University of Nebraska Kearney

Shelter-in-Place

Shelter-In-Place Order
Shelter-in-place orders will be made by the Chancellor of the University or his/her designee or by the direction of the City of Kearney.

In situations where rapid deployment of shelter-in-place is critical to ensure the continued health and safety of the community, the on-scene command has authority to order the shelter-in-place.

Shelter-In-Place Area Definition
The definition of the area to be sheltered will be determined by those officials recommending or ordering the shelter-in-place based on the advice of appropriate advisory agencies.

• Shelter-In-Place Warning
  All possible warning modes will be utilized to direct the affected population to shelter-in-place. This includes the use of UNKAlert! System to notify individuals by phone, e-mail and text message. The University will also post information on the University web page and television scrolling, if possible. Whenever possible, the university building evacuation personnel will walk through the building going door to door to notify occupants.
• Public Information
  The Office of Media Relations will ensure that emergency information is disseminated to the media in a timely manner. Instructions to the public and situation updates will be issued as the information becomes available.

Building Emergency Personnel
For the purpose of this plan, Emergency Personnel and their alternates have been selected to ensure that building sheltering is carried out as planned.

Procedures
Upon notification of sheltering in place, emergency personnel will complete the job tasks as assigned. It is the responsibility of all building occupants to follow any emergency directions and immediately proceed to a safe location within the building. Faculty are responsible for dismissing their classes and relaying all emergency directions to their students. University employees and students are responsible for relaying all emergency directions to their visitors/customers.

Contract workers will be made familiar with the procedure outlined herein and are expected to shelter upon notification.

Designated essential personnel needed to continue or shut down critical operations while a shelter-in-place is underway are responsible for recognizing and/or determining when to abandon the operation and shelter themselves.

1. If sheltering for a tornado go to the predetermined tornado shelter in your building.
2. If you are sheltering due to a civil disturbance/Hostage/Active shooter situation;
   1. Lock and barricade doors.
       
   2. Turn off lights, close the blinds and block any windows.
       
   3. Turn off or silence anything that makes noise radios, cell phones and computers.
       
   4. Keep yourself and occupants calm, quiet and out of sight. Take adequate cover/protection i.e. concrete walls, thick desks, filing cabinet (cover may protect you from bullets).
       
   5. As quietly as possible have one person call 911. Give detailed information about the situation.
      f. Stay alert and adjust your plan as the situation changes.
    
3. If you are sheltering due to hazardous materials, harmful contaminants or weather conditions
   1. Close and lock all windows, exterior doors and any other opening to the outside.
       
   2. Close window shades, blinds or curtains.
       
   3. If possible seal gaps around doors and windows.
       
   4. Select an interior room above the ground floor, with the fewest windows or vents. Avoid overcrowding and avoid rooms with mechanical equipment.
       
   5. Close the interior door to the room you are sheltering in.
       
   6. Shut down all experiments.
       
   7. Consider having a room with a standard landline phone available in case radios or cell phones systems fail during the emergency.
       
   8. Anyone showing obvious symptoms of exposure to a contaminant must be separated from others. They should wash/shower with soap and water and place contaminated clothing in a sealed bag if possible.
    

Disability Procedures
Any person unable to sheltering-in-place or who needs assistance with sheltering-in-place should inform a building occupant or a floor monitor. Move to an interior room. If it is unsafe to do so, remain in your office/classroom/residence.

Supervisory personnel and course instructors are responsible for identifying and escorting to safety individuals with disabilities located in their offices/classrooms, if possible.

Access Control
In certain situations and if possible building emergency personnel will lock all building outside doors to limit access to the building when necessary.

Re-Entry
Remain indoors until “All Clear” message is received and then follow any directions given. If needed Facilities will inspect university buildings and property to ensure they are able to be utilized after a shelter-in-place event.