MEMORIAL HALL BUILDING EMERGENCY
ACTION PLAN (BEAP)
KEEPING UGA SAFE
The basic emergency procedures outlined in this manual are to enhance the protection of lives and property through effective use of University and campus community resources. This plan has been designed for staff, students, and visiting guests to provide a quick reference during emergencies. Every employee should become familiar with its contents, and new employees should be trained to follow these procedures and the building evacuation plan for their respective department. While these policies do not cover every conceivable situation, it does supply the basic guidelines necessary to respond and cope with the most common campus emergencies.
These procedures are intended to be used during the work day (Monday-Friday, 8am-5pm). The student building managers and on-duty staff will handle any issues which arise after hours or on weekends.
The plan will be activated in instances of fire, bomb threat, chemical spills, medical emergencies, inclement weather and active shooter as directed by the President of the University, through the University Police Department and the Office of the Vice President of Student Affairs. Any personal safety issues or concerns should be reported to appropriate staff members or the UGA Police Department.
Emergency Preparedness is everyone’s responsibility! The UGA Office of Emergency Preparedness developed a brief online interactive learning module with a campus community sense of preparedness in mind. Furthermore, all staff and students should be knowledgeable of the emergency notification system, UGA Alert.
EMERGENCY TYPES
An active threat is defined as an armed individual who has attacked with deadly force one or more persons, and who will continue to seek out and harm as many people as possible. The UGA Office of Emergency Preparedness and the UGA Police Department developed a training program and video entitled “Plan, Prepare, React: Active Shooter Response Options for Institutes of Higher Education.”
- Notify the UGA Police at 911 immediately.
- Do not pull the fire alarm to alert others of an active threat, as this may put others in danger. Ignore any fire alarms while you are sheltered inside an office or other area.
- Take the necessary precautions and actions to protect your well-being. Flee the area if you are able to do so safely and avoid danger. If flight is impossible, lock or barricade all doors and secure yourself in a safe area. If barricading in a safe area, shut off lights and stay out of sight. Remain in place until an “all clear” is given by law enforcement.
- Take action as a last resort and only when your life is in imminent danger. Attempt to incapacitate the active threat by either throwing items or with physical aggression.
- Notify the UGA Police at 911 immediately.
- Do not attempt to clean up the spill.
- Remove yourself and others from the area and cordon off the vicinity.
- If anyone had contact with the hazardous material, they should be isolated and await treatment by emergency personnel.
- Provide first responders with as much information you can provide about the spill, potential chemicals, and the spill area.
- For additional information on chemical spills and environmental health and occupational safety visit the Environmental Safety Division website.
- Notify the UGA Police at 911 immediately.
- Provide the emergency dispatcher with your name, location, the number of people injured, and a description of the medical emergency.
- Stay on the phone for instructions of how you can assist.
- Send a responsible person to meet first responders outside of the building on the street to lead the emergency responders back to the injured individual(s).
- Do not move the person unless there is an immediate threat to the injured person in that location.
- Be sure to wear personal protective equipment and avoid body fluids.
Automated External Defibrillator (AED)
An automated external defibrillator (AED) is a small, portable device that analyzes the heart’s rhythm for any abnormalities and, if necessary, directs the rescuer to deliver an electrical shock to the heart of someone suffering from sudden cardiac arrest. This shock, called defibrillation, may help the heart to reestablish an effective rhythm.
Memorial Hall locations:
First Floor – Adjacent to the entrance of the Exploratory Center
Second Floor – Adjacent to the Pride Center
Third Floor – Adjacent to elevator outside of the Office of the Vice President of Student Affairs
Evacuation Chair
Evacuation chairs are folding chairs, which are stored near emergency exits and allow for people with permanent or temporary mobility limitations to be moved down stairs during an emergency.
Memorial Hall locations:
Fourth Floor – Adjacent to Suite 408
Injury Report
Through the collaboration of Human Resources and Insurance & Claims Management, a campus-wide Injury Report is in place to account for all injuries that occur across the University community. Finance and Administration can provided guidance on how to navigate the reporting process.
- Most bomb threats are received by phone. If you receive that call, act quickly, but remain calm and obtain as much information as possible from the caller. Implement the Bomb Threat Call Procedures for Athens Campus and notify UGA Police at 911 immediately to give the information you have obtained.
- Do not activate the fire alarm to evacuate the building. It is a high priority of the UGA Police Department to keep the environment of Memorial Hall as stable as possible after a bomb threat has been received. Once you have exited the building, please move at least 50 feet away and instruct people who approach the building not to enter. The entrance monitor system used for fire alarms will also be implemented for bomb threats or any other evacuation emergencies
- In the event the UGA Police Department decides to evacuate the building, the staff in the Office of the Vice President of Student Affairs will initiate the phone tree listed below to notify all areas of the building to evacuate.
- Office of the Vice President of Student Affairs – (706) 542-3564
- Exploratory Center – (706) 713-2759
- Student Conduct – (706) 542-1131
- Annie Carlson Welch – (706) 542-3028
- Global Student Engagement – (706) 542-5867
- Pride Center – (706) 542-4077
- Collegiate Recovery Community – (706) 542-0285
- Cultural Student Engagement – (706) 542-5573
- 408 Suite – (706) 542-8229 & (706) 542-8134
The University of Georgia recognizes the potential threat that severe weather, specifically tornadoes, poses to the large, dispersed, and active University environment. Memorial Hall will operate in accordance with the University of Georgia’s Inclement Weather and Emergency Closing Procedures.
Tornado Watch
A TORNADO WATCH is issued by the National Weather Service when tornadoes are possible in the area.
- This means no tornadoes have been sighted but conditions are favorable for spawning tornados. Normal activities need not be interrupted during a watch unless threatening skies are observed. No action is necessary except to be prepared to act appropriately if the weather is downgraded to a warning.
A TORNADO WARNING is issued when a tornado has been sighted or indicated by weather radar in the area.
- Upon notification, everyone in Memorial should proceed to the tornado safe areas on the 1st If time permits, take your personal belongings and secure your work computer (log off and shut down to minimize damage and potential loss of data). Make an announcement in all occupied areas for individuals to move immediately, but without panic, down to the first floor. Do not use the elevators. Everyone should remain in the tornado safe areas until an “all clear” is given.
Inclement Weather Monitors
| ENTRANCE | ENTRANCE MONITOR |
| REED QUAD ENTRANCE | OFFICE OF THE VICE PRESIDENT OF STUDENT AFFAIRS |
| HOOPER STREET, LEVEL 2 | CGCSE |
| STADIUM SIDE ENTRANCE, LEVEL 2 | STUDENT CONDUCT |
| HOOPER STREET, MID-LEVEL | ACADEMIC HONESTY, WASHINGTON SEMESTER PROGRAM |
| MEMORIAL PLAZA, LEVEL 1 | EXPLORATORY CENTER |
| STAIRWELL ENTRANCE BY STANFORD DRIVE | PRIDE CENTER |
Tornado Emergency Notification Methods
UGA’s Athens Campus has four outdoor tornado warning sirens which are activated by Athens-Clarke County during tornado warnings for the county. The outdoor tornado sirens are only intended to be heard by persons who are located outdoors. During an actual tornado warning for Clarke County, the sirens will sound for three minutes and then a 30-second pause will occur. After the pause, the sirens will sound again for three minutes with another 30-second pause. This sequence will continue until the warning is cancelled or expires. These sirens can be located at the State Botanical Gardens, on top of the Chemistry Building, at the end of Rogers Road, and on top of the East Campus Parking Deck.
Pre-Planning For A Fire
- Familiarize yourself with the evacuation routes for all floors in Memorial Hall.
- Locate the nearest fire alarm pull stations and fire extinguishers from your work area and know how to operate them. If you would like additional training in the use of portable fire extinguishers, contact the Environmental Safety Office.
- Be aware of your surroundings while visiting other areas in the building and take note of the nearest exits.
- Know the sound of the building fire alarm system so you know when to take action if the fire alarm system is activated.
- Keep office exits and hallways free of obstructions.
- Maintain current phone lists of all office staff members.
- Participate and engage in all planned fire drills.
What To Do In Case Of A Fire
- Evacuate the building immediately. When the fire alarm is activated, evacuation is mandatory. Always assume an actual fire or emergency exists. Take personal belongings with you (identification, keys, wallet, etc.).
- Do not use the elevators.
- Notify the UGA Police at 911 immediately. Remain calm, give your name and the location of the fire (room number and what is burning, if known). The University Police Department will notify all appropriate agencies to respond to the emergency. University police officers will also be dispatched to the building.
- Make an announcement in all occupied areas for individuals to move immediately, but without panic, to the nearest exit.
- Meet with students and staff at the established outside evacuation locations. Never re-enter the building until you are given an “all clear.”
Exiting The Building With Caution
- If you are in the building when a fire alarm sounds, remain calm. Proceed to the nearest exit immediately. If the door is closed in the room in which you are located, do not open the door. Feel the knob and the upper part of the door for heat.
- If the knob and/or door are cool to the touch, brace yourself against the door and open it slightly. Check the conditions in the hallway. If the hallway does not contain excessive smoke and heat, proceed to the nearest exit with caution.
- If the knob and/or door are hot, or even warm to the touch, do not open the door. There is a good chance that the fire is in the hallway near your room and your probability of reaching an exit is very slim. Look for another way out of the room. If you are unable to locate another exit, remain in the room. Stuff the cracks around the door with any available items (towels, clothes, rugs, etc.) to keep out as much heat and smoke as possible.
- If you are trapped in a room where there is excessive fire and smoke in the hallway, let emergency responders know by calling the UGA Police to advise them of your location.
Evacuating People With Disabilities
- It is recommended that any person with a disability who needs assistance evacuating and sheltering in the event of an emergency self-identify and complete an Emergency Assistance Referral Form.
- Visually Impaired Persons – Announce the type of emergency, offer your arm for guidance, tell the person where you are going, and ask if further help is needed once you reach safety.
- People with Hearing Limitations – Turn lights on/off to gain the person’s attention, or indicate directions with gestures or write a note with evacuation directions, and assist to safety as needed.
- People Using Crutches, Canes or Walkers – Evacuate these individuals as injured persons, assist and accompany to the evacuation site if possible, or use a sturdy chair (or one with wheels) to move the person, or help carry the individual to safety.
- Wheelchair Users – Check with the individual on their preference, determine if an evacuation chair is available, remove any immediate dangers, immediately advise arriving first responders of special evacuation cases.
Securing Building Entrances
The following office areas have been assigned to monitor building entrances during a fire. Do not allow people approaching the building to enter until the “all clear” has been given.
| ENTRANCE | ENTRANCE MONITOR |
|---|---|
| REED QUAD ENTRANCE | OFFICE OF THE VICE PRESIDENT OF STUDENT AFFAIRS |
| HOOPER STREET, LEVEL 2 | CGCSE |
| STADIUM SIDE ENTRANCE, LEVEL 2 | STUDENT CONDUCT |
| HOOPER STREET, MID-LEVEL | ACADEMIC HONESTY, WASHINGTON SEMESTER PROGRAM |
| MEMORIAL PLAZA, LEVEL 1 | EXPLORATORY CENTER |
| STAIRWELL ENTRANCE BY STANFORD DRIVE | PRIDE CENTER |
BUILDING PLANS
CONTACTS & ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
The following methods may be used to notify the campus community of various emergencies that may impact students, staff and faculty on the University of Georgia campus.
- UGA Alert is UGA’s emergency mass notification system that is capable of sending thousands of messages within minutes through e-mail, SMS text message and phone calls. Make sure your emergency information is correct and stays up to date by logging onto the system. The system will only be used when there is a severe threat to public safety and health of the entire campus that has not been contained or controlled, and when immediate action is required. The UGA Alert phone number reflected on your caller ID will be (706) 542-0111. UGA Alert Desktop is available for UGA students, faculty and staff to install on their computers through EITS’s software page. Any UGA employees who need help installing the UGA Alert app on their desktop are advised to contact their department’s IT staff for assistance.
- UGA Alert messages are also posted to three X (formerly known as Twitter) feeds:
- The campus-wide email notification system Arch News can rapidly send email information to all faculty, staff and students on campus. It is normally utilized to provide campus-wide general announcements, lane closures, crime updates and inclement weather closings.
- UGA has 4 outdoor tornado warning sirens which are activated by Athens-Clarke County during tornado warnings. The outdoor tornado sirens are only intended to be heard by persons who are located outdoors. The locations of the tornado sirens are the State Botanical Gardens, the top of the Chemistry Building, at the end of Rogers Road, and the top of the East Campus Parking Deck.
The UGA Police Department is the primary contact for all campus emergencies.
| Emergency (UGA Police) | 911 |
| UGA Police – Emergency – Hearing Impaired | (706) 542-1888 |
| UGA Police – Non-Emergency | (706) 542-2200 |
| UGA Dean of Students/ BARC | (706) 542-7774 |
| UGA Environmental Safety Division | (706) 542-5801 |
| UGA Facilities Management Work Order Desk | (706) 542-7456 |
| UGA Facilities Management Work Orders (after hours/holidays) | (706) 542-2200 |
| UGA Office of Emergency Preparedness | (706) 542-5845 prepare@uga.edu |
| UGA Fire Safety Office (non-emergency) | (706) 369-5706 |
| UGA Biosafety Office | (706) 542-2697 |
| UGA Research Safety (Chemical and Radiation) | (706) 542-5288 |
| Athens-Clarke County 911 (Non-emergency) | (706) 546-5900 |
| University Health Center | (706) 542-1162 |
| St. Mary’s Hospital | (706) 389-3000 Directions from Memorial Hall |
| Piedmont Athens Regional Medical Center | (706) 475-7000 Directions from Memorial Hall |
UGA Safe is a personal safety mobile app that provides a quick, convenient, and discreet way to communicate directly with University of Georgia safety officials, enhancing your overall safety and allowing University of Georgia Police to better protect you.
- Communication: To increase communication between the University of Georgia community and safety officials in order to increase safety and awareness.
- Prevention: To be a preventative measure in stopping crimes and incidents before they occur.
- Collaboration: To leverage the community’s eyes and ears in helping keep campus safe.
Steps to Download UGA Safe
- Download “UGA Safe” from the App Store or Google Play (Enable location services and push notifications when prompted).
- Sign up using your mobile phone number, email or Facebook account.
- Create a password and fill in your name.
- Search for “University of Georgia” to connect with the organization.
- Add your email to your profile (Left Menu > Settings > Profile).
UGA Safe Features
- Chat with UGA Police: Users can initiate a chat session with the UGA Police when calling may not be possible. Easy to use phone links to call the UGA Police or Athens-Clarke County Police are also available.
- Mobile BlueLight: Share your location and call the UGA police. Your location sharing stays on while you move so the police know your location.
- Friend Walk: Send your location in real time to a friend so they can watch as you walk to your destination. This feature works while riding/driving, too.
- Emergency Resources: Learn what to do in an emergency, how to share emergency information with 911, and where to shelter on campus.
Best Practices to Download and Start Using the UGA Safe App
- Complete your profile: To gain the maximum benefit of the UGA Safe app, make sure to complete your user profile with your mobile phone number. This University of Georgia better respond to reports you send in.
- Enable Push Notifications: Allow “Push Notifications” to be enabled in your Settings. University of Georgia Police Department will respond to messages sent through the app. You will not be spammed.
- Enable Location Services: Be sure to enable location services. Safety officials rely on GPS data to better serve and protect you. When you report an incident or make an emergency call through the app, University of Georgia will see your location so they can respond quickly. Don’t worry! You are not being actively tracked, and can stop location tracking (when used during emergencies) any time you want.
The Office of Emergency Preparedness also offers various emergency and preparedness training through a variety of programs and classes. Visit their training link to stay up to date with available classes.
The purpose of The University of Georgia (UGA) Campus Emergency Management Plan (CEMP) is to establish policies, procedures, roles and responsibilities and an organizational structure for responses to a major emergency. The UGA CEMP incorporates operating procedures from the National Incident Management System (NIMS) and Incident Command System (ICS) for handling emergencies resulting from various potential disasters that could impact the UGA campus.