What to do in an emergency

The first priority in an emergency that requires the evacuation of a building is evacuation, not dealing with the emergency.

If you hear the fire alarm or are instructed to evacuate:

• leave the building immediately through the nearest exit
• do not use an elevator
• close doors and windows if it is safe to do so
• provide assistance to those who are unable to leave the building on their own
• go to the building’s designated assembly area  
• do not re-enter the building until the “all clear” has been given by the fire department through the building warden

If you discover a fire:

• activate the nearest alarm
• exercise good judgment in deciding whether or not to attempt to extinguish the fire with the fire protection equipment available
• if in doubt, leave the fire scene, closing all doors and windows if it is safe to do so  
• after you have left the building, report the situation to a building or floor warden or to Facilities Management at 506-364-2444

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Evacuation of people who require assistance

People with certain disabilities may require assistance during an evacuation.

Visual and hearing impairments

The person in charge of each class, meeting, or activity should explain the nature of the emergency and escort the person to the designated assembly area.

Mobility impairments

Two people should escort and assist an individual with a mobility impairment to the designated assembly area. They should also ensure the building warden is aware there is a person with a mobility impairment who requires assistance.

If the person with the mobility impairment is unable to negotiate stairways and/or evacuate the building without additional assistance, the helpers should move the person to as safe a location as possible (on the floor in the corner of a room near a window) then immediately evacuate the building and provide the person’s location to the fire department.

Invisible disabilities

Those with communication, cognitive, sensory, mental health, learning, intellectual, or other invisible disabilities may require assistance in an emergency. Supervisors and instructors should make an evacuation plan in consultation with the person concerned.

If you know you will require assistance during an evacuation, you are encouraged to notify your supervisor, your instructor, or the building or floor warden. In an evacuation, inform those near you that you require assistance.

The University’s designated assembly areas are listed below.

In the event your building is evacuated for a fire or other emergency, you should go to the designated assembly area for your building.

Please take a moment to familiarize yourself with the designated assembly areas for the buildings in which you spend the most time.

RESIDENCE BUILDING WARDENS

Bennett & Bigelow Houses  

• Will O'Reilly

Campbell Hall   

• Tabatha Carter

Hunton House, Bermuda House, Carriage House, & The Anchorage 

• Ryan Gallant

Edwards & Thornton Houses  

• Ryan Gallant

Harper Hall   

• Sarah Humphries

Jennings Hall

• Stuart MacDonald

Windsor Hall   

• Lana and Peter Ward

 

ACADEMIC & ADMINISTRATIVE BUILDINGS

Athletic Centre   

• Building warden: Marcel Dupuis
• Floor warden: Jill Yorke

Avard-Dixon Building

• Building warden: Darlene Estabrooks
• Floor wardens: Alison Estabrooks, Christina Tardif, Raine Phythian

Barclay Building

• Building warden: Phil Cormier    
• Floor wardens: Natalie Donaher, Bill Cameron, Susan Wheaton, Andrew Grant, Tyson MacCormack, Laurel McIntyre, Eva Zhou, Dan Durant

Bennett Building

• Building warden: Denise Johnson    
• Floor wardens: Isobel Snowdon, Toni Roberts, Kyle Johnson

Centennial Hall   

• Building warden: Jenna Boomer    
• Floor wardens: Susan Cole, Diane Michaud, Heather Bembridge, Lois Wood, Lori Geldart

University Chapel

• Building warden: TBD

Colville House

• Building warden: TBD  

Convocation Hall

• Building warden: Stephen Melanson

Crabtree Building

• Building warden: Natalie Pauley
• Floor wardens: Debbie Ward, Greg Tracey

Dunn Building

• Building warden: Cathy Pettipas
• Floor wardens: Robert Sorba, David Fleming, Catherine Lovekin, Geoffrey Cruttwell

Facilities Management Building

• Building warden: Patti Sears
• Floor wardens: Darya Tower, Joyce Terrio

Fawcett Building

• Building warden: TBD

Flemington Building

• Building warden: Danielle Leblanc
• Floor wardens:Erin Penney, Lori MacKinnon

Hart Hall

• Building warden: Brittany Jones
• Floor wardens: Toni Stewart, Andrew Nurse, Elaine Simpson, Bruce Robertson

Marjorie Young Bell Music Conservatory

• Building warden: Matthew Thompson
• Floor wardens: Sally Krueger, Margaret Ann Craig, Vicki St. Pierre

Owens Art Gallery

• Building warden: Roxie Ibbitson
• Floor wardens: Jane Tisdale

President's Cottage

• Building warden: Sean Blaney
• Floor warden: Jean Breau

Purdy Crawford Centre for the Arts

• Building warden: Dan Steeves
• Floor wardens: Paul Del Motte, Adriana Kuiper, Karen Stentaford

Ralph Pickard Bell Library

• Building warden: Laura Landon
• Floor wardens: David Mawhinney, Elizabeth Millar, June Hicks, Marc Truitt, Jane Heys, Kathy Amos, Georgina MacFarlane, Brenda Snowdon

Wallace McCain Student Centre   

• Building warden: Andy Hebert
• Floor wardens: Nicholas Estabrooks, Cindy Crossman, Sarah Mullin, Adam Christie, Matt Maston

In the event of a campus-wide evacuation, unless instructed otherwise, campus will be closed and you will be asked to leave campus and return to your home.

Residence students will be instructed to report to the Tantramar Veterans Memorial Civic Centre at 182 Main St.

Further details will be provided through:  

• the MtA Alert system, which sends notifications by e-mail to everyone, as well as by text and voicemail to those who have provided their emergency contact information
• an alert banner on the Mount Allison website
• Mount Allison’s Facebook page, official Twitter feed, and Instagram

In the event of a campus-wide evacuation:

• leave the building you are in immediately through the nearest exit
• do not use an elevator
• close doors and windows if it is safe to do so
• provide assistance to those who are unable to leave the building on their own
• remain calm and do as directed
• do not waste time — if it can be done without undue delay, take your outdoor clothing and other personal items such as backpacks or handbags with you
• once you have exited, keep clear of the building and move off campus

If you are on campus, but not in a building when a campus evacuation is announced, leave campus immediately.

If the power goes out:

• Unplug unnecessary electrical equipment and appliances, including computers, in case the restoration of power causes a surge that could damage electronics and other equipment.
• Turn off light switches. If there is too much draw on the power all at once when power is restored, it could cause another outage.
• Use a flashlight. Do not light candles or use other kinds of flame for lighting.
• If you are in an elevator when the power goes out, use the emergency telephone to call for assistance. Do not attempt to exit the elevator without assistance.
• If you are in a dark workspace, determine whether or not you can move to a lighted area. If you are not able to get to a lighted area, stay where you are and call security at 5060364-2228 or Facilities Management at 506-364-2444 for assistance. Many cell phones now have built in flashlights that may provide enough light to assist you in reaching a hallway with emergency lighting.
• Students living in residence should await instructions from their residence don or residence assistant.

Evacuation

Evacuating a building is not normally necessary unless the power failure is due to a gas leak, fire, or flooding. Fire alarms will still function during a power outage. If the fire alarm goes off, you should evacuate the building as you normally would.

Occupants of the Barclay Building should be evacuated as a precaution during a power outage as fume hoods in laboratories will cease to operate.

If you are in a lab during a power outage:

• Secure all experiments, unplug electrical equipment, shut off research gases, and close all fume hoods and chemical containers prior to evacuating.

If occupants must be evacuated, they should follow the University’s evacuation procedures.

• Stay calm.
• If the illness or injury is serious, do not move the person unless there is danger of further injury if they are not moved.
• Call 911 and follow their instructions. Find a civic address.
• Send someone to meet emergency personnel outside and direct them to the person’s location.
• Call Security at 506-364-2228 and/or summon the designated first aid provider in the building.
• Assure the injured person that help is on the way and stay with them until first responders or a first aid provider arrive.

For minor injuries

    Summon the designated first aid provider in the building.

Steps to take during a hold and secure

• Remain inside the building unless instructed otherwise.

Steps to take during a lockdown

• Lock and/or barricade doors if possible
• Turn off lights.
• Stay away from all windows and remain in a position not readily visible through a window or door.
• Call 911 if safe to do so and only if you have specific information regarding the threat or immediate concern for your safety or the safety of others.
• Silence your phone and any other devices from rings and vibrations and remain very quiet. Do not make any non-essential calls.
• Do not post information on social media that:
  • could reveal your hiding place
  • indicates where first responders are located
  • could compromise other people’s safety by contributing to feelings of panic or by spreading misinformation
• Conceal or cover yourself behind desks, filing cabinets, or other large pieces of furniture. Stay low to the floor if possible.
• Comfort others who may be panicking and assist injured if necessary.
• Do not answer the door once it is locked or allow anyone to talk their way inside.
• Make a plan in case the intruder(s) gain(s) access to the room.
• Wait for police to arrive. Do not enter hallways, stairways, etc., until instructed to do so. Upon arrival of the police, obey their instructions, including showing your hands when asked to do so.
• Remember it may be several hours before you can be safely evacuated.
• If possible, monitor the Mount Allison website and MtA Alerts for updates. Media reports during an emergency may be unreliable.

Should the fire alarm go off during a lockdown:

• Evacuate only if you see smoke or fire
• If no smoke or fire is visible, remain in place until given further direction by first responders or through the MtA Alert system.

If you are in an open area (such as the library, the dining hall, or a hallway) when a lockdown is initiated:

• Leave the open area if possible and enter a room or area where you can follow the lockdown procedures above.
• If you are unable to leave the open area, conceal or cover yourself behind large pieces of furniture and stay low to the floor.

If you are outside when a lockdown is initiated:

• Leave campus if you can do so safely.
• If this is not possible, take shelter in a room in the nearest building, following the lockdown procedures above.

Ending a hold and secure or lockdown

• A message will be sent through the MtA Alert system when a lockdown or hold and secure ends.
• You may also be informed in person by MtA security or first responders.

The information below provides more detail about Run-Hide-Fight and can help you make informed choices to ensure your personal safety.

The following video, courtesy of the University of Alberta, also provides information that will help you in the unlikely event you ever find yourself in an active intruder situation. Please note: some people may find this video disturbing or difficult to watch.

RUN

If you can get out, get out. Know where the building exits are, and run in the opposite direction of gunfire or activity.

HIDE

If you cannot leave safely, find a place to hide.

• Lock and/or barricade the door if possible.
• Turn off lights.
• Stay away from all windows and remain in a position not readily visible through a window or door.
• Call 911 if safe to do so and only if you have specific information regarding the threat or immediate concern for your safety or the safety of others.
• Silence your phone and any other devices from rings and vibrations and remain very quiet. Do not make any non-essential calls.
• Do not post information on social media that:
  • could reveal your hiding place
  • indicates where first responders are located
  • could compromise other people’s safety by contributing to feelings of panic or by spreading misinformation
• Conceal or cover yourself behind desks, file cabinets, or other large pieces of furniture. Stay low to the floor if possible.
• Comfort others who may be panicking and assist injured if necessary.
• Do not answer the door once it is locked or allow anyone to talk their way inside.
• Make a plan in case the intruder(s) gains access to the room.
• Wait for police to arrive. Do not enter hallways, stairways, etc., until instructed to do so. Upon arrival of the police, obey their instructions, including showing your hands when asked to do so.
• Remember it may be several hours before you can be safely evacuated.
• If possible, monitor the Mount Allison website and your MtA Alerts for updates. Media reports during an emergency may be unreliable.

FIGHT

If neither of the above is possible:

• Act with aggression.
• Attempt to incapacitate the attacker.
• Improvise weapons (scissors, fire extinguishers, etc.)

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What to expect from first responders

When first responders arrive, remember they are there to stop the threat, not to treat the injured or assist victims.

As police officers are approaching, ensure you keep your hands visible and follow their instructions. For their own safety, they must initially consider all individuals as potential threats.

Once the environment is secured by police, other emergency responders will be allowed in to treat the injured.

Fire alarm during an active intruder threat

Should the fire alarm go off:

• Evacuate only if you see smoke or fire.
• If no smoke or fire is visible, remain in place until given further direction by first responders or through the MtA Alert system.

Notifications during an active intruder incident

If there is an active intruder on campus, Mount Allison will put out information about the threat as quickly as possible through the MtA Alert system.

It is possible, however, that you will hear about an active intruder threat before an alert can be issued. If you suspect there is a threat, take action, whether or not you have received an alert.

• Take immediate action to prevent further release of the material. This may include stopping the source of the leak, containing the spill with available material, or removing sources of ignition if the spilled material is combustible.
• Report the leak or spill to Facilities Management at 506-364-2444 or Security at 506-364-2228. In the Barclay Building, contact Phil Cormier at pcormier@mta.ca or 506-536-8674.
• Do not attempt to clean the spill unless trained to do so.
• If you have any concerns about your safety or that of others in the area, evacuate the area immediately, closing the door behind you.
• If you have any concerns about the safety of others in the building, activate the fire alarm to evacuate the building, using the University's evacuation procedures.
  • Move 100 metres away from the building and meet the Sackville Fire Department and/or Facilities Management staff to provide information on the leak.
  • Do not re-enter the building until advised it is safe to do so by first responders or University staff such as the building warden, members of the Security team, or Facilities Management staff.
• Exposure to certain chemicals may require decontamination, quarantine, and/or medical attention. Seek instruction from first responders and/or Facilities Management staff. 

• If you can identify and safely stop the source of the leak, do so.
• Report the leak to Facilities Management at 506-364-2444 or Security at 506-364-2228.
• If the odor is strong or is causing you to cough, wheeze, or have watery eyes, evacuate the area immediately, closing the door behind you, and activate the fire alarm to evacuate the building, using the University's evacuation procedures.
• Move 100 metres away from the building and meet the Sackville Fire Department and/or Facilities Management staff to provide information on the leak.
• Do not re-enter the building until advised it is safe to do so by first responders or University staff such as the building warden, members of the Security team, or Facilities Management staff.

Safety tips

• Do not use phones or other electronics near the leak.
• Do not turn appliances or lights on or off.
• Do not smoke or use lights or matches.
• Do not start any vehicles or motors.
• If gas has ignited, leave the area, activate the fire alarm, evacuate the building, and call 911. Never attempt to extinguish a gas fire on your own. Never use water on burning gas.

If you receive a bomb threat

• Call 911.
• Notify Security at 506-364-2228.
• Do not touch any suspected item. If you locate a suspected item, call 911.

If you receive a bomb threat by phone

• Stay calm. Do not upset the caller.
• Ask a lot of questions, but let the caller say as much as possible in response without interruption.
• If it is possible to get a co-worker to call 911 while you continue talking to the caller, do so.
• Try to note as many details of the call as possible.
  • What time did the call come in?
  • What was the Caller ID?
  • Where is the bomb? When will it go off? What does it look like?
  • Was the caller male or female? An adult or a juvenile?
  • What did the caller’s voice sound like? Loud/soft? Deep/high-pitched?
  • Did the caller speak slowly or quickly? Did they have a stutter or lisp? Did they slur their words or speak clearly? Did they have an accent of any type? Were their language skills poor, fair, good, or excellent?
  • Did the caller seem calm or angry? Rational or irrational? Coherent or incoherent?
  • Could you hear any background noise such as traffic, machinery, voices, or music?
• Most land line phones on campus include a call trace function. Once the caller hangs up, dial *81 to trace the call.

If you receive a written bomb threat

• If it is a document, handle it as little as possible and turn it over to the police.
• If it is an e-mail, do not touch it any further in order to protect any evidence.

If police or first responders determine an evacuation is necessary, the building or buildings should be evacuated using the University’s evacuation procedures.

• Do not touch it, move it, or tamper with it in any way.
• Do not use a cell phone within at least 30 meters of the object.
• Call 911.
• Report the package to your supervisor or residence assistant and Security at 506-364-2228.

If the package is outdoors, calmly clear the area of other people.

If the package is indoors, if police or first responders determine an evacuation is necessary, the building or buildings should be evacuated using the University’s evacuation procedures.

If you have been evacuated from a building, avoid standing in front of windows or other potentially hazardous areas. Do not block the street or sidewalk.

If you are indoors

• Drop down onto your hands and knees so the earthquake doesn’t knock you down.
• Cover your head and neck with your arms to protect yourself from falling debris.
• If possible, get under a desk, table, door arch, or stairwell. If none of these is available, move against an interior wall.
• Keep away from windows, shelving systems, overhead fixtures, filing cabinets, and electrical power.
• If you are in a laboratory, exit the lab to the corridor.
• If you are in bed, stay there and cover your head and neck with a pillow.
• Stay where you are until the shaking stops.

If you are outside

• Stay in an open area, away from buildings, power lines, street lights, trees, and roadways.
• Drop down onto your hands and knees and cover your head and neck with your arms.
• If you are in a car, pull over and stop. Do not park under an overpass or near a building, trees, or power lines. Take care when you resume driving in the event roads have been damaged by the earthquake and avoid bridges or ramps that the earthquake may have damaged.

After an earthquake

• After the shaking stops, survey your immediate area for trapped or injured persons and ruptured utilities (water, gas, etc.)
• Call 911 if there are any trapped or injured individuals in your area, then contact Security at 506-364-2228 if you are on campus.
• Contact Facilities Management at 506-364-2444 if there is any damage in your area of campus.
• Evacuate if the building seems unsafe or if you are instructed to do so, following the University’s evacuation procedures.