EMERGENCY RESPONSE PLAN

On Campus

Off Campus

On-the-Job Injury

Winter Storm Cancellation of Classes

Tornado

EMERGENCY EVACUATION

When the fire alarm sounds or you are asked to evacuate, leave the building immediately. Explanation, if needed, will be provided later.

Evacuation procedure for fire, bomb threats, or gas leaks. 

1. Evacuate the Main Building, Annex Building, Student Success Center Building, Health Science Building and the Student Union Building to Forest Park and away from fire hydrants.

2. Evacuate the Fine Arts Building, Continuing Education Building, Multi-purpose Building and Buildings 1125-1127-1129 to Forest Park and away from fire hydrants.

3. Ask students to take belongings with them, if situation permits.

4. Instructors will take a roll call and make sure a class list is available and taken with them if ordered to leave the room.

5. Office supervisors are responsible for all employees in their work area.

6. During inclement weather, it may be necessary to move students to an alternate off-campus location. In these cases, the location will be communicated to you at the time of evacuation.

FIRE

Upon the discovery of fire or smoke, every person shall vacate the building by shortest route to the exterior. Once outside, employees and students will proceed to the established evacuation site as listed under Emergency Evacuation Plan and stay there until notified by a member of the Emergency Response Team that it is safe to return to the building.

If the automatic alarm system has not sounded, the person who observed the fire will proceed to the nearest pull station and activate the alarm system, then notify the switchboard operator to call 911.

Evacuation Routes are posted in each classroom and office area.

INJURY/ILLNESS/ACCIDENTS

ON CAMPUS

In case of serious injury or illness on campus, the immediate concern is to aid the injured/sick employee or student. 

1. Evaluate the situation.  If illness requires immediate medical attention, call 911.

2. All incoming calls will be directed to:

   1. Vice President Student Services for student situations.

   2. Vice President Finance and Operations for non-student situations.

3. The president or designee will contact family members.

4. The president or designee will notify the entire staff.

5. All information or news releases to the campus and/or the general public will be through the College President or his designee.

OFF CAMPUS

In the event of an off-campus drowning, car wreck, bus wreck, suicide, or serious health problem of a student or an instructor, the following actions will be taken:

1. Gather facts and relay information to any member of the emergency response team.

2. Communicate with family members of the victim.

3. Notify employees and recommend how they should respond to the students’ questions and offer support to those who need it.

4. Issue statement of known facts regarding the situation. All information or news releases to the campus and/or the general public will be through the College President or his designee.

5. In case of death, remove victim’s name from mailing lists, billing lists, memos, rosters, etc.

6. Arrange for family to gather victim’s personal belongings.

Employees who suffer an on-the-job injury/illness should remember the following:

Regardless of severity, report all on-the-job injuries/illnesses immediately to your supervisor AND the Human Resources Department at extension 1234 or 1230. According to Kansas state law, employees must report on-the-job injuries/illnesses within 10 days.

1. In emergency situations, immediately call 911. As soon as reasonably possible, contact Human Resources to file an accident report and obtain additional instruction/information.

2. In non-emergency situations, notify Human Resources at extension 1234 or 1230 to file an accident report and secure a referral to the appropriate medical facility.

3. Although some on the job injuries/illnesses may not require medical attention, always promptly notify Human Resources so that an accident report can be filed in the event you need medical treatment later.

Because the accident report that is completed by Human Resources is a detailed report you must contact HR to ensure that it has the proper details/information regarding the incident. Upon completion of its report, HR submits it to Workers’ Compensation Insurance for processing and bill payment.
 

UTILITY EMERGENCIES

The procedures listed below should be used in the event of an emergency or interruption of service involving any of the following utilities:

Water and Electricity

• During normal business hours, contact the Facilities Department at extension 1235/1284 or the Business Office at extension 1231.

• After normal business hours, contact James Babb at 423-1496 or Jim Fish at 421-3154.

Gas

• All individuals should immediately leave the building and move a safe distance away.

• While exiting the building, do not use telephones, electrical switches or any device that might trigger an explosion.

• During normal business hours, promptly contact the Facilities Department at extension 1235/1284 or the Business Office at extension 1231 for assistance.

• After normal business hours, contact James Babb at 423-1496 or Jim Fish at 421-3154.

WEATHER EMERGENCIES

WINTER STORM CANCELLATION OF CLASSES

When snow or ice threatens the normal class schedule, listen to local radio and TV stations regarding changes in the schedule.  If the radio or TV station does not state that LCC classes have been canceled, classes will be held on the normal schedule.

In the event of cancellations, you will hear one of the following announcements.

1. “Day classes are canceled.  Evening/Extension classes beginning at or after 5:30 p.m. will meet on the normal schedule.”

2. “Classes are canceled for both day and evening/extension.”

3. “Evening/Extension classes are canceled.”

Local radio stations, KLKC, KKOW, and KGGF, and TV stations, KOAM, KSN, and KODE will broadcast announcements beginning at 6:15 a.m., or regarding evening/extension classes, at 3:15 p.m.

The Vice-President of Academic Affairs and Vice-President of Finance and Operations will consult regarding road conditions.  The Vice-President of Academic Affairs will make a recommendation to the President who will act to authorize canceled classes.  If classes are canceled, the President (or in his absence, the Vice-President of Academic Affairs) will contact the Director of Public Relations who will contact radio and TV stations.

Under no circumstances should an instructor or other employee assume responsibility for canceling a class due to weather concerns.  In the event an instructor cannot drive to the class location, her/his supervisor should be informed.  The supervisor will determine what actions will be taken.

Cancellation of Classes by Location

The college will cancel classes on the basis of location.  Location means:  (1) Parsons, and (2) extension locations.

Timelines for Cancellation

1. Day Classes:  Normally a decision to cancel day classes will be made no later than 6:00 a. m. or as soon as possible thereafter.

2. Evening/Extension Classes:  A decision to cancel evening/extension classes will be made no later than 3:00 p.m.  Evening/Extension classes may be held even if day classes were canceled.

3. Extension Classes:  Extension classes will not be held if the facility in which they are meeting is closed that day.

TORNADO

The Environmental Services personnel will notify employees and students of possible approaching tornadoes during the evening and by the Emergency Response Team during regular working hours. Instructors will account for all students in their classes.  Buildings will be evacuated as follows:

MAIN BUILDING
Everyone move to the inside hallways

ANNEX
If time permits, move to the first floor of the Main building. If not, move to A104.
 

STUDENT SUCCESS CENTER
If time permits, move to the first floor of the Main building. If not, move to A103.
 

HEALTH SCIENCE BUILDING
First floor, move to classroom H118.
Second floor, move to classroom H224.

STUDENT UNION BUILDING
Move to the restrooms or bookstore.

BUILDINGS 1125-1127-1129
Move to the south end of building 1125.

MULTI-PURPOSE BUILDING
Move to the locker rooms.

FINE ARTS BUILDING
If time permits, move to the Multi-purpose building locker rooms. 
 

CAMPUS/WORKPLACE VIOLENCE

Remember, your personal safety is of primary importance in any violent situation.  Do not do anything that might jeopardize your safety or increase the risk or level of injury to yourself or others.

If you observe a violent act:

1. DO NOT physically intercede or try to restrain the aggressor(s).

2. Call any Emergency Response Team Member for assistance.  They will respond to the location and, if necessary, contact the Parsons Police Department for assistance.

3. Encourage others in the area not to become involved and, if possible, to leave the area.

If you are confronted by an irrational and/or aggressive individual:

1. Listen to what the individual has to say.

2. Speak to him/her in a clear, quiet voice.

3. Explain that you are willing to help him/her.

4. Respect and do not crowd into his/her personal space.

5. Never argue with an irrational or aggressive individual.

6. If necessary, contact any Emergency Response Team Member for assistance.

7. To the extent possible, use logic and reason to calm the individual.

8. If you feel the safety of others is in jeopardy, ask them to leave the area, then contact a member of the Emergency Response Team.

ENVIRONMENTAL EMERGENCIES & MAIL HANDLING PROCEDURES

HAZARDOUS MATERIALS

A large, off campus, chemical spill becomes a danger because of toxic fumes.  College officials will receive notification from county emergency personnel if college evacuation is necessary.

If the college is downwind of a hazardous material spill, the following actions should be taken:

1. The president’s office must be notified so that communications may be made with the community.

2. Notify Emergency Response Team.

3. All doors, windows, and ventilation systems should be closed.

4. If necessary evacuate students and staff, to an alternate location. Faculty and staff are responsible for maintaining accurate lists of students in their charge.

MAIL HANDLING PROCEDURES

Although the health/environmental risks from mail are low, awareness is the best precaution. The information below is offered to answer two of the most frequently asked questions about handling mail here at the college.

1. What should I do with a “suspect” letter or parcel?

   1. Call any member of the Emergency Response Team immediately, move away from the item and do not allow anyone to leave or enter the area.

2. What makes a letter or parcel “suspicious”?

   1. From someone unexpected or unknown

   2. To someone who no longer works here

   3. Handwritten and no return address

   4. Return address does not match postmark or is not legitimate

   5. Possibly misspelled words, wrong title, title only

   6. Possibly a foreign postmark

   7. Lopsided, lumpy, bulky or rigid appearance

   8. Excessive tape or string or protruding wire(s)

   9. Unusual odors

   10. Unusual stains, discoloring, crystals or powder

 Also, the United States Postal Service suggests:

1. Use an uncluttered surface for mail handling.

2. Scan thoroughly for “suspect” indicators before opening.

3. Wash your hands extensively after handling mail.

The Print Shop will close at 9:00 a.m. while the mail is being sorted and will re-open when finished, approximately 30 minutes. The Print Shop will remain open until 8:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday and until 5:00 p.m. on Friday.
 

BOMB THREATS

BOMB THREAT PROCEDURES

A majority of bomb threats are hoaxes and result in nothing more than a disruption of routine.  However, there is always a chance a threat may be authentic, and appropriate action must be taken in each case.

1.     Upon receipt of a bomb threat, the person receiving the call should make every attempt to:

   1. Prolong the conversation as much as possible.

   2. Identify background noises.

   3. Note distinguishing voice characteristics.

   4. Interrogate the caller as to description of bomb.

   5. Determine the caller’s knowledge of the facility.

   6. DO NOT HANG UP THE PHONE.  (Use another phone to call authorities.)

   7. DO NOT USE TWO-WAY RADIOS.  They can trigger explosive devices.

   8. DO NOT USE CELL PHONES.  They can trigger explosive devices.

2. The person receiving the call will immediately call 911 and any member of the Emergency Response Team. The team member will then notify the President.

3. The President will confirm notification of the police and call the Emergency Response Team.

4. The Emergency Response Team will decide whether to evacuate the school immediately and search the facility or make a preliminary search prior to any other action.

5. The bomb can be almost anything, ranging from the most overt bundle of dynamite and clock to a cleverly concealed, perfectly ordinary object like a briefcase, toolbox or piece of pipe.  You will be looking for something that doesn’t belong.

6. If what appears to be a bomb is found, DO NOT TOUCH IT.  The law enforcement authorities will take charge.

7. If the caller indicates a time the bomb is due to explode and the President determines the threat is valid, the standard fire evacuation procedure with possible modifications will be announced for evacuation of the facility.

8. Instructors will take a roll call and make sure a class list is available and taken with them, if ordered to leave the room.  Office supervisors are responsible to account for all employees in their work area.

9. Evacuate personnel from the building.  During inclement weather and a possible prolonged search, move students to an alternate location.

10. After all students have been evacuated, Maintenance will lock the doors to the building and will not unlock them until the building is considered safe.

11. Check absentee list for possible clues to who might have phoned in the bomb scare.

12. Attendance will be taken when the students are assembled away from the school.

13. All information or news releases to the campus and/or general public will be through the College President or his designee.

 Click here for Bomb Threat Check list
 

FACULTY/STAFF GUIDELINES

If the person in charge activates emergency response guidelines, faculty/staff should:

1. Close classroom doors.

2. Keep students in room to stop hall traffic.

3. Take a roll count and make sure a class list is available and taken with you if ordered to leave the room.

4. If ordered to evacuate, follow the emergency evacuation plan, unless other instructions are given, such as a tornado.

5. If unable to receive instructions and the building seems to be in danger, get students into the safest possible environment (away from windows, under desk, into hall) and, if time permits, shut off all power equipment.

6. DO NOT COMMENT TO STUDENTS until you are notified of the facts.  After receiving verification from a member of the Emergency Response Team, you should acknowledge what has happened and explain the situation in appropriate terms.

7. NEVER use the term “suicide” in relaying information to students.

8. Try to model appropriate expression of feelings and allow students to express their feelings.  Conditions will return to normal more quickly if emotions are released.

9. Be alert for students who seem to be experiencing more than normal stress and may need to be given special counseling.  Notify the Vice-President of Student Services as soon as possible.

10. Allow students to talk out their feelings as they are in a secure place and/or the facts have been relayed to them.

11. When class resumes, you may need to adjust assignments, postpone test, and provide an opportunity for students to discuss what has happened.

12. It may be appropriate to allow students to write about their feelings and vent their frustrations in a constructive way.

13. All information or news releases to the campus and/or the general public will be through the College President or his designee.

EMERGENCY RESPONSE TEAM PHONE NUMBERS

COLLEGE EMERGENCY RESPONSE TEAM
REPORT EMERGENCY TO ANY MEMBER OF THE RESPONSE TEAM

EMERGENCY DIRECTORY