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Library Disaster Plan
Staff Emergency Procedures
Medical
Emergencies: Staff
If a staff member or volunteer is seriously ill or injured:
1. Notify your supervisor immediately.
2. Render the minimum first aid necessary and
decide what additional treatment is required (call Fire Department, paramedics,
ambulance, other).
3. Do not attempt to move a person who has
fallen and who appears to be in pain.
4. Avoid unnecessary conversation with or about
the ill or injured person. You might add to the person's distress or fears,
increasing the risk of medical shock. Limit your conversation to quiet
reassurances.
5. After the person has been taken care of and
the incident is over, remain available to help the supervisor with pertinent information
for a medical report or, if applicable, a Workers'
Compensation report.
6. Contact Personnel for any questions
concerning Workers' Compensation.
Medical
Emergencies: Visitor
When an employee or volunteer observes a visitor who appears
to be ill or injured:
1. Notify your supervisor immediately.
2. Render the minimum first aid necessary and
decide what additional treatment is required (call Fire Department, paramedics,
ambulance, other).
3. Do not attempt to move a person who has
fallen and who appears to be in pain.
4. Avoid unnecessary conversation with or about
the ill or injured person or members of his/her party. You might add to the
person's distress or fears, increasing the risk of medical shock. Limit your
conversation to quiet reassurances.
5. Do not discuss the possible causes of an
accident or any conditions that may have contributed to the cause.
6. Under no circumstances should an employee or
volunteer discuss any insurance information with members of the public.
7. After the person has been taken care of and
the incident is over, remain available to help the supervisor with pertinent
information for a medical report.
Phone
Threat, Mail Threat, and Suspicious Object
If you receive a telephone threat:
1. Remain calm.
2. Listen carefully. Be polite and show
interest. Try to keep the caller talking so you can gather more information.
3. If possible, signal a colleague to inform
administration for you or call yourself as soon as the caller hangs up.
4. Call the police.
5. Promptly complete a telephone threat report,
writing down as many details as you can remember. This information will be
needed by security and police interviewers.
6. Do not discuss the threat with other staff.
7. If evacuation is ordered, go to a designated
area (see map).
If you receive a written threat or a suspicious
package or if you find a suspicious object anywhere on the premises:
1. Keep anyone from handling it or going near
it.
2. Notify your supervisor immediately.
3. Call the police.
4. Promptly write down everything you can
remember about receiving the letter or package, or finding the object. This
information will be needed by security and police interviewers.
5. Remain calm. Do not discuss the threat with
other staff members.
6. If evacuation is ordered, go to a designated
area (see map).
Fire
If a fire occurs in your area:
1. Remain calm.
2. Call the Fire Department.
3. If the fire is small, attempt to put it out
with a fire extinguisher. Do not jeopardize your personal safety.
5. Never allow the fire to come between you and
an exit.
6. Disconnect electrical equipment that is on
fire if it is safe to do so (pull the plug or throw the circuit breaker).
7. Notify your supervisor of the location and
extent of the fire.
8. Evacuate your area if you are unable to put
out the fire. Close doors and windows behind you to confine the fire. Go to a
designated area (see map).
9. Do not break windows. Oxygen feeds a fire.
10. Do not open hot doors. Before opening any door,
touch near the top. If the door is hot or if smoke is visible, do not open the
door
11. Do not use elevators.
12. Do not attempt to save possessions at the risk
of personal injury.
13. Do not return to the area until cleared by
emergency personnel.
All fires, no matter how
small, must be reported to a supervisor.
Toxic
Events, Chemical Spills and Fires
If a chemical spill occurs within the building:
1. Remain calm.
2. If toxic chemicals come in contact with your
skin, immediately flush the affected area with clear water. Use chemical shower
if available.
3. Notify your supervisor of the extent and
location of the spill.
4. If there is any possible danger, evacuate
your area.
If a chemical fire occurs within the building:
1. Remain calm.
2. Call the Fire Department.
3. If the fire is small, attempt to put it out
with a fire extinguisher. Do not jeopardize your personal safety.
5. Never allow the fire to come between you and
an exit.
6. Notify your supervisor of the location and
extent of the fire.
7. Evacuate your area if you are unable to put
out the fire. Close doors and windows behind you to confine the fire. Go to a
designated area (see map).
8. Do not break windows. Oxygen feeds a fire.
9. Do not attempt to save possessions at the
risk of personal injury.
10. Do not return to the area until cleared by
emergency personnel.
All chemical spills and fires, no matter how small, must be
reported to a supervisor.
In the event of a toxic spill outside of the
building, most likely caused by a train derailment or tanker truck accident:
1. Notify your
supervisor immediately.
2. Call Police and
Fire Departments, giving location of spill.
3. Evacuate
the building only if instructed to do so.
Earthquakes
In the event of an earthquake:
1. Remain calm.
2. Stay
in the building. Take shelter within a doorway, in a narrow corridor, or under
a heavy table, desk or bench.
3. Stay
away from windows, mirrors, overhead fixtures, filing cabinets, bookcases, and
electrical equipment
4. Do
not attempt to leave the building, as exit stairwells may have collapsed or be
jammed with people.
After the earthquake has stopped:
1. Remain alert for
aftershocks.
2. Listen to local
radio stations for instructions.
3. Assist those who have been trapped or injured
by falling debris, glass, etc. Do not move seriously injured persons unless
they are in obvious, immediate danger (of fire, building collapse, etc.).
4. Evacuate
the building if safe to do so. Do not re-enter until the building has been
declared structurally sound.
5. Check
for broken water pipes or shorting electrical circuits. Do not use a match,
candle or lighter to find your way, since there may be flammable gas in the
air. Shut off utilities at main valves or meter boxes. Turn off appliances.
6. Do
not use the telephone, except in a real emergency. The lines should be kept
free for emergency rescue operations.
7. Ensure
that sewage lines are intact before running water or flushing toilets.
Explosion
1. Remain calm.
2. Be prepared for possible further explosion.
3. Crawl under a table or desk.
4. Stay away from windows, mirrors, overhead
fixtures, filing cabinets, bookcases, and electrical equipment.
5. Be guided by the administration. If
evacuation is ordered, go to a designated area (see map).
6. Do not move seriously injured persons unless
they are in obvious, immediate danger (of fire, building collapse, etc.).
7. Open doors carefully. Watch for falling
objects.
8. Do not use elevators.
9. Do not use matches or lighters.
10. Avoid using telephones.
11. Do
not spread rumors.
Power
Outage
If a power outage occurs:
1. Remain calm.
2. Provide assistance to visitors and staff in
your immediate area.
3. If you are in an unlighted area, proceed
cautiously to an area that has emergency lights.
4. If you are in an elevator, stay calm. Use the
intercom or the emergency button to notify building security.
5. If instructed to evacuate, go to a
designated area (see map).
6. Secure the building from vandalism,
intrusion, and fire.
Flooding
and Water Damage
If a water leak or flooding occurs:
1. Remain calm.
2. Notify building maintenance and your
supervisor. Give the exact location and severity of the leak. Indicate whether
any part of the collections is involved or is in imminent danger.
3. Do not walk in standing water which may have
contact with wiring and may be electrified. If there are electrical appliances
or electrical outlets near the leak, use extreme caution. If there is any
possible danger, evacuate the area.
4. If you know the source of the water and are
confident of your ability to stop it (unclog the drain, turn off the water,
etc.), do so cautiously.
5. Be prepared to help as directed in protecting
collection materials that are in jeopardy. Take only those steps needed to avoid
or reduce immediate water damage: cover shelf ranges with plastic sheeting;
carefully move materials out of the emergency area. Do not remove already wet
books from shelves.
Employee Evacuation Procedure
In advance, each staff person and volunteer should:
1. Understand the evacuation plan.
2. Recognize the sound of the evacuation alarm.
3. Know at least two ways out of the building
from your regular work space.
When you hear the evacuation alarm or are told to evacuate
the building:
1. Remain calm.
2. Immediately shut down any hazardous
operations.
3. Leave quickly.
4. The highest ranking person who is physically
present in each department is responsible for insuring all members of his/her
department evacuate the area. In addition, employees should check that all
others in the work space are leaving as instructed.
5. As you exit, quickly check nearby rest rooms,
copier rooms, closets, etc.
6. Accompany and help handicapped personnel,
visitors, and any co-workers who appear to need direction or assistance.
7. Take with you: your car keys, purse,
briefcase, etc. Do not attempt to take large or heavy objects.
8. Shut all doors behind you as you go. Closed
doors can slow the spread of fire, smoke, and water.
9. Proceed as quickly as possible, but in an
orderly manner. Do not push or shove. Hold handrails when you are walking on
stairs.
10. Once
out of the building, move away from the structure.