Emergency Response Plans

Emergency Communication

During an emergency incident, Davenport University will communicate with staff, faculty, and students primarily through the DU Alert system.  Though it is important to remember that there could be a variety of notifications such as the building fire alarm, tornado siren, etc. 

• In addition to receiving a text alert, phone call, and email, the Davenport University website will be updated with the latest information.
• To ensure you are signed up to receive emergency communications, please click here.

All media inquiries should be referred to Mary Eilleen Lyon, Executive Director of Marketing and Communications me.lyon@davenport.edu.  University employees will not communicate with media outlets without prior authorization from University Communications.

Buildings must be evacuated when the fire alarm sounds or a DU Alert is issued stating that an evacuation is necessary.  Each hallway of the building contains evacuation plans, and we strongly encourage everyone to familiarize themselves with the posted routes.  

If you must evacuate from a building on campus: 

• Walk to the nearest exit.
• Do not use the elevators. 
• Assist people with disabilities if you are able, without using the elevator or stairs.  Each stairwell contains an "evac-chair" to aid persons with disabilities.
• People with disabilities should make an attempt to find a person to aid them, however in the event that you are unable to find assistance, you should proceed to the nearest area of refuge.  The stairwells of each building are designated refuge locations.  First responders will locate you in the stairwells.
• Proceed to the designated gathering space outside of the building and make sure that all persons under your care are accounted for.  Stay at least 300 feet away from the structure. 
• You must remain outside until you are given the "all clear" by first responders or Public Safety.

If you must evacuate from a classroom: 

• Instructors: give clear instructions to your students to meet together at the designated gathering place.  The instructor should make sure that all students have left the classroom before they exit the area themselves.  
• Notify Public Safety immediately if all students cannot be accounted for.

If a fire alarm has been activated in a campus building, always assume that there is a fire. Know the locations of fire extinguishers, posted evacuation routes, exits, and fire alarm systems in your area. Please avoid using wedges, blocking hallways, or leaving exit doors open. Open doors can allow smoke and fire to enter stairwells and exit hallways, severely jeopardizing safe evacuation and hampering efforts of fire department personnel.

If you discover a fire:

• Activate the nearest fire alarm pull station.
• Alert people in the immediate area of the danger that they need to evacuate.
• Shut down hazardous equipment such as gas valves in labs, stoves, grills, and ovens in dining areas.
• Immediately exit the building, closing doors between you and the fire.
• When you are in a safe place, dial your campus Public Safety extension from an on-campus phone, or your campus Public Safety number from a cell phone and inform Public Safety of the location and nature of the fire.

If the fire alarm sounds:

• Shut down hazardous equipment such as gas valves in labs, stoves, grills, and ovens in dining areas.
• Walk to the nearest exit, closing the doors between you and the fire.
• Do not use elevators.
• The instructor, area manager, or supervisor should ask students/employees to assemble in the designated gathering place for the area in which the class, working space, or office is located. The instructor, area manager, or supervisor should make certain that all students have left the classroom before they exit the area themselves.
• Notify Public Safety or fire department personnel if you suspect someone is trapped in the building.
• Gather outside the building at your designated gathering place. Stay at least 300 feet away from the structure.
• Remain outside until notified by emergency personnel or Public Safety that it is safe to return.

If trapped in a room:

• Close as many doors as possible between you and the fire.
• Place cloth material (wet if possible) around or under the door to prevent smoke from entering the room.
• Be prepared to signal from a window to someone outside or by shouting at regular intervals.

If trapped in smoke:

• Drop and crawl toward an exit.
• Hold your breath as much as possible.
• Breathe slowly through the nose using a towel or shirt as a filter.

If forced to advance through flames:

• Hold your breath.
• Move quickly.
• Cover your head and hair.
• Keep your head down and your eyes closed as much as possible.

When to use a fire extinguisher:

• Only use an extinguisher to attempt to extinguish a small fire and only if you have been trained.
• An extinguisher can be used to suppress a fire that blocks your exit from the building.
• Remember PASS, the four basic steps to operating a fire extinguisher:
  • P: Pull the pin
  • A: Aim the extinguisher hose at the base of the fire
  • S: Squeeze the lever
  • S: Sweep from side to side

At Davenport University, we each play a critical role in keeping our campus a safe place for all to learn, live, and work.  DPS asks students, faculty, and staff to be alert of their surroundings and report any suspicious persons or criminal behavior immediately.  The Department of Public Safety has posts at each campus.  Refer to the Emergency Preparedness section for precise locations.

If you witness suspicious or criminal behavior:

• Call DPS immediately at the designated number for your campus
• Provide as much information as you are able to such as: 
  • Type of behavior
  • Location
  • Time that this occurred
  • Physical description of the individual(s) 
  • License plate number and/or vehicle description 
  • Type of weapon(s) if any were involved
• If you are not in immediate danger, stay on the line with DPS until officers arrive to provide them with additional information.  If you feel that you are in danger, vacate the area immediately and notify others of the danger as soon as you come into contact with them. 
• Do not confront a suspicious individual 
• Do not let anyone into a locked room/office or a card-access only building
• Assist DPS officers when they arrive by informing them of any information you feel it is important for them to know

It is against Davenport University policy to allow an individual into secured areas without their access card present.  It is vitally important that students and staff ensure that the individual following them has their access ID card with them.

Power Outage

During a power outage, contact DPS immediately after losing power.  DPS will contact the Facilities Department to remedy the issue.  Buildings are equipped with emergency lighting and will hold heat for several hours until power is restored.  If an evacuation becomes necessary, ensure you are receiving DU Alert messages.  Evacuation instructions will be communicated via DU Alert.  DPS will work with the appropriate departments for each building to ensure an orderly and timely evacuation and relocation if necessary.

Natural Gas Leak

• Leave the area immediately
• Do not use electronic devices
• Contact DPS immediately to report the issue. 
• DPS will work with the Facilities Department to remedy the issue as soon as possible. 

Violent behavior may take several forms; including riots, assaults, use of weapons, sabotage, and criminal damage to property.  In all cases, no matter how minor, there is the potential for escalation. The primary considerations in the event of violent behavior are for the protection of lives and the property of the University community.

If you witness violent or concerning behavior: 

• Remain calm
• Assess the situation and determine if there is danger to health or safety
• Evacuate yourself and others from the area if you can do so safely
• Call 9-1-1
• Call your campus DPS branch immediately

Basic First Aid Procedures 

CALL: If you observe someone that may need medical assistance, approach them carefully, considering your own personal safety.  Look, smell, and listen for hazards.  If the person appears to be unconscious or in distress, call for help before proceeding.

CHECK:

For a conscious person: Ask the person if they want assistance.  If possible, determine the nature of the problem and any pertinent history.  You may provide assistance to the limit of your training only if the person accepts your offer to help and after you have made an attempt to summon help.

For an unconscious person: Call DPS or 9-1-1.  Asses the patient to the extent of your training.  Pay most attention to severe bleeding, heartbeat, and breathing. 

CARE: Proceed to offer care to the extent of your training.  In an emergency, the use of an Automatic External Defibrillator (AED) is appropriate even by untrained persons if no trained persons are available.  Do not move the patient or encourage a patient move unless there is immediate danger where they are.

Universal Precautions - Bloodborne Pathogens

Universal precautions is the name used to describe a disease prevention strategy in which all blood and other bodily fluids are treated as if they are infectious. This approach is used in all situations where exposure to bodily fluids is possible. In a first aid setting it is best to don a barrier to body fluid contact such as latex or nitrile exam gloves and/or a face shield or CPR mask. 

The following guidelines are offered in order to provide you with useful information in the event there is an unauthorized weapon on campus or actual shots are fired. 

Decide on your course of action and commit to it.

• AVOID / RUN
• DENY / HIDE
• DEFEND / FIGHT

If you decide to deny or hide: 

Secure your immediate area

• Close and lock all doors
• Turn off lights
• Close blinds
• Keep calm, silent, and out of sight

Contact 911 and provide the following information 

• Your specific location
• The number of persons sheltering with you
• If there are any injured persons sheltering with you
• Any information about the shooter(s)
  • Where the shooters are now
  • How many shooters you have seen
  • What type of  weapons you have seen (handgun, rifle, shotgun)
  • Description of shooters

When faced with a violent intruder it may be necessary to defend or fight back.  Be prepared to do whatever is necessary to subdue your attacker.  Maintain a survival attitude. 

Grand Rapids Lettinga

Lansing

Warren

Midland