Emergency Guidelines

Medical Emergencies

LIFE THREATENING medical emergencies call 000 and ask for an ambulance. Be ready to give the operator your location, type of the emergency and contact phone number. Then contact Campus Security on 6304 3333 (3333 from internal phones) for assistance until emergency response arrives.

NON LIFE THREATENING medical assistance call Campus Security on 6304 3333 (3333 from internal phones).

FOR ALL OTHER EMERGENCIES on campus at any time call security on 6304 3333 (3333 from internal phones).

Emergency Guidelines Index

• EMERGENCY RESPONSE PLAN
• Preparing For an Emergency
• Evacuation Procedures
• Medical Emergency
• Bomb Threat
• Chemical Spill
• Gas leaks or suspicious odors
• Civil Disturbance and Demonstrations
• Fire Emergency
• Earthquake

EMERGENCY RESPONSE PLAN

Edith Cowan University's Emergency Response Plan is a system designed to safely evacuate or contain people in the event of any potentially life-threatening situation. The Emergency Response Plan aims to protect life and property, prevent injury and minimise negative impact on the University.

Before, during and after an emergency, the Critical Incident Response Group and Onsite Control Group, in consultation with emergency agencies, will make critical decisions on the most appropriate actions to take in dealing with an emergency situation.

In an emergency, follow the directions of emergency response personnel:

• Security Services
• Emergency and law enforcement agencies
• Designated University officials
• Emergency Response Wardens

Back to top

Preparing for an Emergency

All students and visitors should:

• Make themselves aware of the emergency response guidelines that are listed on this web site.
• Be aware of the emergency evacuation assembly zones.

All Staff:

• All staff members have a responsibility to familiarise themselves with their location and be aware of:
• The most direct means of exiting from the building
• The nominated assembly zones
• The location of any portable fire fighting equipment within the building and its application.

Staff with classes in operation are responsible for those students involved, and as far as practicable the students compliance with emergency evacuation procedures.

Back to top

Evacuation Procedures

If you discover an emergency:

1. Attract the attention of the other people in the immediate vicinity. Do not shout or cause panic.
2. Raise the alarm by contacting Campus Security Emergency Services.
3. Carefully describe-
• The location of the emergency ie: the building number, floor number, room number.
• The type of emergency,ie; fire chemical spill, suspicious object.
• Your name where you are and your extension number.

Evacuating Buildings:

• All building evacuations will occur when an alarm sounds and /or upon notification by Security or an Emergency Response Team member.

• When the building evacuation alarm is activated during an emergency. Leave by the nearest marked exit and alert others to do the same.

• Take your valuables and close all doors.

• Never use the elevators.

• Assist persons with disabilities on the ground floor in exiting the building. Call Campus Security if a person with a disability is located above or below the ground floor.

• Once outside, proceed to a clear area that is at least 500 feet away from the affected building. Keep clear of the fire routes, hydrants and walkways used for emergency vehicles and personnel.

• Do not return to an evacuated building unless told to do so by Security or Emergency Response Team member.

Campus :

• Evacuation of all or part of the campus grounds will be announced and coordinated by Security.

• All persons (faculty, staff and students) are to evacuate the site in question immediately and relocate to another part of the campus grounds or an off-site area as directed.

Accident

In the event of an accident:

1. Check for danger, do not enter a unsafe area, if possible switch off any electrical equipment which is dangerous, or has the potential to cause further accidents/ injuries at the mains, and contact campus security.
2. Isolate any existing or potential hazards ie poison, electrocution, falling debris etc.
3. Make the victim comfortable and commence first aid if qualified, and safe to do so.
4. If the victim is mobile escort them to the campus Medical Suite and then report the incident to Campus Security.
5. If immobile stay with the victim and send for a first aider or contact the Campus Medical Centre .
6. In the case of a serious accident do not move the causality except to stem blood flow, keep warm and make comfortable.
7. Contact security or a the Chief Warden

Back to top

Medical Emergency

If someone is in need of medical attention:

1. Remain calm
2. Call Campus Security from any University phone or pick up any of the cream security phone located through out all campuses.
3. If required call for an ambulance.
4. Unless it is unsafe to do so, remain on the scene until Security arrives or an ambulance arrives.
5. Do not move the injured person unless there is danger of further harm.
6. Keep the injured person warm.
7. Do not exceed your training or knowledge when attempting to render first aid.

Back to top

Bomb Threat

If you find a suspicious object:

Do not touch it, clear the area and prevent other persons from going near the object.

Don't panic, go to the nearest phone and raise the alarm by calling campus security.

If an alarm signal is sounded followed by an evacuation signal:

• Be ready to evacuate
• Open all the doors and windows before you leave if possible
• Take you belongings with you
• Proceed to a designated assembly zone.
• Notify Wardens of the location (room and building number) of any people who are in need of assistance.

If you receive a bomb threat telephone call:

• DON'T HANG UP endeavour to obtain as much information as possible about the threat.
• Use a bomb threat check list for question prompts and recording information.
• Raise the alarm by attracting the attention of a passer-by who should:

Contact the switch board operator, Campus Security or the facility manager. Advise of the telephone extension number so that the line can be held open for tracing purposes.

Back to top

Chemical Spill

1. Extinguish all ignition sources
2. Walk away from the spill and contact campus security.
3. Evacuate injured person(s) to a place of safety, in a manner that does not harm them or yourself.
4. If necessary stay with the injured person and if possible immediately was chemically affected area of the body with water.
5. If necessary stay with the injured person and instruct a passer by to contact Campus Security.
6. If the injured person is mobile then escort them to the Campus Medical Suite.
7. Withdraw any personnel from the immediate area and stop people entering into the area.

Back to top

Gas leaks or suspicious odors

If you detect a suspicious odour (may be gas odour, chemical odour):

• If it is safe to do so extinguish all initiation sources
• During normal working hours, contact Campus Security
• Describe the location of the odour and the odour itself.
• Leave the area and wait for assistance.

Back to top

Civil Disturbance and Demonstrations

Most campus demonstrations such as marches, meetings, picketing and rallies are peaceful and non-obstructive. A demonstration should not be disrupted unless one or more of the following conditions exists:

• Interference with the normal operations of the University.

• Blocking of access to offices, buildings, or other University facilities.

• Threat of physical harm to persons or damage to University facilities or property.

If any of the above conditions exist, immediately notify Security. Security will be responsible for contacting the appropriate authorities, if required.

Back to top

Fire Emergency

If you discover a fire:

1. Raise the alarm by contacting security or the campus chief fire warden or the fire department.
2. State the location of the fire and:
• The type of fire i.e. bright flames, smoldering, amount of smoke.
• The extent of the fire i.e. large, medium, small
• The material which is burning or smoldering ie paper, cardboard, liquid.
3. Don't use the lift
4. Await instructions from your building warden and if the alarm signal sounds, followed by the evacuation siren, follow the emergency evacuation procedures below;

•  Be ready to evacuate - subject to supervision and in an orderly manner.

•  Close all doors and windows before you leave (if possible).

•  Take vital personal belongings with you, don't re-enter a burning building to collect personal belongings.

•  Switch off office computers, machinery, etc (if possible).

•  Isolate heating, power supply (if possible).

•  Proceed to a designated assembly zone.

•  Listen to instructions from Fire Wardens or Security Officers.

•  Notify Fire Wardens or Security Officers of the location (room number / building) of any people who are injured, unconscious or have a disability.

Back to top

Earthquake

1. Do not evacuate the building unless instructed by the Building Warden, Security or Emergency Personnel (lifts must not be used).
2. Stay away from windows and glassed areas.
3. Shelter under a table. Or desk or door frame for protection against falling debris.
4. Do not light cigarettes, lighters etc. These can create explosions as there may be flammable fumes from damaged containers or gas mains.
5. If instructed to evacuate stay away from - buildings, power lines, poles and trees while making your way to your designated assembly zone.

Back to top