Expectations During an Incident
Guidance
for Sheltering-In-Place >>
What it Means to "Shelter in Place"
If an incident occurs and the buildings or areas around where you are
become unstable, or if the air outdoors becomes dangerous due to toxic
or irritating substances in the air, it is usually safer to stay indoors,
because leaving the area may expose you to that danger. Thus, to "shelter
in place" means to make a shelter of the building that you are in,
and with a few adjustments this location can be made even safer and more
comfortable until it is safe to go outside.
Basic "Shelter
in Place" Guidance
If an incident occurs and the building you are in is "not" damaged,
stay inside-seeking an interior room-until you are told it is safe to
come out. If your building is damaged, take your personal belongings (purse,
wallet, GWorld card, etc.) and follow the evacuation procedures for your
building (close your door, proceed to the nearest exit use the stairs
instead of the elevators). Once you have evacuated, seek shelter at the
nearest University building quickly. If the police or fire department
personnel are on the scene, follow their directions.
How to Prepare
to "Shelter in Place"
Although it is unlikely that you will ever need to shelter in place, it
is helpful to know what to do just in case. The longest you should expect
to stay inside is about 12 hours-usually less. A few simple items can
make it easier and more comfortable should you ever need to shelter in
place on campus. First, keep a supply of required medications with you.
The following additional items would be good to keep in the place where
you spend the most time-your residence hall room or office-to support
your personal comfort:
- Extra prescription
medicine (if you need to take it during the period of shelter in place
or in case local pharmacies don’t open immediately following the
incident).
- First aid supplies
- Non-perishable
food and bottled water (Most bottled water is good for about six months.
If the bottle does not have an expiration date on, mark the date of
purchase.)
- Flashlight
- Battery-operated
radio
- Extra batteries
- A telephone (Remember
during a crisis, telephone services may not be available.)
How You Will Know
to "Shelter in Place"
Assume you should. But a shelter in place notification can come from several
sources, including the University Police Department (UPD), residence hall
staff, or other University employees, the federal or DC government, and
the Metropolitan Police Department. Notification of a need to shelter
in place also may come over the radio and television. In addition, the
University can announce the need to shelter in place on campus through
building public address systems, the public address system on UPD vehicles,
as well as in person. In any emergency, conditions permitting, you can
call GW’s recorded information telephone line at 994-5050 and access
information via the Web at www.gwu.edu and click on Campus Advisories.
How to "Shelter
in Place"
No matter where you are, the basic steps of shelter in place will generally
remain the same. Should the need ever arise, follow these steps, unless
instructed otherwise by local emergency personnel:
1. If you are inside,
stay where you are. Collect any emergency shelter in place supplies and
a telephone to be used in case of emergency. If you are outdoors, proceed
into the closest building quickly or follow instructions from emergency
personnel are on the scene.
2. Locate a room
to shelter inside. It should be:
- An interior room;
- Above ground
level; and
- Without windows
or with the least number of windows. If there is a large group of people
inside a particular building, several rooms maybe necessary.
3. Shut and lock
all windows (tighter seal) and close exterior doors.
4. Turn off air conditioners,
heaters, and fans.
5. Close vents to
ventilation systems as you are able. (University staff will turn off ventilation
as quickly as possible.)
6. Make a list of
the people with you and ask someone (CLLC staff, faculty, or other staff)
to call the list in to UPD so they know where you are sheltering. If only
students are present, one of the students should call in the list.
7. Turn on a radio
or TV and listen for further instructions.
8. Make yourself
comfortable.
9. Look after each
other. You will get word as soon as it’s safe to come out.
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