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Barnard
Emergency Preparedness Information
World
events have again focused attention on the need, both in our
own homes and while away from home, to think carefully about
the resources needed to keep us safe and secure in the case
of an emergency or unforeseen event.
While there is no way to fully anticipate the exact nature
of the emergencies and challenges that we as a community may
face, at Barnard we have focused our efforts on improving
basic emergency management procedures in the event of an unforeseen
event. We are also indeed very fortunate that New York City
has one of the most advanced and responsive public safety
systems in the world.
Barnard
College’s Emergency Plan
Barnard has taken the following steps to increase our emergency
preparedness:
- Barnard’s
Emergency Management Plan has been updated, and provides
for a clear communications protocol, and the formation of
an Emergency Management Team to respond to large-scale campus
and citywide emergencies Senior members of the staff remain
in regular contact with local, state and federal agencies
and receive the most up to date information and advice on
the nature of the risks and the precautions to be taken.
Our Director of Security attends regular briefings offered
by the NY City Police concerning the City’s emergency
preparedness. For more information see: http://www.nyc.gov/html/nypd/html/atlas.html.
- Senior
staff members participate in Columbia University’s
Emergency Management Operations Team, and we have agreed
to share resources, information and support services as
needed. To read Columbia’s latest statement on emergency
preparedness go to: http://www.columbia.edu/cu/news/03/03/emergency.html
- Primary
and backup emergency centers have been designated on campus
(Barnard Hall 1st Floor and Milbank Hall Room 101) and a
third backup center is being considered on the Columbia
University Campus. These areas will be used to direct the
College’s activities in the event of a major disruption.
These areas have backup utilities and equipment, communications
capabilities, copies of critical college documents, rosters,
building plans and other essential contact information.
- The
LeFrak Gymnasium, the Hewitt Dining room and lower level
McIntosh will be used as staging areas in the event that
campus buildings are evacuated and cannot be reoccupied.
You may print out a chart of
these staging areas along with important emergency numbers
for your reference.
- The
College has, on the advice of emergency planning experts,
been increasing its on-campus nonperishable food and water
supplies in order to maintain a three-day supply of food
and water.
- Columbia
University and Barnard College are in the process of creating
an automated, multi-user call-in number that can be used
to disseminate basic information about campus, neighborhood,
and citywide conditions.
Building
Evacuation Procedures/"Shelter in Place"
In the event of a large-scale emergency, residents and occupants
of buildings may be instructed, by alarms or announcements,
to evacuate buildings. Should this occur, please follow the
following instructions.
- Immediately
leave the building as signaled/instructed, closing the door
to the room or office you are leaving.
- Proceed
carefully and quickly to the nearest exit to the outdoors.
Do not use elevators.
- Residence
Life Staff and Security personnel will be there to respond
to the emergency, and to provide direction and assistance.
- In
the event that it is necessary to leave a building or buildings
for an extended period, the College has designated the following
locations for assembly:
| LeFrak
Gymnasium |
Hewitt
Dining Room |
Lower
Level McIntosh |
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Residents
and occupants of Brooks, Hewitt, Reid, and Sulzberger
Halls.
Occupants
of Altschul, McIntosh and Lehman Halls
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Residents
of 600, 616, and 620 W. 116th Street, 601 West 110th Street,
and 210/212 West 104th Street. |
Residents
and occupants of Plimpton and Elliott Halls.
Occupants
of Milbank and Barnard Halls.
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Should
any of these locations be inaccessible, you should proceed
to one of the other available areas designated for assembly.
Once you are assembled, College officials and others will,
depending on the nature of the emergency, advise members of
the community of the options and resources available to them,
including alternate sleeping arrangements, meals, medical
treatment, communications options, and other services.
Experience has shown that certain members of the College population
will voluntarily leave campus under emergency conditions.
Some will go to relatives or friends, while others will attempt
to get home. For this reason we strongly suggest that you
let your family know ahead of time if there are alternative
sites that you may relocate to, and to provide them with as
much contact information as possible.
Please also understand that there are certain emergency conditions
under which it is advisable that people remain inside. This
is often referred to as "shelter in place." In such
instances, you will be advised by College or public safety
officials to remain indoors with doors and windows closed.
That is why it is particularly important that you follow the
directions of campus officials and other public safety workers.
For an explanation of the direction to "shelter in place"
go to: http://www.redcross.org/services/disaster/beprepared/shelterinplace.html.
There are a number of helpful resources available online to
assist you in any personal preparations you may wish to make.
The following are some websites that are often recommended
as a good starting point for basic emergency preparations:
NYC Emergency Preparedness Office - http://www.nyc.gov/html/oem/
American Red Cross - http://www.redcross.org/services
If
you have any comments, suggestions or concerns about the College’s
Emergency Management Plan, please contact Michael Feierman
at mfeierman@barnard.edu.
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