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In the event of an emergency, Campus Security is notified first to direct emergency assistance directly to the scene. Formal procedures are in place between Campus Security and area emergency services to address emergencies originating from the campus. Because of the familiarity Campus Security personnel have with area emergency responders (dispatch, fire department, police department), Campus Security will direct responders to the scene more quickly than if a person were to call 911 independently.
Campus Security has established procedures to help you become better prepared should an emergency occur on campus. This information is provided to support effective emergency management in various situations. Please review the procedures included in this section. Should you have any questions about the information provided, please contact Campus Security.
Emergency Scenarios
Bomb Threat
Any person receiving a phone call that a bomb or other explosive device has been placed on campus needs to:
- Remain calm.
- Take the caller seriously.
- Do not hang up as the call may be traceable. Keep the caller on the phone as long as possible.
- Ask questions using the “Bomb Threat Checklist” available on the portal.
- Alert a coworker via note or other means (if possible) while on the phone with the caller.
- Notify Campus Security at Extension 45555 and provide the information from the “Bomb Threat Checklist”
You receive a bomb threat notification from Palmer Alert
- Do not use cell phones or two-way radios
- Do not open any drawers or cabinets
- Do not turn on or off light switches, computer equipment, radios, or any other electrical/electronic devices
- Evacuate the building(s) and proceed to the designated safe area(s) for a headcount by supervisor or instructor
- Keep walkways clear for emergency vehicles and personnel
No one is allowed to re-enter a building until notified by Palmer Alert or Campus Security.
Chemical Release
Incidental spills in the laboratories, which do not require an emergency response, will be handled in accordance with clean up procedures outlined on the appropriate Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) or Safety Data Sheet (SDS) by the supervising laboratory staff.
A large or unknown release which requires additional assistance will be handled by the Fire Department. Anyone who discovers what he/she believes to be a release of a suspect substance should immediately report the release to Campus Security.
Notify Campus Security. Provide the following information, if possible:
- Location of release
- Date and time of release
- Type of substance released
- Source of release
- Cause of release
- Estimate of total quantity released
- Estimate quantity that entered sewers, drains, etc.
- Damages or injuries caused by release.
- Campus Security will cordon off the spill area and evacuate exposed workers to the designated evacuation safe area.
- Campus Security will contact the Fire Department.
Do not re-enter the affected area until the Fire Department and Campus Security have determined it to be safe.
Criminal Behavior
If you witness violent or criminal behavior (i.e. assault, robbery, theft) anywhere on Palmer College of Chiropractic property, notify Campus Security immediately.
Give Campus Security as much of the following information as possible:
- Your name
- Your contact information
- The nature of the incident
- The location of the incident
- A description of the person(s) involved
- A description of property involved
- A description of the weapon(s), if any involved.
If you’re a witness, or were in the area at the time of the incident, you’ll need to assist the Police Department when they arrive by giving them any additional information.
Electrical Utility Failure
In the event of a power failure in your area, notify Campus Security. Stay in your classroom unless notified by your instructor. Campus power failures are usually very short in duration, but there have been very rare instances of extended outages. If directed by your instructor, evacuate the building. Take important belongings with you as no one will be allowed to re-enter the buildings until power has been restored and Campus Security has determined it to be safe.
Fire Plan/Evacuation
Upon discovering a fire, notify Campus Security immediately.
Give Campus Security as much of the following information as possible:
- Your name
- Building location
- Room number
- Your phone number
- Description of the fire
- Evacuate the area when an alarm sounds.
- Follow outlined evacuation procedures.
- Do NOT take an elevator.
- Administrators and/or instructors should leave the room last and close all doors and windows.
- Once outside, proceed to the nearest designated safe area.
Medical Emergency
If a serious injury or illness occurs on campus, immediately contact Campus Security.
Provide the following information:
- Your name
- Building location and room, if applicable
- Type and severity of the medical problem
- Identify the injured or ill person, if possible.
Stay with the victim. Campus Security will contact Palmer Clinic personnel and emergency responders. Campus Security will meet and escort the emergency responders to the location of the injured/ill person(s).
Severe Weather
Evacuations due to severe weather will occur when notified by instructors, administrators and/or by Palmer Alert.
Proceed to the nearest designated severe weather safe area. If time is minimal, sit under a sturdy desk or table for protection. Keep away from windows, structures with large free-span roofs, the uppermost stories of multi-story buildings, and parked cars. All College faculty, staff, and students will wait for a notification from Palmer Alert and/or Campus Security before leaving the designated safe areas.
Sexual Misconduct
First, get to a safe place. Sexual misconduct can include sexual assault, sexual violence and/or sexual harassment. Write down what happened. Document the incident; include the date, time and chronology. If there are witnesses or people who have information about the incident, write down their names. If applicable, try to preserve any harassing letters, messages or emails as evidence.
Seek medical attention immediately. Do not bathe, change clothes or do anything that may interfere with the collection of evidence that can be helpful in proving that a sexual assault occurred.
Seek counseling and support services. For information about counseling resources, contact:
Student Academic Support Centers
563-884-5898
Dr. Kevin Cunningham
cunningham_k@palmer.edu
National Resources:
National Sexual Assault Hotline – 800-656-HOPE (4673)
Rape Abuse Incest National Network
Policy & Procedures Handbook for the Resolution of Reports of Sexual Misconduct
Responding to an active shooter on campus
Remain calm and use these guidelines to help you plan a strategy for survival.
If an active shooter is outside your building:
- Proceed to a room that can be locked.
- Close and lock all the windows and doors.
- Turn off all of the lights.
- Get everyone down on the floor where no one is visible from outside the room.
- Have one person in the room call Campus Security and advise the officer of what is taking place and your location.
- Remain in place until a police officer, a Campus Security officer or a campus administrator known to you, gives the “all clear.”
IMPORTANT: Unfamiliar voices may be the shooter attempting to lure victims from their safe space. Do not respond to any voice commands until you can verify the source to be a police officer, Campus Security officer or a campus administrator you know.
If an active shooter is in the same building with you:
- Lock the room you are in, if possible.
- Turn off all of the lights.
- Get everyone down on the floor where no one is visible from the hall.
- Have one person in the room call Campus Security and advise the officer of what is taking place and give them your location.
- Remain in place until a police officer, Campus Security officer or a campus administrator you know gives the “all clear.”
IMPORTANT: Unfamiliar voices may be the shooter attempting to lure victims from their safe space. Do not respond to any voice commands until you can verify the source to be a police officer, Campus Security officer or a campus administrator known to you.
If an active shooter enters your office or classroom:
- Try to remain calm.
- Call Campus Security and tell them the shooter’s location. If you can’t speak, leave the line open so the security officer can listen to what’s taking place because Campus Security can often determine a location without the caller speaking.
- If there is absolutely no opportunity to escape or hide and you cannot communicate, it might be possible to negotiate with the shooter; attempting to overpower the shooter with force should be considered a last resort, after all other options have been exhausted.
- If the shooter leaves the area, proceed immediately to a safer place and do not touch anything that was in the vicinity of the shooter.
Reporting a Missing Student to the College
Employees or students who believe a student may be missing are to report such information to Campus Security.
Any person who files a report should be prepared to provide as much specific information as possible about the individual including:
- Description
- Clothes last worn
- Where the student might be
- Who the student might be with
- Vehicle description
- Electronic communications
- Class schedule
- Information about the student’s physical and mental well-being
- Up-to-date photograph