Emergency Response Guide
Emergency Phone Numbers/Reporting Emergencies:
GHC Campus Safety…………………………..706-252-4813
911 Operator……………………………………………..911
When reporting an incident:
- Stay on the line with dispatcher.
- Provide address, location, incident description.
- Provide the phone number at your location.
- Provide a thorough description of the incident to assure appropriate resources are dispatched.
REMEMBER: YOU may be the first line of defense, the eyes and ears watching out for the safety of GHC
Person(s) Trapped in Elevator
REPORT IT: Contact GHC Safety at 706-252-4813. If no answer, call Buildings and Grounds at 706-295-6350. If no answer, call 911.
When reporting an incident:
- Give location of the elevator.
- Estimate of the number of people trapped.
- Report any injuries.
- Report any noises or occurrences that preceded the event.
Be Prepared:
- For each elevator you ride, locate the elevator STOP button, and make sure you don’t accidently press or pull it.
- Be on the lookout for children who like to push or pull the STOP button.
Power Outage/Water Leak
REPORT IT: Contact GHC buildings and grounds at the following extension: 706-295-6350, after hours call 706-252-4813.
When reporting an incident:
- Provide location of the incident.
- Report any noises or occurrences that preceded the incident.
Be Prepared:
- Have a flashlight handy.
- Know how to locate the nearest exit.
- If a leak threatens your work area, move items off the floor onto desks/tables.
- If a hazard exists, evacuation may be the next step.
- Office of college relations will make necessary announcements regarding campus closings.
Vehicular Collisions
REPORT IT: 1) Call Campus Safety at 706-252-4813.
2) Fire and/or EMS personnel are required, dial 911.
When reporting an incident:
- Stay on the line with dispatcher.
- Provide address and location description.
- Provide the phone number at your location.
- Provide a thorough description of the incident to assure appropriate resources are dispatched.
Be Prepared:
- Place “lead-in” at main campus entry points or obvious locations to intercept safety/fire/EMS crews, and direct them to the collision site.
- Don’t move victims unless there is a threat of fire, explosion, or other extreme risk.
Hurricane Preparedness
Up-to-date status reports will be provided by the office of college relations via GHC Connect.
CHECKLIST! Before leaving campus:
- Turn off and unplug electrical equipment.
- Move computers/fax machines/printers from rooms with exterior windows.
- Back up essential data files and documents.
- Secure or remove back-up diskettes, CDs, or tapes.
- Secure proprietary information.
- Clear desk surfaces.
- Secure or remove personal items.
- Cover your computer with plastic.
- Close blinds.
- If necessary, assist employees with disabilities.
- Vacate offices, closing and locking doors.
For campus updates:
- Listen to local television and/or radio stations.
- Call GHC’s main number. 706.802.5000
- Check your e-mail account from home.
- Check your voicemail from home.
- Logon to college website.
If the campus is damaged, be prepared to work from auxiliary locations when notified by your supervisor.
Earthquake Response Plan
Drop, Cover, & Hold!
Regardless of your location on campus (hallway, classroom, multi-story building or outside) it is important to know what to do and how to protect your in an earthquake. Practice what to do during an earthquake and teach yourself how to react automatically when the shaking starts.
If you are outside when the shaking starts, get into an open area away from trees, building, walls, and power lines. Remain in the clear until the shaking stops. If you are on a sidewalk near a building, duck into a doorway to protect yourself from falling bricks, glass, plaster, or other debris. Once the shaking stops, move to an assigned assembly point and await instructions from the command center.
Procedures Inside Building
Drop
Drop down to the floor.
Cover
Take cover under a sturdy desk, table, or other furniture, if that is not possible, seek cover against an interior wall. Protect your head and neck with your arms. Avoid danger spots near windows, hanging objects, mirrors, or tall furniture.
Hold
If you take cover under a sturdy piece of furniture, HOLD on to it and be prepared to move with it. Hold the position until the ground stops shaking and it is safe to move.
High-Rise or Multi-Story Buildings
If you are in a multi story building, and an earthquake hits, follow the drop, cover and hold procedures. If you are not near a desk or table, move against an interior wall, and protect your head with your arms. Do not be surprised if the fire alarm or sprinkler system is activated. Once the shaking has stopped and it is safe to move, evacuate the building as quickly as possible. Do not use the elevators.
Additional Information
If you are in a wheelchair , stay in it. Move to cover if possible, lock your wheels, and protect your head with your arms.
Injured/Trapped
Once the shaking has stopped, and you have been injured or are trapped in a building/room by falling debris, yell for help to notify others of your situation. If a window is available, hang piece of clothing out the window to alert others of your location.Once the shaking has stopped and it is safe to move, move to your designated assembly point and await instructions from the command center.
Medical Emergency
REPORT IT: For major incidents, first call EMS by dialing 911, then notify campus safety, 706-252-4813.
2) For minor incidents, call campus safety, 706-252-4813.
When reporting an incident:
- Stay on the line with dispatcher.
- Provide address and location description.
- Provide the phone number at your location.
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Tell dispatcher exactly what the incident involves:
- How many victims are involved?
- Is victim conscious?
- Is victim breathing?
- Does victim have a pulse?
- Is there severe bleeding?
REMEMBER!
- As you speak, response units may be in route to incident location, so don’t cut information short. Be thorough.
- Pre-arrival instructions are very helpful to the responding units, so collect as much information possible.
- Place “lead-in” guides at main campus entry points or obvious locations to intercept safety/fire/EMS crews, and direct them to the incident site.
Fumes/Vapors/Gas Leaks
REPORT IT: 1) Call fire department by dialing 911, then notify campus safety, 706-252-4813.
2) Pull fire alarm switch as you evacuate building except for flammable gas leaks.
3) After contacted by campus safety, buildings and grounds may shut off air handlers.
When reporting an incident:
- Stay on the line with the dispatcher.
- Provide address and location description.
- Provide the phone number at your location.
- Explain the situation to dispatcher in detail.
Evacuate using the NEAREST EXIT. If possible, avoid using elevator or ordinary stairs. Instead, seek emergency stairways.
REMEMBER!
- Any spark may cause an ignition leading to an explosion.
- You may be overcome quickly by gas fumes, so quick evacuation is imperative.
- Some dangerous gases do not have an odor, so don’t let your safety be controlled by your sense of smell.
Fire/Explosion
REPORT IT: 1) Call fire department by dialing 911, then notify campus safety, 706-252-4813.
2) Pull fire alarm switch as you depart building.
When reporting an incident:
- Stay on the line with dispatcher.
- Provide address and location description.
- Provide the phone number at your location.
- Explain the situation to dispatcher in detail,
Evacuate using the NEAREST EXIT. If possible, avoid using elevator or ordinary stairs. Instead, seek emergency stairways.
REMEMBER!
- Use portable fire extinguisher if appropriate.
- A fire can double in size every thirty seconds, so speed is essential.
- If environmental is smokey, “stay low and go.”
Be prepared:
- Locate and learn how to use fire extinguishers, standpipe hoses, exits, evacuation routes, and emergency stairways in your life path before an emergency exists.
- Practice exiting your area by imagining you are in a dark, smokey environment-count doorways, turns, etc.
Hazardous Material Incident
REPORT IT: 1) Call fire department by dialing 911, then notify campus safety, 706-252-4813.
2) Pull fire alarm switch as you evacuate building.
3) After contacted by campus safety, buildings and grounds may shut off air handlers.
When reporting an incident:
- Stay on line with the dispatcher.
- Provide address and location description.
- Provide the phone number at your location.
- Explain situation to the dispatcher including details of spill, vapor cloud, etc.
- If you know the name of the spilled product, report it to the dispatcher.
Evacuate using the NEAREST EXIT. If possible, avoid using elevator or ordinary stairs. Instead, seek emergency stairways.
Do not attempt to clean up spill unless you are trained to do so!
REMEMBER!
- Close all doors in order to isolate area.
- Any spark may cause an ignition leading to a possible explosion.
- Locate the MSDS for spilled/leaking material.
- You and your students/co-workers may be contaminated and may need to go through the decontamination process in order to protect the lives of yourself, friends, and family. If you suspect contamination, don’t leave the site until you are cleared by HazMat personnel.
Bomb Threat
REPORT IT: Call campus safety at 706-252-4813. If unable to contact, call County Police/Sheriff by dialing 911.
When reporting an incident:
- Stay on the line with dispatcher.
- Provide address and location description.
- Provide the phone number at your location.
-
Tell dispatcher exactly what threat caller said:
- Write down information. Do not rely on memory.
- When is the bomb going to explode?
- Where is the bomb located?
- What does it look like?
- What will cause it to explode?
- Did caller place the bomb?
- How many bombs are there?
- Why was bomb placed here?
- What is your address?
- What is your name?
Be perceptive. Listen for and try to detect:
- Age of caller
- Gender of caller
- Race of caller
- Any unusual voice characteristics
- Exact wording of threat
- Background noises
- Language ability of caller
If EVACUATION is recommended, follow the directions of the safety.
BE ALERT! Some bombers plant devices in the evacuation area.
Psychological Crisis/Suicide Threat
REPORT IT: 1) Call campus safety at 706-252-4813.
2) If EMS is required, dial 911.
When reporting an incident:
- Stay on the line with dispatcher.
- Provide address and location description.
- Provide the phone number at your location.
- Explain the situation to dispatcher in detail.
REMEMBER!
- Take the student seriously. Most suicidal students give some warning of their intentions before taking some kind of action.
- Acknowledge that a threat of, or attempt at suicide is a plea for help which you simply cannot ignore. Don’t agree to keep this kind of discussion private. Speak to the “part of the student which hasn’t yet given up hope.”
- Discuss your concern that a student might be suicidal. This kind of discussion can actually reduce the likelihood of harmful behavior.
- Assist the student in formulating a plan of action in response to suicidal intention. Walk them over to counseling immediately.
- Keep your own safety in mind. A student may not intend to harm you, but it can happen due to their emotional distress.
- Most people who attempt suicide are neither “crazy” nor psychotic. Don’t let a less intense demeanor disguise true intent of suicide.
Violence/Fighting
REPORT IT: 1) Call campus safety at 706-252-4813. If unable to contact, call County Police by dialing 911.
When reporting an incident:
- Stay on the line with dispatcher.
- Provide address and location description.
- Provide the phone number at your location.
- Explain the situation to dispatcher in detail including any injuries incurred.
Pay close attention to:
REPORT IT: 1) Call campus safety at 706-252-4813. If unable to contact, call County Police by dialing 911.
When reporting an incident:
YOUR SAFETY COMES FIRST! YOU SHOULD ALWAYS IMMEDIATELY TAKE COVER. NEVER TRY TO PLAY THE HERO.
Cover is considered: solid masonry wall, thick tree, engine block
Concealment is considered: sheetrock wall, desk, bushes.
If shooter is inside and you cannot escape:
If possible, try to get a description of the shooter’s:
If possible, try to get a description of the weapon(s).
- How many people are involved?
- Do you see any weapons?
- Is anyone injured? If yes, call EMS.
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Describe the participants by noting:
- Ethnicity, hair color
- Height, weight
- Gender
- General build
- Facial hair
- Markings: tattoos, piercings
- Shirt color
- Pants color
- Shoes and hat description
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Is someone running away from the scene?
- In what direction?
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Into what vehicle?
- Color
- Make/model
- License plate number
- Any passengers?
- Traveling in which direction?
Help clear away bystanders in danger.
Stay away from fight area.
Remember that weapons may be involved.
- Stay on line with dispatcher.
- Provide address and location description.
- Provide the phone number at your location.
- Explain the situation to dispatcher in detail including any injuries incurred.
- Describe shooter to dispatcher.
- Provide last known location of shooter.
- Shelter others then lock your door.
- Hide away from glassed area.
- Get out of view, find cover.
- Be very quiet, listen.
- Be sure that safety have been notified.
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- Ethnicity, hair color
- Height, weight
- Gender
- General build
- Facial hair
- Markings: tattoos, piercings
- Shirt color
- Pants color
- Shoes and hat description
- How many weapons do you see?
- What type of weapons are they?
- How many shots were fired at once?
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In case of tornado activity, you may be alerted by one or more of the following methods:
- Pop-up e-mail on your computer screen
- Voicemail/e-mail messages
- Emergency Response Team member
- Safety
Because of the absence of a campus-wide PA system, if you observe tornado activity, please notify those in your area, then contact campus safety, 706-252-4813.
- When alert is given, all classes and campus operations will cease immediately.
- Immediately report to an interior or hallway.
- Avoid areas with glass or loose items that can become airborne projectiles.
- Remain in a safe location until safety gives the “all clear” when appropriate.
If campus is struck by a tornado, the GHC Emergency Response Team will be activated and standard emergency procedures will be put into action.
Be prepared:
- Identify safe areas before a tornado threat occurs.
- Use internet site to monitor weather conditions. In case of power outage, have a battery-powered radio handy to listen for updates and a flashlight available.
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Shelter in Place
A SHELTER-IN-PLACE order occurs when the outside environment is not safe to enter.
All people on campus must immediately report inside and be prepared to stay inside until the area is cleared.
The air handlers will be turned off and buildings must be sealed if a toxic environment exists outside.
You will be alerted by one or more of these methods:
- Pop-up e-mail on your computer screen
- Voicemail/e-mail messages
- Emergency Response Team member
- GHC Connect
REMEMBER!
- If a Shelter-In-Place occurs, it will probably be newsworthy so your family, friends, etc. will know that you are inside and okay.
- GHC office of college relations will be in contact with news and media and will keep campus personnel informed of the situation via e-mail or voicemail.
- No matter how physically or emotionally uncomfortable you may become, you must not open a door or window! To do so may jeopardize the lives of everyone.
Be prepared:
-
- Keep food and water in your office or workspace if possible.
- Have additional prescription medications available.
- Have a battery-powered radio on hand.
- A fan would be nice during the summer months.
- A flashlight with fresh batteries.
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Campus Evacuation/Closure
In case of campus-wide evacuation/closure, the campus will be evacuated systematically by following standard mass evacuation procedures. The evacuation/closure may be due to an emergency on campus or in the community, or it may be due to a non-emergency situation.
Wait for your building or floor to be called before initiating any type of evacuation in event of campus closure.
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- Foot evacuation: an off-campus gathering point will be communicated to you. Walk to that location and wait for further instructions.
- Motorcoach/Bus: a boarding point will be communicated to you. Walk to that location and board motorcoach/bus.
- Personal vehicle: buildings will be evacuated systematically. Leave only when your floor and building are called. Report directly to your vehicle and leave the campus following the route (if necessary) that is communicated to you.
REMEMBER!
- Evacuation techniques are carefully selected keeping safety in mind. Hazards may exist that you are not aware of, so please follow instructions carefully.
- If you are given a specific route to take while evacuating in your car, take that route in order to avoid driving into a toxic spill, fire, or other undesirable incident.
- If you have a child attending GHC’s child development laboratory school, ask the safety official about the status of their closure and follow the directions you are given. We do not want a parent in harm’s way and taking unnecessary risks when the child is safe. Children may have already been evacuated to a safe place.
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Building Evacuation
You MUST evacuate when ordered to do so. This includes both the activation of an audible/visible fire alarm and/or verbal orders from safety or emergency response team members.
Evacuation procedure:
- Organize the people in your room/work area.
- Count the number of people present.
- Designate a gathering point in case your group gets separated during evacuation.
- Form a line and evacuate out NEAREST SAFE exit.
- When you reach your designated gathering point, count the number of people in your group.
- Keep all people together while waiting outside.
- Report any missing people to safety or any emergency response team member.
- Report your room number and the number of missing individual(s) to safety officials seeking information.
- Re-enter the building only when their evacuation is completed.
Disabled persons evacuation procedure:
- Evacuate out NEAREST SAFE exit.
- Use elevator in different building (not involved in fire) for vertical egress.
- Ask for a guide to accompany the person.
- Designate a gathering point for disabled person and guide to meet larger group when their evacuation is completed.
REMEMBER!
- Do not use elevators if your building is on fire or if a hazardous material is spilled in the area of the elevator.
- Do not allow individuals to report to their vehicles and exit campus unless ordered to do so by safety or emergency response team members.
- If a person insists on leaving campus without authorization, notify the safety or emergency response team member in your area. It may be unsafe to walk/travel in certain areas or start auto ignitions.
EMERGENCY PHONE NUMBERS:
Hospitals
Floyd Medical Center, Rome-706.509.5000
Redmond Regional Medical Center-706.291.0291
Cartersville Medical Center-770.382.1530
Law Enforcement Agencies
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911
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Rome Police Department
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706.238.5100
Floyd County Police
Chief Bill Shiflett-706.235.7766
Floyd County Sheriff’s Department
Sheriff Tim Burkhalter-706.236.2466
Lt. Tom Caldwell-706.236.2466
Cave Spring Public Safety
706.777.3384
Georgia State Patrol (Rome)
706-295.6002
Cartersville Police Department
770.382.2526
Georgia State Patrol (Cartersville)
770.387.3702
Bartow County Sheriff’s Department
770.382.5050
Dallas PD- 770-443-8100
Paulding county sheriff- 770-445-2117
Paulding county fire department- 770-222-1160
Paulding county emergency management- 770-222-1160
Douglasville
Sheriff- 770-942-2121
Phil Miller
6840 West Church St
Douglasville, Ga. 30134
Fire/EMS
Rome Fire Department
706.236.4500
Georgia Forestry Commission
Chief Forest Ranger-706.629.2330
Floyd Medical Center Ambulance Service-706.291.0291
Redmond Regional Medical Center Ambulance Service-706.295.6316
Douglasville: Fire/EMS-770-942-8626
Scott Spencer- Chief
3901 Chapel Hill Rd
Douglasville, GA 30134Other Government Agencies, Regulators
Floyd County Emergency Management Agency/E-911 center
EM Director Scotty Hancock-706.236.5002; 706.252.1640 (Cell); 706.234.3946 (Home)
Floyd County Board of Health
County Health Nurse Mgr.-706.802.5444
County Environmental Health Management and HAZMAT-770.387.5295
Douglasville: Emergency Management- 770-949-3007
Jason Milhollin- Director
6754 Broad St
Douglasville, Ga. 30134Others:
American Red Cross
Director-706.291.
The Salvation Army
706.291.4745
Georgia Highlands College Campus Safety
Floyd Campus-706.295.6347; 706.252.4813 (Cell)
Heritage Hall– 7060.802.5004; 706.252.4817 (cell)
Cartersville campus – 678.872.8300; 678.883.4117 (cell)
Paulding Site- 770.276.5383 (cell)
Douglasville Site- 706.252.2704 (cell)