Emergency Preparation Guidelines

The "Run, Hide, Survive" Emergency Procedure

If you hear shots or see weapons or if you receive an alert for an active shooter, follow the "Run, Hide, Survive" emergency procedure. Learn more by watching this FBI training video. 

Run

If there is an escape path, attempt to evacuate.

• Evacuate whether others agree to or not.
• Leave your belongings behind.
• Help others escape if possible.
• Call 911 when you are safe.

Hide

If evacuation is not possible, find a place to hide.

• Lock and/or blockade the door.
• Turn off the lights.
• Silence your cell phone.
• Remain very quiet.
• Hide behind large objects out of the shooter's view (your hiding place should provide protection if shots are fired in your direction, but not trap or restrict your options for movement).​

Survive

As a last resort, and only if your life is in danger:

• Attempt to incapacitate the shooter.
• Act with physical aggression.
• Improvise weapons.
• Commit to your actions.

When law enforcement personnel arrive, remain calm and follow instructions. It's important to keep your hands visible at all times and avoid pointing or yelling. Help for the injured will soon be on its way.

If you experience a power outage:

• Call Public Safety at 717-358-3939 to report the problem.
• Provide assistance to others in your immediate area who may be unfamiliar with the space.
• If you are in an unlighted area, proceed cautiously to an area that has emergency lights.
• If you are in an elevator, stay calm. Use the emergency button to alert Public Safety.

Campus violence often begins with inappropriate behavior or signs. When detected report this information to authorities, it may help prevent its occurrence. The following information may be helpful in detecting or anticipating campus violence and help to create a safer, healthier campus for everyone.

Threats - direct or implied

• Physical conduct such as pushing, shoving, or striking that harms or has the potential to harm people or property.
• Conduct that harasses, disrupts, or interferes with another individual's performance.
• Conduct that creates an intimidating, offensive, or hostile environment.

Potential Warning Signs

• Verbal, nonverbal, or written threats
• Fascination with weapons or violence
• New or increased stress at home or work
• Expressions of hopelessness or anxiety 
• Defiant or insubordinate behavior
• Dramatic change in work or academic performance
• Destruction of property
• Drug or alcohol abuse
• Externalization of blame

Risk Factors that Contribute to Campus Violence

• Termination of employment
• Disciplinary actions
• Ongoing conflicts between employees
• Domestic or family violence
• Financial problems

Campus Violence Prevention

• Be aware of what is going on around you at all times. Awareness is a proven method for increased personal safety.
• Tell your supervisor when you notice unusual or suspicious behavior.
• Workplace violence training is offered by Public Safety and the Counseling Center throughout the calendar year.
• Call Public Safety at 717-358-3939 for help.
• Remember: A safe workplace is everyone's responsibility.

If violence occurs or there is an immediate threat of violence:

• Leave the area immediately if possible.
• If leaving the area is not possible, lock yourself in a secure area.
• If possible, call Public Safety at 717-358-3939 or dial 911.
• Provide the dispatcher with as many details as possible.

If you receive a telephone bomb threat:

• Listen carefully. Be polite and show interest. Try to keep the caller talking so that you can gather more information about the device, the validity of the threat, or the identity of the caller. Listen carefully for background noises.
• Note the phone number of the caller if your telephone has a display.
• Gather as much information as possible. If possible, use the Bomb Threat Checklist to question the caller in a polite and non-threatening manner.
• Upon completion of the call, immediately call Public Safety at 717-358-3939 or dial 911.
• While the call is still fresh in your memory, complete the Bomb Threat Checklist and send to Public Safety.
• Remain available to answer questions.
• If the threat was received by another individual and he/she is relaying information to you, use the Bomb Threat Checklist to gather as much information as possible.
• A suspicious object is defined as any package, parcel, container, or other object out of place or unusual for that location and cannot be accounted for, or because a threat has been received.

If you find a suspicious object:

• A suspicious object is defined as any package, parcel, container, or other object out of place or unusual for that location and cannot be accounted for, or because a threat has been received.
• Do not touch the object.
• Move people away from the object.
• Do not use portable radio equipment or cell phones within 100 feet of the suspicious object.
• Immediately call Public Safety at 717-358-3939 or dial 911.
• Follow the officer's instructions precisely.
• Do not attempt to evacuate the building without the authorization or assistance of emergency personnel. Do not pull the fire alarm. Current emergency management guidelines caution against automatic evacuation. In most cases, people are likely to be more secure in their offices, laboratories, or classrooms than in hallways that have not been searched or outdoors where an actual threat may be even more likely to exist.
• If a search of the building is conducted, you and other staff may be asked to accompany Public Safety officers during the search since you are more likely to notice something out of the ordinary in your own area or facility.

Not all demonstrations are unlawful. The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that certain activity is protected under the U.S. Constitution. However, any demonstration on campus property that interferes with the educational function of the institution or in which violence, property damage, or other such behavior occurs is unlawful.

If you have a question about whether a demonstration is unlawful, call Public Safety at 717-358-3939.

If a disturbance appears to threaten the safety of faculty, staff, or students:

• Immediately call Public Safety at 717-358-3939 or dial 911.
• If possible and appropriate, lock doors to isolate the disturbance.
• Take steps to protect your own safety and the safety of other faculty, staff, and students.
•  Encourage people to leave the area.

If you are involved in a hostage situation:

• If possible, call Public Safety at 717-358-3939 or dial 911.
• Supply the dispatcher with as many details as possible, including number of persons involved, description of hostage takers, weapons displayed, threats made, etc.
• Do not attempt to negotiate or argue with the hostage taker.  Follow their instructions precisely.
• Remain calm.
• Encourage others to remain calm and to do what they are told.

Characteristics of 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 oddly shaped, strange odors, oily stains, crystallization, protruding wires, rigid or bulky, excessive tape or string, or if the package is making a noise.

If you receive a suspicious letter or package:

• Do not try to open it.
• Isolate it.
• Call Public Safety at 717-358-3939.

If you open a parcel containing suspicious material or alleged to contain suspicious material:

• Immediately set it down where you are.
• Do not move the suspicious material.
• If any of the contents or a substance 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 Public Safety at 717-358-3939.
• Remain at the scene to answer questions from emergency service personnel.
• If anyone enters the closed area in which the suspicious letter or package is located, that person should also remain at the scene.

Severe Thunderstorms

Dangers that accompany thunderstorms:

• Tornados

• Flash Floods

• Lightening

• Damaging Winds

• Large Hail

What to do:

• Postpone outdoor activities
• Move into a sturdy building or hardtop car
• Avoid using electrical appliances or telephones

Tornado Watches and Warnings

A tornado watch means that weather conditions are favorable for the formation of a tornado. A tornado warning is issued when a tornado has actually been sighted in the surrounding area. 

For current weather conditions consult the National Weather Service (NOAA).

If a tornado warning has been issued and you are inside:

• Stay inside.
• Stay away from outside walls, windows, mirrors, glass, overhead fixtures, and unsecured objects such as filing cabinets or bookcases.
• If possible, move to a below-ground-level floor, interior corridor, or a room or office without windows.
• Crouch low and use your hands to cover the back of your head and neck.
• Do not use elevators.
• If requested, assist persons with disabilities to the safest area on the same floor.
• Do not leave the shelter area until after the storm is over.
• Continue to monitor the weather via radio or television until the tornado watch has been lifted for your area.

If a tornado warning has been issued and you are outside:

• Look for a nearby safe structure in which to take shelter.
• If you are in your car, get out of it. Never try to outrun a tornado in your automobile.
• If there is no shelter, lie down flat in a low area, such as a ditch located away from trees.
• Use your hands to cover the back of your head and neck.

A hazardous material spill is a spill in which there is a significant amount of a hazardous material released or one in which the release of the substance cannot be controlled.

• Examples of hazardous materials in quantities that would be considered a spill are: more than one gallon of bleach, more than 100 ml of sulfuric acid, greater than one gallon of gasoline, and any quantity of mercury.
• Examples of infectious materials include blood and other body fluid.

Hazardous Material Spill Response ​

• If the hazardous material comes in contact with your skin, immediately flush the affected area with copious amounts of water for at least 15 minutes, then seek medical attention.
• Call Public Safety at 717-358-3939.  
• Evacuate the immediate area.  As you proceed, close doors behind you.
• DO NOT attempt to clean up the spill yourself unless properly trained.
• Make yourself available to emergency personnel to supply information to aid in clean up.
• Provide as much of the following information as possible:
  • Where has the hazardous material spill occurred? Specify the floor, room number, and location in room
  • Has there been a fire and/or explosion?
  • Are there any injuries? If so, how many?
  • What material has been spilled?
  • What is the state of the material (i.e., solid, liquid, gas, or a combination)?
  • Is any of the hazardous material escaping in the form of chemical vapors or fumes? Or, is the hazardous material a running or dripping liquid?

Infectious Material Spill Response

• If the infectious material comes in contact with your skin, immediately wash with soap and water.
• DO NOT attempt to clean up the spill yourself unless properly trained.
• Call Public Safety at 717-358-3939.
• Make yourself available to emergency personnel to supply information to aid in clean up.

Response to Fire or Suspected Fire

• If a burning odor or smoke is present, pull a fire alarm to activate the fire alarm system.
• If you are inside a room and the door is closed, feel the door before you open it.
• If it is hot, do not open the door. Stuff towels or blankets at the bottom of the door.  Go to the window to signal for help.
• If it is cool, use caution in opening the door.
• If you can help control the fire without personal danger and have received training, take action with available fire extinguisher.  If not, leave the area.
• Never allow the fire to come between you and an exit.  Leave the building, checking as you leave to make sure everyone has left the immediate area.  Close doors behind you to confine the fire.
• Once you have evacuated the building, call Public Safety at 717-358-3939.
  report the location of the fire and the material burning if known, 
• Remain at the scene in a safe location away from fire and report this information to emergency service personnel as they arrive.

Response to Audible Fire Alarms

• If the audible fire alarm sounds, evacuate the building.
• If you can do so safely, shut off any gas in your area.
• Leave immediately; do not delay to locate personal items
• Make sure that all members of your area respond to the alarm. 
• Evacuate the area; as you exit, quickly check nearby restrooms, copier rooms, storage rooms, etc..
• Use the nearest stairway.  Do not use elevators.
• Accompany and assist persons with disabilities.
• Shut all doors behind you as you go.  Closed doors can slow the spread of fire and smoke.
• Evacuate as quickly as possible but in an orderly manner.  Do not push or shove.
• Once outside, move at least 100 feet from the building.
• Meet at your assembly area for the Emergency Coordinator to account for all members of your floor or department.
• Return to the building only when given the "all clear" by Public Safety.

Fire Extinguisher training is available to all Franklin & Marshall College students, faculty, and staff at no cost. We encourage you to participate in these training sessions. Contact the Service Response at 717-358-3900 to schedule a training session.

Serious water damage can occur from a number of sources: broken pipes, clogged drains, damaged skylights or windows, severe weather or construction errors.

If a water leak occurs;

• To report the exact location and severity of the leak, call Public Safety at 717-358-3939.
• If there are electrical appliances or outlets near the leak, use extreme caution.
• If there is any possible danger whatsoever, evacuate the area immediately.
• If you know the source of the water and are confident of your ability to stop it, do so.
• Be prepared to assist in protecting objects that are in jeopardy. 
• Take only essential steps to avoid or reduce immediate water damage, such as covering objects.

Life-threatening explosions may be caused by chemicals, leaking gas, faulty boilers,  or falling aircraft, to name a few.

If you hear or are in the areas of an explosion:

• Call Public Safety at 717-358-3939 or dial 911
• Be prepared for possible further explosions
• Crawl under a table or desk
• Stay away from windows, mirrors, filing cabinets, bookcases, overhead fixtures, and electrical equipment
• Do not move seriously injured persons unless they are in obvious immediate danger (of fire, building collapse, etc.)
• Before opening a door, first feel the door for heat
  • If a door is warm, do not open the door
  • If a door is cool, open the door carefully and proceed with extreme caution
• Watch for falling objects
• Do not use elevators
• Accompany and assist persons with disabilities
• Do not use matches or lighters
• Use the telephones for emergency service calls only.
• If the fire alarm sounds, evacuate the building

If you are inside during an earthquake:

• Take cover under a table or desk. or stand in a doorway 
• In areas where cover is not available, kneel at the base of an interior wall, facing the wall and with head down and covered by arms
• Turn your body away from windows and mirrors
• Be alert for falling objects and stay away from filing cabinets, bookcases, overhead fixtures, and electrical equipment.

If you are outside during and earthquake:

• Move to an open area away from buildings, trees and power lines
• If unable to move to an open area, watch for falling objects

If you are in an automobile during an earthquake:

• Stop your vehicle in the nearest open area
• Stay in the vehicle until the shaking stops

After an earthquake:

• Be aware of the possibility of aftershocks.
• If possible and it is safe to do so, evacuate the building as soon as the shaking has ceased.
• Do not move injured persons unless they are in obvious immediate danger (from fire, building collapse, etc.)
• Open doors carefully and proceed with caution
• Watch for falling objects.
• Do not use elevators.
• Do not use matches or lighters.
• Use the telephones for emergency service calls only.

If someone becomes ill or is injured and requires immediate assistance:

• Call Public Safety at 717-358-3939 or dial 911.
• Provide detailed information on the location of the ill or injured person.
• Unless trained, do not attempt to render any first aid before professional assistance arrives.
• Do not attempt to move a person who has fallen and appears to be in pain.
• Attempt to obtain the following information from the ill or injured person:
  • Name
  • Description of symptoms
  • Allergies
  • Medications
  • Major medical history (heart condition, asthma, diabetes, etc.).
• Remain at the scene to provide information to emergency personnel
• If this is a workplace injury, contact Human Resources immediately.

Basic First Aid and CPR training is available to all Franklin & Marshall College students, faculty, and staff at no cost.  Classes are held throughout the year in the Public Safety Office.  We encourage you to participate in these training sessions.  Contact Public Safety at 717-358-3939 to schedule a training session.

Examples of Psychological Emergencies

• Suicide attempts, thoughts or threats of suicide, or other acts of self-harm
• Risk of violent behavior or threats to others
• Loss of emotional control
• Misinterpreting reality or impairment in thinking ability, including responding to hallucinations or paranoid thoughts
• Responding to a traumatizing event such as a sexual assault, serious injury or death of a family member or friend

Responding to Psychological Emergencies

• If there is eminent danger or medical attention is needed, call the Department of Public Safety at 717-358-3939 or dial 911.
• Sexual Assault - contact the Franklin & Marshall Confidential 24 hour Sexual Assault Response Line at 717-560-7311.
• Do not leave a suicidal person alone. 
• Stay with the person until help arrives.

To reach a psychologist for assistance in assessing or managing a crisis situation

• Contact Counseling Services 717-358-4083 and inform the secretary that you need immediate assistance.
• If Counseling Services is closed, contact the Department of Public Safety 717-358-3939 and ask to speak with the psychologist on-call. 
• Do not leave a suicidal person alone. 
• Stay with the person until help arrives.

If a faculty or professional staff member is in crisis and needs assistance, contact Lancaster County Crisis Intervention (717)394-2631 or the Employee Assistance Program (717)394-6688 or (800)327-7770.

In all medical emergency situations call Public Safety at 717-358-3939 or dial 911.

If possible, someone should remain with the victim at all times until professional help arrives.

Always ask or look for a medic-alert or medical ID (either a bracelet or a necklace).  When calling for help, be prepared to relay the exact location of the patient and any medical information available from a medic-alert or medical ID bracelet.

Take a first aid course, learn cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and learn how to use an Automatic External Defibrillator (AED).  Then you will be prepared for the following emergencies.

• not breathing
• no pulse
• choking
• drowning
• severe bleeding
• poisoning
• overdose
• unconsciousness

CPR

In a CPR course you will learn how to:

• Check for unresponsiveness, open an airway, and check for a pulse.
• Administer chest compressions and rescue breathing.
• Apply maneuvers to stop choking.

Automatic External Defibrillator (AED)

In an AED course you will learn when and how to access the AED and follow the simple instuctions to use one.

Franklin & Marshall campus has a total of 11 AED units in 9 locations throughout the campus, with 2 units in Public Safety vehicles. We have more than 50 AEDs located across campus.

Basic First Aid, Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), and Automatic External Defibrillator (AED) training is available on and off campus. Department of Public Safety staff,  Certified Athletic Trainers and Athletic Department coaches are trained in CPR and AED use.

All Franklin & Marshall College students, faculty and staff may also receive training at no cost. Classes are held throughout the year in the Public Safety Office. We encourage you to participate in these training sessions. Contact Public Safety at 717-358-3939 to schedule training.

Visit our Emergency Alerts page to learn more about how to sign up for your alert account.

You can contact the ITS Help Desk for assistance.

Our system works with 32 carriers; you may be using one that is not currently part of our system.  Sign up for e-mail alerts and contact the ITS Help Desk to let them know that your carrier is not listed.

If you’re on campus, listen for instructions, check your mobile phone or email. Sirens may indicate a weather emergency or a more serious emergency, so listen to determine if you should take shelter, try to evacuate the area, hide or be prepared to take other steps to defend yourself. If you’re off campus, stay away.  For more information, check your cell phone for a text message, check your email, or go to the Franklin & Marshall homepage.

View a map of the emergency phones on campus. To use the phone, press the button and talk into the speaker. For your safety, learn the locations of the emergency telephones, especially those along the routes you usually take in the evening and after dark.