Emergency Information

The safety of students, faculty, staff and visitors to campus is of the utmost importance to Geneva. In the event of an emergency, students, faculty and staff will be notified of the situation by cell phone text message, e-mail or, an individual. Please ensure that you are familiar with how to respond to different circumstances. Some dangers can be avoided or lessened by being observant and taking quick action.

Should an emergency occur, remember: 

• Call 911 for serious health or safety emergency situations. 
• Contact Geneva Security by campus phone at ext. 5678, or the Security cell phone at 724-846-9632.
• Provide first aid only to the extent of your personal training and ability.
• Do not move an injured person unless it is necessary to avoid further injury.
• Be alert for updates and instructions during an emergency situation.
• Remain calm and encourage others not to panic.
  
  

Important Contacts

GC ALERT Communications

The GC Alert campus emergency system notifies students, faculty and staff of critical information and instruction during emergency situations.  Students are opted-in to this service by default and can manage their contact information by visiting the Student Information > Personal Communications page in myGeneva. Find out at http://vdis.chalakseir.com/emergency/gc-alert/.

Emergency Response

The unpredictable nature of developing crises requires a wide range of human responses, even the best planning cannot prevent an element of chaos as a dynamic situation unfolds. Our goal is to be as ready as possible by educating our people, and by having in place the fundamental systems, supplies and training that will provide a flexible framework. It is good to know the following information.

• Severe Weather
• Personal Injury
• Fire Emergency
• Pandemic Flu
• Hazardous Material
• Bomb Threat
• Armed Intruder
• Suicide Threat

Severe Weather

The effects of severe local storms - wind, snow, ice, hail and tornadoes - are immobility and loss of utilities. If electrical lines are damaged, other utilities such as telephone systems (cell and land lines), natural gas, water and sewer systems may become inoperable. In the event of severe weather:

• Remain indoors out of the elements.
• Faculty, staff and students will be alerted by GC Alert or runner if it becomes necessary to evacuate or remain in place for an extended period of time. Local radio and television media will also announce updates.
• Go to the Geneva College web site homepage, vdis.chalakseir.com, if possible for announcements and updates.

Personal Injury

Medical emergencies can occur without warning, and a timely response is helpful, if not necessary. If a medical emergency occurs:

• Call 911 if the emergency is life threatening.
• Provide first aid only to the extent of your personal training and ability.
• Call Campus Security - they can reach the campus nurse.
• Describe the type of injury or illness and briefly describe how the injury occurred.
• Provide the identity of the injured and the location of the emergency.
• Have someone meet the emergency personnel and guide them to the location.
• Do not move the injured or ill unless it is necessary to avoid further injury.

Fire Emergency

Accidental fires can occur unexpectedly, the proper response is necessary to quickly and safely control and eliminate the flames. In the event of fire.

• If door is HOT, stay in room or exit through a window if possible. 
• If door is COOL, open slightly to check for smoke.
• If you see SMOKE, stay in room and use towels, etc to cover openings.
• If no smoke, close door behind you and go to assembly area.
• Pull alarm en route.

Pandemic Flu

• Practice good personal hygiene. This is the single most effective thing you can do to prevent illness.
• Get immunization shots when the vaccines become available.
• DO NOT go to class or to work if you get symptoms. Stay in your room (or if feasible go home) until 24 hours after your unmedicated fever is gone.
• Contact the Health & Wellness Center for more information.

Hazardous Material

To protect members of campus and the college′s equipment, chemical spills must be cleaned up as quickly as possible, and unknown smells investigated. If you become aware of any, please follow these procedures:

Unknown odors

• Contact Geneva Security at 724-846-9632.
• Identify the source of the odor if possible. If not, describe the odor.
• If it is natural gas, open doors and windows and evacuate the building.
• If the odor is irritating or you feel symptoms such as dizziness, nausea, burning or stinging, alert someone to your symptoms and ask for assistance in leaving the building.

Chemical exposure or spill

• If someone comes into contact with the chemical, rinse the area with clean, cool, running water for at least 15 minutes. If in the eye, hold eyes open while flushing with water.
• Contact Geneva Security at 724-846-9632.
• Call 911 if incident requires medical treatment, spill involves a fire or explosion or spill is life threatening.
• Alert your supervisor and anyone in the immediate area.
• Protect other people from exposure. If necessary, evacuate the area.

Bomb Threat

Although a bomb threat is unlikely, it is necessary to plan for such an eventuality. Bomb threats rarely involve real explosives but must be taken seriously at all times. Immediately contact Geneva Security at 724-846-9632.

Armed Intruder

Options to Consider:

• Run (Evade): Escape away from sounds of gunshots. Stay low and cautiously check before turning corners.
• Hide (Barricade): Lock the door if possible or use heavy objects to barricade door. Stay low. Gather near doorway but not in line of sight upon opening.
• Fight  (Overwhelm): Work together to surprise and “dog-pile” the shooter. Active responses have proven far more effective than passive. 
• Helpful Tips: U.S. Department of Homeland Security
• Training Video: U.S. Department of Homeland Security

Suicide Threat

• Sustain communication. They need to know you'll listen. Discuss specific intentions openly. Don't argue; and don't leave them.
• Take threat seriously. Don't assume they won't do it, but don't assume they can't be stopped.
• Call Campus Security. If they have a plan, the means, a lethal method, and a time in mind, they need intervention now.
• Contact RD/RA/Supervisor.
• Contact the Health & Wellness Center at 724-847-6666.