Responding to Emergencies

Fire Evacuation

Be Prepared

• Know your Evacuation Route and the Alternate Route.
• Remain Calm.

If you discover a fire:

• Close the door to the fire area.
• Alert occupants by shouting "Fire, Fire, Fire" and pull the nearest fire alarm pull station.
• Leave the building immediately by the nearest safe exit and call 911 or 613-533-6111 Campus Security and Emergency Services Emergency Report Centre.
• Do not use the elevators.
• Proceed to an assembly area across the street or a safe area away from the building.
• Do not re-enter the building until the "all clear" signal is given by the Fire Department or Campus Security and Emergency Services.

Upon hearing an alarm:

• Always leave the building immediately by the designated exit, or the nearest safe alternative exit, if the primary exit is dangerous.
• Remain calm and listen to instructions from any supervisory staff.
• Do not use the elevators.
• Proceed to an assembly area across the street or a safe area away from the building.
• Keep entrance ways, access ways and the roadways clear.
• Await instructions from either the Fire Department or Campus Security and Emergency Services.
• When the "all clear" signal is given, re-enter the building through the main entrance.

If you encounter smoke:

• Crouch low to the floor and take shallow breaths.
• If possible, place a moist cloth over your nose and mouth.
• Proceed to the nearest safe exit.

If you are trapped by a fire:

• It may be safer to stay where you are.
• Let someone know that you are there. If your phone is working, dial 911 and tell them your location.
• A closed door can provide good protection against fire and smoke.
• Use anything that you can find to seal cracks (towels, clothing).
• If smoke enters the room, crouch low. Remember that heat and gasses rise.

Other:

• Fire extinguishers are intended only for small fires.
• Assist those with physical disabilities to the nearest fire exit stairwell, which can provide a safe refuge until fire fighters arrive.
• Upon exiting the building, notify the fire department of the persons known location.

Medical Emergencies

Serious Medical Emergencies:

• First ensure your own safety and that of the injured person.
• Call 613-533-6111 Campus Security and Emergency Services Emergency Report Centre.
• Advise the Emergency Report Centre of the nature of the injury or illness and the location Building, Street Address, Floor, Room Number.
• Do not move the injured person unless there is a high risk of further injury or death.
• Remain calm and do not leave the person unattended.
• Call for assistance from a qualified First Aid / CPR / AED provider.
• Report the incident to your Supervisor and assist with the completion of an Incident Report.

Minor Medical Emergencies:

• Provide First Aid, if qualified.
• Arrange for First Aid Responder or Ambulance, by calling 613-533-6111 Campus Security and Emergency Services Emergency Report Centre, if required.
• Report the incident to your Supervisor and assist with the completion of an Incident Report.

Workplace Violence

Queen's University has a policy on Workplace Violence.

If someone is angry or hostile:

• Please remain calm and listen attentively.
• Maintain eye contact.
• Be courteous and patient.
• Keep the situation in your control.

If someone is swearing, shouting or threatening:

• Discreetly signal a co-worker or a supervisor that you need help.
• Do not make any calls yourself.
• Have someone call 613-533-6111 Campus Security and Emergency Services Emergency Report Centre.

If someone is threatening you with a weapon:

• Stay calm, quietly signal for help.
• Maintain eye contact.
• Stall for time.
• Keep talking and follow instructions.
• Don't try and grab the weapon.
• Watch for a safe chance to escape.
• Call 911.

If you are not directly involved:

• Call 613-533-6111 Campus Security and Emergency Services Emergency Report Centre.
• Evacuate the immediate area to ensure the safety of others.
• Seek the assistance of your supervisor for support and assistance.

Warning signs:

• Direct or veiled threats of harm, intimidation, belligerent, harassing or other inappropriate and aggressive behaviour.
• Bringing and/or brandishing a weapon, making inappropriate references to / or a fascination with weapons.

Active Aggressor on Campus

Remain Calm. What Should I do?

• If you are not at risk of injury during a hostile situation and communication is available, call 911.
• Remove yourself from any open area and move to the closest safe location.
• If you're unable to notify the Kingston Police or Campus Security, summon help discreetly by any means at your disposal.
• Lock your office / classroom and barricade the door.
• Critical information will be shared through QUAlerts. Follow the direction given within the alert.
• Close and stay away from windows, turn off lights and audio equipment, silence ringers on cell phones and have occupants sit on the floor.
• Do not leave your secure area until notified by the Kingston Police or Campus Security.
• Once the Kingston Police or Campus Security arrive, follow all of their instructions quickly and quietly.
• Do not sound the fire alarm!
• During a hostile situation if the Fire Alarm sounds, do not evacuate unless you smell smoke or suspect fire.
• Trust your intuition. Every situation is different, and every person's response is an individual decision.

Bomb Threat & Suspicious Items

If you receive a bomb threat by telephone:

1. Listen carefully to what the caller is saying and record as much information as possible.
2. Be calm and courteous.
3. Do not interrupt the caller or disconnect the call.
4. Obtain as much information as you can.
5. Do not put the caller on hold.
6. If possible, signal a co-worker to call 613-533-6111, or dial it yourself when the call is finished.

In the event a bomb threat is received by e-mail:

• Do not open any attachments or links within the e-mail.
• Follow ITS Cybersecurity procedures and protocols for a suspicious e-mail (https://www.queensu.ca/its/cybersecurity).
• Call 613-533-6111 Campus Security and Emergency Services Emergency Report Centre and notify the ERC Operator of the e-mail threat.
• Forward the e-mail to campus.security@queensu.ca, if instructed to do so.

In the event a bomb threat is received by physical mail:

• Stop handling the document immediately!
• Make sure no one else touches the document or the envelope in which it arrived.
• Call 613-533-6111 Campus Security and Emergency Services Emergency Report Centre.
• Staff from Campus Security and Emergency Services or Kingston Police will attend to collect the letter for analysis.

Weather Related & Utility Emergencies

During an extreme weather event:

• Listen to and comply with local weather advisories.
• Move toward the center of the building or any office areas that do not have glass windows.
• Remain in the designated safe area until the threat has passed.

During earthquakes:

• Yes. Earthquakes of moderate magnitude can occur in Kingston.
• Stay inside and remain calm.
• Stay as far away from windows as possible and try not to hide under something heavy - like a large desk.
• Protect yourself physically, especially your head and neck.
• Do not run outside, as falling debris may cause injury.

During a power blackout:

• Remain calm.
• Stay where you are. Emergency lighting for evacuation purposes will operate for a minimum of 20 minutes.
• If you are in Residence, flashlights are available at the front desk and in the main office areas.
• Turn off all electrical equipment with manual switches.
• Unplug your computer to protect your equipment from a possible power surge when the power returns.
• Campus Security will contact emergency services.
• If the fire alarm system is down, watch patrols will be organized to visit floors to assess situations.

Health, Safety, Spills & Leaks

Reporting a Health & Safety Issue or Concern

• We encourage the reporting of health and safety concerns.
• Report your concern to your immediate Supervisor or person-in-charge. Some resolution and remedial actions may need to involve the departmental safety committee or senior management.
• Any employee may call 613-533-2999 Department of Environmental Health and Safety directly if their concern is not being addressed to their satisfaction.
• Reports will be kept confidential, if so requested.
• If you have a health or safety issue / concern outside of normal business hours, contact 613-533-6111 Campus Security and Emergency Services Emergency Report Centre.

Spills and Leaks

For spills or releases requiring special training, procedures or equipment beyond the abilities of the present personnel, take the following steps:

1. Alert personnel in the immediate area.
2. Leave the container in place to aid identification by the HAZMAT Team.
3. If the incident involves flammable material, control ignition sources, if safe to do so.
4. Evacuate the immediate area, closing doors to the affected area on the way out.
5. Call 613-533-6111 Campus Security and Emergency Services Emergency Report Centre. The operator will contact the Department of Environmental Health and Safety.
6. Only at the direction of either Campus Security and Emergency Services and the Department of Environmental Health and Safety should you activate the building fire alarm.
7. Meet the representative from Campus Security and Emergency Services and the Department of Environmental Health and Safety near the main entrance or designated entrance of the building.

If you detect a suspicious odour:

1. During weekday business hours, contact 613-533-2999 Department of Environmental Health and Safety and request assistance.
2. After hours, contact 613-533-6111 Campus Security and Emergency Services Emergency Report Centre.
3. Only at the direction of either Campus Security and Emergency Services and the Department of Environmental Health and Safety should you activate the building fire alarm.
4. Describe the location and the characteristic of the odour.
5. Leave the immediate area and wait for assistance.

Infectious Disease

• Any faculty, staff or student who is concerned for their personal health because of an infectious disease, or is aware that a visitor, student, faculty member, or staff has an infectious disease, should report their concern(s) to a supervisor, department head or any other person in authority.
• The supervisor, department head or person in authority shall report, in confidence, the concern to the Director or Environmental Health and Safety, who will invoke the procedures outlined in the Infectious Disease Reporting Policy.