Emergency Assistance Information

Avoid, Deny, Defend

As a result of increased public awareness, many citizens have asked what individuals can do to protect themselves and reduce the dangers faced during one of these events. Avoid | Deny | Defend™ has been developed as an easy to remember method for individuals to follow – as we've seen that hiding and hoping is not an effective strategy.

Be Prepared

AVOID starts with your state of mind.

• Pay attention to your surroundings.
• Have an exit plan.
• Move away from the source of the threat as quickly as possible.
• The more distance and barriers between you and the threat, the better.

DENY when getting away is difficult or maybe impossible.

• Keep distance between you and the source.
• Create barriers to prevent or slow down a threat from getting to you.
• Turn the lights off.
• Remain out of sight and quiet by hiding behind large objects, and silence your phone. 

DEFEND because you have the right to protect yourself.

• If you cannot Avoid or Deny, be prepared to defend yourself.
• Be aggressive and committed to your actions.
• Do not fight fairly. This is about survival.

Watch the Avoid, Deny, Defend, video on YouTube for an overview of how to save your life in an active attack event. Always remember, What You Do Matters.

Armed Intruder Response Guide

Bomb Threats

All threats to the campus community are to be taken seriously. If you receive a telephone call informing you that a bomb has been placed on campus, do the following:

• Remain calm and refer to the following Bomb Threat checklist to record information the caller provides to help determine the seriousness of the threat and possibly identify the caller.
• Keep the caller on the line as long as possible to attempt to gather as much information as possible.
• Call Cowley College’s Public Safety Department at ext. 5599 or 620-441-5599 immediately for further assistance.
• If the bomb threat was left on your voicemail, do not erase the message.

The decision of whether or not to evacuate a work area or building will be determined by the Public Safety Department and the administration after a thorough evaluation of the information available. This decision will be communicated quickly to personnel.

If the evacuation is called for, do not use cellphones or radios within 300 feet of the area.

Check for but do not disturb unusual objects as you leave a classroom or office. Report any unusual objects to the Public Safety Departments.

Bomb Threat Checklist

Pathogen Exposure

Immediate first aid

• Cuts and punctures: Wash thoroughly with soap and water.
• Splashes to mouth, nose, or skin: Flush the area with plenty of water.
• Eye splashes: Flush eyes with clean water, saline, or a sterile eyewash solution. Use an eyewash station in areas where one is available.

Reporting and follow-up

• Report the incident: Immediately notify your instructor, supervisor, or Public Safety.
• Seek medical attention: Get a medical evaluation promptly to assess the risk and discuss potential post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP).
• Complete paperwork: Fill out any necessary incident reports as required or directed.

Cleanup procedures for spills

• Wear PPE: Use gloves and eye protection. Wear an impervious apron if splashing is expected.
• Remove visible material: Use disposable towels to clean up the spill.
• Disinfect the area: Use an approved germicide or a bleach solution (e.g., 1:10 dilution of water and bleach).
• Dispose of waste: Place all contaminated materials in a biohazard bag, seal it, and then place it in a second bag if a red biohazard bag is not available. Dispose of in accordance with facility guidelines.
• Wash your hands: Wash your hands with soap and water after cleanup.

Exposure Control Guide

Earthquake

For every earthquake where things are moving or falling, DROP, COVER, and HOLD ON! Get to the ground under something and cover your head in particular.

• Minor earthquakes should not prompt you to evacuate. Unless there is another reason to leave the building, you are safer inside than outside after an earthquake.
• However, if you are ordered or required to evacuate, follow instruction from the Public Safety Department or emergency authorities.
• If you are unsure and you believe that evacuation is necessary for your safety, it is recommended to wait for the shaking to stop, then carefully leave the building and move at least 50 feet away to an open area.
• Do not run while the building is shaking, this is how people can get seriously injured.

Elevator Malfunction

If you become trapped in an elevator:

• Activate the elevator emergency phone, which places a call to Public Safety, or dial 620-441-5599 from a cellphone.
• Remain calm. Assist others in staying calm and wait for help to arrive.
• Do not try to force open an elevator door.
• Do not crawl out of an elevator without assistance from authorized personnel.

If you are not in need but hear a problem or person in need of help:

• Dial ext.5599 from any campus phone or call 620-441-5599 to notify Public Safety and report the following information:
  • Name of the building, your name and cellphone number (if applicable)
  • Your location within the building
  • Where the problem is (what building room number, floor level, etc.), if known.
  • Whether a medical emergency exists.
• Try to keep the person(s) in need calm and wait for help to arrive.

Earthquake / Elevator Malfunction Guide

Spills or unusual odors

In the event of a chemical spill or unusual odor and for assistance with the proper disposal hazardous waste:

• Promptly notify Public Safety at 5599 or 620-441-5599. They will coordinate with the Director of Campus Facilities and the Custodial Services Supervisor the response, clean-up and disposal efforts. If an emergency exists, the Fire Department may also be contacted.
• Be sure to secure the area to ensure that no one else is exposed.
• Safety Data Sheet information is located within each building.

Suspicious Mail or Packages

It is important that every employee handling or receiving mail can identify a suspicious letter or parcel. Although occurrences are extremely rare, it is crucial to know what to do when suspicious mail is received. Remain alert for signs of potentially dangerous mail and packages.

If you receive suspicious mail or package:

• Do not handle.
• Isolate it and secure the area.
• Contact Public Safety at Ext.5599 or 620-441-5599.
• Alert others nearby to relocate to an area away from the site of the suspicious item.
• Do not open, smell or taste the suspicious item.

If you suspect the mail or package contains a bomb (explosive) or radiological, biological, or chemical threat:

• Isolate the area immediately. Do not touch or move the package. If possible, close the door to the room and prevent others from entering.
• Move yourself and others away from the immediate area and go to a safe location.
• Call Ext.5599 or 620-441-5599: Make the call from a safe distance. Do not use a cell phone or two-way radio to call if you suspect a bomb, as this could be a detonator. Use a landline if available.
• If you have come into contact with the package, wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water to prevent spreading any potential substance.

How to recognize suspicious packages and mail:

• Excessive postage, no postage, or misspelled common words
• No return address or strange return address
• Unusual addressing, such as not being addressed to a specific person or the use of incorrect titles or titles with no name
• Restrictive markings, such as “personal,” “confidential” or “do not X-ray”
• Powdery substances felt through or appearing on the item
• Oily stains or discolorations on the exterior
• Strange odors
• Excessive packaging materials, like tape or string
• Lopsided or bulky shape of envelopes or boxes
• Ticking sounds, protruding wires or exposed aluminum foil

Environmental Emergencies Guide

Evacuations

• Learn and know the emergency exits for your building(s). If you discover fire and/or smoke, pull the nearest fire alarm and quickly exit the building.
• Notify Public Safety at Ext.5599 or 620-441-5599. If you are at an off-campus location, dial 9-1-1.
• If you hear or see an explosion, exit the area as safely as possible.

Building Evacuations

Whenever the fire alarms and/or sprinkler systems are activated, follow these directions:

• All occupants of the building must promptly and calmly evacuate using the nearest exit and report to the designated Meeting Location destinations.
• Do not use elevators!
• Be aware of others in your area (or those you are responsible for) and inform them to evacuate as well. Assist persons with disabilities.
• Follow directions given by Building Safety Captains (BCS).
• In the event that you encounter smoke and/or fire while evacuating, exercise caution and logic to help ensure your safety and the safety of others. Remember, “Stay Low and Go!”
• Once gathered at the evacuation meeting location, take a head count to ensure that everyone is safely out of the building. Report any persons remaining in the building or missing.

Public Safety will respond to the affected building to determine the location of the smoke/fire/explosion.

The Fire Department is notified for all fire alarms. If no source of smoke/fire is located, the occupants will be given an “all clear” to return to the building by Public Safety or Fire Department personnel.

Remember:

Persons needing evacuation assistance should establish procedures in advance with their instructor or supervisor. Students should contact Accessibility Coordinator (ext.5557) and employees should contact Human Resources (ext. 5214). The Public Safety Department is available for consultation on these procedures.

• Do not return to the building until Public Safety or Fire Department personnel informs you that it is safe to do so.
• Do not use the elevator to evacuate the building during a fire alarm. Use the nearest stairwell.
• Evacuate the building anytime the fire alarm/or sprinkler system is activated. Do not wait or assume it is a drill or false alarm.

Assisting the Disabled

• Be aware of disabled employees/students in your area.
• Evacuation plans should be made in advance the Accessibility Coordinator or Human Resources.
• The fire department recommends moving a disabled person to another connected building or inside an enclosed stairwell or safe area of the building until help arrives – lateral evacuation to another building if possible. Communication is key. Report all persons with ‘evacuation’ plans or alternate emergency locations to your BSC or Public Safety personnel and make their whereabouts known.
• Do not attempt to move a disabled person down a flight of stairs and risk injuring that person or yourself. Let the professionals take charge.

Fire, smoke or explosion Guide

Medical Attention

Whenever a person is injured or becomes ill, promptly ensure the individual receives the appropriate medical attention:

• If the injury/illness is serious or life-threatening, call 9-1-1 and then immediately notify Public Safety at ext. 5599 or 620-441-5599. If you are at off-campus location, dial 9-1-1.
• Do not move the person unless it is necessary for to secure them from further safety issues.
• Protect the person from unnecessary manipulation and disturbance.
• To the extent that you are trained, begin CPR and other first aid measures as appropriate. Retrieve the nearest Automatic External Defibrillator (AED). See AED locations here.
• Stay with the person until advanced medical assistance arrives.
• If the injury/illness is not serious or life threatening, ask the person what assistance is needed.

Also contact Public Safety at ext.5599 from a campus phone or 620-441-5599 from any phone to assist to the extent requested by the affected individual.

What to Do IF You’re Injured at Work:

• Ask: IS the injury serious or life-threatening?
• Report the incident your supervisor.
• Seek medical treatment if necessary.
• Follow-up as directed by a medical professional.

Remember to report any on-the-job injury ASAP to be considered for worker’s comp benefits.

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

• Regardless of the severity, promptly report all on-the-job injuries to HR and/or Public Safety.
• If an injury involves a threat to life or limb, contact Public Safety to coordinate emergency medical treatment.
• Although some on-the-job injuries may not require medical attention, always report all on-the-job injuries in the event you need medical treatment at a later date.

Illness, injury and accident guide

Procedures For Infectious Disease

Administrative Procedure
(Reference BP184.00 BLOODBORNE PATHOGENS EXPOSURE CONTROL)

This administrative procedure is for employees and/or students who acquire a communicable disease or a life-threatening illness, which may affect their health, safety, welfare, and that of others with whom they have contact.

Reporting Suspected Communicable Diseases

Employees and students should report suspected cases of communicable disease to the following College personnel. If the first contact is not available, contact the next person/department in the order listed.

1. Public Safety Department – 620-441-5599 or security@cowley.edu

2. Director of Public Safety – 620-660-5010 or matt.stone@cowley.edu

3. Executive Director of Student Services – 620-442-5206 or kristi.shaw@cowley.edu

Infectious Disease Guide

Power Outage – Electricity

Report to Public Safety at ext.5599 or 620-441-5599

Remain calm. Stay where you are unless you are in an unlit area. If you are in an unlit area, proceed cautiously to an area that has emergency lighting or is lit from daytime window lighting. Provide assistance to others in your immediate area who may be unfamiliar with the space. It is recommended to use a cellphone flashlight feature as an aid during the outage.

Many electrical power interruptions are brief. Unless there is some other danger, it is not necessary to evacuate or dismiss students unless instructed to do so. In most cases, power will be restored or classes will soon be relocated to another area with power, or possibly dismissed if the outage continues.

Water Service Interruptions/Other

Report all situations to Public Safety at ext. 5599 or 620-441-5599. They will then coordinate with Campus Facilities personnel.

Water may enter a building from any of the following sources:

• Breaks or leaks in a water line
• Rain water/flooding
• Sewer leaks/backups
• Condensation from uninsulated piping

Natural Gas Odors

• Report to Public Safety at ext.5599 or 620-441-5599 to coordinate with Campus Facilities personnel and other authorities if needed.
• If there are concerns or if evacuation is deemed necessary, direct all occupants to leave the building and proceed to the designated evacuation meeting location.
• While exiting the building, do not use fire alarm pull stations, refrain from telephone use, hand-held radios, or electrical switches.
• Report any medical concerns to Public Safety.
• Remain in assembly area until released by Public Safety.

Utility Emergencies Guide

Severe Weather

Before severe weather:

• Sign up for campus notifications to receive text messages, push notifications, and/or emails about significant campus events or severe weather.
  • Download the LiveSafe app
  • Sign up for BlackBoard Connect
• Familiarize yourself with emergency plans, evacuation routes, and shelter locations.
• Signs will be posted around campus when severe weather is possible for the day.
• Building Safety Captains (BSC’s) will be notified.
• Continue with your daily routine; remain alert to the possibility of severe weather and be prepared.

If a Tornado Warning is issued for our area, the following will occur:

• All mass communication methods (text, phone calls, emails, push notifications, as well as post made to the college website and social channels) will be made simultaneously.
• Move immediately to the designated area and shelter-in-place.
• Remember to D.U.C.K. during a tornado
  • Down to the lowest level or to the designated shelter location area.
  • Under something sturdy
  • Cover your head
  • Keep in shelter until the storm passes and the warning expiration message is issued.
• Stay away from windows and exterior doors.
• BSC’s will monitor their areas to assist with sheltering.

Note: If the facility is damaged, evacuate the area after the storm passes (following direction of building emergency personnel) and stay clear of the damaged area. Be aware of fallen debris, downed power lines, and gas leaks. Report any injuries by calling ext. 5599 or 620-441-5599.

Winter Weather Closings

You can find out if the college is closed due to inclement weather in one of these ways:

• The announcement will be posted on the home page of the College’s website, www.cowley.edu.
• Students, faculty, and staff that have downloaded the LiveSafe mobile safety app or that have signed up for BlackBoard Connect will receive text, push notification, and/or an email automatically in the event of an emergency or weather closing.
• The announcement will be posted on the College’s social media pages:
  • facebook.com/CowleyCollege 
  • X @ CowleyCollege
• Closing and delayed start announcements will also be shared with local news media fir dissemination.

Note that it can take awhile for an announcement to appear on television, so you are encouraged to use one of the other methods as your primary source of information.

Students, please check with your instructors for details and the possibility of remote class during a weather-related closure.

Weather Emergencies Guide