Shelter in Place

Although remote, there is always an emergency possibility that you will be instructed not to evacuate the campus, immediately.  In these cases, it is absolutely imperative that you listen carefully to and follow the instructions given over the emergency public address system or from members of the college public safety staff.

Public Safety could instruct you to shelter in place if:
a) There is a release of airborne containments such as chemical materials, biological agents, or radioactive particles in the vicinity.
b) There is an armed or threatening intruder on campus that has not been isolated.
c) Infrastructure failures such as transportation, roads, extreme weather conditions, etc.

How to Shelter in Place

Shelter in Place means that you should remain on campus and if instructed, inside a classroom or office.  Shelter in Place is prescribed when it appears to be more dangerous outside than inside.  As with evacuations, instructions to Shelter in Place will require you to act immediately.
a) Follow the directions given by public safety
b) If you see an armed individual, move to safety immediately and call 911, the college’s emergency number: (212) 220 8080 or use the call boxes located in the hallways or inform the nearest member of the college staff
c) Close all doors and windows

How You Are Notified

Traditionally college campus preparations for emergencies have relied principally on the fire drill or full evacuation of buildings approach.  However it is also critically important that we know how to respond to emergencies that require a Shelter in Place or an Emergency Lockdown response.  These emergencies procedures are the opposite of an evacuation.  No fire alarms will be used to inform students, faculty and staff of the emergency.  Instead, the college will initiate an emergency lockdown by using the emergency public address system or by instructions given by public safety staff.

Emergency Lockdown and response protocols are of two types:

  • Sheltering in place and
  • Implementing a tight perimeter control that prevents students, staff and faculty from entering the campus.

What to Do

Emergency lockdown means that there is an emergency condition that you are being instructed to remain on the campus and if instructed, to take refuge inside a classroom or office.  As with evacuation, if you are instructed to lockdown or shelter in place, you must act immediately.  An emergency lockdown is only ordered when there is a good reason to believe it is more dangerous outside than inside the building or enclosed room.
Follow the directions given over the public address system or public safety.

If you see an armed individual, move to safety immediately can call 911, the college’s emergency number: (212) 220 8080 or use the call boxes located in the hallways of inform the nearest member of the college staff.

Close all window  and doors.

Depending on the type of emergency, you will be given additional instructions but it is important to remain calm through there emergency.