The McMurry Emergency Response Team (M.E.R.T.) recommends that you develop a personal action plan to supplement university guidelines regarding armed violence in the University workplace and special events.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) created a video for public circulation to guide in preparing for and responding to a random episode of armed violence that you may encounter in a workplace or public venue.

The DHS video identifies three distinct options: Run, Hide, or Fight.

Run

• Have an escape route and plan in mind
• Leave your belongings behind
• Evacuate regardless of whether others agree to follow
• Help others escape, if possible
• Do not attempt to move the wounded
• Prevent others from entering an area where the active shooter may be
• Keep your hands visible
• Call 911 when you’re safe

Hide

• Hide in an area out of the shooter’s view
• Lock the door or block the entry to your hiding place
• Silence your cell phone (including vibrate mode) and remain quiet

Fight

• Fight as a last resort and only when your life is in imminent danger
• Attempt to incapacitate the shooter
• Act with as much physical aggression as possible
• Improvise weapons or throw items at the active shooter
• Commit to your actions … your life depends on it

View the Active Shooting Preparedness video from the DHS.

Surviving an active shooter event.

Download the active shooter pocket card.

Always report all threats and suspicious activities or persons to McMurry Security, 325-793-4666 or 325-665-6269.

In some emergencies, such as flooding or the release of hazardous materials, emergency responders may order protective actions for persons who live or work on campus.  Typically, these protective actions involve evacuating to a safer area or sheltering in place.  It is possible that some emergency scenarios could result in one of these protective actions being ordered for one part of the campus, while a different protective action is requested for a different area of the campus.  When such actions are warranted, you will be appropriately advised by police, fire, safety, or university officials via radio and television stations and the Emergency Alert System (EAS), door-to-door notifications, or other appropriate means.

Area Evacuation

An area evacuation is an organized withdrawal from a building or area to a designated safe location.  Upon notification to evacuate, quickly:

• Dress appropriately for the weather
• Take only essentials with you (e.g., eyeglasses, medications, identification, and cash/checkbook/credit cards) – do not pack belongings
• Turn off unnecessary equipment, computers, and appliances
• Close the door as you exit your rooms or office
• Follow the directions provided for safe evacuation routes, which are posted in each room on campus.
• Listen to the radio, if available, to monitor the emergency status.
• Do not use your personal vehicle for evacuation unless specifically ordered to do so.  If cars are used to evacuate, protect against hazardous materials by keeping windows closed and outside air conditioning systems turned off.
• If you require special assistance, please get in touch with your Resident Assistant (RA), Building Emergency Communication Person (BECP), or another designated emergency contact.  If these individuals are unavailable, please call McMurry Security at 325-793-4666 for assistance.

Telephone Call

• DON’T HANG UP THE PHONE! Even if the caller has hung up, try to gain someone else’s attention to call, or use another phone to call 911 and McMurry Security.
• Meet with and assist McMurry Security personnel
• As directed by McMurry Security, help locate/identify suspicious items
• Evacuate the building, as directed, using the Building Evacuation instructions or the evacuation routes posted in each room on campus.
• Do not re-enter the building until cleared by authorized personnel

When the building fire alarm sounds or when directed to do so:

• Immediately evacuate using the evacuation routes posted in each room on campus.
• Walk to the nearest exit stairwell (close doors behind you)
• Do not use elevators
• Proceed to the nearest designated outdoor gathering areas (see below)
• Report to your Building Emergency Communication Person
• Do not re-enter the building until cleared by authorized personnel
• Assist with the evacuation of individuals with special needs

Designated Outdoor Gathering Areas:

• Wah Wahtaysee Park
• Grassy area across from Hunt Residence Hall and Kimbrell Arena at the intersection of Ross Street and South 14^th Street
• Wilford Moore Stadium
• Aldersgate UMC Parking Lot

General

• Follow instructions as provided by your Department/University
• Listen to the radio and television for weather updates
• Check the McMurry University website, McMurry email, and/or the media for return to work status

Tornado

• Go to the basement or the lowest floor of the building
• Stay away from exterior walls, doors, and windows
• If possible, immediately move to Radford, Garrison Campus Center, or Jay Rollins Library (buildings with basements).
• Move to interior hallways and small interior rooms (e.g., bathrooms, closets, etc.).
• Get under a piece of furniture if possible (e.g., sturdy table, desk)
• Remain in the safety area until administration, McMurry Security, or local emergency personnel give the all-clear notice.
• Call 911 if emergency help is needed

Buildings with Basements

• Radford
• Jay Rollins Library
• Garrison Campus Center
• Gold Star Residence Hall
• Education Building (Graham Education Building)  [limited space available]

In some emergencies, such as flooding or the release of hazardous materials, emergency responders may order protective actions for persons who live or work on campus.  Typically, these protective actions involve evacuating to a safer area or sheltering in place.  It is possible that some emergency scenarios could result in one of these protective actions being ordered for one part of the campus, while a different protective action is requested for a different area of the campus.  When such actions are warranted, you will be appropriately advised by police, fire, safety, or university officials via radio and television stations and the Emergency Alert System (EAS), door-to-door notifications, or other appropriate means.

Shelter in Place

When emergency conditions do not warrant or allow evacuation, the safest method to protect individuals may be to take shelter inside a campus building and wait for further instructions.

• Move indoors or remain there – avoid windows and areas with glass
• If available, take a radio or television to the room to track the emergency status
• Keep telephone lines free for emergency responders; do not call 911 for information
• If hazardous materials are involved,
  • Turn off all ventilation systems and close all outside air inlets
  • Select a room(s) that is easy to seal, and, if possible, has a water supply and access to restrooms
  • If you smell gas or vapor, hold a wet cloth loosely over your nose and mouth and breathe through it in as usual a fashion as possible

If an Ambulance is Needed

• Call 911
• Provide the Dispatcher with: Location of emergency, type of injury, if known. Brief description of injured person (gender, age, etc.)
• Call McMurry Security, 325-793-4666 or 325-665-6269
• Render first aid, as trained
• Make the injured as comfortable as possible

If an Ambulance is Not Needed 

• Call McMurry Security, 325-793-4666 or 325-665-6269
• Render first aid, as trained
• Please assist with the transportation of an employee to their personal physician or a student to the University Health Clinic.

Possible Hazardous Material Spill Inside Building

• Call 911 immediately if you are aware of any spillage of a hazardous chemical or radioactive material (give location, type of material)
• Call McMurry Security, 325-793-4666 or 325-665-6269
• Isolate and secure the spill area
• Warn others in the immediate area
• Based on the hazard, attempt to clean up if you are trained and have the appropriate personal protective equipment.
• If directed, evacuate the building using the posted building evacuation instructions or the evacuation routes in each room on campus.
• Meet with and assist emergency response personnel

*Non-Emergencies, call Environmental Services, 325-93-6771 (office) or 325-793-4666 (after hours) for assistance

Possible Hazardous Material Spill Outside Building

• Call 911 immediately if you are aware of any spillage of a hazardous chemical or radioactive material (give location, type of material)
• Call McMurry Security, 325-793-4666 or 325-665-6269
• Isolate and secure the spill area
• Warn others in the immediate area

*Non Emergencies, call Environmental Services, 325-793-6771 (office) or 325-793-4666 (after hours) for assistance

Personnel Injury Involving Chemical Contamination

• Assist with using the emergency eyewash or shower, if needed.
• If trained to do so, render first aid immediately for serious injuries.
• Call 911
• Call McMurry Security at 325-793-4666 or 325-665-6269.
• If trained to do so, decontaminate the individual and remove and bag contaminated clothing without harming the victim.
• Obtain a Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) for the material involved if possible.

A psychological emergency exists when an individual is threatening to harm themselves or others, or is out of touch with reality due to severe drug reactions or a psychotic break. A psychotic break may be accompanied by hallucinations or uncontrollable behavior.

• Never try to handle a situation you feel is dangerous on your own
• In extreme emergencies, call 911 immediately
• Call McMurry Security, 325-793-4666 or 325-665-6269

Gas Odor

• Call McMurry Security, 325-793-4666 or 325-665-6269 (give caller name, location of odor, etc.)
• Warn others in the immediate area.
• Vacate and secure the area, as directed by a University official or emergency response personnel.l
• Notify the Building Emergency Communication Person
• Meet with and assist emergency response personnel

Major Gas Leak (E.g., pipeline break)

• Call 911 (provide the caller’s name, location of the leak, and other relevant details).
• Initiate evacuation of the building, or if outside, isolate the area
• Warn others in the immediate area
• Prevent sources of ignition (such as cigarettes and electrical equipment).
• Meet with and assist emergency response personnel.
• Do not re-enter the building or outside area until authorized personnel have cleared you to do so.

Major Utility Failure

• Call McMurry Security, 325-793-4666 or 325-665-6269
• If necessary, initiate evacuation of the building, or if outside, isolate the area
• If necessary, render first aid, as trained

If you are a victim or a witness to any on-campus offense

• Do not attempt to intercede or restrain an aggressive individual.
• Call 911 immediately
• Call McMurry Security, 325-793-4666 or 325-665-6269, for assistance
• Provide Security with the nature of the incident, location, and description of person(s) involved, and description of property involved
• Encourage others not to become involved; if possible, leave the area.

Always report all threats and suspicious activities or persons to McMurry Security, 325-793-4666 or 325-665-6269.