University of Nebraska Kearney

Emergency Preparedness

 
  First and foremost, it is important to remain as calm as possible when an emergency occurs.

• Next, access the situation. can you help with the level of knowledge you possess? Is the scene safe?
  
• Call 911 with details emergency personnel will need. Stay on the line for help until trained personnel arrive.
• If properly trained, perform any needed first aid up to your ability level as long as the scene is safe.
• Try to maintain a calm and safe environment until danger has passed and/or until trained personnel arrive.
  

What You Can Do

• Familiarize yourself with this Web site.
• Take note of your building's floor plan and exit routes.
• Participate in fire drills and safety training programs.
• Report all work-related injuries, illnesses, and hazardous material spills.
• Designate a meeting place outside of the building for your unit or department, or make note of an existing meeting place.
• Prepare and disseminate telephone trees and contact information for your unit or floor, and be    sure you have the most recent contact information. Program your cellular phone with advance emergency information.
• Identify tornado shelter areas in basements or interior hallways or corridors.
• Keep a flashlight and battery-operated radio nearby - or preparedness kit. These are also known as ICE (in case of emergency) kits. Look at the FEMA recommendations for a emergency kit here.
• Have a first aid fit on hand. Click here to find out recommendations and information for home first aid kits.
  
• Locate the nearest fire extinguisher and fire alarm. Learn to use a fire extinguisher.
• Know where to find university emergency information and basic first aid materials.
• Prepare yourself and your family at home so they know what to do if you are involved in an emergency, including where to go and how to cope until you're able to get home.
• Be cognitive of your surroundings and report what you perceive has a potential threat.
  

Have a Plan

• Your family may not be together when disaster strikes - this is especially so for students - so it is important to plan in advance. Know how you will contact one another; how you will get back together; and what you will do in different situations.
• Plan for senior citizens 
• Plan for disabled citizens 
• Plan for pets 
  

Family Emergency Plan  (FEMA home communication plan)

• Rule 1: ASAP Call home, or your other designated out-of-town contact.
• In a larger emergency, phone service may be affected: It may be easier to make a long-distance phone call than to call across town, so an out-of-town contact may be in a better position to communicate among separated family members.
• Be sure every member of your family knows the phone number and has coins or a prepaid phone card to call the emergency contact. Cellular service may be affected.
• You may have trouble getting through, or the telephone system may be down altogether, but be patient.