Emergency Procedures

Use the table below to find information on emergency procedures.

Emergency Procedures
Lockdown	Active Shooter	Emergency Evacuation	Severe Weather Conditions
Fire	Tornado	Medical Emergency	Death on Campus
Crime In Progress	Power Outage	Bomb Threat

A lockdown is the temporary sheltering technique utilized to limit civilian exposure to a hostile incident on or near the campus. If a Lockdown is announced, exterior doors should be locked (if safe to do so) before taking refuge in an office or classroom. DO NOT try to lockdown in hallways or other open areas.

• Try to remain calm.
• Go to the nearest room or office.
• Close and barricade/lock the room or office door.
• Turn off all interior lights.
• Turn off and unplug anything you can.
• Close blinds or curtains.
• Stay below window level.
• Cover and conceal yourself with tables, solid walls, etc.
• Turn off any device that emits sound.
• Remain quiet and DO NOT answer or open any doors for anyone - Emergency responding personnel will have keys to open any doors; follow ALL instructions and cooperate fully with responding law enforcement officers.
• A SOFT Lockdown may be issued if there is no immediate threat to campus. Soft lockdown is issued when there is a report of criminal activity not on campus but there is a slight chance the event could eventually move onto campus. In a soft lockdown exterior doors to facilities are locked to prevent access but normal activity continues inside the building.  There is no need to hide or barricade.  If the activity moves close to campus full lockdown will be implemented and at that point and normal activities stop. 

Active Shooter incidents, where a suspect has started shooting or is threatening to shoot, are highly unpredictable and volatile. They are also very rare. Here's a list of actions that are recommended. Remember, use common sense and follow the instructions of emergency personnel.

If you are directly involved or you can hear gunshots in the immediate vicinity:

• Go to the nearest room or office.
• Close and barricade/lock the room or office door.
• Turn off the interior lights.
• Close blinds or curtains.
• Call the Security at 501-538-5507.
• Call 9-1-1 and give the following information:
• Your name and exact location.
• Location of incident or shooter.
• Number of suspects and their description.
• Number and location of injured persons.
• Remain quiet and DO NOT answer or open the door.

In the unlikely event of an active shooter(s) on campus, use common sense and follow the instructions directed by emergency personnel.  Be prepared to: (depending on proximity to shooter(s), use most appropriate one)

• RUN: Have an escape route and plan in mind; leave belongings behind; keep hands visible.
• HIDE: Hide in an area out of shooter(s) view; block entry to your hiding place and lock doors; silence cell phones and other electronic equipment.
• FIGHT: As a last resort attempt to incapacitate the shooter; act with physical aggression and have something to throw at the shooter(s).

NPC students, faculty, staff, and guests are expected to evacuate campus buildings if they hear a fire alarm or if NPC determines that an evacuation is necessary. The same holds true for any campus evacuations. Please take time to review Emergency Maps in each building on campus to familiarize yourself with our emergency evacuation routes and assembly areas. Emergency Training Drills/Exercises will be conducted throughout the year. If a Training Drill/Exercise is being conducted, you will hear/see the word "DRILL" a number of times in announcements. If you do not hear the word "Drill" then the emergency is REAL. Please take both the training Drills/Exercises and the REAL Emergencies seriously. It could save your life.

The NPC Campus will not be closed because of weather conditions unless highways leading to the College are deemed to be unsafe.  NPC consults with county school systems to coordinate closures when possible.  Unless there is an announcement on the NPC Emergency Notification System, all should assume they are expected to attend or observe their normal schedules.

Follow these procedures in case of a fire emergency:

• R - Rescue or remove anyone (including yourself) in immediate danger.
• A - Activate the alarm, call 9-1-1, and then call security at  501-538-5507.
• C - Confine or contain the fire by closing all doors and windows in and around the area.
• E - Extinguish the fire with a portable extinguisher if it is safe to do so.

The Office of Campus Operations monitors the National Weather Service, Garland County Office of Emergency Services and local television stations in order to be aware of any inclement or dangerous weather approaching us. In the event that a "Tornado Warning" is issued for our immediate area, emergency personnel will issue a notification via the Emergency Notification Systems (ENS).  Instructions will be given to shelter in place. Frequent updates will be given via the ENS.  Remain in shelter until notification to resume normal activity is given via the ENS. 

Building Captains will assist personnel and students to the predetermined shelter area designated on the Emergency Map of each building. 

Safety Recommendations

• Indoors - seek refuge in a doorway, interior hallway, or under a desk or table on the lowest floor of the building. Stay away from windows and exterior doors.
• Outdoors - seek refuge in a ditch or depression in the ground and lie flat on the ground.
• In an automobile - stop as quickly as safety permits. Exit the vehicle and seek shelter in a ditch or depression in the ground, and lie flat on the ground.
• Caution - Avoid area with power or utility poles as they may be energized.

In the event a tornado does strike the NPC Campus, the Emergency Director will coordinate efforts with the proper authorities. A command post will be established and students and staff will be directed via the Emergency Notifications System to designated areas for evacuation or medical help.

Call 911 if life threatening or requires immediate medical attention.

If poisoning is suspected, contact the Poison Control Center at 1(800)222-1222.

For help with a medical emergency call security at 501-538-5507.

Employees and Students in a non-life threatening medical emergency seek an assessment in the office of the campus nurse, Student Commons, room 204. The nurse will determine if the medical emergency or injury requires further treatment and will make recommendation.

NPC Employees MUST notify their supervisor or faculty staff of any injury occurring on campus as soon as the incident occurs. The Department of Human Resources should be notified ASAP of an employee injury.

If someone is found that appears to be deceased call security at 501-538-5507. If safe to do so, remain at the site until released by law enforcement. Do not move or tamper with anything. The scene will be secured by security. Assessment will be made to determine if anyone else is in danger, if a wrongful or suspicious death is involved, and if the suspect could still be in the area. The Emergency Operations Plan will be activated and Police/EMS notified. Garland County Sheriff Department will assume control of the scene. Do not make any comments to the press or on social media. The Office of Public Relations will be responsible for handling any media attention brought on by this event. Counseling may be provided if warranted.

Do not take unnecessary chances

Do not interfere with persons committing the crime/creating a disturbance or law enforcement authorities on the scene.

If you are the victim of, are involved in, or witness any on-campus crime or violation of the law such as an assault, robbery, theft, overt sexual behavior, etc. that is in progress call security at 501-538-5507, then call 911.  Provide the following information:

1. Nature of the incident.
2. Location of the incident.
3. Description of person(s) involved.
4. Location of person(s) involved.
5. If the person(s) left the scene, the direction of travel.
6. What time the incident occurred.
7. Your name, location, department, and extension number.

Get a good description of the criminal if personal safety allows. Note height, weight, sex, color, approximate age, clothing, method and direction of travel, and name if known. This provides vital information to investigating police officers. Should a criminal attempt to or get away in a vehicle, bicycle, etc., note the make and model, license number (if possible), color, outstanding characteristics, etc.

Remain where you are until an officer arrives.

An emergency exists when there is an obvious loss of power. The Fisher Building will have reduced function due to the emergency generator. Security should be contacted immediately at 501-538-5507. If the outage is prolonged, the Emergency Operations Plan will go into effect. Announcements will be made via the Emergency Notification System concerning evacuation or remain in place. 

UTILITY PROBLEMS

Use the table below to understand what actions to take when there is a problem with the utilities

Issue	Solution
Gas Leaks	Vacate area, contact Security at 501-538-5507
Ventilation	If smoke or strong burning odors occur, evacuate immediately and contact Security.
Elevator Failure	Push button on elevator intercom. Describe the problem. Remain calm until help arrives
Plumbing/Flooding	If personal safety allows, shut off electrical equipment, evacuate area and call Security.
Electrical Failure	Call Security.

 

Bomb threats usually come on the telephone and generally are made by individuals who want to create an atmosphere of general anxiety or panic. All bomb threats should be assumed to pose a legitimate danger to the NPC campus.

Received By Telephone:

1. Take the caller seriously, but remain calm.
2. Have someone security 501-538-5507 while you continue talking.
3. Ask a lot of questions.
4. Take notes on everything said and on your observations about background noise, voice characteristics, etc.
5. The Emergency Response Team and Sheriff’s Office will determine the plan of action. Should you need to evacuate, please take personal packages, lunches, briefcases, etc. that could be mistaken as explosives.

Witnessed on Social Media:

1. Take the threat seriously, but remain calm.
2. Capture the information by taking screen shots or some other means.
3. Take notes of everything posted.  Especially any details on times or exact location of explosives.
4. Call security 501-538-5507.
5. The Emergency Response Team and Sheriff’s Office will determine the plan of action. Should you need to evacuate, please take personal packages, lunches, briefcases, etc. that could be mistaken as explosives.

If you are in a building where a bomb is suspected, do not open drawers or cabinets.

Do not turn on lights or other switches on or off.

Do not touch any suspicious packages.

Remain calm and clear the area immediately.

Because a bomb may be sensitive, building fire alarms should not be activated in order to prompt evacuation.

Follow directions of authorities.