Department of Public Safety

Emergency Procedures Handbook

General Information

Natural Disaster

Safety Related

  • Bomb Threat
  • Bomb Threat Checklist
  • Hostage Situation
  • Civil Disturbance
  • Crime In Progress
  • Crime Prevention Tips

Medical

Power Outage

Inclement Weather

ACTIVE SHOOTER INCIDENTS

 

 

 

GENERAL INFORMATION

Emergency Phone Numbers

On Campus:
If an IMMEDIATE danger exists, call:
Ext. 3333 from a campus phone, or 911 from a land line or cell phone.

If an IMMINENT (not IMMEDIATE, but potential or likely)
danger exists, when there is adequate time for soliciting
routine intervention, call the appropriate number below:

Baruch Emergency                           (646) 660-3333
Public Safety Information Line         (646) 660-6000
Environmental Health and Safety    (646) 660-6480
Buildings and Grounds                     (646) 660-6630
Health Center                                  (646) 312-2040
Psychological Counseling Center     (646) 312-2155
Campus Information (switchboard)   (646) 312-1000

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"Emergency Defined"

An emergency as defined within the context of this guide, is an
unanticipated crisis situation that arises, posing an IMMEDIATE or an IMMINENT threat to the life/lives, safety and/or health of students, faculty, staff, guests or others on our campus. Since such situations usually call for rapid, competent and responsive action, it is helpful to review the appropriate responses to possible emergency scenarios.

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 Evacuation

Evacuation – when conditions outside are safer than inside:

  • Take the closest and safest way out.
  • Use secondary route if primary one is blocked or hazardous.
  • If the emergency is a gas leak or a hazardous material spill, take the route that will keep you upwind of the problem area.
  • Assist those needing special assistance.
  • Do not stop for belongings or records.
  • Do not walk on roads to avoid responding emergency
    vehicles.
  • Check for injuries – report injuries to Emergency Personnel.
  • Take attendance – report it to Emergency Personnel.
  • Remain at the assembly area in case Emergency Personnel need more information or need to ask questions, especially if there are missing persons.
  • Wait for further instructions.

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NATURAL DISASTER

Fire

  • Upon discovery of a fire, activate the building fire alarm from the nearest fire alarm pull box.
  • Call Public Safety at ext. 3333 from a campus phone or 911 from your cell phone. Give your name, telephone number, department and location of fire.
  • Do not attempt to put out a fire by yourself, unless you are trained to do so.
  • Evacuate the building immediately. Inform others in the building who may not have responded to the alarm, to evacuate.
  • Do not use the elevators.
  • Close windows and doors. Leave lights on and doors unlocked.
  • Before entering another room or stairwell, check for heat by placing your hand near the door.
  • When you evacuate, do not stop for personal belongings or
    records.
  • If there is excessive smoke, crawl to an exit. If you are unable to exit, stay low and plug all openings around doors, windows and vents.
  • Notify either Public Safety or fire fighters that are on the scene, if you suspect someone may be inside the building.
  • If situation is safe and clear, handicapped (non-ambulatory)
    individuals should be placed into the stairwell as soon as most
    evacuees have departed. A messenger should be dispatched to tell the responding officer (fire or police) the location of the handicapped individual(s), so that a rescue can be initiated.
  • When outside, stay away from the building (at least 500 feet), and out of the way of emergency personnel and vehicles.
  • Do not re-enter the building until instructed by authorized
    personnel that it is safe to do so.

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Hazardous Material Spill (laboratory and other areas)

In the event of a hazardous chemical release, adhere to the following:

  • Alert others in the area about the spill, and tell them to leave the area.
  • If you are not trained in responding to chemical spills, leave the area as well.
  • Close off the area as much as possible to avoid any exposure.
  • Notify Public Safety at ext. 3333 and Environmental Health and Safety at ext. 6048. (All spills have to be reported to Environmental Health and Safety).
  • Provide the following:
      - name and contact number (or your location)
      - location of the spill
      - name of the chemical material and quantity
      - Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS), if available
        how the spill occurred
      - report if anyone is injured, and needs medical assistance
    DO NOT CALL BUILDINGS AND GROUNDS OR CUSTODIAL
    SERVICES TO CLEAN UP THE SPILL
  • You can attempt to clean up the spill ONLY if you have been properly trained in spill remediation.
  • Environmental Health and Safety and designated Natural Sciences personnel, have the proper training and equipment for cleaning and decontaminating chemical and other hazardous material spills.
  • If the spill is too large, leave the clean up and decontamination to the vendor that is on emergency call to remediate the spill.
  • Use ONLY the correct spill clean-up material for that type of spill.
  • Only those trained in spill remediation will have access to the proper spill material.
  • All materials used for clean up of a chemical spill, must be packaged as chemical waste and properly labeled. This material can only be disposed of by a chemical waste vendor.
  • IF THE MATERIAL IS KNOWN TO BE EXPLOSIVE OR EXTREMELY FLAMMABLE, NOTIFY PUBLIC SAFETY IMMEDIATELY TO CALL THE FIRE DEPARTMENT AND NYC HAZMAT.

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SAFETY RELATED

Bomb Threat

Telephone Threat

  • Bomb threats usually occur by telephone.
  • Take all bomb threats seriously.
  • Use bomb threat checklist (see page 7).
  • Remain calm and attempt to retrieve as much information as
    possible from the caller.
  • Keep the caller on the line as long as possible.
  • Do not transfer the call.
  • Do not interrupt the caller.
  • After hanging-up, immediately call Public Safety at ext. 3333 on a campus phone or 911 by cell phone or land line.
  • Give your name, location and telephone number.
  • Inform them of the situation including any information you may have as to the location of the bomb, time it is set to explode, and the time you received the call.
  • Inform your supervisor and/or department head.

Suspicious Package

  • Do not approach any unusual or suspicious package. Under no circumstances should you touch, tamper or move it in any way.
  • If there is any indication of imminent danger such as a suspicious object, etc., notify the Public Safety office and evacuate the area immediately.
  • If instructed to evacuate, move a safe distance away from the building (a minimum of 500 ft.). If inclement weather conditions exist, you may choose to evacuate to another location.
  • Do not re-enter the evacuated building until instructed by authorized personnel that it is safe to do so.
  • Handicapped individuals will be assisted from the building, according to your individual building evacuation plan.
     

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Bomb Threat Checklist

     Questions to Ask:                                 Exact Wording of the Threat:

1. Where is the bomb located?  
2. What time is set to explode?  
3. What does the bomb look like?  
4. What kind of bomb is it?  
5. What will cause it to explode?  

Sex of the caller: ____________ Age: ___________ Race: _______

Time Received: __________ Length of Call: ______________

       

             Caller's Voice:                       Background Noises:

Calm Laughing Lisp   Street Noise Voices
Disguised Angry Crying House Noise Motor
Excited Raspy Slow Office Noise Music
Distinct Ragged Loud Animal Noise Factory
Normal Accented Soft Static Soft
Nasal Stuttered Deep Long Distance  
Familiar Breathing      
If the voice is familiar, who did it sound like?    
   

 

Language:

  • Well Spoken  (educated)
  • Foul
  • Irrational 
  • Incoherent  
  • Taped

 

Fill out completely after bomb threat:

Date: __________ Title: ___________ Phone #: _____________

Name: __________________________


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Hostage Situation

  • If you see a situation, move people away from the area of concern.
  • Call Public Safety at ext. 3333 on a campus phone or 911 on a cell phone or land line.
  • Lock all doors and windows and close blinds.
  • Account for as many people as possible.
  • Stay put unless instructed otherwise.
  • Wait for instructions.
  • Allow only Emergency Personnel into the building.

If you are taken hostage:

  • Do not try to disarm the person.
  • Try to communicate the situation.
  • Keep calm, quiet and follow the intruder’s instructions.
  • Sit away from the intruder, windows and exits.
  • Be aware that police may be able to hear what is taking place.
  • Be aware that police may break in at any time.
  • Follow police instructions.
  • Refrain from discussing the incident with bystanders or the media.
  • Communicate all information to Public Safety at ext. 3333 to help them fully respond to the incident.
  • Some statements to the media may adversely affect the serving of justice, therefore all public statements will be coordinated through Baruch’s press office.

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Crime in Progress

  • Do not attempt to apprehend or interfere with the criminal, except to protect yourself.
  • In the event of a robbery, do not resist.
  • If safe to do so, take time to get a good description of the criminal. Note height, weight, sex, race, hair color, approximate age, clothing, method and direction of travel, and name, if known. This takes only a few seconds and could help the investigating officers. If the criminal is entering a vehicle, note the license number, make and model of the car, color, and outstanding characteristics.
  • Call Public Safety at ext. 3333. Give your name, location, telephone number, and department. Advise them of the situation details and give specific directions as to where you are located.
  • While Public Safety Officers are en route, stay calm.

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Crime Prevention Tips

  • Do not leave your valuables (purse, wallet and other belongings) unattended in an unlocked location.
  • Remember to lock all rooms, office and car doors whenever you leave.
  • Keep a record of all credit cards and serial numbers to personal property in a separate location.
  • Stay alert when walking to the subway or to your car late at night.
  • Have your metro card or car keys ready when walking to the subway or to your car.

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MEDICAL

Serious Injury or Illness

  • Survey the area to see if it is safe for you to assist.
  • Do not move a seriously injured person unless it is a life threatening situation.
  • Call Public Safety on a campus phone at ext. 3333 or 911 by cell phone or land line.
  • Be prepared to give as much information about the emergency as possible: whether or not the victim is conscious, advise if an ambulance is needed.
  • If the victim is conscious, obtain information about his/her injury or medical history.
  • Stay with the victim(s) until Emergency Personnel arrives.
  • Keep the victim(s) as calm and comfortable as possible.
  • Maintain safety until help arrives.
  • Keep other people away from the scene.
  • Avoid physical contact with blood or other body fluids.
  • If exposed to body fluids, wash the affected area with soap and water as soon as possible and report your exposure to Emergency Personnel.
  • If the injured person is an employee, initiate reporting procedures as directed by the department head and/or supervisor.

Suicide Attempt

  • Call Public Safety on a campus phone at ext. 3333 or 911 by cell phone or land line, and be prepared to give as much information about the emergency as possible.
  • Ensure that the person is not left alone.
  • Stay with the person until Emergency Personnel arrives.
  • Keep other people away from the scene.
  • Do not handle weapons, containers or other possible evidence.

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Mental Health Crisis


If a member of the Baruch Community is experiencing a
psychological crisis during normal business hours, call the Office of Public Safety at ext. 3333. Alert them of the situation and the need to take the individual to the Counseling Center for evaluation.

If the individual is unwilling to go to the center and deteriorates, such that they are not responsible for their actions or constitute a threat to themselves or others, Public Safety officers should call the 911 emergency hotline.

Once the call has been made to 911 and Public Safety officers are controlling the scene, all non-essential personnel should leave the area and return to their normal duties unless otherwise instructed by Public Safety officers.

Before Emergency Personnel arrives, make every effort to determine the person’s identity and status as staff, faculty, student or visitor.

If the individual is a student, contact the Office of the Dean of Students at (646-312-4570), to advise them of the individual’s
condition and circumstances.

If the individual is a staff or a faculty member, contact the Office of Human Resources at (646-660-6590), to advise them of the
individual’s condition and circumstances.

If the individual is a visitor, contact the office of Public Safety at ext. 3333, to advise them of the individual’s condition and circumstances.

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Blood and Bodily Fluid Precautions

(in situations involving first aid response)                                             

PROVIDE MEDICAL TREATMENT OR FIRST AID ONLY IF YOU ARE TRAINED TO DO SO.

Exercise Universal Precautions when exposure to blood and bodily fluids is possible. Universal Precautions assume all blood and bodily fluids are potentially infectious. Thus, it is important to follow these practices:

  • Avoid contact as much as possible with blood and bodily fluid. Use latex gloves or gloves of other approved material whenever coming into contact with blood and bodily fluids.
  • Avoid splashing of blood and bodily fluids. If splashing is inevitable, use eye protection and a face shield, if possible.
  • Avoid puncture by sharp objects that may be contaminated with blood or bodily fluids.
  • Dispose contaminated materials as bio-hazardous waste. Contact Environmental Health & Safety (EHS) at ext. 6048 for more information.
  • Wash hands immediately after coming into contact with blood and bodily fluids.

If you were exposed to blood or bodily fluids and were not adequately protected with the use of gloves, etc., do the following:

  • Wash contaminated area thoroughly with soap and water for 15
    seconds minimum.
  • If eyes, face or mucous membranes were splashed, flush these areas with water or saline solution for 15 seconds minimum.
  • Wet eyes with saline to avoid drying.
  • Record source of contamination.
  • Report exposure to emergency personnel immediately.

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POWER OUTAGE

  • Shut off switches of electrical items before leaving.
  • These include lights, appliances, room air conditioners, heaters, televisions, etc.
  • This will assist in restoring electricity when the system comes back on-line.
  • Secure any hazardous materials or processes.
  • Use clear, safe escape routes and exits and proceed to the nearest outside safe assembly location shown on the evacuation map, or to a location ordered by College officials.
  • Help persons in darkened work areas move to safety. Where applicable, help other persons requiring assistance to get to designated areas for evacuation assistance.
  • Unless life-threatening conditions exist or otherwise directed by College officials, avoid transporting handicapped individuals up or down stairwells. Call Public Safety at ext. 3333, they are trained to use EVAC CHAIRS, to move handicapped individuals.
  • All personnel should report to the lobby of their respective buildings, and then move outside.
  • While evacuation is taking place, elevators in all buildings will be checked by building engineers for trapped personnel.
  • Do not return to an evacuated building until directed by College officials. Department Heads must wait for further instructions via available telephone or radio communications.

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INCLEMENT WEATHER

If it becomes necessary to cancel classes or to close Baruch College buildings, because of severe weather conditions or other emergencies, the following radio stations will broadcast and/or post web site announcements with current CUNY messages after 6:00 a.m. on the day involved. Announcements will indicate whether day classes, evening classes, and/or Continuing Studies classes are cancelled.

WCBS 880 AM www.wcbs880.com
WINS 1010 AM
WADO 1280 AM
WBLS 107.5 FM
WFAS 103.9 + 106.3 FM www.wfasfm.com
WFAS 1230 AM www.wfasam.com
WLIB 1190 AM
WOR 710 AM www.wor710.com

The announcements will also be posted on the CUNY web site at www.cuny.edu. The College will have an outgoing recorded message on 646-312-1000, and a message posted on its web site at www.baruch.cuny.edu

If classes are canceled, all staff, except those designated as essential personnel to provide emergency coverage, are released without charge to leave balances.

When changing conditions require early closing during the workday, Human Resources will notify each office directly by telephone or e-mail, and the radio stations will alert students and faculty members about canceled evening classes.

The Public Safety Office (646-660-6000) is open 24 hours a day.

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ACTIVE SHOOTER INCIDENTS

The personal safety of Faculty, Staff, Students, and Visitors is of the utmost importance at Baruch College. In the wake of the school shooting at Newtown, Connecticut, we are once again reviewing our present security posture and emergency operations plans and will be looking at strategies to prevent such incidents from happening on our campus. However a truly safe campus can only be achieved through the cooperation of the entire Baruch College Community. Shooting incidents are often difficult to predict but many serious shootings related to workplace violence, domestic violence and other behavioral issues are often preceded by warning signs that are ignored. Therefore we must all work together to minimize the threat of violence and maintain the safety we have enjoyed at Baruch College. Taking the proactive measures below can help us in the effort.

At Baruch College, many emergency procedures exist as policies, or are available on the various emergency services websites.  In order to provide a concise, readily available and user friendly synopsis of important emergency procedures, the Department of Public Safety, has put together this “Active Shooter Emergency Procedure” summary for Faculty, Staff, Students, and Visitors.  This procedure will help you identify the steps, in simple “bulleted” or “checklist” formats, the college community should take in order to protect themselves, and others, when experiencing an emergency situation.

 

  • Comply with Baruch College’s ID/Access policy
  • Become familiar with workplace violence policies and procedures which can be found at http://www.baruchcollege.cuny.edu
  • Become familiar with the domestic violence policies and procedures which can be found at http://www.baruchcollege.cuny.edu
  • Become familiar with the student intervention team policies and procedures
  • Sign up for CUNY Alert at www.cuny.edu/alert
  • Become familiar with all emergency exits on your floor.
  • Immediately report violent incident or threats of violence to Public Safety at x3333
  • In addition, immediately report any suspicious activity to Public Safety at x3333

 

In the event that there is an active shooter incident on campus you can follow the guidelines below, depending on the situation:

  • Exit the building immediately via the nearest exit only if it can be done quickly and safely.
  • While exiting, notify anyone that you encounter to do the same.
  • Do not sound the fire alarm as it may cause unknowing persons to evacuate into the danger zone.
  • Call 911 and Public Safety at x3333 and give them the following information
  • Your name
  • Location of the incident (be as specific as possible)
  • Number of shooters if known
  • Type of weapons used (handgun, shotgun, etc.)
  • Direction of travel, if known
  • Number and location of victim and extent of injuries if known

If you are unable to safely evacuate:

 

  • Go to the nearest room, close and lock the door. Try to barricade it if it cannot be locked
  • Stay away from doors and windows and stay as low to the ground as possible
  • Keep quiet and act as if no one is in the room
  • Do Not answer the door unless an “all clear” announcement has been made
  • Call 911 and Public Safety at x3333 and give them the following information
  • Your name
  • Location of the incident (be as specific as possible)
  • Number of shooters if known
  • Type of weapons used (handgun, shotgun, etc.)
  • Direction of travel, if known
  • Number and location of victim and extent of injuries if known
  • Wait for Public Safety and/or NYPD personnel to assist you out of the area.
  • When Public Safety and /or NYPD arrive obey all commands. This may involve you being handcuffed of keeping your hands in the air. This is done for safety reasons until the situation is under control.

If you are caught in an open area:

If you can run, do so in a zig zag pattern. Attempt to keep objects between you and the shooter. If outside use vehicles and other objects to shield you from the shooter.

If you cannot run, take cover under or behind a solid object, try to hide in a well hidden space.

Fighting back is dangerous, but depending on your situation, this could be your only option.

If you are caught by the suspect and are not able to fight back, obey all commands and do not look the intruder in the eyes.

If you are taken hostage:

Remain calm, be patient and avoid drastic action.

Follow the hostage taker’s instructions. Do not speak unless spoken to. Avoid arguments.

Stay alert and be observant. You may be released or be able to escape. The personal safety of others may depend on your action.

Important Reminder

When you call to report suspicious persons or activity, remember the four W's - Who, What, When and Where.

    • Who is the suspicious person? (Get a description of the person if they are unfamiliar to you.)
    • What is the suspicious activity?
    • When did the incident occur or is it still taking place?
    • Where is the suspicious – activity?

 

 

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CAMPUS MAP

Baruch College Campus Map

                            A- The Lawrence and Eris Field Building
                                17 Lexington Avenue
                            B- The William and Anita Newman Vertical Campus
                                One Bernard Baruch Way (55 Lexington Avenue)
                            C- Newman Hall
                                137 East 22nd Street
                            D- Administrative Building
                                135 East 22nd Street
                            H- Information and Technology Building
                                151 East 25th Street
                             J- Annex Building
                                137 East 25th Street

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