Table of Contents
Emergency PreparednessTake some time to become familiar with emergency procedures before an actual emergency occurs:
Telephone Resources
Communication During EmergenciesEmergency Alert / Notification to College Community Notification of the critical incident to those on campus will be via the most suitable form of communication available. This will include, but not be limited to the following:
Some campus telephones may not operate during a power outage, but mobile phones are likely to be operating. There are red "Emergency Phones" set up in select departmental offices and residence directors' apartments. These red phones will remain functional during a power failure and are to be used ONLY for priority communications during emergencies or to report an emergency. These phones are not intended for personal use.
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Campus Building |
Shelter Locations |
Bunker Interpretive Center |
DeVos Communication Center ,lower level corridor |
Chapel |
Multipurpose room and basement, area near Lab Theater |
Commons |
Coffee Shop in Cave, lower level interior hallways |
Commons Annex
Covenant Fine Arts Center |
Commons Lecture Hall, lower level interior hallways First floor corridor behind main auditorium, Swets Coral Hall and instrument storage room |
DeVos Communication Center |
Lower level corridor |
DeVries Hall |
Basement level of Science Building |
Engineering Building |
Basement level of Science Building |
Knollcrest Dining Hall |
Nearest residence hall basements |
Knollcrest East Apartments |
Lower level corridors |
Library/Hiemenga Hall |
Lower level |
Mail and Print Building |
First floor restrooms |
North Hall |
Basement level of Science Building |
Spoelhof Fieldhouse Complex |
Locker rooms and lowest level interior hallways |
Prince Conference Center 2041 Raybrook |
Lowest level of lodging wing Lowest level, east end stairwell |
Residence halls |
Basements, corridors preferable |
Science Building |
Basement level |
Seminary |
Corridors, inside walls and limited basement areas |
Seminary housing apartments |
Basements |
Service Building |
Restrooms and interior hallway |
Spoelhof College Center Surge Building Youngsma Center |
Lowest level (Art Department) Basement level of Surge Building (1570 East Beltline) Basement level of Surge Building (1570 East Beltline) |
Termination of College Classes, Activities, and/or Closing Offices
The Office of the President has the sole responsibility for determining when to close or terminate College activities, and when to close college offices.
In the event that the College President is absent, the following persons in the order listed below will be designated to make the necessary decisions:
- Provost
- Vice President for Administration and Finance
- Vice President for Student Life
- Vice President for Enrollment and External Relations
- Director of Campus Safety
The Director of Campus Safety, or his designate, will be available to inform the Office of the President or the next person in the chain of command of weather conditions or other pertinent information, including reports from those observing conditions on campus.
When a decision to terminate a college activity or to close college offices is made, the person making the decision will provide the information to the Campus Safety dispatcher. The Campus Safety dispatcher will then contact the emergency liaison persons to contact the other offices or departments that they normally contact during severe weather and inform them of the termination of activity or closing of offices. The information may also be disseminated via email. Notification of local media will be handled by the Media Relations office. Campus Safety will contact departmental Emergency Liaisons, faculty, staff and students via the Emergency Notification System to advise when college events are terminated or canceled.
Suspicious Persons & Criminal Behavior
Everyone is asked to assist in making the campus a safe place by being alert to suspicious situations and promptly reporting them.
The Campus Safety Department is located on the second floor of the Mail and Print Services Building and provides 24-hour service and protection. This service is provided on a seven-days-a-week, year-round basis.
If you witness criminal or suspicious behavior:
- Call Campus Safety at 3-3333 and provide as much information as possible such as the following:
- What is happening
- Where
- Physical descriptions of the people
- License numbers and vehicle descriptions
- Type of weapon(s) involved, if any
- If your safety is not in jeopardy, stay on the line with Campus Safety until officers arrive to provide additional information. If a threat is imminent, vacate the area and notify others of the threat as you come in contact with them.
- Do not physically confront a suspicious person.
- Do not let anyone into a locked or card-accessed building or room.
- Assist the officers when they arrive by supplying them with all additional information and asking others to cooperate.
- Do NOT put yourself at risk in any observed incident.
Hostage Situations
Hopefully, you will never be a hostage. However, these procedures are designed to protect victims in a hostage situation:
- Be patient. Time is on your side.
- Follow instructions from your captor, and be alert. The captor is likely to be emotionally unbalanced.
- Don't make mistakes that could jeopardize your well-being. Don't speak unless spoken to and then only when necessary. Don't talk down to a captor who already may be in an agitated state. If possible, maintain eye contact with the captor at all times but do not stare. Treat the captor in as friendly a manner as possible.
- Avoid speculating. Comply with instructions as well as you can. Avoid arguments. Expect the unexpected.
- Be observant. Try to remember all distinguishing characteristics of your captor (tattoos, scars, etc.). The personal safety of others may depend on your memory.
- Be prepared to answer questions from the police via telephone should a line be patched through to your location.
- Be patient, wait. Attempt to establish rapport with the captor. If medications, first aid, or the like are needed by anyone, say so. The captors in all probability do not want to harm persons held by them.
Acts of Violence
A violent act occurs when there is potential or actual loss of life or serious personal injury inside or near campus buildings. This could be a hostile person(s), such as an active shooter, who is actively causing or threatening to cause death or serious physical injury. The incident could also unexpectedly become a hostage or armed/barricaded person situation or an incident with detonated incendiary devices (bombs designed to cause fire and large amounts of damage).
If there is an act of violence, the following steps should be taken:
- Get out: If you are able to safely flee the area of danger, you should run from the area as quickly as possible until you have reached a safe distance from the threat. As soon as you are able to safely do so, call Campus Safety at 3-3333 and provide as much information as possible about the incident.
- Hide out: If you are unable to safely flee from the area of danger, look for a location that provides safe cover, preferably a location that can be locked and provides good concealment from the threat. If possible, barricade any doors and windows to help keep any suspect(s) from being able to access your location. Turn off any lights, and silence any cell phones. As soon as it is safe do so, call Campus Safety at 3-3333 and provide as much information as possible about the incident. As long as you are safe, remain hidden until either Campus Safety or law enforcement officers reach your location. When confronted by either Campus Safety or law enforcement officers allow them to see your hands so they can see you are not a threat. Listen carefully and follow any instructions that are given.
- Take out: If you are unable to safely flee from the area of danger or find a safe location that will protect you from someone who is actively trying to cause death or serious physical injury, your only option might be to confront your attacker. If you are in a location with two or more people, talk to each other about what you will do to try and stop an attacker. Make sure to spread out; do not huddle together for mutual protection as it is much harder to harm a group of people who are spread out. Find something you can use to throw at or strike an attacker with. Be prepared to attempt to subdue an attacker. Since this is potentially a life or death confrontation, there must be a total commitment to take action against an attacker.
As soon as possible call Campus Safety at-3-3333 from a campus phone or at 526-3333 from a cell phone. Be prepared that the line might be busy with other people calling to report the incident. If 911 is called by anyone using a cell phone, Campus Safety must also be called as they are a first responder and do not receive 911 calls. Provide as much information as possible about any suspects, including number of suspects as well as number and types of weapons seen. As you leave the area, alert other people to the danger. If possible, help anyone who is having difficulty leaving the area or who needs medical attention. Campus Safety will send information via the Emergency Notification System as soon as they are able.
Sheltering in Place During a Chemical Discharge Event
There may be situations when it is unsafe to go outside because of an accidental or intentional discharge of chemical, radiological or nuclear agents. When such an event occurs, it is recommended that you shelter in place.
The Campus Safety Department will notify Emergency Liaisons when there is a shelter in place event. Emergency Liaisons will notify the people in their respective buildings. Additionally, notifications will be made through the emergency notification system. SOS e-mails and postings on the Calvin College website will be made as well.
Suggestions for sheltering in place:
- Remain inside the building. Instruct other people to come inside as well.
- Secure all doors and windows.
- Go into an interior room with few doors and windows if possible.
- Items such as fans, heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems may need to be turned off along with utilities. If the building you are in is damaged and you are familiar with the location of these systems and how to safely shut them off, proceed with doing so or contact Physical Plant.
- If you have an emergency supply kit, seal all doors, windows and air vents with plastic sheeting and duct tape. If you do not have these items, consider using items such as coats or other clothing to fill the gaps around doors or to cover vents.
- Local authorities may not immediately be able to provide information on what is happening and what you should do. However, you should watch TV, listen to the radio or check the internet often for official news and instructions as they become available.
- Consider keeping supplies of food and water on hand in case you are forced to stay sheltered in place for an extended period of time.
- Do not use city water which could be contaminated.
- If you have internet access, you can access the U.S Department of Homeland Security at www.dhs.gov/dhspublic/index.jsp and get additional information on what to do during a shelter in place event.
Bomb Threat Procedures
If you receive a bomb threat:
- Use the checklist found in the Emergency Quick Reference Guide to gather useful information from the caller.
- Record the date and exact time you receive the threat, and phone number of where the call came from.
- Record where the call originated as displayed on the caller ID of the phone (if available).
- Try to remember exactly what was said. Write it down.
- Note the approximate age of the caller (young, very young, old, etc.).
- Listen for background noises or sounds such as music, children, heavy traffic.
- Immediately call Campus Safety by dialing 3-3333 and provide them with the information.
If a bomb threat occurs in a specific building:
- If you are in a building that has received a bomb threat, DO NOT use your cell phone. Turn off all 2-way radios, cell phones, pagers or anything else that can transmit a signal. The signal that is transmitted when you use one of these electronic devices could actually set off the bomb.
- The decision to evacuate a building will be the responsibility of the Office of the President. This decision will be based on information concerning the threat provided by the Campus Safety Department.
- Evacuation will occur through use of the building fire alarm or by notification by the Campus Safety Department or departmental Emergency Liaison.
- Campus Safety personnel will normally conduct a search of the public areas of the building that is subject to the bomb threat. If the building has not been evacuated, every effort will be made to notify persons in the building of the threat. Personnel working in the building or offices will be asked to check their work area for anything that appears suspicious in their work area. If a suspicious item is found, it should not be moved, touched, or opened, and Campus Safety should be notified immediately.
Suspicious Mail or Package
Characteristics of a Suspicious Letter or Package
Some typical characteristics, which in combination may trigger suspicion, are:
- Restricted marking such as "Personal" or "Special Delivery”.
- No return address or one that cannot be verified as legitimate.
- A city or state in the postmark that does not match the return address.
- Unusual weight based on size.
- Lopsided or odd shape, strange odors, oily stains, crystallization, protruding wires, rigid or bulky shape, excessive tape or string.
If you receive a suspicious letter or package:
- Do not try to open it.
- Isolate it.
- Call Campus Safety at 3-3333.
If you open a parcel containing suspicious material or alleged to contain suspicious material:
- Set it down and do not move the contaminated material. If any material spills out of the letter or package, do not try to clean it up and do not brush off your clothes as this could disperse material into the air.
- If the material is corrosive or presents an immediate danger, wash or rinse your hands.
- Close the door to the area where the suspicious parcel was opened and do not allow others to enter the area.
- Call Campus Safety at 3-3333.
- Stay at the scene to answer questions from Campus Safety and Environmental Health & Safety personnel. If anyone enters the closed area in which the suspicious letter or package is located that person should also stay at the scene.
Demonstrations
Calvin College has the following policy, as found in the Student Handbook:
While recognizing that constructive protest and discussion of issues are vital in a college community, the college also recognizes an obligation to maintain on the campus an atmosphere conducive to academic work and one that respects the private rights of all individuals. Therefore, the following guidelines govern student protests and demonstrations:
- Student demonstrations (marching, picketing, silent vigils, etc.) are to be registered for information purposes with the Student Senate and with the Dean of Student Development no later than one day preceding the occurrence.
- Sponsoring organizations, their officers, and all individual participants, will be held responsible for their conduct during demonstrations.
- Student demonstrations are to be conducted in an orderly manner and are not to interfere with the normal operations of the college.
- The privilege of on-campus demonstrations is not extended to organizations or students not directly affiliated with Calvin.
If you as Calvin staff or faculty observe a demonstration by students, be observant of the following protocol:
Demonstration (peaceful)
Almost all demonstrations that may occur will be peaceful and non-obstructive. If this is the case, those participating in the demonstration are to be left alone. DO NOT argue with those demonstrating. Keep the atmosphere calm and controlled, and keep opinions to yourself.
Demonstration (hostile)
Sometimes a demonstration can become unstable and the crowd will display a mob mentality. DO NOT argue with those demonstrating. Try to keep the atmosphere calm and controlled. If the crowd becomes unstable, secure your area and/or get to a safe location immediately and dial 3-3333.
If you as Calvin staff or faculty observe a demonstration by those not directly affiliated with Calvin, be observant of the following protocol:
If you see a demonstration occurring on college property by a group not affiliated with the college, you should call Campus Safety to report this. Demonstrations by these groups are handled on a case-by-case basis. If demonstrators are allowed to conduct their demonstration on campus, they may be directed to a designated area so as not to interfere with the normal operations of the college.
Off-Campus Travel
Records must be filed in advance with the department administrative assistant whenever Calvin College departments sponsor or arrange travel for students, staff, and faculty away from campus. These records must include:
- Full names of each person traveling.
- Travel itinerary including airline, flights, dates, destinations, return information, hotel accommodations.
- Emergency contact information for each traveler.
In the event of an emergency, college officials will contact the department for these records. The travel records do not need to be kept after the trip is complete.
Hazardous Materials Incidents
Anyone who discovers a spill or release of a hazardous material (anything that can cause fire or explosion, skin or inhalation hazard, or environmental contamination) should take the following steps:
- Evacuate the affected area (if the entire building is affected pull the fire alarm).
- Notify Campus Safety at 3-3333 or 526-3333
Campus Safety will call:
- Calvin’s Spill Advisory Team
- Grand Rapids Fire Department by calling 911 for all emergency spills (defined below)
- Barricade the area to keep others out.
- Complete a Hazardous Materials Incident Report and send it to Environmental Health and Safety.
Do the following ONLY if you can without endangering yourself:
- Identify the spilled material (container labels, shipping papers, MSDS).
- Extinguish sources of ignition (unplug electrical devises).
- Isolate the vapors (close the area off from the rest of the building).
- Ventilate the spill area (open windows and doors to let fresh air in).
An Emergency Spill is a hazardous material incident where ANY of the following are true:
- People have symptoms of exposure (skin is affected, eyes are burning, breathing trouble, dizziness, headaches).
- Chemicals are mixing and heat or vapors are being released.
- The spilled material cannot be identified.
- The building has been evacuated.
- The people involved are uneasy or unsure of what to do.
- The hazardous material is
- flammable
- explosive
- under pressure
- highly toxic
- highly infectious
- radioactive
Calvin employees with specialized training or laboratory personnel with the expertise necessary to proceed safely may follow additional instructions that can be found in the Calvin College Chemical Hygiene Plan for situations that are NOT emergency spills.
Radiological Accidents
Calvin College is required to have a radiation safety officer whose job is to ensure that rules are followed, records are kept and personnel and the environment are kept safe. Calvin College is only allowed to possess relatively low quantities of radioactive materials.
- In case of a radiological accident, first contact Campus Safety at 3-3333.
- Campus Safety will contact Professor of Physics and Astronomy Steven Steenwyk, the Radiation Safety Officer.
Professor Steenwyk should also be contacted when there are questions or to report suspected radiation problems. Such problems may be actual exposure threats such as losing a sealed source or a spill of a "labeled" chemical substance. Problems may also be of a potential nature, i.e. you may suspect that an unknown bottle contains a radioactive substance or you may believe safe procedures are not being followed where you work.
Biological Accidents
- Do not attempt to clean up this type of spill unless you have been properly trained. Spills of human blood and other body fluids are to be cleaned up by staff that have bloodborne pathogens training. Spills of other potentially infectious materials should only be cleaned up by the lab manager or professors who use and understand the material that was spilled.
- If the spill occurs in a science lab, report incident to lab manager or professor immediately.
If the spill occurs anywhere else on campus, call Campus Safety at 3-3333. Campus Safety will notify the appropriate people.
Utility Failure
If an electrical power failure, gas line break, heating emergency or a water main break occurs, the following procedures should be carried out:
During regular business hours, weekdays:
- Call the Physical Plant department by dialing 526-6444 to notify them of the utility requiring maintenance.
- If Campus Safety assistance is also needed, such as help in evacuating the building.
- Call the Campus Safety dispatcher in an EMERGENCY
- Dial 3-3333 (campus phone)
- Dial 526-3333 (off-campus or cell phone)
- In a NON-EMERGENCY call Campus Safety
- Dial 6-6452 (campus phone)
- Dial 526-6452 (off campus or cell phone)
After regular business hours, weekdays, and on weekends:
- Call the Campus Safety dispatcher (numbers are listed in the previous section).The dispatcher will contact the on-call emergency maintenance person and will dispatch Campus Safety personnel to the scene as appropriate.
Additional procedures
- If appropriate due to the life-threatening nature of a utility emergency, or if directed to do so, activate the building fire alarm at a nearby pull-station to assist with evacuation of the building.
- Departmental Emergency Liaisons along with other faculty and staff will assist in evacuating the building by informing others in the area of the nature of the emergency and directing them to exit the building. They will also identify handicapped persons who need assistance exiting the building.
- Laboratory staff should secure all experiments and unplug electrical equipment before evacuating. All chemicals should be stored in their original locations. Provide natural ventilation by opening windows and doors. If this is not possible or natural ventilation is inadequate, evacuate the laboratory until power is returned.
- Do not use candles or other types of open flame for lighting.
- Unplug all electrical equipment including computers, and turn off light switches.
- Do not use elevators.
- Emergency lighting for classrooms, meeting spaces and hallways will function in a power outage for a short period of time.
- Once outside, move at least 300 feet from the affected building and ask others to do so. Keep the area clear for emergency vehicles and crews to perform their duties.
- Do not return to an evacuated building unless told to do so by Campus Safety or the Physical Plant Department.
If you know people are trapped in an elevator:
- Tell passengers to stay calm and that you are getting help.
- Call Campus Safety at 3-3333 and provide information (location, how many people, etc.)
- Stay near passengers until Campus Safety or other assistance arrives, provided it is safe to stay in the building.
Phone Use during an electrical power failure
- There are red "Emergency Phones" set up in select departmental offices and Resident Directors’ apartments.
- These red phones will remain functional during a power failure and are to be used ONLY for priority communications during emergencies or to report an emergency. These phones are not intended for personal use. Anyone who reports an emergency to Campus Safety must dial 9-526-3333 when using the "Emergency Phones."
Medical & First Aid
It is important that you know what to do and who to contact if you or someone else is injured at Calvin. The information below provides instruction for emergent work related injuries. For information on dealing with non-emergency work-related injuries or illnesses contact the EH&S office at 526-8591.
Emergency or Urgent Medical Situations
- For first aid or to get help notifying Emergency Medical Services (EMS) call Campus Safety at 3-3333
- To notify EMS, of a fire, police or ambulance emergencies call 911 from a campus phone (Campus Safety will be notified automatically that a 911 call was made. Campus Safety dispatch will call you or send a Campus Safety officer to the location. A Campus Safety patrol car will escort the emergency responders to the emergency.) OR call 911 from a cell phone (This bypasses Campus Safety and could waste time while emergency vehicles try to find the emergency.) After using a cell phone to call 911, contact the Campus Safety Dispatch at 526-3333 and inform the dispatcher of the emergency to insure Campus Safety officers can direct emergency responders to the scene.
Sudden Cardiac Arrest
- Calvin College has a public access defibrillation program with Automated External Defibrillators (AED) for use by any member of the community who has Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and AED training. AED locations can be found at: http://www.calvin.edu/admin/physicalplant/ehs/policies/aed/
- Each use of an AED shall be accompanied by a call to Campus Safety at 3-3333. Campus Safety will call 911 to ensure timely provision of advanced life support and transport to an emergency medical facility.
- When a call for emergency aid is received, the nearest available Calvin College Campus Safety Officer equipped with an AED shall respond to assist other responding personnel. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and automated external defibrillation (AED) shall be provided as appropriate until the local EMS staff arrives to assume responsibility.
First Aid Guidelines
- Campus Safety Officers (CSO) and Campus Safety Supervisors (CSS) are the designated "first aid responders" at Calvin College for student, faculty, staff and visitor injuries. They carry first aid supplies with them.
- Calvin employees are encouraged to call Campus Safety whenever first aid is required. Before the CSO/CSS arrives, first aid supplies found in the department first aid kit can be provided for an individual to use, such as gauze pads to hold on a wound to stop bleeding. Precautions must be taken to prevent exposing employees who have not had training in the prevention of bloodborne pathogens exposure to blood and body fluids.
Work-Related Injury or Illness
- For work-related injury/illness care beyond first aid when an ambulance is not called, you will be directed to:
MED -1 Leonard Clinic (phone 616-742-0255)
1140 Monroe Ave. NW
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Recordkeeping Requirements
IMPORTANT NOTE:Fill out an Employee Injury Report Form within 24 hours of an injury. Report forms are available online at: Injury Form
If you are injured while you are at work, fill out a report. It is always best to have a report filed in case a minor injury progresses to something more serious. In cases where an injury is reported a week after it happened, it may be difficult to prove that it was work related. The rule is: report injuries to your supervisor and file an Injury Report within 24 hours of any injury.
Send your completed and signed (by your supervisor) report to the Environmental Health & Safety officer.