Emergency Preparedness & Information

A variety of external situations may cause the College to enter Outside Threat Mode at one or both campus locations. This indicates heightened security protocols are in place. The College community is encouraged to contact police, College authorities, or dial 911 if anything suspicious is noticed.

This mode ends when the College announces an ALL CLEAR.

Individuals on the affected campus(es) should follow these procedures.

• If you are on campus grounds but not in a building, either enter a building immediately or leave the campus grounds. This applies to those in the immediate vicinity. Campus members should encourage immediate building entry or campus exit for those they see outside the affected building(s).
• Doors and windows of the campus will be closed and locked, and no people should enter or exit the building(s).
• Business and courses already in session when the threat is issued will continue as usual unless the status of the situation changes.
• Attend to alerts, instructions, and updates that are sent through the College's emergency systems.
• Campus staff members who are aware of individuals or groups planning to travel to the affected campus(es) should alert them of the situation.

If you are planning to travel to a campus or location affected by an active Outside Threat Mode.

• Do NOT travel to the affected campus or location until an ALL CLEAR has been issued.
• Attend to alerts, instructions, and updates that are sent through the College's emergency systems.

Course Cancellations

• No courses will begin at the affected campus or location until an ALL CLEAR is issued. If only one campus is affected, the other campus will operate as usual, and courses will run as usual.

This alert is reserved for the most serious threats, including active shooters. The safety of people at the affected campus(es) or building(s) is in danger.

Instructions for Lockdown Mode

• If you are outside when this mode is issued, DO NOT enter the building. RUN away from danger.
• Individuals should quickly check the halls for any persons and immediately seek cover for them and themselves in the closest defensible space.
• Close, Lock, and Barricade (if possible) the doors of the space you are in.
• Close blinds and lock windows, turn off lights.
• HIDE out of sight and be completely silent (including all electronic devices/cell phones).
• Phones should only be used IF SAFE to do so and to receive emergency messages from Public Safety (Mid Alert, RAVE, etc.)
• Be prepared to FIGHT as a last resort if your life or the life of another is in danger!
• DO NOT OPEN THE DOOR FOR ANYONE.

When Law Enforcement Arrives

The threat will be cleared by responding law enforcement agents, who will do the following.

• Announce their presence.
• Make entry into all spaces (they will have access keys).
• Instruct occupants to go into SECURE MODE (this means to stay in your room until the final ALL CLEAR has been issued).

The affected campus(es) enter Secure Mode after being in Lockdown Mode.

During this time, the campus is being cleared by responding authorities/agencies, room by room.

Doors remain locked.

If you are in an affected building during this time, follow the procedures below.

• Do not leave your area until directed by law enforcement.
• Do not wander the halls or corridors.
• Listen for the ALL CLEAR, which may be delivered through PA, phone, text, or email.

If you notice a suspicious package or item, do not touch or move it. Do not use radios or electronic devices in the area. Notify Safety & Security.

In the event of a bomb threat phone call, follow the best practices outlined below. 

• Remain calm.
• DO NOT hang up the phone; keep the line open.
• Get the attention of another staff member who can report the call to Safety & Security. 
• Note the time the call was received.
• Write down the exact words of the caller and any identifying characteristics of the call you notice. 
• Follow the instructions given by Mid's Core Crisis Team.

If an incident necessitates an evacuation of a campus building, anyone inside should do the following.

• Immediately find the nearest exit and exit the building.
• Assist individuals with disabilities or visitors in evacuating the building. Do not use elevators.
• Follow any instructions received through Mid’s emergency alert system or phone/PA.
• Assemble outside and at least 100 feet from the building. Use caution at all times and keep sidewalks and streets clear for emergency personnel.
• Follow the directions of Safety & Security, Core Crisis Team, and/or any responding governmental agency.
• Do not return to the building until directed to do so by Safety & Security, Core Crisis Team, and/or the responding governmental agency. Ceasing the alarm does not indicate that it is safe to re-enter the building.

If you discover fire/smoke, follow the procedures below.

• Activate the fire alarm. 
• Call 911 and report the specific location of the fire/smoke.
• Remain calm and safely evacuate the building.
• Make an effort to notify Safety & Security of the same information shared with the 911 operator.

Any incidents of false alarms should be reported to Safety & Security.

If an incident necessitates campus evacuation, anyone inside a campus building should

• Immediately find the nearest exit and leave campus grounds. Exit in your vehicle if you have one, and if possible, assist others who do not have transportation. If you do not have transportation, exit the grounds on foot.
• Follow any instructions received through Mid's emergency alert systems or phone/PA systems.
• Assist individuals with disabilities in exiting the building and do not use elevators.
• Close all windows and doors as rooms are cleared.
• Follow the directions of campus security, administration, appointed personnel, and/or the responding agencies/authorities.
• Remain off campus until an ALL CLEAR is issued.
• If you are currently off campus, do not approach campus until an ALL CLEAR is issued.
• If you know of others who are planning to travel to campus, alert them of the situation.

Call 911 if you are the victim of a crime on campus or if you witness a crime on campus.

Then notify Safety & Security for assistance.

Try to remember details that may be important to law enforcement, don't disturb potential evidence, and be mindful of your safety and the safety of others. Do your best to remain calm, keep others calm, seek help, and be prepared to follow safety instructions.

Run, Hide, Fight

If a threat is identified, Emergency Mode procedures.

First Aid Supplies are available in Safety & Security on the Harrison & Mt. Pleasant Campuses.

AEDs are located throughout campus buildings for use in emergencies. 

Provide assistance for minor injuries as requested, always suggesting that the individual have the injury evaluated by a health care professional. 

In the case of more serious injuries, call 911. Follow the dispatcher's instructions and administer first aid until help arrives. Notify Safety & Security for assistance.

• Faculty and staff may need to complete required paperwork in the event of a workplace injury; see Human Resources for details.

If a visitor or caller wants to leave a message for a specific individual, take the message, but do not deliver it in view of the person who requested it, and DO NOT escort any visitor to where the specific individual is located. 

Contacting the specific individual and notifying them that a visitor is present is acceptable, giving them time and space to decide whether they wish to see the visitor. While contact is made, the visitor should be asked to wait in a public waiting area.

Both verbal and written threats should be taken seriously.

Threats via Phone Call

• DO NOT hang up. 
• Attempt to identify the individual. 
• Obtain as much information as possible.
• Notify Safety & Security.

Written Threats

• Do not touch or disturb the document to preserve evidence.
• Notify Safety & Security.

Although tornadoes can strike at any time, they are most common in the spring and summer. They may develop from severe thunderstorms. Considered nature’s most violent and erratic storm, they consist of whirling winds that can reach up to 300 miles per hour. Tornadoes can sweep through an area, causing serious damage and destruction in their path; then change direction and strike again.

In addition to injuries, structural damage, electrical shorts, and gas leaks may create fires or other hazards. Time is critical. There may only be seconds to respond. Therefore, it is very important that College community members be familiar with tornado procedures, review them regularly, and participate in tornado drills when administered.

Tornado Watch

A Tornado Watch occurs when weather conditions are considered favorable for the development of a tornado; for example, during a thunderstorm.

When a Tornado Watch is issued, the campus community should do the following.

• Monitor local weather reports.
• Stay connected with Safety & Security and actively review the College’s Incident Updates.
• Review Mid's Emergency Plans & Maps (located in classrooms and hallways) for designated tornado shelter areas.
• Be prepared to act should conditions change and a Tornado Warning be issued.

Tornado Warning

A Tornado Warning occurs when a tornado has been sighted or identified by radar in the area. Persons should take shelter immediately. Tornadoes can develop and move quickly. If severe thunderstorms should occur, be alert that a thunderstorm may possibly trigger a tornado.

When a Tornado Warning is issued by Public Safety Officials or the National Weather Service, a message will be broadcast over the phone/PA system advising of the warning, and if time permits, a message will also be sent through the College’s emergency notification system.

Individuals on campus should do the following.

• Move to the closest designated shelter area.
• Provide assistance to persons with disabilities.
• Remain in the designated shelter area until an ALL CLEAR has been issued.
• If people are outside when a tornado occurs and are unable to take shelter, they should lie flat in a ditch or depression and protect their head, avoid large trees, metal poles, and other electrical conductors. Vehicles should not be used as shelter.

Remember

• A Tornado Watch indicates conditions that may result in a tornado.
• A Tornado Warning indicates that a tornado has been spotted in the area, and people should take shelter.

Remain calm. Provide assistance to others if necessary, move to a lighted area, and follow instructions from Safety & Security and the Core Crisis Team.