Emergency Response/Evacuation
Emergencies, disasters, accidents and injuries can occur at any time and without warning. Being prepared physically and mentally to handle emergencies is an individual as well as an organizational responsibility.
An Emergency Response for MCC Employees flip chart is posted in every room of each college building. This handbook is intended for use by faculty, staff and students of McHenry County College. It has been designed to provide a quick reference in cases of emergency. Employees and students should become familiar with its contents.
In addition to this handbook, there are detailed evacuation plans and shelter diagrams in most rooms and open areas to give direction during emergencies.
Campus Public Safety/Police will conduct periodic fire and emergency response drills as part of its emergency awareness plan. The campus uses a variety of avenues to notify the campus community upon confirmation of an emergency or threat, including: mass notification for phones, e-mail and text, public address announcements, television monitors located throughout campus, the MCC Website and the media. MCC will issue a timely warning in response to immediate threat to the safety of our community and for certain crimes specified in the Cleary Act.
In the event of a campus emergency or dangerous situation, MCC Public Safety at the direction of the Administrator in Charge will use these avenues to notify employees and students. Instructions will be given to advise what is required given the circumstance. Employees and students can sign up for mass notifications by going to www.getrave.com/login/mchenry. MCC conducts monthly checks of its mass notification system.
The more prepared you are, the better you will respond to an emergency situation. Any specific questions or comments about this material may be directed to McHenry County College Campus Public Safety/Police.
MCC Emergency Phone Numbers
Call 8733 from an MCC campus phone to reach Campus Public Safety/Police for any non life-threatening situation. Examples might include:
- Requesting assistance with a disruptive student
- Requesting a safety escort to your car
- Unlocking a classroom door
- Reporting vandalism
- Reporting suspicious behavior
- Reporting a suspicious package or letter
In cases of a life-threatening emergency, dial 911 for campus police or Crystal Lake Fire Department. When calling 911 on an MCC phone, it is not necessary to dial 9 first. Campus Public Safety/Police are automatically notified of your location when you call 911 from a campus phone. If you use a cell phone to call 911, be sure to give the exact locatio of the incident you're calling about.
IN AN EMERGENCY, WHEN IN DOUBT, CALL 911.
Medical Emergency Procedures
Life Threatening Injury or Illness
- Do not leave the injured/ill party alone.
- Call "911" and relay information to emergency personnel.
- If trained to do so, begin providing first aid.
- Campus Public Safety/Police personnel are responsible for bringing the AED (Automated External Defibrillator) and first aid equipment. They will coordinate efforts until EMS arrives.
Non Life-Threatening Injury or Illness Requiring Assistance
- Call Campus Public Safety/Police at 8733 or contact the Health and Wellness Nurse at 8581.
Mental Health Emergency and Crisis Assistance Options
- If a student indicates he/she is considering suicide, call Campus Police at 8733 or 911 or accompany the student to the Campus Public Safety/Police office.
Tornado/Severe Weather
- A tornado/severe weather WATCH is in effect when conditions are right for a serious emergency to develop.
- Be alert for announcements.
- Continue classes and office work on a normal basis.
- A tornado/severe weather WARNING is in effect when a tornado or severe storm has been sighted in this or an adjacent county and when its approach to the local area is imminent.
- The public address system will be used to announce a tornado warning and will direct people to move to a safe shelter area.
- Move immediately to a safe shelter area and cover up to avoid injury from flying debris. Safe area locations are posted in each classroom.
- Avoid areas with wide-span roofs, such as the multi-purpose room (gym), library, cafeteria, commons and atrium.
- REMAIN CALM and assist others in locating a designated shelter area.
- Allow anyone with a mobility impairment to have priority access to elevators.
- Remain in the designated safe area until the all-clear is given via the PA system.
- If you are in a vehicle and a tornado is imminent, get out of your car and move to a permanent building or lie in a ditch.
- After the storm has passed, call the Campus Police 8733; for the Shah Center dial Police at "911" to report any injuries or damage to buildings.
- If the building is severely damaged, evacuate as soon as possible after the storm has passed.
Hazardous Material Spills Exposure
To report any incident the McHenry County College Police "8733"; or at Shah Center dial "911". Be prepared to explain:
- Location and type of spill
- Injuries
- Approximate amount of material involved
- Any identifiable reaction
- Who was in contact with spilled substance
Faculty and staff will check their classrooms, offices and work area for suspicious items and report any findings to Campus Public Safety/Police.
- Immediately evacuate the affected area.
- Leave classroom doors open when exiting.
- Be prepared for an off-site evacuation if ordered.
- Remain in the designated safe area until the all-clear is given.
If direct contact is made with a spilled substance, immediately remove contaminated clothing. Flush any point of bodily contact with plenty of water for at least 15 minutes. Report the injury to the Health and Wellness Nurse at "8581".
Some examples of hazardous materials:
Solids, liquids or gases that can harm people, property or the environment, including:
- Radioactive, flammable or explosive materials
- Chemicals containing toxins, pathogens or allergens
- Blood
- Vomit/other bodily fluids
Crisis Management
- Become familiar with the areas you use. Before an incident occurs, know your evacuation route and where to take shelter depending on the emergency.
- STAY CALM. Do not make the situation worse. Do not take foolish chances. Others will respond as you do. Set the example.
- Control the flow of information. Evaluate what is most essential and forward only that. Have a plan to disseminate: What, Who, How, When, etc.
- If you find yourself in charge of an area, delegate duties. Clearly communicate your needs and trust others to do their part. This will aid others who need to feel useful.
- Use plain language during a crisis. Everyone will be under stress. Keep things simple and straightforward.
- Be aware of those around you. Aid others without adding risk to yourself or others. Follow instructions when they are relayed.
- Talk to each other. Simply talking to each other and discussing what could happen and how to respond prepares us for crisis.
- Remember personalities. Stress, fear, fatigue and anger might be present in those around you. Be prepared to deal with human nature. Do not let it frustrate you.
Utility Failures
Electrical Power Failure:
- Move to an area of safety using a flashlight or even your cell phone for light.
- Ensure that others in your area are safe.
- Wait to be notified by College personnel of any other actions to be taken.
- Emergency generators will provide temporary lighting.
- The Presidents Office will determine if the College will close.
Gas Leak:
- Do not turn on lights or any type of electrical equipment.
- Do not activate the fire alarm.
- Do not light matches or lighters.
- Evacuate the area immediately.
- Call 8733 or 911 to notify Campus Public Safety/Police.
- If evacuating, follow evacuation procedures while avoiding areas of hazard.
- Get outside and proceed at least 500 feet away from the building to the grassy area on the other side of the parking lots.
- Be prepared to evacuate to an off-campus relocation site if directed.
- Do not allow anyone to reenter the building until the facility has been deemed safe.
- Remain in the designated safe area until the all-clear is given.
Shah Center site dial:
- For GAS leaks or outages: (630) 844-2040
- For ELECTRIC outages: (800) 376-7693
- For PHONE outages, attempt to make notification by use of the college computer network.
- For WATER outages contact the campus buildings and grounds department.
Fire
Make sure you know the location of fire, exits, alarms and extinguishers for your area.
- Call 911 IMMEDIATELY.
- If a minor fire appears controllable (waste basket size), call 911, then locate the nearest fire extinguisher and promptly direct the charge of the fire extinguisher toward the base of the fire.
- If fire is not controllable, locate the nearest red fire alarm box on a hallway wall and pull down on the white handle to activate the buildings alarm system.
- IMMEDIATELY evacuate the building and contact Campus Public Safety/Police.
- When the fire alarm sounds (a loud siren in the hallways that does not stop) signaling that an emergency does exist, walk quickly to the nearest exit and alert others to do the same.
- Assist people who are mobility-impaired to exit the building.
- Do not use the elevators during a fire.
- Smoke is toxic. If smoke is present, stay close to the floor.
- If you are last to leave an office or classroom, close the door on your way out.
- When you get outside, proceed at least 500 feet away from the building to the grassy area on the other side of the parking lots. Keep fire lanes, hydrants and walkways clear for emergency personnel and vehicles.
- Remain in the designated safe area until the all-clear is given.
- REMAIN CALM.
Threats — Bomb or Biological
Bomb Threat
If you observe a suspicious object or potential bomb in a campus building or on the grounds, do the following:
- Do not touch the object.
- Do not turn anything on or off.
- Evacuate the area immediately.
- Call “8733” or “911” to contact Campus Public Safety/Police. Shah Center, dial Police at "911".
- Do not use cell phones or two-way radios.
- Remain calm.
If you receive a bomb threat, do the following:
- Look at your phone display to see the Caller ID and record the phone number.
- Keep caller on the line as long as possible and alert others in the area.
- Have others call “8733” or “911” to contact Campus Police. Shah Center, dial Police at "911".
- Remain calm.
- Listen, ask questions and record information on:
- Where is the bomb?
- When is the bomb going to explode?
- What kind of bomb is it?
- What does it look like?
- How is it activated?
- Time of call.
- Speech patterns, accent, phrases (“commons,” “atrium“ etc.)
- Emotional state of the caller.
- Background noises.
Biological Threat
- Do not shake, open or empty a suspicious package.
- Cover the package with anything available.
- Leave the room with all occupants, closing the door. Make a list of all people who were in the room, and anyone who was in contact with the item.
- On the main campus, immediately call Campus Safety/Police at “7833”; Shah Center dial Police at "911".
- Wash any exposed skin areas with soap and water. Remove any contaminated clothing and seal it in a plastic bag.
Persons with Physical Disabilities
Mobility-Impaired Persons
Frequently, mobility-impaired persons have respirator complications. Remove these people from smoke or fumes immediately. The needs and preferences of mobility-impaired persons will vary. Always consult the person as to his/her preference with regard to the following:
- Ways of being removed from the wheelchair. WHEELCHAIRS SHOULD NOT BE USED IN STAIRWELLS IF AT ALL POSSIBLE.
- The number of people available and necessary for assistance.
- Whether to extend or move extremities when lifting because of pain, catheter leg bags, spasms, braces, etc.
- Whether a seat cushion or pad should be brought along if they are removed from the chair.
- Being carried forward or backward on a flight of stairs.
Visually Impaired Persons
Most visually impaired persons will be familiar with the immediate area. In the event of an emergency, tell the person the nature of the emergency and offer to guide him/her to safety (this is the preferred method when acting as a “sighted guide”). As you walk, tell the person where you are and advise him/her of any obstacles. When you have reached safety, orient the person to where he/she is and ask if any further assistance is needed. Do not leave the person alone.
Note: Visually impaired persons may be extremely reluctant to leave familiar surroundings when the request for evacuation comes from a stranger. A Guide Dog could become confused or disoriented in a disaster. People who are blind or partially sighted may have to depend on others to lead them, as well as their dog, to safety during an emergency.
Deaf or Hard of Hearing
Persons who are deaf or hard of hearing may not perceive emergency alarms; therefore, an alternative warning technique is required. Two methods of warning are as follows:
- Turn the light switch on and off to gain attention. Then through gestures or in writing, indicate what is happening and what to do.
- Write a note which describes the emergency and the nearest evacuation route (e.g., “Fire—evacuate area. Do not use elevators”).
Workplace Violence
Workplace violence may take many forms and may include use of deadly weapons. Advance warning of the violence is unlikely. Contact the Police at (815) 455-8733 or “8733” in the event of any incident of workplace violence. If the violence is potentially life threatening, dial “911”.
Gunfire/Weapons Observed (Lockdown)- If gunfire is heard and a lockdown has been announced via the public address system:
- Call “911” from a room or cell phone. If it is safe to do so, stay on the line with the dispatcher.
- Clear the hallway and bathrooms near your area by moving everyone into rooms away from windows.
- Lock the doors, turn off the lights and shut the blinds and windows.
- Move away from the doors and windows.
- Have all persons spread out and sit down against an interior wall and remain quiet.
- If a life threatening situation exists and it is safe to do so, exit immediately to a place of safety.
- Ignore all bells and alarms unless otherwise instructed.
- If outside, move students and others to safety and wait for further instructions.
- Take no action to intervene, unless you have no other option.
- Immediately evacuate the building if this action does not put you in greater danger. Carefully avoid the attention of those taking hostages.
- Take no action to intervene.
- On the main campus or Shah Center call the Police by dialing "911". Provide as much information as possible and if safe to do so, remain on the line with the dispatcher.
- Remember to never put yourself in harm's way.