Page Comparison

(note: you may recognize some of the content from Katie Warrener’s email from last year. She did such a good job.)

Evacuation Drill Time!

During the week of Oct. 3-7, we will be conducting our annual Valley Library building evacuation drill. Are you ready?

Everyone who works in the building needs to know the nearest:

• two emergency exits (wherever you may be in the building)
• fire alarm pull switch
• fire extinguisher
• Look for red signage that guides the way
• Consult the detailed safety maps on the library wiki

Seize the moment! Review the location of these building features in your work environment (and be ready for a pop quiz from the fire marshal!)

Everyone’s Favorite Activity: An Evacuation Drill

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Always remember that in an emergency situation to remain calm.

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Assembly Areas

You’ve proceeded to the nearest emergency exit in an orderly fashion and emerged into the open. Now what?

Each department/unit in the library has been designated an assembly area to assemble in and account for each other. Now is the perfect opportunity to make sure you know where to find your department/unit outside. You’ll find the map of assembly areas linked in several places on the library wiki and attached to this message for good measure!

Circulation door monitors will help guide everyone to the north quad and away from the building

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When to Evacuate

Where does a building evacuation fit into different emergency scenarios?

• the fire alarm
• an earthquake
• an active shooter
• a bomb threat or suspicious object
• a power outage

Use the Library Safety Essentials to refresh your knowledge of building evacuation protocol. Ask a member of the building safety committee if you have questions.

Quiz Time

Reply with your responses to enter the daily and grand prize raffle!

1. During a building evacuation it is ok to use an elevator if they are working?
2. Where should you go after leaving the building?
3. When is it ok to re-enter the building after an evacuation?

(Subject: Safety Week Challenge: Building Evacuations)

Sometime Monday, September 14, The Valley Library is running an evacuation drill. Are you ready?

Be Ready

Everyone who works in the building needs to know the nearest:

• two emergency exits
• fire alarm pull switch
• fire extinguisher
• Look for red signage that guides the way
• Consult the detailed safety maps on the library wiki

Seize the moment! Review the location of these building features in your work environment (and be ready for a pop quiz from the fire marshal!)

Kittens demonstrate safe egress and assembly in a designated area

Assembly Areas

You’ve proceeded to the nearest emergency exit in an orderly fashion and emerged into the open. Now what?

New this year: designated assembly areas for all departments. Monday is the perfect opportunity to practice assembling with your department outside the building. Now is the perfect opportunity to make sure you know where to find your department outside. You’ll find the map of assembly areas linked in several places on the library wiki and attached to this message for good measure.

Cat demonstrates multiple safety faux *paws*

When to Evacuate

Where does a building evacuation fit into different emergency scenarios?

• the fire alarm
• an earthquake
• an active shooter
• a bomb threat or suspicious object
• a power outage

Use the Library Safety Essentials to refresh your knowledge of building evacuation protocol. Ask a member of the building safety committee if you have questions.

Now that you’re all brushed up on your building evacuation know-how ahead of Monday’s drill, you are cordially invited to The Ultimate Get-Out-of-the-Building Challenge!!! (1) Find your way out of the library maze and (2) label your department’s assembly area on the map, and you’ve earned your first Safety Week raffle entry. Just drop off your response at Katie W.'s desk.

Thank you,

The Valley Library Safety Committee

(Bryan, Dan, Don, Ed, Elizabeth, Katie, Victoria) 

(Subject) Safety Week Tips: Building Evacuations

The Valley Library is having an evacuation drill sometime this week. Are you ready?

When to Evacuate

A building evacuation may be part of your response to different kinds of emergencies. Take a few minutes to review the Library Safety Essentials and the OSU Emergency Poster for evacuation procedures in the event of:

• the fire alarm
• an earthquake
• an active shooter
• a bomb threat or suspicious object

Federal Art Project, 1936 or 1937

Be Ready

Everyone who works in the building needs to know where to find the nearest:

• emergency exit
• fire alarm pull switch
• fire extinguisher

So step up your emergency preparedness (and study up for a pop quiz from the fire marshal!) Take a few minutes to go locate these building features in your work environment.

• Look for red signage that guides the way
• Consult the detailed safety maps on the library wiki
• Take the emergency exit scavenger hunt challenge!

And please remember:

• do not use elevators during an evacuation
• do not use the loading dock as an emergency exit during the current Waldo Place street closure – a good alternative is the emergency exit just beyond the loading dock, in the southwest corner of the Learning Commons

Emergency Exit Scavenger Hunt

Tuesday to Thursday, the building’s emergency exits have a unique identity, each inspired by a literary conflagration (or other calamity) and characters who had to evacuate a danger zone. Your task is to identify the two emergency exits nearest your work station and some other places you frequent. Which literary emergencies will you encounter there? Look for the little laminated placards, and see the attachment (PDF) for more details!

Kudos to Kelly Holcomb and David Moynihan in the Circulation office for braving the letter tiles scramble attached to yesterday’s message. Both of them earned an item from the prize box and a chance to win the grand prize, a free 3D print. Here’s hoping the scavenger hunt challenge will be less opaque and more appealing! If you have any questions, give me a ring – Katie Warrener, 7-4772.

Thank you,

The Valley Library Safety Committee

Communication During Emergencies and Disasters

Calling 9-1-1

• Is a person hurt or in danger? Do you need the police, fire or ambulance? If yes, call 9-1-1
• If you are unsure, call 9-1-1 anyway. The dispatcher can determine the type of assistance you need.
• Do not hang up. You need to stay on the phone (unless you are in danger) to answer any questions the dispatcher may have.
• Stay calm and answer all questions.
• Know the location of the emergency.
• Teach your children how to call 9-1-1. If capable, teach them their name, parent’s name, telephone number and most importantly, their address. Also when to call 9-1-1.
• Post your address clearly and prominently at your entrance and on your home. Know the address of your workplace.
• Know the phones you own. Others may need to use someone else’s phone and will need to know how to use them.
• Further information at NENA: The 9-1-1 Association

LEAD created tips on When to Call for Help for non-emergency situations.

Emergency Red Phones: Remember that on each library stairwell landing there is an emergency red phone. There is also one located at the Circulation desk.

As soon as you pick it up you are connected to public safety dispatch. If you cannot speak on the phone, leave it off the hook and public safety will send someone to the library to check on the situation.

Communicating With Others During an Emergency or Disaster

To ensure that your telephone call gets through to family, friends and loved-ones during an emergency or disaster, here are things to consider:

• Limit non-emergency phone calls. Helps free up network congestion and conserves battery power on wireless phones.
• Keep all phone calls brief. Call only to convey vital information to emergency personnel and/or family.
• Try text messaging. In many cases text messages will go through when your call may not. Also frees up network congestion.
• Try a variety of communication services if you are unsuccessful with one. Wireless phone, text messaging, landline phone, social media or email.
• Wait 10 seconds before redialing a call. If you redial too quickly, the data from your cell phone to the cell sites do not have enough time to clear and contributes to a clogged network.
• Know what type of landline telephone service you have. Some newer forms of telephone service will not work without electric power.
• Charge your phone and/or laptop/tablet computer before a storm or predicted event. Have charged batteries or car-charger adapters available for backup power for your wireless phone.
• Maintain a list of emergency phone numbers in your phone. Have a paper copy available in your wallet or purse.
• If in your vehicle, place or receive calls when stationary.
• Have a family communication plan in place. Designate someone out of the area as a central contact, and make certain all family members know who to contact if they become separated. Create a family/friend contact sheet.
• Program “In Case of Emergency” (ICE) contacts into your cell phone so emergency personnel can contact those people for you if you are unable to use your phone.  Let your ICE contacts know that they are programmed into your phone and inform them of any medical issues or other special needs you may have.
• If you have Call Forwarding on your home number, forward your home number to your wireless phone in the event of an evacuation.
• If you do not have a cell phone, keep a prepaid phone card to use if needed during or after a disaster.
• Be sure that you have at least one corded phone that is not dependent on electricity in case of an electrical power outage.
• Subscribe to text alert services from local or state governments to receive alerts in the event of a disaster.  Parents should sign up for their school district emergency alert system. Be sure you are subscribed to and have updated your information on the OSU Alert Portal.
• Broadcasters are an important source of news during emergencies, so consider keeping a battery-operated, solar-powered, or hand-crank-operated radio or digital portable television for use during power outages. Make sure you have charged or fresh batteries if needed. Some hand-cranked radios can also be used to charge cell phones, but check the instruction manual before assuming this is the case.

• More information can be found at FCC and FEMA: How to Communicate Before, During and After a Major Disaster and FCC/FEMA Tips for Communicating During an Emergency.

It is important for consumers to keep in mind that during an emergency, many more people are trying to use their wireless and wireline telephones at the same time when compared to normal calling activity. When more people try to call at the same time, the increased calling volume may create network congestion.

Quiz

If you respond with your answers you will be entered into a raffle for safety-related prizes (including a Grand Prize) being conducted on Monday, Sept. 18.

1. You cannot not get your call through, so you should redial as fast as possible. True or False?
2. All landline phones are not dependent on electricity to function. True or False?
3. You have checked your information with the OSU Alert Portal within the last 6 months. True or False?
4. You should have several methods of communication available in case one does not work. True or False?

The Valley Library Safety Committee

Fire is Everyone's Fight. 

Keep yourself and fellow Beavers safe by being familiar with the Library Safety Essentials and Evacuation Assembly Areas (Attached pdf). Here's a few tips:

Fire

1. Activate the fire alarm

2. Call 911 (cell phones will work)

3. Evacuate - Notify occupants as you leave

Don't use elevators

Close doors to contain fire as you leave

Feel closed doors - don't open hot doors

Only attempt to extinguish a fire if preventing evacuation

Fire Alarms

Fire alarms are located near each exit and at the west and east ends of the avenue on each floor (safety maps). Only use if you discover a fire in the building, call 911, and leave the building. Report any problems to emergency personnel. Do not block access to fire alarms.

Fire Doors

The fire doors between each floor and the stairwells will automatically close when the fire alarms are activated. They are meant to keep fire from spreading and keep smoke out of the stairwell evacuation routes. If they are closed you can still exit to the stairwell by pushing on the hand bar. Circulation staff will re-open after a fire alarm event.

Fire Extinguishers

Fire extinguishers are located near exits throughout the building and are indicated by a wall sign above the extinguisher (safety maps). They are to be used only to egress the building if fire is blocking your path or small trash can size fires. An online fire extinguisher training video is available at The ABC's of Portable Fire Extinguishers. More information can be found at Fire Extinguisher Policy.

Do not block access to fire extinguishers.

Quiz Time

Reply with your responses to enter the daily and grand prize raffle!

1. How many Emergency Exits are available on each floor of the Valley Library?
2. What classification of Fire Extinguishers is the Valley Library equipped with?
3. What should you do if you catch on fire?

Word Search Puzzle- fire.pdf

Fire Prevention & Safety Checklist

v  The most effective way to protect yourself and your home from fire is to identify and remove fire hazards.

v  Sixty-five percent of home fire deaths occur in homes with no working smoke alarms.

v  During a home fire, working smoke alarms and a fire escape plan that has been practiced regularly can save lives.

Be Red Cross Ready

v  If a fire occurs in your home, GET OUT, STAY OUT and CALL for help.

v  Install smoke alarms on every level of your home, inside bedrooms and outside sleeping areas. Test them every month and replace the batteries at least once a year.

v  Talk with all household members about a fire escape plan and practice the plan twice a year.

Additional information: http://www.redcross.org/portal/site/en/menuitem.86f46a12f382290517a8f210b80f78a0/?vgnextoid=5e06a5f0f013b110VgnVCM10000089f0870aRCRD

Housekeeping 

v  Keep clutter out of halls, lobbies, alleys, and other public areas.

v  Keep waste paper, empty boxes, dirty rags, cleaning supplies, and other combustibles out of exits, storage areas and stairways.

Wiring  

v  Replace any cracked, frayed or damaged electrical cord.

v  Never run extension cords across doorways or where they can be stepped on or pinched or run over by chairs or other furniture.

v  Do not plug extension cords into each other and avoid plugging more than one extension cord into an outlet.

v  Be sure to use an appropriate extension cord for the appliance being used.

Equipment and Appliances  

v  Leave space for air to circulate around heaters and other heat-producing equipment, such as copy machines, coffeemakers, and computers.

v  Keep appliances away from anything that might catch fire.

v  Do not stack books or papers on top of computer monitors.

Employees should

v  Count the doors or desks between their work areas and the nearest exit.

v  During a fire, employees may have to find their way out in the dark.

v  Learn the location of alternative exits from their work areas in case the primary exit is blocked by smoke.

v  Know the location of the nearest fire alarm and how to use it so co-workers can be alerted to the fire.

If Fire Strikes 

v  Sound the alarm and call the fire department immediately, no matter how small the fire appears to be.

v  Leave the area quickly, closing doors as you go to contain the fire and smoke.

v  If you encounter smoke or flame during your escape, use an alternative exit. Heat and smoke rise, leaving cleaner, cooler air near the floor. If you must exit through smoke, crawl on your hands and knees, keeping your head 12 to 24 inches (30 to 60 centimeters) above the floor.

v  Test doors before you open them. Kneeling or crouching at the door, reach up as high as you can and touch the door, the knob, and the space between the door and its frame with the back of your hand. If the door is hot, use another escape route. If the door is cool, open it slowly.

v  Once outside, move away from the building. Never go back inside the building until the fire department says you may go back in.

Additional Information:

http://www.abcofire.com/2011/04/office-fire-safety-tips-stay-calm/ 

http://www.compliance.gov/forms-pubs/publications/bulletins/bulletin_fire_feb2007.pdf

http://www.discoverdixon.org/fire-department/office-building-fire-safety.html

safety-medical-emergencies-cryptogram.pdf

Today we wrap up Safety Week by reviewing how to respond to a medical emergency. Visit the Library Safety Essentials wiki page anytime to refresh your knowledge of emergency response procedures.

Responding to a Medical Emergency

The basics

1. Call 9-1-1
2. Keep victim still, comfortable, and safe
3. Provide first aid if trained
4. Send someone to meet ambulance

The basics PLUS

1. Remain calm and call 9-1-1. Use a cell phone, office phone, black campus phone in the avenue, or red emergency phone in the stairwell. Give the operator your name, location, and phone number, and provide as much information as you can about the victim and the injury or illness.
2. Do not move the victim, unless it is dangerous for the person to stay there. Keep the victim as calm and comfortable as possible.
3. Provide first aid, or start CPR when necessary, if you have been trained in the proper techniques. (See below for more information about training.)
4. Stay with the victim until medical assistance arrives. Send someone to meet the ambulance and guide the emergency responders to the scene.

So, how do you recognize a medical emergency in the first place? MedlinePlus offers a summary of warning signs. 

Red Cross workers with regimental dogs in World War I

National Library of Scotland on Flickr

Training in First Aid and CPR/AED

Excellent turnout for the in-house first aid and CPR/AED training this week! If you were not able to attend and are still interested, you can take advantage of the classes offered throughout the year at Dixon Recreation Center. You’ll find training instructions and links on the Safety wiki. Simply approach your supervisor for permission, find a session to attend, and register directly with Recreation Services. After class, share a copy of your certification record with the Safety Committee to join the list of certified staff.

Congratulations to Kristin Swetland of the Teaching and Engagement Department for being the first (who hadn’t previously won) to finish the word search yesterday. Today you are challenged to crack the cryptogram (attached)! And you are invited to submit answers to any of the puzzles by 5 PM today to enter the raffle.

Thanks to everyone for participating in Safety Week at The Valley Library

The Valley Library Safety Committee