Tutor Training: Facility Emergencies

Power outages are considered more of an inconvenience rather than an emergency. Many buildings have emergency lighting and some facilities have backup generators to power crucial building and laboratory systems. However, there are still procedures to follow.

In the event of a power outage:

• remain calm and in your work area
  • Emergency lighting will be able to help with visibility
• Call Protective Services (306-966-5555) to report the outage
  • Give them your name, location, and phone number
• Wait for more information and follow the instructions given to you by library staff

Protective Services will decide whether to evacuate the building or not. They will also contact senior library administration to determine whether the library will remain open or closed.

Do not use elevators during a power outage. As a courtesy, encourage any students you encounter to only use the stairs. Library staff will also be taking care of this. If required, Protective Services will check elevators for people who may be trapped inside. 

Most tutors will be within the Murray Library building so some of the following information is specific to Murray. If you're tutoring in another building, it would be wise to review that building's Emergency Response Plan for specific instructions and procedures. Most rooms should have a single-page evacuation plan with the locations of fire extinguishers, pull stations, and closest exit. These plans are often posted near room doors. 

In a situation that requires it, extinguish a small, non-grease, non-chemical fire using a fire extinguisher with the PASS method.

• P – Pull out the pin
• A – Aim the fire extinguisher nozzle at the fire
• S – Squeeze the fire extinguisher handle
• S – Sweep nozzle side to side at the base of the fire

 

 

 

 

 

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If you see a fire:

• Remain calm
• Activate the fire alarm
• Call 911 (or 9-911 from campus phones)
  • They will alert Protective Services​
  • Stay on the line with with 911 and follow their instructions. Do not hang up unless instructed to do so.
• Commence evacuation procedures
  • Leave the library by the nearest exit and go to the marshalling area for the building
  • Wait there for more instructions

Fire alarms are tested each month and activated for less than 10 seconds.

If the fire alarm sounds for more than 10 seconds, all people in the building must respond.

If you hear the fire alarm:

• Commence evacuation procedures with your student
  • Leave the library by the nearest exit and go to the marshalling area for the building
  • Wait there for more instructions

The Marshalling area for the Murray Library.

It is important to note that re-entry to a building following a fire or fire drill is not allowed, until permission is given by Saskatoon Fire and Protective Services, Saskatoon Police Service, Protective Services, the Chief Fire Warden, or a Safety Resources representative.

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Other important factors to consider:

• Do not use elevators during a fire evacuation.
• If there is a person(s) with special needs, notify the Fire Warden, a Floor Warden, or a library staff member.
• The Chief Fire Warden, Floor Wardens, and Door Guards will direct the general evacuation as quickly as possible in a safe and controlled manner to designated marshalling area(s).

A lockdown is a general procedure initiated by a number of situations, including:

• Severe weather
  • Tornado approaching
• External threat
  • Large chemical spill nearby
• Internal threat
  • An armed individual within the library

The AlertUs system is set to deliver alerts via text messages and emails to campus. The message will indicate if the lockdown is due to weather or to threat. You must be prepared to act quickly. If possible, keep your mobile phone with you.

In the event of a lockdown:

• Remain calm and immediately cease all activities.
• Seek safe shelter within the building and alert others of the situation as you go.
  • All campus computers should pop-up with an AlertUs message about the lockdown
  • If there is no other library staff around AND you know a safe place to take shelter, call out:

"There is a lockdown. Please come with me." ​​

• Lock or barricade yourself and any staff or patrons that follow you in a safe area and remain there until notified by authorities that it is safe to leave.
• If it is safe to do so, wait 3 minutes before locking/barricading the doors to encourage any straggling students to enter the room.
• Monitor your mobile phone for AlertUs updates

The general dos and don'ts with a lockdown are listed below.

Remember that your first duty is to protect yourself. Assist others only if it is safe to do so.