Building Emergency Plans

Policy 302.4

Introduction

Appalachian State University’s Emergency Operations Plan (EOP) provides the context and institutional framework for responding to natural and human caused disasters that may affect the campus. It consists of a Base Plan, which identifies key emergency responders and establishes priorities for decision making; Emergency Support Functions, which detail response steps for specific university functions; and Annexes, which describe response actions that must be taken in specific disasters. Contact University Police, Office of Emergency Plans and Operations to obtain copies of this plan (828-262-8081). You may also read the Base Plan online at emergency.appstate.edu.

In the event of a disaster or major emergency, Appalachian State officials will alert the community using several methods. Immediate notifications will be made through AppState-ALERT sirens, voice and text messages, and campus e-mail. Subsequent emergency information will be posted online at emergency.appstate.edu.

When an emergency occurs, Appalachian State University community members can take steps to protect themselves. This plan details emergency procedures that will be taken by the departments and units within each building on campus.

Scope

This plan serves as a life safety and emergency response plan for the departments and units within this building. This plan does not provide for the business continuity and/or disaster recovery processes of individual departments. This plan is applicable during or immediately following an emergency or disaster within the building. All occupants should become familiar with this Plan.

Definitions

All clear

This means the immediate danger is over and that most functions may resume normal operations, occupants may re-enter buildings and/or move about campus without restriction unless specifically directed otherwise. Specific guidance regarding University events will be posted to the emergency webpage.

Evacuation

This is the movement of persons from a dangerous or potentially dangerous place to a safe place. Examples are the evacuation of a building due to a bomb threat or fire. In an extreme situation(e.g., a flood), large portions of and perhaps the entire campus may be required to evacuate.

Evacuation Assembly Area (EAA)

This is the area(s) to which all building occupants should report following a building evacuation. Most EAAs are pre-identified locations, although specific incidents may require the EAA to relocate.

Lockdown

A lockdown is designed to prevent people from entering or leaving a building. Additionally, movement inside the building is restricted. If the term “lockdown” is used, University Police will limit it to specific buildings that are in immediate danger. The term “lockdown” will only be used when there is information indicating an imminent threat from an armed or dangerous person(s) on campus. Whenever possible, the specific building(s) affected should be identified in the declaration of a lockdown.

Shelter in place

This is a term that may be used in an emergency during which hazardous materials may have been released into the atmosphere. People should go indoors and find an interior room or hallway with no or few windows and take refuge there until an evacuation can be safely initiated or an all clear is given. This does not mean leaving your building to go to a storm shelter, nor does it mean locking and sealing off your office or room.

Seek safe shelter

During an elevated or high risk condition, students, staff and faculty may be directed to seek safe shelter. This is a precautionary measure aimed at keeping you safe while indoors. When possible, exterior doors to buildings should be locked but movement inside the building is not necessarily restricted. During this time people whom you know or do not fit the description of the suspect(s) may be let into your building.

Building Coordinator

A pre-designated person(s) responsible for acting as a liaison for each building on campus. The duties of building coordinator include both planning and preparedness functions, as well as specific responsibilities during an emergency or disaster.

Campus condition

The condition that the campus is currently operating under. This condition may change as information is received. Recognized conditions are:

• Normal: The University is operating under normal conditions. There is no emergency information.
• Guarded: There is some credible general threat information that may affect the University. (Examples include an FBI alert of a threat directed at a college campus in North Carolina, or a hurricane warning for western North Carolina.)
• Elevated: There is credible information about a specific threat directed towards the University. (Examples may include, a man-made threat or flash flood warning.)
• High Risk (Emergency): There is information of an immediate threat on campus or directly involving the University. (Examples may include an active shooter or a hazardous materials leak on campus.)