University of Idaho prides itself on a safe and secure environment for students, faculty, staff and visitors. At the same time, we recognize that each of us as individuals and our community as a collective whole has the responsibility of knowing policies, procedures and resources that may keep us safe from natural or man-made disasters.

What to do in case of...

Bomb threat

Remember Details of the Call

If you receive a bomb threat:

Listen carefully to the caller's voice
Record the exact time of call
Ask questions, particularly about:

time of placement
location of device
time of detonation
type of device

Listen for background noises
Note the time the caller hangs up

CALL 911 and report:

Your name
Location and telephone number you are calling from
The situation
Location of the device, if known
Time it is set to detonate, if known
Type of device, if known
Exact time you received the call

Sources for Updates

Emergency Alerts will be posted on the University of Idaho home page and the Vandal Alerts webpage.
Your supervisor, department/college administrator or building coordinator
For your own Bomb Threat Checklist please see Department of Homeland Security Bomb Threat Checklist

Building evacuation

Evacuation is required any time a condition exists which would require evacuation, when the fire alarm sounds, when an evacuation announcement is made or a university official orders you to evacuate.

In the event of a power outage, follow directions listed in "Preparing and Surviving a Power Outage." This document identifies buildings that must be evacuated immediately during a power outage.

Know in advance where your designated evacuation point is; this is where you will gather after having exited the building.

Listen to instructions from your evacuation coordinator.

When the building alarm sounds or an evacuation signal is given: Remain calm and exit the room.

Quickly shut down any hazardous operations or processes and render them safe, if it is possible to do so. If an unsafe situation exists that will not allow a shutdown before evacuating, report this to the Evacuation Coordinator.

Take jackets or other clothing needed for protection from the weather.
Close windows and doors, but do not lock doors as you leave.
Leave room lights on.
If you are away from your room when the alarm sounds you should exit the building immediately and not return to the room. If an unsafe situation exists in your room, report this to the Evacuation Coordinator.
Notify others in the area of the alarm if they did not hear it.
Instructors must ensure all students evacuate.
Exit the building via the nearest safe exit route. Walk; do not run. Never open doors that feel hot to the touch or attempt to travel through smoke-filled or hazardous areas. Use a different exit.
Do not use elevators to exit.
Report to the designated evacuation point and Evacuation Coordinator.
Wait at evacuation point for directions.
Do not reenter the building until emergency staff gives the "all clear" signal.

Building evacuation: If you become trapped

If you become trapped due to smoke, heat, flames or some other hazard:

Leave the room door closed. Seal door cracks and ventilation grills with cloth or wet towels or clothing, if possible.
Use the telephone to call 911 and let them know your location. Hang an article of clothing, large enough for emergency responders to see, in or out the window if possible.
If smoke enters the room and there is an window that opens, open the window to let it out. Close the window if outside smoke enters. Tie a piece of clothing around your nose and mouth to filter out smoke if needed.
Stay close to the floor where the air is cleaner.

Building evacuation: Mobility impaired

Procedure A

If there is NO evidence of fire, smoke or other emergency in the area of occupancy or nearest Area of Rescue Assistance, evacuate persons to the nearest, usually a stairwell, area with fire-safe doors.
Upon arrival of the fire department, fire department personnel will determine the cause of the emergency and check all Areas of Rescue Assistance locations.
If there is an actual emergency, people with mobility impairments will be evacuated by fire department personnel.

Procedure B

If there is evidence of fire, smoke or other emergency in the area of occupancy, evacuate all people from the area.
Evacuation will be either from the building or to another Area of Rescue Assistance not affected by the emergency situation.
A video is available from Environmental Health and Safety 208-885-6524 showing how to evacuate a person who is using a wheelchair.

Persons with Disabilities

Persons with disabilities, including those with mobility, hearing or visual impairments, may need assistance during an evacuation. Units and instructors need to be aware of employees and students who may have disabilities and ensure they receive assistance during evacuation, if needed. Elevators are not to be used during an evacuation.

Hearing impairments

Gain the person's attention by gesturing or turning the lights on and off.
If needed, write a note indicating an evacuation is necessary and provide directions.

Visual impairments

Announce that an evacuation is necessary.
Offer your arm for guidance.
Tell the person where you are going and obstacles you encounter.
When you reach the evacuation point, ask if further help is needed.

Fire or explosion

Alert people in the immediate area of the fire/explosion, evacuate the area, and call 911.
If you have been trained and it is safe to do so, you may attempt to extinguish a fire with a portable fire extinguisher. If you have not been trained to use a fire extinguisher you must evacuate the area.
Confine the fire by closing doors as you leave the area.
If the automatic fire alarm has not been activated, activate the building fire alarm system by pulling the handle on a manual pull station.
Evacuate the building following the procedures listed above. The Evacuation Coordinator must call 911 to verify the fire alarm/evacuation signal has been received.

Additional Information

Federal Emergency Management Agency
American Red Cross
University of Idaho Environmental Health and Safety office
U.S. Fire Administration
City of Moscow Fire Department

Sources for Updates

University of Idaho Information Line (recorded message)
Alerts on University of Idaho home page
Your supervisor, department/college administrator or building coordinator

Medical emergency

Call 911 or have someone call for you. If someone else calls, have the person report back to you to verify the call was made.

If it is possible and safe to do so

Protect the victim from further injury by removing any persistent threat to the victim.
Do not move the victim unnecessarily.
Do not delay in obtaining trained medical assistance.
Provide first aid until help arrives if you have appropriate training and equipment.
Send someone outside to escort emergency responders to the appropriate location.

Additional Information

Environmental Health and Safety offers First Aid Training. Call 208-885-6524 or safety@uidaho.edu for information.
City of Moscow Fire Department

Power outage

Please read the attached document titled Preparing for and Surviving a Power Outage and follow the instructions below.

Report the outage to University of Idaho Facilities at 208-885-6246 during normal work hours and 208-885-6271 outside normal work hours.
Assist other building occupants to move to safe locations.
Loss of power to fume hoods may require the evacuation of the building. If it is safe to do so, close the sash of the fume hood if power is lost.
Evaluate the unit's work areas for hazards created by power outage. If it is safe to do so, secure hazardous materials and shut down hazardous processes, take actions to preserve human and animal safety and health and take actions to preserve research.
Turn off and/or unplug nonessential electrical equipment, computer equipment and appliances. Keep refrigerators and freezers closed throughout the outage to help keep them cold.
Areas not served by emergency lighting will maintain flashlights in an accessible location.
If the building or campus must be evacuated, follow evacuation procedures listed in Evacuation section of this website.

Sources for Updates

University of Idaho Information Line (recorded message)
Alerts on University of Idaho home page
Your supervisor, department/college administrator or building coordinator

Terrorism

It is difficult to know with certainty in what form a terrorist event will take place. It could be an obvious event involving an explosion and release of hazardous materials, or it could involve a covert method, such as mailing letters or packages containing hazardous materials.

Guidelines for Reporting Generic Suspicious Activities

Report suspicious activities to the Moscow Police Department at 208-882-2677 or, if life-threatening, at 911:

Anonymous tips, phone calls or notes indicating threatening events.
People watching officials or offices.
Unidentified or unattended packages left in or near offices.
Requests for plans, blueprints or specifications for buildings by people who have no reason for this information.
People in places where they do not belong.
Packages or heavy mail with a peculiar odor or appearance.
Confrontations with angry, aggressively belligerent or threatening persons.
Extremely threatening or violent behavior by coworkers who indicate they may resort to revenge or more violence.