The Emergency Management and Disaster Preparedness
Plan (The Plan) has been prepared by the Emergency Management Committee
to update and integrate Manhattan School of Music’s policies
and procedures for mitigation of potential injury or loss from a
variety of emergencies through preparedness, response, and recovery.
* In addition, it is intended to facilitate coordination between
the School and local emergency management officials. New York City
has excellent emergency response capabilities, and this Plan is
prepared in the context of that environment. The Plan will be revised
as needed or on an annual basis.
President’s Promulgation
Statement
Manhattan School of Music is committed to the safety and security
of students, faculty, staff, and visitors on its campus. To support
that commitment, the School president asked for a thorough review
of the School’s emergency preparedness and response procedures
relevant to natural and man-made disasters.
The Emergency Management Plan that follows is the official policy
of Manhattan School of Music. It is a result of a comprehensive
review and update of School policies in the context of its location
in New York City and in the current world situation. The president
supports its recommendations and commit the School’s resources
to ongoing maintenance and training required to keep it current.
This plan is a blueprint that relies on the commitment and expertise
of individuals within and outside of the School community. Clear
communication with emergency management officials and ongoing
monitoring of emergency management practices and advisories are
essential.
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Statement of Purpose
The Emergency Management Committee of Manhattan School of Music
was created at the request of President Marta Istomin and represents
all constituent areas of the School. The Committee’s charge
was to develop and implement a comprehensive Emergency Management
Plan (The Plan) to be activated in the event of natural or man-made
disasters, actual or threatened. The goals of The Plan are to:
- Ensure to the maximum extent possible the health and safety
of anyone on campus
- Protect the property and preserve the orderly operation of
the School and the Andersen Residence Hall
- Create a chain of command establishing authority, responsibility,
and lines of communication
- Develop partnerships with the local community and appropriate
government agencies
Policies and procedures developed in this Plan will be incorporated
into existing School documents and published on the Web site.
The Committee recognizes that the existence of a well-conceived
Plan that organizes resources both internal and external to the
School will contribute to the physical and emotional security
of students, parents, faculty, staff, and visitors to the campus.
Furthermore, the Plan is a living document that is subject to
changes, updates, and revisions as the School environment evolves.
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Summary of Improvements to Emergency Management
and Preparedness
- Students, faculty, and staff educated on heightened awareness
and personal and family safety plans including Red Cross seminar.
- Current emergency management procedures reviewed, updated,
supplemented, and integrated. Review conducted in the context
of internal and external resources and regulatory codes with
particular attention to critical operations. Recognition given
that the vulnerability of the School to certain hazards is more
probable. That information incorporated in standard procedures.
- Emergency warden selection reviewed and wardens trained.
- Updated Emergency Management Plan to be disseminated on School’s
Web site and included in internal policy manuals as appropriate.
- Updated staff contact information distributed to managers.
- Student emergency contact procedures updated.
- Procedures developed to integrate newly installed Public
Address (PA) system into emergency management plan.
- Shelter-in-place areas designated and procedures developed.
- Emergency water, food, and other supplies stored on site.
- Improved outgoing telephone message capability to advise
callers of School status installed.
- Communication protocols reviewed for efficiency and accuracy
of statements to constituents.
- Insurance reviewed to establish adequate loss coverage and
record-keeping protocol
- Information technology procedures reviewed for data security.
- Automatic External Defibrillators (AEDs) will be purchased
and protocols established, including training in CPR and AED
use.
- Purchase of extended battery backups for School PA and residence
hall intercom under review.
- Mutual Aid Agreement for sheltering outside of building to
be implemented
- Updated plan for performance cancellation
- Periodic review of public relations protocols and responsibilities
- Procedures expanded to include the specific threat of an
avian influenza pandemic, which is applicable to any widespread
airborne infection
- Addition of a lockdown process to procedures
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Emergency Management Team
The Emergency Management Team consists of:
Special Projects Manager, Chair
Dean of Students
Director of Administration & Human Relations
Dean of thePrecollege Division
Director of Student & Residence Life
Facilities Director
Production Manager
Residence Life Director
Vice President/Dean of Faculty
Controller
Director of Information Technology
Associate Dean for Enrollment Management
Membership in the EMT will be included as a responsibility in
the appropriate position description for future hires.
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Training
- EMT – semi-annual review or as situations modulate
- Wardens – annual training in early fall by Croker Fire
& Alarm
- Students and employees – annual evacuation drills
- Employees, RAs & security staff certified in CPR/AED
– annual training in late summer/early fall – 2-year
certification
- Security – training and review of contact information
quarterly and as hired
- Senior Staff – annual training and review or as requested
- Garage parkers – annual reminder of safety procedures
- Performance ensembles – annual review and drill during
early fall rehearsal to be determined by director of performance
operations and dean of performance
- Ushers – training upon hire by scheduling coordinator
or designee
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Activation of The Plan
The School’s Emergency Management Plan will be activated
when:
- The authorities declare a State of Emergency
- The President of the College or designee declares a School
emergency
- When an imminent threat to the health, safety, or security
of the School exists
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Immediate notifications
Any person who is aware of or suspects imminent danger should:
- Contact the School (4444) or Andersen Hall (4700) security
AND IF SAFETY ALLOWS
- Call (9)* 911
- Security staff will immediately call
- 911 (or if busy 212.999.2222 to reach EMS in Manhattan)
- The security site and field supervisor
- President (EMP Executive Commander)
- Facilities director (EMP Operations Commander)
- If safety concerns allow, security staff should contact the
following individuals and keep a contact record. Security staff
has an updated telephone list, all members of the EMT and senior
staff receive a telephone emergency wallet card and a current
list should be maintained in EMP binder Appendix 6.
- Core EMT
- Dean of students
- Director of public relations, marketing and publications
- Director of administration & human relations
- Director of information technology
- Special projects manager
- VP/dean of faculty
- EMT and other Senior Staff
- Associate dean for enrollment management
- Vice President of Finance and Administration
- Controller
- Dean of Performance
- Dean of the precollege division
- Director of student and residence life
- Production manager
- Residence life director
- Vice president external affairs
- In the event that it is not possible to contact the president,
any member of senior staff who is aware of the emergency should
attempt to consult with at least one other member of senior
staff before initiating action
- The senior person in charge should delegate another staff
person to contact any persons on the immediate contact list
that have not been reached. All senior management receive updated
staff emergency contact lists at least annually and are responsible
for maintaining them in an accessible manner
- Persons on the immediate contact list are responsible for
contacting their staff reports as appropriate
- The School security desk is designated as an initial on-site
meeting place to coordinate situation assessment and action.
If the security desk cannot be used, secondary meeting places
include the facilities office and the president’s office.
- In a community-wide action (weather, etc.), the School follows
city-announced public school closing. If there is an exception
to this rule, selected members of the School staff (dean of
students and director of administration & human relations)
and precollege staff (dean of precollege division and assistants)
will notify 1010 WINS radio to broadcast the pertinent information.
- As the situation warrants, the School will initiate appropriate
wider notification. Communication may include the revision of
the School’s outgoing telephone message, posting on the
home page of the School’s web site, [posting on the alternate
student-centered site, e-mail notification, and widespread broadcast
to cellular telephones and PDAs]. Authorized staff members should
contact the director of information technology or the director
of career development /web site content manager for implementation
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Intermediate notification
The following will be notified as appropriate:
- Legal counsel
- Psychological services
- Outside agents as needed
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Speaking to the Public
Under no circumstances is any employee permitted to speak to
members of the press, or the public at large without the specific
authorization of the vice president external affairs or the director
of public relations, marketing and publications, who will have
consulted with the president and legal counsel if appropriate.
This policy is to insure accurate and consistent dissemination
of information and response to questions as well as to avoid any
potential violations of policy or law.
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Chain of Command and Initial Staff Actions and Responsibilities
Once initial notifications have been made, the internal command
structure for emergency decision-making and action responses will
be influenced by:
- Who is present at the School site and able to take a leadership
role
- External (NYC EMS, government directives, etc.) instructions
and commands
- The need to be responsive to rapidly changing situations
- Length, intensity, and current phase of emergency including
recovery period
- Common sense and stated emergency goals and priorities
If an emergency situation occurs during non-work hours, the first
member of the emergency management team to arrive on the campus
assumes responsibility for directing activities until the president,
designee or a senior staff member arrives. This is likely to be
the director of residence life, who lives on campus or the dean
of the precollege division on Saturdays when precollege is in
session. All members in the telephone chain and/or members of
the EMT will report to the operations commander or designee upon
arrival on campus. Once notification of the president or designee
has occurred, full responsibility for directing School efforts
rests with the president or designee
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Staff first level chain of command and responsibilities
| Role |
Primary |
Alternate |
Responsibilities |
| Executive commander |
President of the School |
Member of the Senior Staff |
Make all policy, public relations and coordinated procedural
decisions in consultation with available senior staff |
| Operations commander |
Facilities Director |
Member of the Emergency Management Team |
Frontline management of tactical planning and execution,
determination of need for outside assistance; liaison between
internal and external resources |
General directives to commanders and assembled personnel
- Assess the situation
- Determine resources available and/or needed to address the
emergency
- Issue staff assignments
- Establish necessary communication with outside agencies and
civil authorities
- Monitor progress and continue assessment
- When appropriate, declare end of emergency status
- Designate a member of the EMT to keep a log of events and
actions
Initial action by operations commander and assembled team
- Initiate emergency communications required
- Assess damage, injuries, location of major problem(s)
- Evacuate and/or isolate dangerous/affected locations pending
further investigation
- Identify trapped persons
- Facilitate medical triage and rescue
- Repair critical or dangerous utilities
Priorities of emergency actions in order of importance
- Preservation of human life and welfare
- Preservation of human health and safety
- Protection of School property and, where possible, personal
property
- Maintenance of School programs and operations
- Respond to external community needs.
Secondary and tertiary action and responsibilities are described
fully in EMT member handbooks.
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Emergency Operations Center/Emergency Director
The boardroom will serve as a logistical base or Emergency Operations
Center (EOC) for administering the elements of The Plan from the
School. In the residence hall, the Senior Residence Assistant
office (600C) will serve this function. Heckscher Children’s
Library will serve as a back-up site if the boardroom is not usable
and the Resident Assistant Office (600C) will serve as a back-up
site in the residence hall. In the event that residents of the
primary locations are not available to provide access, authorized
Emergency Management Team (EMT) personnel will receive keys from
the security desks in the respective buildings.. The EOC will
contain or have ready access to:
- Communications equipment
- Telephone land line
- Cellular telephone
- Two-way radios for internal communication
- Battery operated/crank radio
- Computer
- Copies of the Emergency Management Plan
- Building technical, map, and security information for EMS
responders
- Emergency supplies
- Water & crackers
- Flashlights & batteries
- First-aid kit
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Types of Possible Emergencies
The Plan was developed to respond to a wide range of emergencies
and disasters that might occur within the School or in the surrounding
community, including but not limited to: fire, severe weather
(winter storm, hurricane, earthquake, flood, tornado), utility
outages, transportation accidents, hazardous material & chemical
spills, radiological release, bomb threats, building collapse
or explosion, disease outbreaks & biological events, and acts
of terrorism including violence initiated by a member of the School
community.
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EMERGENCY RESPONSE AND PREPAREDNESS
PROCEDURES
Basic School Evacuation
Sounding Evacuation Alarm: Red manual pull stations
are located at eye level throughout the building near elevator
banks, stairwells, and exits. They should be used when a fire
or any other event occurs that requires evacuating the building.
Open the cover door to the pull station and pull alarm.
- Note the alarm code number indicated, and notify security
of the building location by:
- Calling 917.493.4444 from an outside line OR
- Calling 4444 or 0 from an inside line OR
- Walking to security desk
- Security will sound the exterior alarm and call 911.
Activating Public Address (PA)/Enunciation System: The
School’s PA system was installed to provide emergency notification
related to evacuation, shelter-in-place, and other emergency situations.
The PA system has an amplifier with adjustable emergency notification
and a mix f 75 horns and speaker locations. The announcement/notification
can be isolated to eight separate receiving locations, targeted
by floor, or delivered to the entire building.
Building occupants should consider any directions
given over the PA system as supplemental to the School’s
regular stated emergency policies and follow the directions accordingly.
Members of the Emergency Management Group, Security, the Night
Maintenance Manager, and those appointed by authorized users will
be supplied with a code to access the system for announcements
through the regular telephone. Basic emergency message text has
been prewritten by the EMC and should be used whenever possible
to avoid ambiguity.
School Evacuation Procedure:
- Upon hearing the evacuation alarm and/or an announcement over
the PA system, all personnel must immediately leave the building.
- Remain calm and walk, DO NOT RUN, to the nearest exit.
Do NOT use elevators.
- There are three enclosed fire stairs leading to exits that
are remote from each other.
- Enclosed interior stair A leads directly to exterior via
hallway behind Borden.
- Enclosed interior stair B exits to lobby near the backstage
entrance.
- Enclosed interior stair C exits to lobby near the front
entrance.
- Count the doors or desks between your work area and the nearest
exit. You may have to find your way out in the dark.
- If path is blocked, proceed to alternate exit.
- Do not go back for valuables.Assemble outside the building
in a predetermined location. That location is a safe area outside
the building away from exit discharge doors and far enough away
so as not to interfere with emergency forces. Emergency wwardens
and EMS personnel will give directions as required. It is not
advisable to cross the street unless directed by EMS personnel.
Assembly locations are as follows:
- Walk north on Claremont Avenue away from emergency
- Walk north on Broadway away from emergency
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School Emergency Wardens
Volunteer emergency wardens, consisting of a minimum of two per
floor, have been designated by the School. The Special Projects
Manager will maintain a current list of Wardens, which will be
posted in display cases adjacent to elevators and at other locations
as is reasonable. New wardens will be recruited at the beginning
of the academic year or as needed. The wardens shall be thoroughly
familiar with this Plan and be able to provide adequate guidance
and instruction at the time of an alarm. The employees selected
shall be trained at least annually in the complete workplace layout,
the various alternative escape routes, and their responsibilities.
The wardens will be equipped with flashlights.
Responsibilities of Emergency Wardens
- Receive training in complete workplace layout, various alternative
escape routes, and responsibilities within Emergency Management
Plan
- Maintain flashlights in work place, available from Facilities
Office
- Basic evacuation procedure
- Ensure to the extent possible that all persons in your
area have evacuated.
- Check all non-work areas such as lounges, practice rooms,
and washrooms and alert all persons of the emergency.
- Direct any remaining personnel to the nearest exit.
- Remain calm and walk, DO NOT RUN, to nearest exit. Do
not use elevators.
- Set an example by being calm in an emergency situation
- If path is blocked, proceed to alternate exit.
- Do not go back for valuables.
- If you are aware of unaccounted staff, students or guests,
notify emergency responders on the scene immediately.
- Direct re-entry into the building when authorized School
staff or emergency responders declare building safe
- Wardens shall be aware that certain employees may need additional
assistance.
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Evacuating People with Special Needs
The building may have persons who are physically challenged,
either from age or physical disabilities. The disability may be
temporary, such as a person on crutches. Regardless of the type
of disability, persons with disabilities may require assistance
during evacuation.
All students, faculty, and staff should be aware that it is their
responsibility to request special arrangements if they have a
temporary or permanent disability affecting their ability to evacuate
on their own. Anyone wishing to request consideration for special
arrangements should notify the Director of Administration and
Human Relations or the Dean of Students during normal School hours.
During Precollege hours on Saturday, please notify the Director
of the Precollege Division. Security may be contacted at any time,
and should be notified at all times after regular School hours.
To meet special evacuation needs, the following strategies may
be employed:
- A “buddy system,” pairing each person with special
needs with an individual who will locate and be responsible
for her/him in an emergency. Responsibilities include ensuring
their awareness of an emergency and may extend to carrying or
leading them down stairs. Pairing a disabled person with two
aides is preferable.
- Designation of an alternate(s) in the event that there is
an emergency and the person(s) responsible for assisting a handicapped
individual is not available.
- Whenever possible, locate the work spaces of handicapped
persons on the ground floor, lower floors, and/or as close to
exits or stairs as possible.
- Special notification procedures may be developed for notification
of hearing-impaired individuals.
- During emergency evacuations, blind persons should keep physical
contact with their aides by placing a hand on the aide’s
shoulder.
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School Evacuation Saturday Precollege Hours 8:00 a.m.
– 6:00 p.m.
Students, faculty, staff, and visitors in residence during Precollege
Division hours should follow the School
Evacuation Procedure above. emergency wardens have been specifically
designated and trained for Precollege hours. In addition, the
Dean of the Precollege Division may request assistance from parents
who are on site or nearby.
In the event that it is not safe to return to the building after
an incident requiring evacuation, the Dean of the Precollege Division
will determine and supervise the most appropriate way of ensuring
that the minor students are able to get home safely. The Precollege
Office maintains files of emergency information, including names
of parents who are able to assist in escorting students to their
homes or temporarily providing shelter in their own homes. As
an important adjunct to the School’s Emergency Management
Plan, the Dean of the Precollege Division will supply information
to parents explaining the importance of family disaster preparedness.
The School will remain open until all students have been safely
accounted for and delivered to their approved destinations.
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School Evacuation Weekdays after 5:00 p.m.,
Saturday after 6:00 p.m. and all day Sunday
Students, faculty, staff, and visitors in residence during off-peak
hours should follow the School
Evacuation Procedure above. It is assumed that fewer people
will be in the building during off-peak hours. Also, because education
and training are regularly provided for emergency situations,
people in the building should be able to follow standard emergency
procedures.
Security is on duty at all times and will notify the field supervisor
and the site supervisor immediately if there are any life safety
issues in the building. The security staff will have access to
the PA system to make emergency announcements. In addition, the
security supervisor is provided with home or cellular telephone
numbers to communicate with selected staff members in the event
of an emergency situation. These staff members are the Facilities
Director, Director of Administration and Human Relations, Dean
of Students, Director of the Precollege Division, Vice President/Dean
of Faculty and Performance, and Dean of Academics.
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Specific School Emergency Response Procedures
– Fire
Upon the discovery of a fire, the following steps should be taken:
- Alert those in the immediate area.
- Close door to confine fire.
- Report fire to NYFD from safe area by dialing 911 and to
Security at 4444.
- Pull nearest pull box alarm.
- Remain calm and walk, DO NOT RUN, to the nearest exit.
Do NOT use elevators.
- Do not go back for valuables.
- If path is blocked by heat or smoke, proceed to alternate
exit. To check that the exit is safe to proceed through, feel
the door. If it is hot, do NOT open. Use an alternate exit.
If the door is not hot, open it slowly and check for smoke.
- If smoke or heat block all our paths of escape, remain calm
and get to a room with an outside window. Wave something light
in the window. Call 911 and let them know your location inside
the building.
- If you must escape through an area of smoke, crawl low, keeping
your head 12” to 24” above the floor. Remember that
smoke and heat rise and that the air near the ground is cleaner.
- Do NOT attempt to fight a fire unless it is small in nature.
Remember to act appropriately, as even a small fire can go out
of control suddenly. Any attempt to extinguish a fire should
be made only if ALL of the following conditions exist:
- The fire is small in nature and confined, such as in a
wastepaper basket, and is not generating a lot of smoke
- The extinguisher is the proper type for the fire at hand
and you know how to use it.
- Everyone has left the area and is in the process of leaving
the floor.
- The alarm has been activated.
- Your back is to a safe and unobstructed exit to which
the fire will not spread.
- Assemble outside the building in a predetermined location.
That location is a safe area outside the building away from
exit discharge doors and far enough away so as not to interfere
with emergency forces. Emergency Wardens and EMS personnel will
give directions as required. It is not advisable to cross the
street unless directed by EMS personnel. Assembly locations
are as follows:
- Walk north on Claremont Avenue away from emergency
- Walk north on Broadway away from emergency
The preceding steps listed do not necessarily have to be taken
in the order that they were presented. Failure to sound an alarm
at the earliest possible opportunity will result in delayed
reactions by others, increasing the possibility of injuries.
It is understood that conditions at the time of the fire may
require the discoverer to take an initial action other than
physically activating the fire alarm. If that is the case, the
alarm should be sounded verbally, directing others to activate
the fire alarm.
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Evacuating Special Needs Areas
John C. Borden Auditorium - Basic Evacuation
Procedure:
- Upon hearing the evacuation alarm and/or an announcement over
the PA system, all personnel must immediately leave the building.
- Remain calm and walk, DO NOT RUN, to the nearest exit.
Do NOT use elevators.
- Do not go back for valuables.
- Exits from Borden main floor include (facing stage):
- Left side (House Left) exits through Andersen hallway
to Broadway
- Rear exits through Borden main doors to Claremont Avenue
- Right side (House Right) exits left through “picture
hallway” and through lobby and to main School entrance
or right through Borden main doors to Claremont Avenue
- Exits from Borden balcony – patrons should proceed
through rear or side doors, down main staircase through Borden
Main doors to Claremont Avenue
- Patrons in attendance should follow specific instructions
from authorized staff members (technical director, production
manager, usher staff, and stage crew) and outside emergency
responders. Emergency procedures are reviewed with usher staff
before each performance.
John C. Borden Auditorium - Evacuation of
Persons with Special Needs:
- Usher staff will identify patrons with special evacuation
needs and review evacuation procedure with them.
- A member of the usher staff will be assigned to assist the
disabled patron in the event of an emergency. If the patron
is accompanied, the companion is urged to act as a “buddy”
and be given evacuation information including exit routes and
wheelchair storage and retrieval.
- Patrons remaining in wheelchairs will be seated in the reserved
section at the rear of Borden
- Patrons in wheelchairs who wish to move to regular seats
will be accommodated, space permitting, in designated seats
with movable arms on the aisle in rows G and P. Wheelchairs
will be stored at the side front of the auditorium.
John C. Borden Auditorium - Large Performing
Ensembles:
- Upon hearing the evacuation alarm and/or an announcement over
the PA system, all performers should immediately depart via
the nearest exit.
- Performers with instruments are instructed to leave instruments
on or near their seat where the walkway will not be impeded.
This policy will apply to all instruments, regardless of size.
- Exit routes for performers as follows:
- Stage right, through Andersen hallway to Broadway
- Stage left, through “picture” hallway in School
to exit by security desk
- Backstage right, down stairs to loading dock, and out
to Broadway
- Backstage left, through “picture” hallway
in School to exit by security desk OR
- Backstage left, down stairs, through basement to loading
dock, and out to Broadway
Other Performance Spaces:
- Emergency procedures are reviewed with members of the usher
staff, who are designated emergency wardens.
- There are extremely few performances that do not have an
usher, a member of the stage crew, or a faculty member in attendance.
However, it is possible that the need for an evacuation may
occur during one of these performances during the winter or
summer break. In that event, any member of the School staff,
faculty, or student body may assist in leading audience members
and performers to a safe location. Education and training in
self-evacuation is regularly provided to School faculty, staff
and students.
- Security staff may be reached at any time by dialing extension
4444 or 0.
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Peter Jay Sharp Library Evelyn Sharp Performance
Library Evacuation:
Both the Peter Jay Sharp and Evelyn Sharp Performance Libraries
are located within Andersen Residence Hall and will therefore
evacuate when prompted by an alarm or emergency within Andersen
Hall. In the event of a fire, stay calm, notify the fire department,
and follow the directions of fire department personnel. If you
must take immediate action, use your judgment as to the safest
course of action. You are in a noncombustible (fireproof) building.
Wardens and library staff will direct library patrons to proceed
to the nearest stairwell within the library to exit outside the
building. Stay to the right so that firefighters can come up the
stairs. A fire door will separate the library from the School
building when activated by a member of the library staff[, the
performance library staff or the performance operations staff.].
The door should be closed when an alarm sound in either building.
The Director of Library Services is responsible to ensure the
Circulation Manager and all checkout staff are trained in its
operation.
Basic Residence Evacuation
Residence Evacuation Procedure: If you are asked
to evacuate the building, stay calm and follow the instructions
of security, the residence life director, residence associates,
facilities manager, authorized staff, or emergency officials.
Follow the instructions below for “If the fire is
in your room.” Evacuation procedures are posted
on the back of each room door.
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Specific Residence Emergency Response Procedures
– Fire
In the event of a fire, stay calm, notify the fire department,
and follow the directions of fire department personnel. If you
must take immediate action, use your judgment as to the safest
course of action, guided by the following information. You are
in a noncombustible (fireproof) building.
If the fire is in your room:
- Close the door to the room where the fire is located and leave.
- Make sure that everyone in the room leaves with you.
- Take your keys.
- Close, but do not lock, the room door.
- Alert people on your floor by knocking on their doors on
your way to the exit.
- Use the nearest stairwell to leave the building. Stay to
the right so that firefighters can come up the stairs.
- Enclosed interior stair E located at the center core
leads to the street via the lobby
- Enclosed interior stair F located at the center core
leads to the cellar then to the street via C stair
- Enclosed interior stair C located on the west side of
the building leads from the fifth floor to street level
- Do NOT use the elevator.
- Do NOT return to your room or stop on a different floor.
- DO listen to instructions from firefighters.
- Call 911 once you reach a safe location or transmit an alarm
from the nearest fire alarm box located adjacent to each stairway.
In Manhattan you may also call the fire department dispatcher
at 212.999.2222. Do not assume that the fire has been reported
unless firefighters are on the scene.
- Meet the members of your residence hall at your predetermined
location outside the building. Your RA will notify you in advance
where your location is. Notify the firefighters if anyone is
unaccounted for.
If the fire is not in your room or outside your door:
- Feel the door and doorknob for heat. If they are not hot,
open the door slightly and check the hallway for smoke, heat,
or fire
- If you can safely exit your room, proceed to the intercom
on your floor. Intercoms are located between the stairwells
on each floor.
- Alert people on your floor by knocking on their doors on
your way to the exit.
- If you are away from your room, do not return but go immediately
to the intercom.
- At the intercom, press the red “call” button
and say what floor you are on.
- Security and the fire department will communicate further
instructions through the intercom.
- Do NOT wait in the stairwell or go to another floor.
- If you cannot safely exit your room or the building, call
911 and tell them your address, floor, room number, and the
number of people in your room.
- Seal the door to your room with wet towels or sheets, and
seal air ducts or other openings where smoke may enter.
- Open windows a few inches at top and bottom unless flames
and smoke are coming from below.
- Do not break any windows.
- If conditions in the room appear life threatening, open a
window and wave a towel or sheet to attract the attention of
firefighters.
- If smoke conditions worsen before help arrives, get down
on the floor and take short breaths through your nose. If possible,
retreat to a balcony or terrace away from the source of the
smoke, heat, or fire.
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Basic Shelter-in-Place
Determination of Shelter-in-Place Need and Location:
An emergency situation may occur where you are advised
to remain inside. For example, if a hazardous material has been
released into the air either accidentally or intentionally, it
would be safer to remain in your present location. Should this
occur, it is likely that the local authorities, by means of radio,
television or Internet, will provide specific information relevant
to the current situation. It is expected that a shelter-in-place
would last for a few hours, not days or weeks. The School will
be closed if a shelter-in-place emergency is declared.
Several locations may be appropriate to shelter School occupants.
A specific site or sites will be selected, based on the situation
according to the judgment of authorized staff members. Instructions
to proceed to the site will be given over the enunciation system
in the School building or via intercom in the residence hall.
For everyone’s safety, all students, faculty, staff, and
visitors should listen to announcements and proceed in an orderly
fashion as instructed by the School’s management. The following
are designated shelter-in-place locations:
- Borden Auditorium – Primary Location
- Student Lounge (School Lobby)
- Mitzi Newhouse Pavilion (Dining Hall)
- Andersen Hall Student Lounge
Procedures: The School has established procedures
and gathered supplies for the safety of residents in the shelter
sites. Members of the Emergency Management Group will supervise
the shelter-in-site operation. Battery-operated radios have been
distributed to selected staff members to receive information on
the current situation. That information will be communicated as
it develops. Until the authorities indicate that it is safe to
leave, everyone should remain inside. School staff will take a
census of people occupying the shelter. Those in the shelter may
call their emergency contacts to let them know where they are
and that they are safe. Use of the School telephones should be
restricted to high-priority calls to prevent the system from becoming
overloaded. The School’s outgoing telephone message may
be changed to indicate that the School is closed and everyone
is advised to remain inside until the situation is deemed safe.
The School has stored a supply of water and snacks in the event
that the incident extends over some time. There is also a first-aid
kit. The Cafeteria Manager and his assistant, the Facilities Director,
Director of Administration and Human Relations, Director of the
Precollege Division, and the Residence Life Director have access
to these provisions.
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Shelter-in-Place During Precollege Hours
Determination of need, selection of location, and procedures
are basically as stated in the Basic
Shelter-in-Place description above. The Director of Precollege
Division and the designated Precollege emergency wardens will
supervise the operation. As stated, the Director of Precollege
has access to emergency provisions.
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Shelter-in-Place after 5:00 p.m. Saturday after 6:00
p.m. and all day Sunday
Determination of need, selection of location, and procedures
are basically as stated in the Basic
Shelter-in-Place description above. Should the need to shelter
occur during a concert, the production technical director and
the production director will supervise the operation with the
assistance of the usher staff. At other after-hours times, the
residence life director will be the designated shelter supervisor
along with the resident assistants on the premises. In addition,
it is expected that the night maintenance manager can be called
upon for assistance. In addition to all staff members listed as
shelter supervisors, a list of staff and faculty who live nearby
and agree to be on call will be supplied to the supervisors responsible
for after-hours shelter management.
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Lockdown, Core
A short-term emergency situation may occur during which students,
faculty, staff, and guests are directed to remain inside a secure
location or move quickly out of a common area into the nearest
office, classroom, or other enclosed space or in the case of the
residence hall, into a residence hall room. This allows the School
to secure students, faculty, staff and authorized visitors until
the threat of danger has been removed.
Procedures: As for all emergencies, anyone perceiving
a threat or emergency will contact School (4444) or residence
hall security (4700) and NYC EMS at (9) 911. Security staff is
also instructed to call 911 and state the nature of the emergency.
Members of the emergency management group, security, the night
maintenance manager, and those appointed by authorized users will
communicate a lockdown situation is in effect, using prewritten
text (as distributed in the Emergency Management Plan) as a basis
for that communication as is possible and appropriate. Instructions
to proceed to the lockdown site will be given over multiple media:
[broadcast message receivable on cellular telephones by voice
and text, landline telephone by voice, and text to e-mail and
PDAs], the enunciation system in the School building, and via
intercom in the residence hall.
For everyone’s safety, all students, faculty, staff, and
visitors should listen to announcements and either remain in or
proceed to the nearest closest enclosed space. Doors should be
locked or blocked with heavy furniture, window coverings drawn
as available, lights turned off and all persons moved away from
the line of sight of doors and windows. Security and facilities
staff will lock all exterior doors. Security will permit entrance
only to authorized law enforcement and emergency services personnel.
Persons in the dining hall should move quickly and safely to
Borden Auditorium, unless advised otherwise by announcement.
Persons in performance areas should listen for announcements
specific to that space.
Until the authorities indicate that it is safe to leave, everyone
should remain inside their location. An All Clear signal will
be given over the same media as described above when it is safe
to exit the lockdown location. Do not open the door for anyone
except clearly identified School, law enforcement, or emergency
services personnel until that signal is given.
Lockdown during Precollege Hours: Determination
of need, selection of location, and procedures are basically as
stated in the Basic Lockdown description above. The dean of the
precollege division and the designated precollege emergency wardens
will supervise the operation.
Lockdown after 5:00 p.m. Saturday after 6:00 p.m. &
Sunday: Determination of need, selection of location,
and procedures are basically as stated in the Basic Lockdown description
above. Should the need to lockdown occur during a concert, the
production technical director and the production director will
supervise the operation with the assistance of the usher staff.
At other after-hours times, the residence life director will be
the designated lockdown supervisor along with the resident assistants
on the premises. In addition, it is expected that the night maintenance
manager can be called upon for assistance.
Stopping the Spread of Germs at Work and School
How Germs Spread
Illnesses like the flu (influenza) and colds are caused by viruses
that infect the nose, throat, and lungs. The flu and colds usually
spread from person to person when an infected person coughs or
sneezes.
How to Help Stop the Spread of Germs
- Cover your mouth and nose when you sneeze or cough
- Clean your hands often
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth
- Stay home when you are sick and check with a health care provider
when needed
- Other tips
Cover your mouth and nose when you sneeze
or cough
- Cough or sneeze into a tissue and then throw it away.
- Cover your cough or sneeze if you do not have a tissue. Then,
clean your hands, and do so every time you cough or sneeze.
- Stay at least three feet from people who are coughing or sneezing.
Clean your hands often
- When available, wash your hands -- with soap and warm water
-- then rub your hands vigorously together and scrub all surfaces.
Wash for 15 to 20 seconds. It is the soap combined with the
scrubbing action that helps dislodge and remove germs.
- When soap and water are not available, alcohol-based disposable
hand wipes or gel sanitizers may be used. You can find them
in most supermarkets and drugstores. If using a gel, rub the
gel in your hands until they are dry. The gel doesn't need water
to work; the alcohol in the gel kills germs that cause colds
and the flu.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth
Germs are often spread when a person touches something that is
contaminated with germs and then touches their eyes, nose, or
mouth. Germs can live for a long time (some can live for 2 hours
or more) on surfaces like doorknobs, desks, and tables.
Stay home when you are sick and check with a health care
provider when needed
- When you are sick or have flu symptoms, stay home, get plenty
of rest, and check with a health care provider as needed. Your
supervisor may need a doctor’s note for an extended absence.
Remember: Keeping your distance from others may protect them
from getting sick. Common symptoms of the flu include:
- Fever (over 101°)
- Headache
- Extreme tiredness
- Cough
- Sore throat
- Runny or stuffy nose
- Muscle aches, and
- Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea (much more common among
children than adults).
- If you go to the doctor’s office or emergency department
when you are sick, ask for a mask.
Other tips
- Practice other good health habits. Get plenty of sleep, be
physically active, manage your stress, drink plenty of fluids,
and eat nutritious food. Practicing healthy habits will help
you stay healthy during flu season and all year long.
- Keep a supply (2 weeks is recommended) of non-perishable
food and other essential household tems on hand so you can minimize
trips to stores and other crowed places in the event of a pandemic.
(excepted from Department of Health &
Human Services/Centers for Disease Control & Prevention)
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FAQs on Staphylococcus Aureus
and MRSA
What is Staphylococcus aureus
(staph)?
Staphylococcus aureus, often referred
to simply as "staph," are bacteria commonly carried
on the skin or in the nose of healthy people. Approximately 25%
to 30% of the population is colonized (when bacteria are present,
but not causing an infection) in the nose with staph bacteria.
Sometimes, staph can cause an infection. Staph bacteria are one
of the most common causes of skin infections in the United States.
Most of these skin infections are minor (such as pimples and boils)
and can be treated without antibiotics (also known as antimicrobials
or antibacterials). However, staph bacteria also can cause serious
infections (such as surgical wound infections, bloodstream infections,
and pneumonia).
What is MRSA (methicillin-resistant
Staphylococcus aureus)?
Some staph bacteria are resistant to
antibiotics. MRSA is a type of staph that is resistant to antibiotics
called beta-lactams. Beta-lactam antibiotics include methicillin
and other more common antibiotics such as oxacillin, penicillin
and amoxicillin. While 25% to 30% of the population is colonized
with staph, approximately 1% is colonized with MRSA.
What does a staph or MRSA
infection look like?
Staph bacteria, including MRSA, can
cause skin infections that may look like a pimple or boil and
can be red, swollen, painful, or have pus or other drainage. More
serious infections may cause pneumonia, bloodstream infections,
or surgical wound infections.
How is MRSA transmitted?
MRSA is usually transmitted by direct
skin-to-skin contact or contact with shared items or surfaces
that have come into contact with someone else's infection (e.g.,
towels, used bandages). In the outbreaks of MRSA, the environment
has not played a significant role in the transmission of MRSA.
How can I prevent staph or
MRSA skin infections?
Practice good hygiene:
- Keep your hands clean by washing thoroughly with soap and
water or using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
- Keep cuts and scrapes clean and covered with a bandage until
healed.
- Avoid contact with other people’s wounds or bandages.
- Avoid sharing personal items such as towels or razors.
How common are staph and MRSA infections?
The majority of MRSA infections occur among patients
in hospitals or other healthcare settings (such as nursing homes
and dialysis centers) who have weakened immune systems. However,
it is becoming more common in the community setting. MRSA infections
that are acquired by persons who have not been recently (within
the past year) hospitalized or had a medical procedure (such as
dialysis, surgery, catheters) are know as CA-MRSA infections.
Some settings have factors that make it easier for MRSA to be
transmitted. These factors, referred to as the 5 C's, are as follows:
- Crowding
- Frequent/close skin-to-skin Contact
- Compromised skin (i.e., cuts or abrasions)
- Contaminated items and surfaces\
- Lack of Cleanliness (poor hygiene)
Locations where the 5 C's are common include schools,
dormitories, military barracks, households, correctional facilities,
and daycare centers.
Are certain people at increased risk for
community-associated staph or MRSA infections?
CDC has investigated clusters of CA-MRSA skin infections
among athletes, military recruits, children, Pacific Islanders,
Alaskan Natives, Native Americans, men who have sex with men,
and prisoners.
Are people who are positive for the human
immune deficiency virus (HIV) at increased risk for MRSA? Should
they be taking special precautions?
People with weakened immune systems, which include
some patients with HIV infection, may be at risk for more severe
illness if they get infected with MRSA. People with HIV should
follow the same prevention measures as those without HIV to prevent
staph infections, including practice good hygiene, cover wounds
(e.g., cuts or abrasions) with clean dry bandages, avoid sharing
personal items such as towels and razors, and contact their doctor
if they think they have an infection.
What should I do if I think I have
a staph or MRSA infection?
See your healthcare provider.
Are staph and MRSA infections treatable?
Yes. Most staph and MRSA infections are treatable
with antibiotics. If you are given an antibiotic, take all of
the doses, even if the infection is getting better, unless your
doctor tells you to stop taking it. Do not share antibiotics with
other people or save unfinished antibiotics to use at another
time. However, many staph skin infections may be treated by draining
the abscess or boil and may not require antibiotics. Drainage
of skin boils or abscesses should only be done by a healthcare
provider. If after visiting your healthcare provider the infection
is not getting better after a few days, contact them again. If
other people you know or live with get the same infection tell
them to go to their healthcare provider.
Is it possible that my staph or MRSA
skin infection will come back after it is cured?
Yes. It is possible to have a staph or MRSA
skin infection come back (recur) after it is cured. To prevent
this from happening, follow your healthcare provider’s directions
while you have the infection, and follow the prevention steps
after the infection is gone.
If I have a staph, or MRSA skin infection,
what can I do to prevent others from getting infected?
You can prevent spreading staph or MRSA skin
infections to others by following these steps:
- Cover your wound. Keep wounds that are
draining or have pus covered with clean, dry bandages. Follow
your healthcare provider’s instructions on proper care
of the wound. Pus from infected wounds can contain staph and
MRSA, so keeping the infection covered will help prevent the
spread to others. Bandages or tape can be discarded with the
regular trash.
- Clean your hands. You, your family, and
others in close contact should wash their hands frequently with
soap and warm water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer,
especially after changing the bandage or touching the infected
wound.
- Do not share personal items. Avoid sharing
personal items such as towels, washcloths, razors, clothing,
or uniforms that may have had contact with the infected wound
or bandage. Wash sheets, towels, and clothes that become soiled
with water and laundry detergent. Drying clothes in a hot dryer,
rather than air-drying, also helps kill bacteria in clothes.
- Talk to your doctor. Tell any healthcare
providers who treat you that you have or had a staph or MRSA
skin infection.
