National Terrorism Advisory System

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has established a National Terrorism Advisory System to provide the public with information regarding terrorist threats.

Please check this Web page for periodic updates and instructions in case of a situation that threatens the campus. At this time, there is no information to indicate that the City of Milwaukee or MSOE is in any increased risk of terrorist attack.

Emergency Response Plan

MSOE’s Emergency Response Plan describes the role and operation of the university’s departments and personnel during an emergency. The plan is designed to enable faculty, staff and students to successfully cope with campus critical incidents and emergencies. It provides guidance to prepare for and respond to an emergency, and may be activated during any emergency.

The plan is distributed and available to all university faculty, staff and students through hard copy, electronic communication and Web site. Faculty, staff and students will be reminded of the existence of the plan via e-mail and student orientation materials, as well as during faculty in-service and/or other faculty/staff training sessions.

• MSOE Emergency Response Plan (pdf)
• MSOE Evacuation Assembly Areas (pdf)

Medical Emergencies

All medical emergencies should be reported immediately to the Public Safety emergency number, (414) 277-7159 (or 911 from any campus phone). State that it is an emergency and exactly what is the medical problem. The dispatcher will dispatch a patrol officer to your location, as well as emergency medical personnel, if appropriate. If emergency transportation is necessary, the patrol officer on the scene will arrange for the necessary medical assistance.

When calling the Public Safety Department be prepared to provide as much of the following information as possible:

• Your name and exact location.
• Description of injury or illness.
• Condition of the victim(s) (conscious, breathing, bleeding, chest pain, etc).
• Approximate age of the victim(s).
• Exact location of the victim(s).
• Do not hang up until the dispatcher instructs you to do so.

Fire and Evacuation

If you discover smoke or fire

• Warn others, pull the nearest fire alarm pull station, and get out of the building.
• From a safe location, immediately call Public Safety at (414) 277-7159.
• Identify yourself and the exact location of the fire or smoke.
• DO NOT attempt to put the fire out.
• Do not call the fire department yourself.

If the fire alarm sounds

• Always assume there is an actual emergency—Never assume an alarm is a false alarm.
• Begin evacuating immediately, and do not stop to collect personal belongings.
• Do not use the elevators; instead take the stairs. If the nearest stairwell is blocked by smoke, fire, or debris, attempt to evacuate using the other stairwells.
• Do not run. Walk quickly and hold the handrails.
• Stay to the right side in the stairwells to allow passage for firefighters or public safety personnel.
• Once you are out of the building, congregate at the assigned location. (RWJ meets in the South parking lot and MLH meets in the West parking lot) Do NOT congregate in front of the building entrances.
• Do NOT re-enter the building until told to do so by Public Safety.

It is university policy that in all instances where a building fire alarm has been activated, the affected building will be completely evacuated as a precaution. Faculty, staff and students should evacuate as quickly as possible.

Tips for getting out safely:

• Before opening a door, feel it for heat. If it is cool, open it slowly. If smoke is present, close the door and use another route. Always close the door behind you to limit the spread of fire and smoke.
• If you must go through heat or heavy smoke, remember that smoke rises. Crawl, keeping your face close to the floor. This applies even when opening doors; stay low and reach up to turn the knob.
• Do not leave the scene or you may be believed to be trapped in the building.

Residence Halls Fire Evacuation Procedures

In the residence halls, the exits are located at both ends of the hallways. Residents should evacuate to the exit nearest to their room.

If both stairwells are inaccessible, residents should return to their rooms. Close the doors, and place clothing or a towel underneath the door to prevent smoke from entering the room. Open a window and hang a sheet outside the window to show the fire department where to begin rescue operations.

Chemical Spills

In the unlikely event of a substantial chemical spill inside a building (such as a spilled drum of solvent), the procedures are as follows:

• Do not attempt to clean up a chemical spill. Respirator protection and other specialized equipment may be needed.
• Leave the area and advise others to evacuate.
• Call Public Safety at (414) 277-7159.
• Identify yourself and the exact location of the spill. Also describe any odors, gases, or mists and the type of container if known.
• Check bathrooms and out of the way places to warn others without placing yourself in any danger. Assist the disabled if needed.
• Move to the outside of the building away from the spill area.
• Keep the building occupants together. Do not return to the building until Public Safety personnel on the scene have given the all clear.
• Should you witness a chemical spill outside, stay away from the immediate area and call the Public Safety Department immediately. In most cases, the Milwaukee Fire Department will respond and handle this type of incident.

Weather Emergencies

The university will remain open and classes held unless there is clear and substantiated evidence to warrant otherwise. Determination of such conditions will be made through information gathered by the Director of Public Safety.

If the decision is made to close, a Rave Emergency Alert will be sent and radio and TV stations will be informed as early as possible so that information is included in their “school closing reports.” If conditions warrant a closing announcement during the normal business day, that information will be shared with a Rave Emergency Alert and passed on to the appropriate TV and radio stations as soon as possible.

If you do NOT receive a Rave Emergency Alert or hear that MSOE classes have been canceled on the local media, MSOE is open for business as usual and all classes will be held.

Check the MSOE homepage for updated information in the event of a closing.

For more information see the University Closing Policy.

Tornado Watch

The National Weather Service issues a tornado watch when there is the potential for a tornado developing in our area. Designated employees will be contacted by Public Safety during this preliminary stage. They will then tune into the local radio station and listen for a weather bulletin either canceling the watch or upgrading the condition to a warning status.

Tornado Warning

The National Weather Service issues a tornado warning when a funnel cloud has actually been sighted or indicated by radar. The warning will indicate the location of the tornado, direction of travel and period of time for movement through a specific area. Designated employees will be contacted by Public Safety in the event of a tornado warning.

If you hear the city’s tornado siren, a tornado warning broadcast for our area, or are informed by an employee, do the following immediately:

• Notify people in the building to begin moving to the designated shelter area, avoiding windows if possible.
• Ensure that persons in bathrooms and out of the way offices/rooms have been notified, without placing yourself in danger.
• Assist any disabled person(s).
• Remain in the designated area until the all-clear signal is given or the sirens have terminated. If you have a portable radio, take it with you.

Shelter Areas

There are no specific evacuation routes to be used to reach the shelter area. However, when moving to the area, the following precautions should be taken if the building layout permits:

• Avoid using stairwells that have exterior windows, if possible.
• If unable to reach the shelter area, get to the lowest floor possible and move to an interior office or corridor away from any glass.
• Do not attempt to close doors or windows unless failing to do so will expose you to flying glass.

**In All Cases Stay Away From Windows And Exterior Walls**