a last resort: This is what you do only when Avoid and Deny are not an option.
• Commit to your actions: If you must defend yourself, do so with total aggression.
• Use improvised weapons: Anything can be a tool—fire extinguishers, chairs, or books.
• Don’t fight fair: This is about survival, not a "fair" fight.
• Act as a team: if possible.

 

• Aid (help yourself and others)
  • Call 911 when safe: Provide your location and a description of the threat.
  • Stop the bleed: If you are safe, apply pressure to wounds or use a tourniquet if trained. Bleeding control kits are located in AED cabinets.
  • Follow police commands: When help arrives, always keep your hands visible and empty.
  • Check on others: Once in a secure location, help those around you manage stress and physical injuries.

 

• Respond Appropriately When Law Enforcement Arrives:

• Remain calm and follow the officers’ instructions.

• Raise your hands, spread your fingers, and always keep your hands visible.

• Do not run when police enter the vicinity. Drop to the floor, if you are told to do so, or move calmly out of the area or building.

• Do not make quick moves toward officers or hold on to them for safety.

• Avoid pointing, screaming, or yelling.

• Do not stop officers to ask for help or directions. Evacuate the building in the direction the officers arrive while keeping your hands above your head.

• For your own safety, do not get upset or argue if an officer questions whether you are a shooter or a victim. Do not resist, even if you are handcuffed and searched.
• If you are a witness, you will be asked to give a statement to the police.

 

 

If you receive a bomb threat, turn off all cell phones and two-way radios. Their operational frequencies may cause detonation of an explosive device.

While the Caller Is on the Phone:

1. Remain calm. Keep the caller on the phone as long as possible.

1. If your phone has a display, copy the number and/or letters on the window display. Get the attention of a coworker, if possible, and have them call 911.
2. Write out the caller’s message in its entirety and as accurately as possible.
3. Get as much information as possible and fill out the Bomb Threat Checklist as completely and accurately as possible. Give any information to the responding police officer.

If the Bomb Location Is Known or Disclosed by the Caller:

1. Immediately, give information to law enforcement. They will decide whether to evacuate the area or not.
2. If the location has not been disclosed, follow the instructions of the responding police officers.

Bomb Threat Checklist (Department of Homeland Security)

Ask the caller:

Where is the bomb located?
__________________________________________________________________________________

When will it go off?

__________________________________________________________________________________

What kind of bomb is it?

__________________________________________________________________________________

What will make it explode?
__________________________________________________________________________________

Did you place the bomb?

__________________________________________________________________________________

Why are you doing this?

__________________________________________________________________________________

What is your name?

__________________________________________________________________________________

 

Other Details to Listen for:

Voice characteristics: loud, soft, deep, high, raspy, pleasant, nasal, intoxicated, accent, other:

__________________________________________________________________________________

Background sounds: animal noises, house noises, kitchen noises, street noises, PA system, conversation, music, static, office machinery, factory noise, other. _____________________________________________________________________________

If a bomb threat is received by email:

Call 911.

Do not delete the message.

 

 

Small:

If a small spill of hazardous materials has occurred and only threatens those in the immediate vicinity, do not attempt to clean up the spill.

Call the Environmental Health Manager at 801-863-7965.

If a spill occurs in a biology or chemistry laboratory, follow the specific steps posted in those rooms.

Large:

If a large spill of hazardous materials has occurred and/or threatens more than one room, DO NOT ATTEMPT TO CLEAN UP THE HAZARDOUS SPILL.

If a spill occurs in a biology or chemistry laboratory, follow the specific steps posted in those rooms.

Follow the RAIN acronym.

R: Recognize there is a problem.

A: Avoid any contact with the hazardous spill.

I: Isolate the area by getting others away from the hazardous spill.

N: Notify police, call campus police at 801-863-7977. If off campus call 911.

Additional Actions:

1. Evacuate the building, if appropriate.
2. Have as much information as possible available concerning the hazardous material spilled, such as an SDS sheet.

3. Do not re-enter the area until directed by authorized personnel.

 

If You Are Indoors During an Earthquake:

 During the Shaking:

1. Stay inside. Debris falling from the outside of buildings can cause serious injury.
2. Take cover and shelter under a sturdy desk, table, or other furniture. Duck, cover, and hold on!
3. Stay away from windows or other large glass items.

After the Shaking:

1. Proceed with caution while exiting the building.
2. Do not run for exits that may be crowded with people.
3. Use caution on stairways that may be obstructed, damaged, or without power.
4. Do not attempt to use elevators.
5. Help those around you who may need extra assistance, if possible.

If You Are Outside During an Earthquake:

1. Move away from buildings and utility wires. Once in the open, remain there until the shaking stops.
2. Do not enter buildings until structural safety can be assessed.

If You Are in a Moving Vehicle During an Earthquake:

1. Stop as quickly as safety permits. Turn off the motor. DO NOT STOP UNDER POWER LINES, ON OR UNDER OVERPASSES, HEAVY OBJECTS, OR NEXT TO BUILDINGS.
2. Remain in the vehicle.
3. When the shaking stops, drive carefully, watching for falling objects, downed electrical wires, and broken or undermined roadways.
4. Do not enter buildings until structural safety can be assessed.

After an Earthquake:

1. Be prepared for additional aftershocks. They are usually smaller but can cause additional damage or collapse of weakened structures.
2. Do not attempt to move seriously injured people unless they are in immediate danger of further injury. Report on the location of the injured person to emergency personnel.
3. A campus facilities department team will assess the structural damage as soon as feasible and report to the Division of Facility and Construction Management (DFCM).

 

 

If You Are in an Elevator That Fails:

1. Use the in-elevator phone to report the failure. The ca will notify the UVU Police Department.
2. If the phone is disabled push the alarm button or use a cell phone, if available, to notify the UVU Police Department at 801-863-5555, or call 911.

In Case of Elevator Failure:

1. Anytime you hear an elevator alarm sound, investigate the problem if it is safe to do so.
2. If it is determined that there is a failure, contact facilities at 801-863-8130 during business hours (7 am-5 pm). After 5 pm and on weekends, contact the UVU Police Department at 801-863-5555.

In Case of Misuse, Vandalism, or Other Problems:

1. Call the UVU Police Department and report the problem immediately at 801-863-5555.

In the event of a power outage, Facilities personnel will check all elevators

 

 

There may be a variety of reasons for an explosion on campus.  Initially, it may not be known why the explosion occurred. Police will investigate.

1. Get out of the general area of the explosion. Help others to get out, if possible.
2. Call 911 (Orem/Provo City Dispatch). This will initiate fire, police, and EMS.
3. Attend to any injuries as possible while waiting for medical care to arrive.
4. Stop anyone from entering the area where the explosion occurred.

 

 

The building must be evacuated if the fire alarm sounds or if you are instructed to evacuate by authorized Public Safety Officials, Facilities, or Building Marshal/Floor Captain personnel.

When Instructed, Evacuate the Building:

1. Always leave the building immediately. Turn off equipment and lights. Close the door behind you, but do not lock it. (A closed door can act as a fire barrier in case of fire.)
2. Use the stairways to exit. Help those who may need assistance to evacuate the building. There are evacuation devices in buildings where the only way to the outside is to go downstairs. Evacuation devices are in or near a stairwell on the top floor of a building that would need an elevator to get to the ground floor.
3. Elevators should not be used if there is any danger of a power failure during evacuation. If you are in doubt as to the nature of the emergency, DO NOT USE THE ELEVATOR.  IN CASE OF FIRE, NO ONE SHOULD USE AN ELEVATOR.
4. If you encounter individuals who are ignoring the fire alarm, instruct them to leave the building immediately.
5. Once outside, move away from the building. Keep streets and walkways clear for emergency vehicles and personnel.
6. DO NOT re-enter the building until directed to do so by authorized public safety, Facilities, or Building Marshal/Floor Captain personnel.

 

 

Locate the nearest fire extinguisher and fire alarm pull station to your location.

Please become familiar with its use. The Fire Marshall will train you if requested (801-863-8021).

If It Is a Small, Extinguishable Fire:

1. Report the fire by activating the nearest fire alarm pull station. 
2. Use the fire extinguisher in your area to extinguish the fire if the fire is small (trash can size or smaller).
3. DO NOT endanger yourself by putting out a fire.
4. Always have a partner. Never attempt to extinguish fire alone.
5. Always maintain an exit path.
6. Call 911 and report the incident.

If the Fire Cannot Be Extinguished with a Fire Extinguisher

1. Report the fire by activating the nearest fire alarm pull station, then exit the building immediately.

Activating the alarm will automatically report the fire to Orem City or the city where the building is located.

When a Fire Alarm Sounds

1. Always leave the building immediately. Turn off equipment and lights if time and safety permit, and close, but do not lock the door behind you.  A closed door can act as a fire barrier.
2. Use the stairways to exit. Never use an elevator as an emergency exit.
3. As you evacuate the building:
   1. Please be aware of individuals who may need additional assistance while trying to leave the building. Please offer whatever assistance you can.
   2. There are evacuation devices in buildings where the only way outside is to go downstairs. Evacuation devices are in or near a stairwell on the top floor of a building that would need an elevator to get to the ground floor.
   3. If you encounter individuals who are ignoring the fire alarm, request that they leave the building immediately.
4. Once outside, move away from the affected building. Keep streets and walkways clear for emergency vehicles and personnel.
5. Do not re-enter the building until directed to do so by authorized public safety, Facilities, or administrative representative personnel.

 

If the Emergency Appears To Be Life-Threatening (Examples: unconsciousness, broken bones, uncontrollable bleeding, inability to breathe, etc.)

1. Do not move the person unless imminent danger exists.
2. Call 911 for emergency assistance.
3. Send someone to meet emergency personnel at the building entrance and guide them to the location.
4. If Student or Non-Employee is Injured
   1. Complete the UVU Injury/Accident Report Form on UVU’s Risk Management website.      
5. If Employee Is Injured
   1. Report injury to supervisor.
   2. Complete the UVU Incident Report Form found on the Office of Risk Management website, uvu.edu/riskmanagement.
   3. Contact UVU’s Division of People and Culture at 801-863-8389.

 

Occasionally, accidents will occur wherein individuals, including the accident victim, will assume that no injury has occurred and that no medical attention is required.  However, symptoms may become evident later, and an accident report should be filed as soon as possible.

If Student or Non-Employee Is Injured

1. Complete the UVU Incident Report Form found on UVU’s Risk Management website.

If Employee Is Injured

1. Report injury to supervisor.
2. Complete the UVU Incident Report Form found on UVU’s Risk Management website, www.uvu.edu/riskmanagement.
3. Contact UVU’s Division of People and Culture at 801-863-8389.

 

 

If you smell natural gas, leave the area and evacuate all people from the area. Call Facilities at 801-863-8130.

1. Do not light a flame.
2. Do not use your telephone or any electronic devices in the vicinity of the leak.
3. Do not use light switches or electrically operated equipment.

The unusual smell is a harmless chemical that the gas company adds to natural gas so even the smallest leak is easy to detect. This odorant is added as a safety precaution because natural gas has no odor of its own.

 

 

If the Emergency Requires Medical Attention but Appears To Be Non-Life-Threatening (Examples: Cuts, abrasions, sprains, fainting, simple fractures, etc.)

1. Call the UVU Police Department at 801-863-5555. NOTE: If the injured person chooses not to be transported to a medical facility, they may do so.

If Student or Non-Employee Is Injured:

1. Complete the UVU Incident Report Form found on UVU’s Risk Management website, www.uvu.edu/riskmanagement.

If Employee Is Injured

1. Report injury to supervisor.
2. Complete the UVU’s Incident Report Form
3. Contact UVU’s Division of People and Culture at 801-863-8389.

Do not transport injured people in personal vehicles.

 

 

 

Consider purchasing a flashlight for your area/office.

At the beginning of each semester, ask the following questions:

1. Where is the flashlight?
2. Does it work? (Test it!)
3. Where are replacement batteries?

In Case of Power Failure

1. Notify Facilities at 801-863-8130. Designate one person from each department to place the call. If power loss occurs after regular business hours, call the UVU Police Department at 801-863-5555.
2. Turn equipment or switches off to help prevent possible damage to equipment from power surges when power is restored.
3. Leave dark areas as safely as possible; emergency lighting will remain on. Assist any people who may need additional assistance getting to lit areas. There is no need to evacuate the building unless there are other associated dangers.
4. Information about the power failure and its expected duration will be communicated by email. Every effort will be made to communicate with the campus community about timelines and other helpful information.
5. Do NOT assume employees will go home; it takes some time to sort out the cause of the power failure and how long it will take to restore power. Power is generally back on within an hour.

After a Power Failure

1. Check your area and report any equipment or other damage to the proper supervisor or department head.
2. Facilities personnel will restore all building-wide systems, such as heat and air conditioning, as quickly as possible.

 

 

 

Student Health Services: 801-863-8876

The UVU community may suffer trauma and psychological distress in the aftermath of disasters or crimes. Almost everyone will be in shock, yet everyone is likely to react with a different set of emotions, which may include sadness, anger, fear, helplessness, or euphoria. Also, caregivers in the community (fire, police, etc.), wanting to help in the crisis, may themselves be affected by a sense of shock.

The UVU Student Health Services Crisis Team will respond to assist victims of traumatic stress on our campus. Crisis team services would include, but not be limited to, crisis intervention, post-trauma counseling, group crisis interventions, etc.

There are three primary tasks the team performs: 

• Helping decision makers identify all the groups at risk of experiencing trauma.
• Training local caregivers who are to reach out to groups after the crisis team.
• Leading group crisis intervention sessions to show how those sessions can help victims cope with their stress.

 

 

SAFETY TIPS AND SUGGESTIONS BEFORE ANY TYPE OF EMERGENCY OCCURS:

The general safety of the campus is up to all of us.

1. Secure bookcases, filing cabinets, shelves, racks, and similar items over four feet tall. (Earthquakes)
2. Secure compressed gas cylinders to firm support (e.g. wall) by means of a strong chain or belt at the top and lower half of cylinders. (OSHA Required)
3. Store valuable materials sensitive to shock damage, such as laboratory instruments, computer disks, and glassware, in latched cabinets or on lipped shelves to prevent falling. (Earthquakes)
4. Rearrange cluttered storage areas (especially hallways or near exits) to provide evacuation routes in the event of an emergency. If items are stored or secured in exit areas, they must be approved by the university Fire Marshal. (Fire Codes, OSHA)
5. Store chemicals according to UVU Environmental Health guidelines and requirements. (OSHA, Fire Codes)
6. Minimize the number of glass bottles containing flammable or extremely toxic materials. Use safety cans or flammable liquid storage cabinets where possible. (Fire Code, OSHA)
7. Secure and cover vessels, vats, dip tanks, or other items that contain hazardous materials so that they will not fall over. (Earthquakes)
8. Keep items stored on low levels, especially large and heavy objects. (Earthquakes)
9. If you are using any hazardous materials, ensure a Safety Data Sheet is available for review of further health and safety information. (OSHA)
10.  For optimal preparation, your department and/or building should have an emergency preparedness plan in place. This includes an evacuation map, emergency telephone list, and emergency assembly area (a place all employees know to go for accountability). Building Marshal and Floor Captains in each building/house will assist with this.
11. Participate in the annual fire drill each year, and we are required to evacuate the building.  Participate in the Great Shakeout (statewide earthquake) exercise each year.

 

 

There are a variety of weather-related events that are monitored by the university. Common weather patterns that affect our campuses are snowstorms, heavy rain/lightning, high winds (straight winds/microburst), and others. There is a team of people who will meet regarding the weather and decide if campuses will remain open. Every effort will be made to communicate this information to the specific campus population (Orem, Wasatch, Lehi, and so on).

Personal decisions about travel during bad weather are left up to the individual. We encourage communication with supervisors and instructors regarding your plan. Be aware that in some situations, the campus may remain open, but classes may be moved to a virtual format.

 

HOLD (stay in your room/offices, clear affected hallways)

• Clear the halls; remain in rooms/offices
• Business as usual until an “All Clear” is announced
• Examples, police action, physical altercations, and medical issues that need attention

SECURE (get inside, consider locking classrooms or offices)

• Increase situational awareness
• Business as usual until an “All Clear” is announced
• Examples, escalated police activity outside buildings or a threat near campus

LOCKDOWN (lock doors as possible, get out of sight, turn off lights)

• Get out of hallways or open spaces
• Maintain silence
• Prepare to AVOID, DENY, DEFEND
• Examples: active violent threat inside the buildings

EVACUATE (leave current location)

• Depending on the urgency of the situation you may need to leave belongings behind
• Take your phone if possible
• Employees will go to evacuation assembly points of their buildings for a check-in
• Help students leave the building if possible
• Examples, fire in the building, chemical spill inside a building, earthquake (after the shaking)

SHELTER (stay put, until further notice)

• Stay inside buildings
• Increase situational awareness
• Business as usual until “All Clear” is announced
• Examples, chemical spill outside (roadways/railways), earthquake (during the shaking), severe weather (blizzard, high winds)

NOTE: The university will alert campus as they are aware of situations; some situations may affect only one building, while others are small enough to manage in the area without a campus-wide notification.

 

1. A trained group of people on campus will gather information and decide what level of response will take place and what messaging will go out.
2. An Emergency Operations Center (EOC) may be activated, with immediate actions taken to respond to people who may be injured and to mitigate further property damage.
3. Every effort to communicate will be made. When possible, www.uvu.edu/alert will have additional information.
4. Building marshals and floor captains may assist in getting people to safety and report injuries and building damage if appropriate. They may provide other actions to take depending on the incident.
5. UVU will work closely with city and county Emergency Management if needed.
6. For more information go to www.uvu.edu/emergencymanagement

 

 

Workplace Violence Prevention

UVU is committed to maintaining a safe work environment. Given the violence in society, UVU has adopted the following guidelines to deal with intimidation, harassment, or other threats of or acts of violence that may occur on its premises.

1. All employees, students, visitors, and UVU community members, including supervisors and temporary employees, should always be treated with courtesy and respect.
2. Conduct on premises that threatens, intimidates, or coerces an employee, a customer, or a member of the public, or conduct that threatens or involves the destruction of university property, will not be tolerated.
3. All threats of or acts of violence, both direct and indirect, should be reported as soon as possible to your immediate supervisor and the UVU Police Department.
4. All suspicious individuals or activities should be reported as soon as possible to a supervisor and the UVU Police Department at 801-863-5555.
5. The UVU Police Department will promptly and thoroughly investigate all reports of threats, acts of violence, or suspicious individuals or activities.
6. Anyone determined to be responsible for threats or acts of violence or other conduct that is in violation of these guidelines will be subject to prompt disciplinary action up to and including termination of employment, permanent suspension from UVU, and/or prosecution for criminal acts.

UVU encourages employees to bring their disputes with other UVU community members to the attention of their supervisors or the Division of People of Culture at 801-863-8207, before the situation escalates into potential violence.

 

 

In Case of Water Leak

1. Use caution and stay clear if the water could encounter electrically energized equipment such as lights, wall outlets, floor outlets, machinery, etc.
2. If you can do so safely, turn off any lighting or equipment that may encounter the water to help prevent additional damage or an electrical hazard.
3. If possible, determine the source of the water (piping, roof, floor, drains, etc.).
4. Also note the location of the building, room, outdoors, grounds, etc.
5. Notify Facilities at 801-863-8130 during regular business hours from 7 am-5 pm.

After 5 pm and on weekends, contact the UVU Police Department at 801-863-5555.