Response
Response involves the actions taken immediately prior to, during, and after an emergency to protect life, property, and the environment. Response actions are carried out by many members of the ÒùÐÔÊÓƵ student body, faculty, and staff.
Emergency Notifications
ÒùÐÔÊÓƵ Public Safety will issue emergency notifications when it is necessary to quickly and clearly notify the campus community of hazards which could potentially affect them.
Notifications will be either an ADVISORY or an ALERT.
ADVISORY
ÒùÐÔÊÓƵ ADVISORY - Advisory will precede a message that is informational in nature, where immediate action is not needed. Such as ÒùÐÔÊÓƵ ADVISORY - Road Closure VKF & Pomona Road
ALERT
ÒùÐÔÊÓƵ ALERT - Alert will precede a message that requires immediate action be taken. Such as ÒùÐÔÊÓƵ ALERT - ACTIVE INTRUDER (Followed by initial detail of the situation)
ÒùÐÔÊÓƵ ALERT Categories:
- When a fire alarm sounds, EVACUATE
- Gather your personal belongings, if time permits (coats, keys purse, etc.), and exit the building
- Do NOT use elevators
- Use stairs to reach ground level
- Help direct people with special needs to a safe place
- When evacuation is ordered, follow the directions of Public Safety and Campus Administrators.
- Take personal belongings if time permits
- Evacuate in a safe, orderly manner via closest exit
- Help direct people with special needs to a safe place
- Do not re-enter the building until Public Safety issues the "ALL CLEAR" message
- Shelter in place
- Select an interior room closest to ground level
- Stay away from exterior doors and windows
- if in residence halls, move to the lowest level
- Remain sheltered in place until Public Safety give the "ALL CLEAR" message
- If outside, seek shelter indoors immediately
- Remain inside for your own safety
- Do not exit building until Public Safety issue the "ALL CLEAR" message
RUN
- Have an escape route and plan in mind
- Leave your belongings behind
- Evacuate regardless of whether others agree to follow
- Help others escape, if possible
- Do not attempt to move the wounded
- Prevent others from entering an area where the active shooter may be
- Keep your hands visible
- Call 9-1-1 when you are safe
HIDE
- Hide in area out of the intruder's view
- LOCKDOWN ISSUED: Lock door or block entry to your hiding place
- Silence your cell phone (including vibrate mode) and remain quiet
FIGHT
- Fight as a last report and only when your life is in imminent danger.
- Attempt to incapacitate the intruder
- Act with as much physical aggression as possible
- Improvise weapons or throw items at the active intruder
- Commit to your actions… your life depends on it!
Campus State Of Emergency
The University Emergency Management Coordinator will recommend a course of action to the University President or the President’s designee. The President or designee then will decide whether if an emergency or a disaster declaration is warranted. If there is an immediate life threatening situation and no time to make recommendations, the University Emergency Management Coordinator is authorized to make the decision to declare a University Emergency or Disaster.
Local, County or State – What does a State of Emergency mean to me?
A "State Of Emergency" - What It Means To You
- New Jersey State law (N.J.S.A. App.A:9-37) allows the Governor and County and Local Emergency Management Coordinators to declare a State of Emergency during significant weather events and natural disasters. The emergency declaration is a tool used by the government officials who are managing the emergency. It allows State agencies to quickly respond to needs of citizens, reassign personnel, and deploy vehicles, trucks, and equipment to respond to the incident. A State of Emergency allows the government to act more quickly than it can during non-emergency times.
- What does this mean to you ? When a State of Emergency is issued, State and/or local Emergency Management officials will communicate with New Jersey's citizens through traditional media outlets such as television, radio and newspapers, and through other information channels, such as the Internet or the Emergency Alert System. Citizens should pay close attention to news reports when a State of Emergency is announced.
- At times, travel restrictions are part of a State of Emergency. This will be described as a "Travel Ban" being in effect. This is typically done to allow snowplows to clear the roads. At other times government offices may be closed, or evacuations may be recommended. A State of Emergency permits government officials to recommend specific actions that citizens should take to insure the safety of their families and homes during the emergency. Each emergency is different, and different factors will impact the decisions made by State officials in response to the incident.
- Large and small private businesses should make informed decisions about early closures, delayed openings, cancellations and closures based on current and impending weather conditions, emergency plans and policies of your organization, designation of essential employees, and restrictions on travel. If travel restrictions are put into place, it will limit whether or not employees can travel to your worksite.
Frequently Asked Questions Regarding A State Of Emergency In New Jersey:
The Governor declares a State of Emergency when he/she believes a disaster has occurred or may be imminent that is severe enough to require State aid to supplement local resources in preventing or alleviating damages, loss, hardship or suffering. This declaration authorizes the Governor to speed State agency assistance to communities in need. It enables him to make resources immediately available to rescue, evacuate, shelter, provide essential commodities (i.e., heating fuel, food, etc.) and quell disturbances in affected localities. It may also position the State to seek federal assistance when the scope of the event exceeds the State's resources.
The declaration empowers the New Jersey Office of Emergency Management (NJOEM) to act on behalf of the Governor to employ the resources and assets of State, local and private agencies to provide immediate assistance to localities. Typically, the New Jersey State Police, National Guard, and departments of Environmental Protection, Transportation and Health are called upon rather quickly to respond to the event, and other departments are added as needed.
After the Governor issues the declaration, NJOEM puts the State Emergency Operations Plan into effect. It may also activate the State Emergency Operations Center to full 24-hour staffing to coordinate and direct State response and recovery operations. In addition, NJOEM may call on a number of private agencies such as the American Red Cross, The Salvation Army, and the Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD) network to fulfill critical missions. The Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service (RACES) often provides backup emergency communications and the Civil Air Patrol may assist in search and rescue missions.
The Governor's declaration does not normally restrict citizen movements or activities. The State may limit access to affected areas due to concerns for public safety but will notify the public of these restrictions. If it is necessary to impose vehicular or personal movement restrictions, the New Jersey Office of Emergency Management will alert the public using all available means, including, but not limited to: the Emergency Alert System, urgent press releases, DOT highway signs, law enforcement teletypes, etc. Every effort will be made by NJOEM to facilitate safe passage for utility, health care and emergency services workers whose presence is necessary for public safety or in response to the Emergency.
The Governor will rescind the State of Emergency when it is no longer needed to provide necessary support to localities or until the threat of impending danger from the event has passed.
Source: NJ Office of Emergency Management
