Campus Security

Emergency Procedures Guide and Guidelines for Lenoir-Rhyne College

Major Emergency Guidelines

1.     PURPOSE:

The basic emergency procedures outlined in this guide are to enhance the protection of lives and property through effective use of College and campus resources.  Whenever an emergency affecting the campus reaches proportions THAT CANNOT BE HANDLES BY ROUTINE MEASURES, the President or his designate may declare a state of emergency, and these contingency guidelines may be implemented.  There are two (2) general types of emergencies that may result in the implementation of this plan.  These are:  (1) large-scale disorder and (2) large-scale natural/man made disaster.  Since an emergency may be sudden and without warning, these procedures are designed to be flexible in order to accommodate contingencies of various types of magnitudes.

2.     SCOPE:

These procedures apply to all personnel and to buildings and grounds owned and operated by Lenoir-Rhyne College and include those peripheral areas adjoining the College.

3.     TYPES OF EMERGENCIES:

Types of emergencies covered by this manual are:

(1)   Fire

(2)   Earthquake

(3)   Chemical or Radiation Spill

(4)   Explosion, Downed Aircraft (Crash) on Campus

(5)   Bomb

(6)   Civic Disturbance or Demonstrations

(7)   Utility Failure

(8)   Violent or Criminal Behavior

(9)   Medical and First Aid

(10)        Media Relations

(11)        Psychological Crisis

(12)        Weather and Other Acts of Nature

In addition, there are sections on how to report all emergencies, building evacuations and first aid instructions.

4.     DEFINITIONS OF AN EMERGENCY:

The College President or his designate serves as the overall Emergency Director during any major emergency or disaster.  The following definitions of an emergency are provided as guidelines to assist building and area coordinators in determining the appropriate response:

(1)    MINOR EMERGENCY:

Any incident, potential or actual, which will not seriously affect the overall functional capacity of the College.

(2)    MAJOR EMERGENCY:

Any incident, potential or actual, which affects entire building or buildings and which will disrupt the overall operation of the College.  Outside emergency services will probably be required as well as major efforts from campus support services.  Major policy considerations and decisions will usually be required from the College administration during times of the crisis.

(3)    DISASTER:

Any event or occurrence which has taken place and has seriously impaired or stopped the operations of the College.  In some cases, mass personnel casualties and severe property damage may be sustained.  A coordinated effort of all campus-wide resources is required to effectively control the situation.  Outside emergency services will be essential.  In case of disaster, an Emergency Control Center will be activated and the appropriate support and operational plans will be executed.

In addition, any incident which has the potential for adverse publicity concerning campus resources, and/or instrumentalities of the College should be promptly reported to the College Public Information Office.

5.     ASSUMPTIONS:

The Lenoir-Rhyne College Emergency Procedure Plan is predicated on a realistic approach to the problems likely to be encountered on a campus during a major emergency or disaster.  Hence, the following are general guidelines:

(1)       An emergency or disaster may occur at any time of the day or night, weekend  or holiday, with little or no warning.

(2)       The succession of events in an emergency are not predictable, hence, published support and operational plans will serve only as a guide and checklist, and may require field modification in order to meet the requirements of the emergency.

(3)       Disasters may affect residents in the geographical location of the College, therefore city, county and federal emergency services may not be available.  A delay in off-campus emergency services may be expected (up to 48-72 hours).

(4)       A major emergency may be declared if information indicates that such a condition is developing, or is probable.

6.     DECLARATION OF CAMPUS STATE OF EMERGENCY:

The authority to declare a campus state of emergency rests with the College President or his designate as follows:

During the period of any campus emergency, the Department of Security and Safety, as required, shall place into immediate effect the appropriate procedures necessary in order to meet the emergency, safeguard persons and property and maintain educational facilities.  The Department of Security and Safety shall immediately consult with the President of the College regarding the emergency and the possible need for a declaration of a campus state of emergency.

When this declaration is made, only registered students, faculty, staff and affiliates (persons required by employment) are authorized to be present on the campus.  Those who cannot present proper identification (registration or employee identification cards, or other I.D.) showing their legitimate business on campus will be asked to leave the campus.  Unauthorized persons remaining on campus may be subject to arrest in accordance with the Penal Code.

In addition, only those faculty and staff who have been assigned emergency resource team duties or issued an emergency pass by the Department of Security and Safety will be allowed to enter the immediate disaster area/site.

In the event of earthquakes, after-shocks, fires, storms or major disaster occurring in or about the campus, or which involves College property, security personnel will be dispatched to determine the extent of any damage to College property.

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