Emergency Preparedness

Smith College uses an all-hazards approach to emergency management and emergency preparedness. It’s impossible to prepare for every single emergency that may occur, and it’s equally impossible to prevent all emergencies from occurring. We acknowledge that, despite our best efforts, emergencies will occur.

The best way to prepare yourself is to educate yourself!

If you are experiencing an emergency on campus, call the Campus Safety emergency line at 413-585-5555.


You can call or text 911 for any emergency.

Functional Response to Emergencies

During an emergency, when every second counts, you may need to act quickly to keep yourself and others safe. Because emergencies can escalate quickly, it’s important that all members of the community understand how.

In the event of an armed attacker or active shooter situation, please follow these specific Armed Attacker Response Procedure.

For other hazards, the functional responses shown below can be used by any member of the Smith community to help keep themselves safe when there is a hazard impacting their health and safety. Community members need to familiarize themselves with the functional responses and choose the option that best fits their situation.

Evacuate

Remove yourself from danger in the building. You can evacuate a building, a suite, a room, etc., when there is a hazard indoors and it is safer to be outside (e.g., fire, smoke, hazmat spill in a lab).

Shelter-in-Place

Remain indoors because there is a hazard outdoors (e.g., severe weather, hazmat release outside, dangerous animal outdoors).

Lockdown

Deny entry and remain indoors with the exterior and possibly interior doors locked because there is a hazard outside that is trying to get inside (e.g., suspicious person, aggressive or violent person, person with a weapon outside).

Smith community members may receive notification to perform one of these functional responses by:

  • Campus Safety sending a RAVE text message or mass notification by another law enforcement entity.
  • An evacuation order given by fire alarm activation.
  • Witnessing a hazard that warrants the appropriate activation of an evacuation, shelter-in-place, or lockdown procedure.

Please review Emergency Procedures to read more about functional and hazard-specific responses to emergencies.

Emergency Procedures

  1. When a fire alarm is activated in a building, or direction to evacuate is given by campus safety or local law enforcement, every person in that building is required to evacuate immediately. As you leave:
    1. Turn off any equipment that could start a fire.
    2. Close all doors and windows.
    3. Ensure that the last person out of the room closes the door after leaving.
  2. Follow exit signs to evacuate via the closest exit.
  3. Do NOT use elevators—elevators are not operational when a fire alarm is active.
  4. If you are unable to use the stairs to evacuate, retrieve a fire extinguisher and go to the nearest stairwell, if safe to do so. Call Campus Safety at 413-585-5555 to let them know where you are.
    1. Close the door to the stairwell to ensure no smoke can enter the stairwell.
    2. If the stairwell begins to smell like smoke, consider evacuating to a different stairwell or smoke barrier, if safe to do so. Call Campus Safety again to report that you changed locations.
  5. Once out of the building, report to your designated assembly area for roll call.

  1. Remain indoors and ensure the exterior doors are locked until further notice by Campus Safety.
    1. Card-Access or Card-Swipe doors will be automatically locked to the public during lockdown.
    2. Doors that require a mechanical lock/key will need to be manually locked. Ensure there is a person in the building who is able to lock the exterior doors.
  2. If there is notice of an armed attacker or dangerous person in the vicinity:
    1. Lock the exterior door and do not open it for anyone.
    2. Get to a room and isolate yourself in case the attacker enters the building.
    3. Barricade the doors shut with anything heavy.

Follow the Hide instructions of the Armed Attacker Plan.

  1. Remain indoors and do not go outside until given further notice by Campus Safety.
  2. If there is a hazardous materials spill or release,  smoke, or dangerous air quality:
    1. Close all windows and doors and find an interior room.
    2. See HazMat Response Procedure for more information.
  3. If there is severe weather:
    1. Stay away from windows and doors.
    2. Get to the lowest level of the building and conserve power to your phone and other critical utilities.
    3. Monitor for flooding or any other hazards that arise.
    4. See Severe Weather Response Procedure for more information.

  • Follow RUN, HIDE, FIGHT.
  • Call for help when you are safe from the attacker, by calling 413-585-5555, calling 911, or texting 911. Let them know: 
    • Description and location of the attacker
    • Number of people with weapons and what kinds of weapons
    • If people were injured or taken hostage by the attacker and, if so, how many 
  • Make sure law enforcement officers know you are unarmed by keeping your hands up when interacting with them.
  • Law enforcement will be focused on stopping the attacker and may not be able to help victims.

Run: your best option for survival

  • Leave your belongings and yell out to others in the area to warn them of the situation.
  • Have an escape route in mind.
  • Run, walk, or wheel AWAY from the armed attacker and follow exit signs to get out of the building. Do not stop until you have fully evacuated the building to a location safe from gunfire.

Hide: if unsafe or unable to run

  • Hide out of the attacker’s view. LOCK AND BARRICADE DOORS with whatever is available.
    • Barricade using desks, chairs, bookshelves, books, computers, printers, anything!
    • Tie-off doors by wrapping door-closers with a belt or tie, if possible.
  • After the room is secured and barricaded, remain quiet. Silence phones and turn off lights.
  • Do not respond to a fire alarm unless you know for a fact there’s a fire in the building. This only applies to an active shooter/armed attacker scenario.
  • Prepare to FIGHT or counter the attacker, or look for other means to escape from the room.

Fight: As a last resort and only when your life is in imminent danger

  • Throw items to distract an attacker and interrupt their actions.
  • Use weapons to incapacitate the attacker, preferably with the help of others.
  • Act with EXTREME physical aggression. Swarm the attacker and disable them.

If the attacker is incapacitated, move any weapons out of the attacker’s reach, if safe to do so. DO NOT pick up the weapon. Cover the weapon with a trash can to secure it, if safe to do so.

  1. Contact Campus Safety at x5555 or 413-585-5555 immediately if you or a colleague receives a bomb threat.
  2. Do not activate the fire alarm in the building or use any electrical devices until you have evacuated.
  3. Try to utilize the MA State Police Bomb Squad Card when you receive the threat.
  4. Do not discard or delete any information pertaining to the bomb threat. Follow the instructions below for documenting the incident to assist law enforcement.
    1. Threat received by phone/verbally/from a person:
      1. Do not hang up or discontinue the conversation. Note the time the threat was made.
      2. Document the phone number.
      3. Calmly ask the person:
        1. What is your name?
        2. Where are you located?
        3. Where is the bomb located?
        4. When will it explode?
        5. What does the bomb look like?
        6. How many devices are there?
        7. Who is your target?
        8. Did you place the bomb?
      4. Note anything noticeable about the conversation. How was the person speaking? Did they have any accents, impediments, or odd phrases? Anything identifiable should be documented.
    2. Threat received by email/text/messenger:
      1. Do not delete, reply to, or forward the message.
      2. Take a screenshot of the message or take a photo of the message with your phone and inform law enforcement you have the photo.
    3. Threat received by letter/writing:
      1. Do not throw out the letter. Place it on your desk and call for help immediately.
      2. Do not wash or wipe your hands. Wait for help to arrive.
      3. Without touching the paper, inspect it for any powder, residue, or anything that could have fallen out of the letter onto your desk or floor.

  • If you are participating in the protest/demonstration:
    • Maintain personal safety and situational awareness.
    • Ensure that the protest is verbal only. Do not physically engage with anyone unless they are physically threatening you and you are only maintaining your own personal safety.
    • If at any time you are being threatened or made to feel unsafe, please notify Campus Safety at 413-585-5555 or call 911.
    • If you believe the demonstration is unsafe or if you fear for your own personal safety at any time, please inform a member of Campus Safety at 413-585-5555 or call 911.
  • If you are not participating in the protest/demonstration:
    • Do not interact with protestors unless you are actively participating in the demonstration.
    • If you witness any criminal activity (threats of violence, physical harm, property damage, theft, etc.), please notify Campus Safety at 413-585-5555 or call 911.
    • If you are concerned for your own personal safety at any time, please notify Campus Safety at 413-585-5555 or call 911.

  • If you believe that you are the victim of a cyber attack:
    • Change all of your passwords immediately. Make sure they are different from each other and that they are not related to any older, possibly compromised passwords.
    • Check your credit card and bank statements for unfamiliar, odd, or extreme charges.
    • Check your credit reports for any new accounts or loans you didn’t open.
    • Be aware of any emails or social media messages that ask for private information.
    • Notify Smith IT of what happened. Send a detailed email to IThelp@smith.edu.
  • Help others—utilize social media and/or send a mass email to your contacts informing them of the incident and making sure they are aware of any suspicious messages coming from you or a fake account.

If you see smoke or flames, remember PACE: 

P: Protect yourself by removing yourself from danger. Assist others who need help, if safe to do so.

A: Alarm by pulling the nearest fire alarm pull station while you evacuate.

C: Contain the fire by closing doors and windows.

E: Evacuate the area. If fire is blocking your exit, search for another route or Extinguish the flame.

If safe to extinguish, remember PASS: 

P: Pull the pin on the fire extinguisher.

A: Aim the extinguisher at the base of the fire.

S: Squeeze the handle on the extinguisher.

S: Sweep the extinguisher from side to side at the base of the fire.

  • If you are unable to evacuate, seek an area of refuge that is far away from the fire and smoke. Isolate yourself with a fire extinguisher, and call 413-585-5555 to notify Campus Safety of your location. Look for stairwells or areas labeled ‘Fire Barriers’ or ‘Smoke Barriers.’

Follow the Evacuation Procedure.

Please Note: 

  • Hazardous materials (HazMat) include chemical, biological, nuclear, or radiological substances.
  • There is a difference between contamination and exposure. 
    • Contamination is when a substance is on or inside you, and can be spread to others (for example, a bucket of wet paint has been poured over you, and you can spread the paint to others).

Exposure is when a substance is around you, but not directly touching or inside you (for example, you are in a room with wet paint and you can smell the paint, but aren’t covered in it).

HazMat Spill in a Lab Setting

  1. Never attempt to clean up a hazardous materials spill unless you are trained to do so. 
  2. If a hazardous substance is spilled on clothing, remove the clothing immediately.
  3. If the substance is on the skin, remove clothing and use an emergency shower to douse in water for 5 to 10 minutes. While the victim is washing, ensure they have access to towels/cloth to dry themselves and fresh clothes.

If Contaminated with a Hazardous Material

  1. Never attempt to clean up a hazardous materials spill unless you are trained to do so.
  2. If you have a hazardous substance on you and you are not able to immediately wash the substance off, remain in the room with the substance to prevent further contamination. Do not allow anyone into the room unless they are first responders, and ensure they know where the spill is.
  3. If you are able to wash the substance off of you, do so with soap and water for 5 to 10 minutes. If not, first responders will be able to assist you in decontamination. 

If Exposed to a Hazardous Material

  1. If you are indoors, leave the room with the spill and close all doors to isolate the area. Call Campus Safety at 413-585-5555 to inform them of the spill.
    1. Evacuate the building and get plenty of fresh air as soon as you can.
  2. If you are outdoors, move upwind of the area (so the fumes are not moving toward you) and call Campus Safety at 413-585-5555 to inform them of the spill.
  3. If you are aware of the type of material that spilled, tell emergency responders: 
    1. The name/type of material.
    2. How much was spilled.
    3. Where and when the spill occurred.
    4. If anyone was injured or exposed.
    5. If there was an explosion or fire associated with the substance.
    6. Your contact information.
  4. If you experience any symptoms associated with the exposure of the hazardous substance, tell first responders, or call 911.

HazMat Incident Adjacent to Smith

  1. If you are made aware of a hazardous material release or spill in the area adjacent to Smith, or on Smith property, call Campus Safety at 413-585-5555 to inform them.
  2. Remain indoors, do not open any windows or doors unnecessarily. If you are in a vehicle or outside, try to get indoors as quickly as possible.
  3. Do not turn on air conditioners or anything that might bring the outside air inside.
  4. Remain indoors until Campus Safety has given the all-clear.
  5. If you experience any symptoms associated with exposure to a hazardous chemical (headache, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, etc.), call 911 or Campus Safety to be transported to the nearest appropriate medical facility.

  • Call 413-585-5555 or 911 to report a medical emergency that requires immediate attention.
  • Stay with the person. Be prepared to report: 
    • Your name and location.
    • Symptoms the person is experiencing (unconscious, not breathing, seizing, bleeding, etc.).
    • Anything that occurred prior to the emergency (I just found them; they fell; they clutched their chest; etc.).
    • Report any safety hazards that could affect the responder (fire, fumes, chemical spill, etc.).
  • Follow the recommendations below if safe to do so, after calling for help.

Unconscious Person

  • Determine if the person is not breathing or has no pulse.
  • If the person is breathing and has a pulse, remain with them until help arrives.
  • If the person does not have a pulse, perform CPR if you are trained to do so.
  • If the person is vomiting, roll the person on their side to avoid aspiration.

Severe Bleeding

  • Using a clean cloth or bandage, apply significant pressure to the wound.
  • If the wound is on a limb, apply a tourniquet above (proximal to) the wound (tourniquet should be closer to the person’s trunk than the wound).

Earthquake

  • If Inside:
    • Take cover under a desk, table, or bench seat, and hold on.
    • Stay away from windows and falling objects.
    • When shaking stops, move outside quickly but cautiously. Be aware of falling building materials or uneven ground.
  • If/When Outside:
    • Move away from buildings, overhead lines, poles, or other objects that could fall or move.
    • If shaking continues, get low to the ground and protect your head with your arms. Do NOT stand on or take shelter under bridges or covered walkways.
    • When shaking stops, move to the designated assembly area and wait. Notify Campus Safety at 413-585-5555 of the incident or of any other potential emergencies, such as a smell of gas, frayed power lines, or significant damage to campus facilities. 

Extreme Cold

  • Limit your time outside, particularly if you are not wearing the following: 
    • Hat, scarf, and/or knit mask.
    • Water-resistant winter coat.
    • Mittens/gloves.
    • Several layers of loose-fitting clothing.
    • Water-resistant boots.
  • Make sure the body parts most often affected by frostbite are covered in warm, dry clothing: 
    • Nose, ears, cheeks, chin, fingers, and toes.
  • You may be at high risk of hypothermia if you: 
    • Drink alcohol in excess, or are drinking while outdoors in the cold.
    • Use illicit drugs regularly.
    • Are iron-deficient anemic.
    • Are wearing wet clothing.
    • Are outdoors in the cold for long periods of time, particularly if you aren’t wearing the proper clothing.
  • Be cautious of signs of hypothermia: 
    • Shivering, fumbling hands.
    • Exhaustion, confusion, memory loss.
    • Slurred speech or drowsiness.
  • Be cautious of signs of frostbite:
    • Redness/pain on the skin.
    • A white or gray-yellow skin.
    • Skin that feels firm or waxy.
    • Numbness.

Seek medical attention immediately if you are experiencing any signs or symptoms of frostbite or hypothermia. Find more information on extreme cold.

Extreme Heat

  • We are at an increased risk for heat illness when combining high temperatures, high humidity, and physical work
  • To avoid heat related illness: 
    • Drink plenty of fluids
    • Limit your time exposed to heat
    • Take frequent breaks
    • Wear loose, lightweight fabrics to encourage heat release
    • Avoid caffeine, alcohol, and other diuretics when it’s hot to reduce the chance of becoming dehydrated
    • Be aware of any medication you’re taking that might increase your risk of heat-related illnesses
  • Be cautious of signs and symptoms of heat stroke: 
    • Confusion, slurred speech, altered mental status
    • Loss of consciousness
    • Hot, dry skin or profuse sweating
    • Seizures
    • Very high body temperature
  • Be conscious of the signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion: 
    • Headache
    • Nausea
    • Dizziness
    • Weakness
    • Thirst
    • Heavy sweating and decreased urine output
    • Elevated body temperature

Seek medical attention immediately if you are experiencing any signs or symptoms of heat stroke or heat exhaustion. Find more information on extreme heat.

Tornado Warning

  • Move to the lowest level in the building and stay away from windows. Assist those who are having difficulty moving down the stairs, if you feel comfortable and capable doing so.
  • Sit in a sheltered area and turn off all lights and electronics in the room.
  • Wait for an “all clear” from Campus Safety or monitor the National Weather Service (NWS) to see if the warning has lifted.
  • Avoid any elevators, exterior walls, and windows. Do not use vehicles for shelter.

Suspicious vs. Unattended Items

  • There’s a difference between something that is suspicious and something unattended.
  • An unattended item is simply an item left somewhere without a clear owner.
  • A suspicious item has details or characteristics that make it suspicious or potentially harmful.
  • Remember, is the item HOT?
    • Hidden: Placed out of sight and appearing purposefully concealed.
    • Obviously Suspicious: Unexplainable wires, bomb-like components.
    • not Typical: Out of place for the location, potentially related to a threat.
  • If the item is HOT, it is suspicious and therefore could be dangerous.
  • HOT items need RAIN:
    • Recognize the indicators of a suspected explosive device.
    • Avoid the area.
    • Isolate the suspected item.
    • Notify Emergency Services (either 911 or 413-585-5555).

Suspicious Packages/Mail

  • Suspicious mail could come in the form of a package or envelope. Be aware of: 
    • Suspicious leaks, stains, or powders on the surface.
    • Rigid or bulky packages, or packages with excessive tape/string.
    • Poor handwriting, misspellings, or improper addresses.
    • Excessive postage, no postage, or no/strange return address.
    • Ticking, vibration, abnormal sounds, or strange odors.
    • Generic addressee and restrictive markings (such as IMPORTANT, PERSONAL, etc.).
    • Unexpected and from someone unfamiliar.
  • Find more information via USPS Info on Suspicious Mail
  • If you find suspicious mail, follow RAIN: 
    • Recognize the indicators of a suspected explosive device.
    • Avoid the area.
    • Isolate the suspected item.
    • Notify either 911 or 413-585-5555

Dam Failure/Flood

  1. Move to higher ground, but do not get under tall trees during a rainstorm, as lightning may strike.
  2. Avoid fast-flowing water, even in your vehicle, and do not walk into flooded areas.
  3. Do not use electrical devices. Unplug anything that may create a safety hazard, if safe to do so.
  4. Call Campus Safety at 413-585-5555 to report severe flooding in your area. 

Natural Gas Disruption

  1. If you detect a strong odor of gas indoors, evacuate the building and call Campus Safety at 413-585-5555 once outside.
  2. If you detect a strong odor of gas outdoors, move to an area clear of the odor and call Campus Safety at 413-585-5555.
  3. Eliminate ignition sources like matches, lighters, smoking devices, and open flames. Do not use electrical devices in the area of the gas odor, including fire alarm pull stations.
  4. Stay where you are until help arrives, only move if you continue to smell gas.

Power Failure

Before an Outage Occurs
  1. Back up your academic files so they can be retrieved if your battery dies or experiences an electrical surge.
  2. Keep a flashlight with you, or in your room, in addition to the flashlight on your phone.
  3. Invest in a portable charger for your phone.
  4. Buy a spare battery for your laptop and phone.
  5. Plug your laptop and other electronics into a surge protector purchased from a reputable retailer such as the Smith IT Store, to protect your equipment from electrical surges.
If You Experience a Power Outage
  1. Call Campus Safety at 413-585-5555 and provide your name, contact info, location, and any other information about the outage. Campus Safety will inform Facilities, who will evaluate the issue.
  2. Do NOT light candles or other items to illuminate your room. This is a fire hazard!
  3. Do not use elevators during power outages. If you are trapped in an elevator, call Campus Safety using the emergency phone in the elevator car.
  4. If you are instructed to evacuate, lock your room and valuables and take your key. You may have to move to an alternate location that was not affected by the outage.

Smith’s Incident Management

There are a variety of emergencies that can impact Smith College, both directly and indirectly. Some emergencies are smaller in scale and can be managed by an individual or a small group of people. Other emergencies are larger in scale, and may impact the Smith’s community, academic operations, or business operations. When this occurs, Smith’s Campus Safety department can activate the Smith Incident Management Team (IMT).

The IMT is a multidisciplinary team of campus leadership, assigned to ensure essential functions continue throughout the emergency. This team will work collaboratively with the President’s Team, the Smith community, and external partners to provide a consistent and coordinated response and recovery to any emergency that may impact the college.

Outside of emergency operations, the IMT may gather to share resources or information or to test and exercise the college’s emergency operations plan. Tabletop exercises, educational workshops, and live-action drills are all examples of how the IMT can test and improve the college’s emergency preparedness.

For any questions or for more information regarding the Smith IMT, please contact Pietro Hogue, Director of Emergency Management, at phogue@smith.edu.