Emergency Response and Evacuation Procedures

Saint Xavier University maintains an All-Hazards Emergency Operations Plan (EOP) that contains provisions to provide immediate emergency response and evacuation in an emergency situation. This plan provides that if there is an immediate threat to the health and safety of students, employees and visitors, occurring on the campus, the University, given the circumstances, follow the EOP (Annex F: Evacuations, Shelter in Place and Lockdown, Annex B: Communications) notification procedures. The EOP also implements the usage of mass notification systems, which allow for immediate notification of the campus community upon confirmation of a significant emergency or dangerous situation involving an immediate threat to the health and safety of students, employees and visitors occurring on campus.

The University will, without delay, and taking into account the safety of the community, determine the content of the notification and initiate the notification system, unless the notification will, in the professional judgment of responsible authorities, compromise efforts to assist victims or to contain, respond to, or otherwise mitigate an emergency. The Department of Public Safety will utilize the emergency text messaging and email alert functions as means of communicating emergency situations to students and employees. These means of communications are used in conjunction with the voice over tone public address system. Once the alert is processed, the Office of University Relations immediately updates the University web page and digital signage. The Assistant Vice President of Information Resources and Technology will also ensure updates to the campus community via voicemail messages.

This emergency notification requirement does not replace the timely warning requirement. They differ in that the Timely Warning applies only to Clery reportable crimes, while the emergency notification requirement addresses a much wider range of threats (i.e., gas leaks, tornadoes, contagious viruses, etc.). An institution that follows its emergency notification procedures is not required to issue a timely warning based on the same circumstances, but must provide adequate follow up information to the community as needed.

Emergency alert notifications can be initiated by the following responsible authorities:

• Chief of Police
• Captain of Police
• Lieutenant of Police
• Director of Emergency Management
• Director of Security
• University President
• University Provost
• Vice President of Student Affairs
• Vice President of University Relations
• Executive Director of Media Relations

The Office of University Relations will provide a University Representative to work in conjunction with the local media and government officials. The Department of Public Safety will provide external law enforcement agencies with updates to properly disseminate emergency information to the larger community.

Communication Annex B can be implemented by the following responsible authorities:

• Vice President University of Relations
• Executive Director of Media Relations

In accordance to the Illinois Campus Security Enhancement Act, the University annually exercises the Emergency Operations Plans and documents such exercises. Also, the University has published and distributed an Emergency Guide which provides emergency response and building evacuation procedures specifically for students, faculty and staff.

Evacuation Procedures 

• In the event of major utility failure during regular business hours, go to a safe location with emergency lighting and notify Public Safety at ext. 3911.
• Follow directions from the Department of Public Safety and Facilities Management for immediate action.
• If evacuation of a building is required, seek out persons with special needs and provide assistance.
• If needed, the telephone number to request physical assistance for anyone with a disability is ext. 3911.
• Laboratory personnel should secure all experiments and shut off research gases.
• Prior to evacuating, all chemicals should be stored in their original locations.
• Do not light candles or other types of flames for lighting.
• Do not touch any electrical equipment (including computers) or light switches.

Electrical Outage

• Evacuate the building if the fire alarm sounds or upon notification by authorized emergency personnel.
• In laboratory buildings, fume hoods do not operate during a power outage and most Laboratories should not be used until the ventilation is properly restored.
• If people are trapped in elevators, tell passengers to stay calm and that you are getting help. Then call ext. 3911 and provide information.

Gas Leak/Unusual Odors

• Cease all operations immediately.
• Do not use cell phones or other electronic equipment.
• Do not switch lights on or off.
• Evacuate as soon as possible.
• Fully open fume hoods.
• If this is not possible, or natural ventilation is inadequate, evacuate the laboratory until the power is returned.

Fire

• Walk to the nearest exit (Do Not Use Elevators.)
• Assist persons with special needs.
• Notify Chicago Fire Department personnel or University Public Safety staff if there is someone trapped inside the building.
• Gather outside at a designated assembly area and do not attempt to re-enter the building until instructed to do so by Chicago Fire Department personnel or University Public Safety staff.

Flooding/Plumbing Failure

• Cease using all electrical equipment.
• Avoid contact with the water.
• Evacuate effected area.

All hazards evacuations procedures can be implemented by the following responsible authorities:

• Chief of Police
• Captain of Police
• Lieutenant of Police
• Director of Security
• Director of Emergency Management
• Director of Facilities
• Manager of Housekeeping, Grounds and Mailroom