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Technical Services Guide for Staff: Emergency Protocol

Overview

There are four steps in responding to an emergency in the library:

  1. Get to safety
  2. Do a rapid assessment
  3. Quickly communicate
  4. Prevent further damage

Step 1. Get to safety

If you are in immediate personal danger, take care of yourself first: leave the area or find shelter. Help others only if it is safe to do so.

Step 2. Assess

Use your senses to note the situation. What do you see, hear, smell, taste, feel? Note the location of the problem. Use your phone to take pictures or jot some notes down.

Step 3. Communicate

Depending on the urgency of the matter

  • call 911,
  • pull the fire alarm,
  • call Campus Security (235-7355)
  • find the nearest library staff,
  • or find your supervisor

and report your assessment ASAP.

Campus Security's number should be programmed in your cell phone.

Step 4. Prevent

If it is safe to do so, under the direction of library staff, prevent further damage. Examples include:

  • Block access to unsafe areas, put up warning signs
  • Cover shelves with plastic sheeting
  • Move undamaged materials to another location if they are at risk
  • Clean up water
  • Use the dehumidifier and fans
  • Monitor the environment
Windward Community College Library • 45-720 Keaʻahala Rd. • Kāneʻohe, HI 96744
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