Emergency Preparedness

Emergency Communication System

The Carteret CC Emergency Communication System has many components. Depending on the level of emergency or threat, some or all of the components will be used to help you stay informed.

Email, Text Messaging, & Automated Voice Calls

Carteret CC utilizes the ReGroup Messaging System to send safety and security-related notifications via email, text message, and automated voice calls. ReGroup Emergency Alerts advise you of threats on campus, impending weather, and campus closures.

Anyone may receive Emergency Alerts from Carteret CC by self-enrolling in ReGroup.

Campus Emergency PA System

Every building on campus is equipped with internal and external speakers to broadcast emergency alert messages. Additionally, the use of emergency strobe lighting will activate in the restrooms of larger buildings to alert persons that the system has been activated.

The PA System may be used to deliver messages alerting to drills and/or verified emergency events on campus.

Carteret CC Website and Emergency Webpage

The college posts emergency information on its homepage and emergency management webpage. Visit these pages for information on emergency alerts, college closures, or other cancellations.

Facebook and Instagram

Carteret CC uses Facebook and Instagram to share emergency alerts and updates.

Campus Monitors

Emergency messages may be posted on campus monitors.

Local Media

The college works with local media outlets to keep the community informed, particularly in the event of weather-related closures.

Building Evacuation Procedure and Responsibilities

Building Evacuation Procedure

1. You are responsible for your own safety but you also have a responsibility to others. Stay calm.
2. When the fire alarm sounds, or when otherwise directed to leave the building, make sure other people in your immediate area are aware of the need to evacuate. Where possible, stay together and account for those in your group.
3. Close doors as you leave. Take valuables with you (if in the same room) but leave large bags behind. Turn off unnecessary equipment if possible.
4. Know the locations of primary and alternate exits as marked on your emergency egress map. During an emergency, walk to the nearest safe exit and evacuate the building. Do not use the elevators during a fire- or weather-related emergency. If you are in an unfamiliar area follow the exit signs to the nearest safe exit.
5. Use an Area of Rescue Assistance if you cannot use the stairs. Make sure your location is known to a campus building captain / security. Specialized assistance and rescue will be performed by Fire Department personnel.
6. Once outside, go to your assigned rally point. Report to your instructor or supervisor/manager. Try to account for everyone in your group. Report those missing to an emergency coordinator. Do not leave the area unless you are told to do so.
7. Building Captains are available to provide assistance and respond to unforeseen problems. Follow their instructions.
8. Do not re-enter the building until you have been notified by the administrator-in-charge to do so. First responders often silence the alarm in order to communicate with each other. Silencing the alarm is NOT a signal for occupants to re-enter!

Additional Responsibilities for Faculty and Supervisors/Managers

In addition to the above, you have specific responsibilities to your group. At the beginning of the semester or in a staff meeting reviewing how you will work together to effectively implement emergency procedures.

1. To the extent possible, stay with and guide your group to the nearest safe exit.
2. If a person cannot use the stairs, you are responsible for directing or assisting them to an area of rescue assistance and providing details of their location to a building captain / security. Do not use elevators in a fire-, weather- or bomb threat-related emergency. Additionally, Carteret CC has emergency stair chairs located in the Wayne West, McGee, and CMAST buildings. These chairs are available for the emergency evacuation of people with disabilities or those needing assistance with stairs. Please refer to the video below to watch a tutorial on how to use an Emergency Stair Chair.
3. At the rally point account for those in your group and be able to report their status to an emergency coordinator.
4. Encourage your group to stay together at the rally point to avoid traffic chaos and related safety issues.
5. Assist with injury reports and workers’ compensation claims as appropriate.

How to Use Emergency Stair Chair

Active Shooter Reporting and Response Procedures

Reporting Procedure

If you witness an armed attacker on campus (or any person with a weapon) call 911 as soon as possible.

Provide the following information to the dispatcher or law enforcement official:

• Location of the active shooter or armed individual
• Number of shooters or suspects
• Physical description of suspect(s)
• Number and type of weapons in their possession
• Number of potential victims at the location

Learn How to Respond

If a violent attack is threatening the Carteret CC community, Campus Security will implement their response procedure with other law enforcement agencies as needed. Their response is designed to maximize your safety. Information will be provided to you using some or all of the emergency communication system.

Here are some things you can do…

• RUN. Do not hesitate. If possible, flee the area safely and avoid danger. Go to the closest, safest exit. If the armed subject is outside the building, move to a core area of the building, away from outside doors and windows. If time permits, call 911.

• HIDE. Keep the attacker away from you. Hide behind a large heavy object or lock and barricade doors, turn off lights, get on the floor and out of the line of fire/create make-shift barricades for those who cannot get on the floor. Remain quiet and hidden. Silence your cell phone, including the vibration setting.

• Prepare to FIGHT. You have the legal right to defend yourself. Commit to a plan of action should the armed subject or active shooter enter your space. Be aggressive. Improvise weapons, create distractions. You are not helpless. What you do matters.

• Remain in place until an official “ALL CLEAR” instruction is given. Listen and comply with police commands. It will be sent via all available emergency communication systems.

Your response depends on the situation. The video and procedures below provide strategies to survive an active shooter event. Recognize that RUN, HIDE, FIGHT is not a sequence. Choose your actions based on the circumstances. You can survive.

When Law Enforcement Arrives

Law enforcement’s goal is to locate, contain, and stop the armed subject or active shooter as soon as possible.

• Officers, will proceed directly to the area in which the last shots were heard.
• Officers may wear regular patrol uniforms or external bulletproof vests, helmets, and other tactical equipment.
• Officers may be armed with rifles, shotguns, and handguns.
• Officers may use pepper spray or tear gas to control the situation.
• Officers may shout commands and push individuals to the ground for their safety.

React properly when law enforcement arrives.

• Remain calm, and follow officers’ instructions.
• Put down any items in your hands (e.g., bags, jackets).
• Immediately raise hands and spread fingers.
• Keep hands visible at all times.
• Avoid making quick movements toward officers, such as attempting to hold on to them for safety.
• Avoid pointing, screaming, or yelling.
• Do not ask officers for help or direction when evacuating, just proceed in the direction from which officers are entering the premises.

The first officers to arrive to the scene will not stop to help injured persons. Expect rescue teams comprising additional officers and emergency medical personnel to follow. These rescue teams will treat and remove any injured persons. They may also call upon individuals to assist in removing the wounded from the premises. When you have reached a safe location or an assembly point, law enforcement will likely keep you that area until the situation is under control and all witnesses have been identified and questioned. Do not leave the safe location or assembly point until law enforcement authorities have instructed you to do so.

Remember

• If the fire alarm is activated, do not evacuate unless you detect smoke or fire or you are instructed to evacuate via Carteret CC Emergency Alert.
• There may be more than one active shooter.
• You may be under lockdown for a long time. Try to conserve your phone’s battery life and minimize using it so that emergency responders have a strong signal for their communications.
• Be careful not to make changes to the crime scene since law enforcement authorities will investigate the area later.
• You may be held for questioning by law enforcement authorities. You are required to comply.

Courtesy: Texas State University ALERRT (Advanced Law Enforcement Rapid Response Training)

Helpful Links

• DHS Active Shooter website — Department of Homeland Security Active Shooter Preparedness
• Training video — Actions to take if confronted with an active shooter scenario

Bomb Threat Reporting and Response Procedures

Reporting Procedures

If you receive a bomb threat, by phone or in written format, or if you discover a suspicious package, get as much information as you can and call 911 as soon as possible. Do not touch suspicious packages.

Any threat or use of an explosive device, a biological agent, or a chemical agent as a weapon is a federal crime and will be investigated by the police and the FBI.

Response Procedures

If a threat is made or a suspicious package is reported or discovered on campus, Carteret CC Security will implement their response procedure with other law enforcement agencies, as needed. Their response is designed to maximize your safety. Information will be provided to you using some or all of the emergency communication system.

1. The situation may be dynamic, therefore follow the instructions provided to you via Carteret CC Emergency Alert, law enforcement official or campus emergency coordinator.
2. Stay where you are until specific instructions to evacuate are provided. Take all your belongings with you unless instructed differently.

If You Receive a Bomb Threat by Telephone

1. Remain calm and listen closely to remember as much as possible.
2. Take note of the phone number from which the call was received.
3. The call will probably be of short duration. Try to obtain as much information as possible and then contact 911 Dispatch.
   • When is the bomb going to explode?
   • Where is the bomb?
   • What does it look like?
   • What kind of bomb is it?
   • What will cause the bomb to explode?
   • Who placed the bomb?
   • Why was the bomb placed?
   • From where are you calling?
   • What is your address?
   • What is your name?
   • Is there a specific target?
   • Why did you pick this facility?

A helpful resource to refer to is the Bomb Threat Call Procedures & Checklist provided by FEMA.

If You Receive a Bomb Threat in Writing

1. Save all materials received.
2. Do not handle unless absolutely necessary. Fingerprints are important to finding the perpetrator.
3. If a suspicious object is included with the written threat, do not touch it. Refer to the section below about biological/chemical threats by mail.
4. Contact Campus Security as soon as possible.

Additional Responsibilities for Faculty and Supervisors/Managers

In addition to the above, you have specific responsibilities to your group. At the beginning of the semester or in a staff meeting reviewing how you will work together to effectively implement emergency procedures.

• To the extent possible, stay with and encourage your group to follow the instructions provided.
• Account for those in your group and be able to report their status to emergency responders.
• Assist with injury reports and workers’ compensation claims as appropriate.

Fire Reporting and Response Procedures

Reporting Procedure

1. If you discover fire or smoke, activate a manual fire alarm pull station as you exit the floor or building.
2. If you are not in immediate danger:
   • Call 911 and provide:
     • your name
     • the specific location of the fire
     • the size and type of the fire
     • any other information requested by the dispatcher
     • Notify Campus Security.

Response Procedure

If you are trained in the proper use of portable fire extinguishers you may attempt to extinguish or contain a small fire. Do not place yourself or others in unnecessary danger.

If you or someone else needs emergency medical attention, call 911. Follow the instructions provided.

See Building Evacuation Procedures above.

Hazardous Spill Reporting and Response Procedures

Reporting Large Spills

These procedures are for chemical spills larger than 1 liter, chemicals that have a hazard rating of 2 or above, and for spills of an unknown chemical:

1. Evacuate the immediate area, closing doors to area where spill has occurred. Restrict access to area.
2. Call 911.
3. Provide the following information:
   • Identity of the chemical spilled
   • Quantity spilled
   • Exact location
   • Information on hazard ratings (look for NFPA / HMIS labels on containers or SDS)
   • Any injuries or chemical exposure
4. Contact Campus Security and Operations & Facilities to notify them that a large-scale spill has occurred.

Campus Security will immediately obtain a Safety Data Sheet (SDS) and provide a copy to the responding party. If the Fire Department determines the hazardous material can be cleaned up by Carteret CC personnel, its staff will provide guidance on all aspects of cleanup, including personal protective equipment and proper disposal of any associated waste.

Handling Small-scale Chemical Spills

If a hazardous material spill is less than 1 liter and has a hazard rating below 2 in all hazard categories, follow these procedures:

• Instructional labs that contain any type of chemical should have a chemical spill kit available to deal with small spills.
• Laboratory supervisors must handle small-scale chemical spills in their lab.
• A small-scale spill is generally considered to be one liter or less and have a hazard rating of less than 2 in all categories.

When a small scale chemical spill occurs:

1. Restrict access to area.
2. Immediately notify the lab supervisor and others in the area of the spill.
3. Mark the area to prevent others from coming in contact with the spilled material. Depending on what type of chemical is spilled, in may be necessary to evacuate the lab until the material is effectively cleaned up.
4. During business hours, always immediately contact Campus Security and Operations & Facilities to notify them that a small-scale spill has occurred.
   • Name of chemical
   • Quantity spilled
   • Location of spill

Obtain an SDS for material. Refer to the chemical’s SDS for spill cleanup instructions. It is required that an SDS be kept available for each chemical used in the lab for this purpose. Generally, section six or seven of the SDS will address cleanup procedures, while section eight will indicate appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) for dealing with a spill. The SDS section numbering may differ slightly depending on the manufacturer or distributor of each particular chemical.

• SDS Section on Precautions for safe handling and use.
• Use recommended Personal Protective Equipment.
• Follow other precautions listed in SDS.

Contact Operations & Facilities with any questions about cleanup or waste labeling/disposal.

Medical Emergency Reporting and Response Procedures

Reporting Procedure

If you or someone else is in need of emergency medical attention, dial 911. Stay on the phone until the dispatcher hangs up. 911 dispatch will notify Campus Security of your emergency during the call. Follow the instructions provided.

Response Procedure

The response to a medical emergency will depend on the type of injury and circumstances. Consider the following and implement appropriate steps in accordance with your level of training. If you speak to a 911 call taker, their instructions always take priority.

1. Protect yourself and others; look for things that can harm you.
2. Avoid contact with blood or bodily fluids.
3. Don’t move injured people unless they face a greater danger by not moving.
4. Clear the area of on-lookers; give the injured person privacy.
5. Coordinate getting an ambulance to the right building, floor and location.
6. First aid kits can be found in most buildings and laboratories. Please refer to the Campus Emergency Equipment List for exact locations.
7. AEDs (automated external defibrillators) can be found in the following locations:

Additional Responsibilities for Faculty and Supervisors/Managers

In addition to the above, you have specific responsibilities to your group. At the beginning of the semester or in a staff meeting to review how you will work together to effectively implement emergency procedures.

Severe Weather Reporting and Response Procedures

Reporting Procedure

The weather is tracked closely by the National Weather Service and alerts are monitored by Carteret CC. Despite this, severe weather can strike with little or no warning. If you notice severe weather developing, report it immediately to Campus Security at 252-222-6188.

Response Procedure

When you notice severe weather or are advised of it via Carteret CC Emergency Alert you must be ready to respond. During a severe weather event put as many walls as possible between you and the weather. Only those areas that are accessible/unlocked at all times should be used (e.g. private offices, classrooms/conference rooms in the core of the building that can be unlocked).

Remember

• A WATCH means conditions are favorable or expected but not occurring or imminent
• A WARNING means conditions are occurring or imminent
• You may be sheltering in place for a long time. Try to conserve the battery life of your phone and minimize using it so that emergency responders have a strong signal for their communications.
• There may be more than one wave of severe weather.

How to Respond When Inside a Building:

1. Immediately select a location to shelter-in-place:
   • Find a location that is interior to the building. Stay away from exterior walls and all windows and doors. The part of the building facing the approaching weather is the least safe.
2. If time permits:
   • Go to the lower levels of the building but don’t be caught on the move when severe weather strikes.
   • Close all doors to rooms with exterior windows.
3. If necessary, use a jacket, cap, backpack, or anything else you may have to protect your head and neck in a “drop and tuck” position.

How to Respond if Outdoors Without Building Access:

1. Lie in a ditch or low-lying area, or crouch near a strong building.
2. Be aware of the potential for flooding.
3. Use your arms to protect your head and neck in a “drop and tuck” position.
4. Use a jacket, cap, backpack, or anything else you may have to protect your head and neck.

Additional Responsibilities for Faculty and Supervisors/Managers

In addition to the above, you have specific responsibilities to your group:

1. At the beginning of the semester or in a staff meeting reviewing how you will work together to effectively implement emergency procedures.
2. To the extent possible, stay with and guide your group to the nearest shelter-in-place area.
3. Do not use elevators in a severe weather emergency. If a person cannot use the stairs, it is your responsibility to assist them to the safest area of the floor and provide details of their location to an emergency coordinator if possible.
4. Account for those in your group and be able to report their status to a Building Captain or Campus Security.
5. Encourage your group to stay together and remind people they are less safe in their cars than in a building.
6. Assist with injury reports and workers compensation claims as appropriate.

Emergency Preparedness Week

Welcome to Emergency Preparedness Week

Carteret CC hosts Emergency Preparedness Week during the third week of every semester to educate students, faculty, and staff on the best actions to take if an emergency were to happen on campus. Everyone in the Carteret CC community is responsible for being prepared in an emergency. Plan for the unexpected so you don’t have to think – you react.

Campus Drills

Drills are scheduled for this week! Review emergency egress plans to find your nearest exit and an alternate. Also, locate the Area of Rescue Assistance if you can’t use the stairs and the rally point where everyone should gather until the ALL CLEAR is called.

Carteret CC Emergency Alert System Test

Carteret CC will test its Emergency Alert System. During the test, you should receive an alert to your Student Email account and any text-enabled device listed in your ReGroup account contact information. Please verify or update your contact information so you can participate. Emergency message boards and PA speakers around campus will be activated. A test message will be posted on the Carteret CC web page, Emergency Management web page, Facebook and Instagram.

Preparedness Tips

Campus Postings

• Emergency procedures posters: Posters are located in classrooms and meeting rooms to provide information on different emergency procedures.
• Emergency Egress plans: Plans are located near the emergency procedures posters. They show five important pieces of information: building exits, Areas of Rescue Assistance, recommended shelter areas in case of severe weather, outdoor rally point(s) for building evacuations, and the location of automated external defibrillators.
• Rally point signs: During a building evacuation students and employees should gather at the campus rally point to check in and receive information. Rally points are marked by posted signs; rally point maps are located on the inside of each classroom door and indicated on emergency egress plans. Do not attempt to leave the campus while people are meeting at the rally point.

Carteret CC’s Emergency Management Website

This website includes detailed information about how to respond to various types of emergencies, including active shooter incidents. It is always being updated with resources to inform, educate, and help prepare students, faculty, and staff.

Remember: Report Suspicious Behavior

For emergencies, dial 911. If someone is behaving in a threatening manner, report it to your instructor, dean of student services, supervisor, Campus Security, any staff or faculty member, or your Building Captain.

Thank you for your help in making our campus safe and secure for everyone.

Emergency Drills & Pre-planning

An Important Note Regarding Drills

Drills are an important component of Carteret CC’s readiness plan and they are required by law. By practicing what to do before an emergency, you learn what to do and how to get to safety more quickly next time. Regular building evacuation drills are conducted, for your convenience, during Emergency Preparedness Week.

Any time the fire alarm is activated, leave the building immediately. Don’t waste valuable time wondering “is this just a drill?” Know that other types of drills may take place at your campus.

Take time to learn emergency procedures so you don’t have to think, you react.

An Important Note Regarding Pre-planning

Thinking through “what if” scenarios may also encourage you to seek out critical information such as:

• Am I properly registered to receive Carteret CC Emergency Alerts?
• What are Carteret CC’s emergency numbers?
• What are Carteret CC’s basic emergency procedures?
• Where is the fire alarm pull stations?
• Where is the nearest exit and where does it lead? Where is my alternate exit?
• Where is the nearest area of refuge and how is it used? Where is my alternate?
• Where is the rally point and what happens when I get there?
• Where are the safest areas of the building to ride out severe weather?

Classroom Emergency Procedures Posters

Emergency procedure posters are located in classrooms and meeting rooms to provide information on different emergency procedures. A PDF copy is available to download below.