Disaster Policy

The purpose of this procedure is to safely evacuate employees and patrons in case of fire, gas leak, phone threat, or other emergency.  The primary objective of the staff must be to clear the building as quickly as possible in a safe and orderly manner.  All staff members, whether full or part-time, should be familiar with these procedures.  If you are in danger, you are to exit immediately; no employee is expected to risk his/her own life and health to facilitate an evacuation.  

Fire

PULL FIRE ALARM and CALL 911 – If you observe a fire or other building emergency.  

MAKE the general evacuation announcement – “EVERYONE IS TO EVACUATE THE BUILDING BY THE NEAREST EXIT”.  This announcement should be made twice. Make this announcement by paging: To page press 2, press DIAL, you will hear a beep, press 1, you will hear a beep, press 0, say your message, press # to disconnect.   Proceed to the next step if expediting the evacuation is your primary concern.

INFORM and EVACUATE PATRONS – When fire alarm sounds, the Director or a senior staff person should begin touring the floor advising all patrons to evacuate the building in a calm and orderly fashion. 

NON COOPERATIVE PATRONS – If a patron refuses to leave the building, notify rescue personnel of their location once you have safely exited the building.

EXIT ROUTES

• All staff members should be aware of alternate exit routes in case the primary route is inaccessible.
• Staff should monitor exit doors to ensure that no patron re-enters the building until responders give the “all clear”.  The Director or a senior staff person should instruct staff to re-enter the building first after the “all clear” so that staff will have time to return to their stations before patrons re-enter the building.

DIRECT EVACUEES TO SAFE OUTSIDE AREA – As visitors and staff exit the building direct them to an outside assembly area that is a safe distance from the building and away from the fire, smoke or danger zone. 

TAKE ATTENDANCE – Once employees are assembled outside, the Director or a senior staff member should take a roll call and determine if all employees are accounted for and then report attendance to the Director.  

EMERGENCY PERSONNEL OF UNACCOUNTED FOR STAFF– The Director should inform the onsite emergency responders the results of the roll call if anyone is suspected of remaining in the building.

FOLLOW DIRECTIONS OF EMERGENCY RESPONDERS– Do not re-enter the building until the onsite fire or police department provides the all clear.  Once library staff have returned to their positions in the library, patrons can be allowed back into the building.

Health emergencies

Staff members should exercise caution when administering first aid of even a minor nature because of the safety of the injured individual and the potential liability of the staff member. Without specialized training it is not advisable for staff to undertake more than keeping the sick or injured patron comfortable and protected from needless disturbance until medical help can be obtained. Since each case is unique, staff members should use their own judgment to do what is prudent and reasonable. The Police (911) should be called immediately in the event of any serious problem. No medication, including aspirin, should ever be dispensed to the public.

Threats via phone

Keep the caller on the line as long as possible. Ask the caller to repeat the message and try to write down every word spoken by the person. If the caller says that he/she is planning on blowing up the building and does not indicate the location of the bomb or the time of possible detonation, ASK FOR THIS INFORMATION. Pay particular attention to peculiar background noises such as motors running, background music and any other sounds which may indicate where the location from which the call is originating. Listen closely to the voice (male, female), voice quality (calm, excited), accents and speech impediments. Make an attempt to notify another staff member to call 911, or immediately after the caller hangs up, call the police. Clear the building. The police will handle the actual bomb search.

Emergency Closing

The closing of the library may be required by natural, mechanical or other emergencies; these situations will be handled as follows: The responsibility for closing the library rests with the Library Director or her designee. In the event of an emergency situation, the Library Director shall inform the President of the Board of Trustees or an officer and the Mayor’s office as soon as possible as to the reason for such closing.

Approved by the Board March 2014