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Crisis Response

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Crisis Response

The University makes every effort to protect the safety of the campus community through educational training efforts and emergency preparation. However, safety is also the responsibility of each member of the OU community. Practice good judgment in assessing risks, exercise caution and take appropriate action. The information provided in this guide is exactly that, a guide for actions to take in a crisis situation.

THE UNIVERSITY EMBRACES A RUN, HIDE, FIGHT STRATEGY FOR ACTIVE THREATS ON CAMPUS

This strategy is well known, widely accepted, and proven to save lives. To receive emergency campus alerts, be sure to update your contact information and preferences at ecs.ou.edu.

RUN: Running away from the threat is usually the best option. If it is safe to run, run as far away from the threat as possible. 

  • Leave personal belongings behind
  • Visualize possible escape routes, including physically accessible routes for faculty, staff and students with disabilities and others with access and functional needs
  • Avoid escalators and elevators
  • Encourage other people you may encounter to run but not to stay behind if others will not go
  • Call 911 when you are in a safe location and let them know from which OU campus you’re calling from and location of active threat.

HIDE: If running is not practical, the next best option is to hide. Remain in place until law enforcement arrives. Be patient and remain hidden.

  • Lock and barricade the doors with heavy furniture
  • Close and lock windows, and close blinds or cover windows
  • Turn off lights
  • Silence all electronic devices
  • Search for improvised weapons
  • Use strategies to silently communicate with first responders if possible, (e.g., in rooms with exterior windows make signs to silently signal law enforcement and emergency responders to indicate the status of the room’s occupants)
  • Hide behind walls and solid objects. Consider hiding along the wall closest to the exit but out of the view from the hallway (allowing for an ambush of the shooter and for possible escape if the shooter enters the room)
  • Remain in place until given an ALL CLEAR by identifiable law enforcement

FIGHT: If you are unable to run or hide, the last best option is to fight.

  • Have one or more improvised weapons with you and be prepared to attack.
  • Attack them when they are least expecting it and hit them where it hurts most: the face (specifically eyes, nose, and ears), the throat, the diaphragm (solar plexus), and the groin.

Please save OUPD’s contact information in your phone. For non-emergencies call (405) 325-1717. For emergencies call (405) 325-1911 or dial 911.

BIOSAFETY LEVEL 1 ORGANISM SPILL

(low-risk agents for healthy adults)

  • Wear disposable gloves
  • Place paper towels over spill
  • Soak with appropriate disinfectant
  • Towel disposal - use plastic bag
  • Clean spill area - use fresh towels soaked in disinfectant
  • If disinfectant does not completely de-contaminate waste material, autoclave wastes prior to disposal/route for incineration

HUMAN BLOOD OR BIOSAFETY LEVEL 2 ORGANISM SPILL

(moderate risk agents)

  • Alert immediate area of spill
  • Put on protective equipment
  • Cover spill with paper towels/absorbent materials
  • Avoid splashing
  • Pour freshly prepared 10 to 1 diluted household bleach or appropriate disinfectant around edges of spill, then into spill
  • Allow 20-minute contact period
  • After spill is absorbed, clean up spill area with fresh towels soaked in disinfectant
  • Place towels in a plastic bag, decontaminate in autoclave/route for incineration

HUMAN BLOOD OR BIOSAFETY LEVEL 3 ORGANISM SPILL

(serious or lethal agents)

  • Alert Police, call 911
  • Do not breathe
  • Leave the room immediately
  • Close the door
  • Notify others in the room to evacuate immediately
  • Assist others, if necessary
  • Remove personal protective equipment in airlock/access zone
  • Turn potentially contaminated clothing outward
  • Remove gloves last
  • Use antiseptic soap & warm water to wash exposed skin
  • Warn others not to enter contaminated area
  • Place appropriate sign on door
  • Wait minimum 30 minutes for dissipation of aerosols spills
  • Coordinate cleanup - call the Environmental Health & Safety Office

IF A BOMB THREAT IS RECEIVED OVER THE PHONE

  • Stay calm
  • Pay attention to all details
  • Attempt to take notes from caller:
  • Where is bomb placed?
  • Where are you calling from?
  • Who are you?
  • What time is bomb set to explode?
  • What is your organization?
  • Who else have you told?
  • What type of bomb is it?
  • Why was the bomb placed?
  • What does it look like?

On another phone, have someone else call 911 & relay information

  • Write information down
  • Try to keep the caller on the phone
  • Listen for things like background noise, accent, speech pattern, anything to help determine the origin of the call
  • Evacuate the building ONLY if necessary/notified by properly identified emergency personnel

If told to evacuate

  • Be aware of surroundings as you evacuate
  • Do not touch suspicious/unfamiliar items
  • Take personal belongings only if safe to do so
  • Leave doors/windows open
  • Do NOT turn on/off lights
  • Assist persons with access and functional needs
  • Use stairs
  • DO NOT USE ELEVATORS
  • Move well away from building to your departmental Emergency Assembly Area
  • Await further instructions from OUPD/other recognized authorities

Every department should have a specific Emergency Evacuation Plan & Assembly Area where employees, students, and visitors should meet to check in with the supervisor. OUPD or other emergency response personnel should be notified of missing persons so that a search can be made.

IF YOU ARE REQUIRED TO EVACUATE

  • Safely stop your work
  • Remain calm and orderly
  • Evacuate building immediately if you hear the fire alarm
  • If it is safe to do so and does not impede your evacuation, take personal belongings
  • If safe to do so, close doors/windows, but do NOT lock them
  • Use stairwells
  • Assist persons with access & functional needs if possible
  • NEVER USE ELEVATORS
  • Follow instructions from OU Police or other properly identified emergency personnel
  • Go to pre-determined Emergency Assembly Area and report to your supervisor
  • Keep all roadways/walkways clear for emergency vehicles
  • NEVER RE-ENTER ANY BUILDING until instructed to do so by OU Police or other properly identified emergency personnel

CHEMICAL SPILLS

  • Major spills/assistance/medical treatment, Call/Text: 9-1-1
  • Identify/characterize substance(s) involved
  • Evacuate if needed
  • If safe, remove injured persons
  • Questions: contact Environmental Health & Safety Office, ehso@ou.edu

CHEMICAL SPILL/SPLASH ON BODY/EYES

  • Know location of eyewash/safety showers near you
  • Remove contaminated clothing
  • Brush off remaining dry chemical
  • Flush skin/eyes with water for 15 minutes minimum
  • Check footwear for accumulation
  • ALL splashes in eye(s), seek medical attention

TRAPPED IN AN ELEVATOR OR DISCOVER TRAPPED PERSONS

  • Call 911 or use emergency phone in elevator/push alarm button & wait for help
  • Relay how many people are trapped, the condition of passengers, the name of the building, and the floor that the elevator car is on.
  • Advise passengers to stay calm. Do not attempt self rescue as the elevator may move or restart. Elevators are very safe and are designed to protect passengers.
  • If you discover trapped persons:
    • talk to them
    • try to keep them calm until Police/help arrives

UPON DISCOVERY OF A FIRE

  • Call 9-1-1
  • Activate the fire alarm pull station if not already sounding
  • IMMEDIATELY evacuate to the nearest exit
  • Give verbal alarm to others on way out
  • Take valuables, if possible
  • Close doors on way out
  • Stay low to floor to avoid smoke & heat
  • Use stairways only/DO NOT USE ELEVATORS
  • If it is safe to do so on your way out, close all doors leading to the main hallways to prevent further spread of the fire
  • NEVER prop stairwell doors open as this will allow smoke and heat to enter the stairwell
  • Assist persons with access & functional needs
  • Proceed to Emergency Assembly Area
  • Wait for further instructions from OU Police or emergency personnel
  • DO NOT RE-ENTER THE BUILDING UNTIL given an “ALL-CLEAR” by OUPD or properly identified emergency personnel

IF YOUR CLOTHES ARE ON FIRE

  • STOP, DROP to the floor, and ROLL
  • Cover your face with your hands
  • Smother the fire with a blanket, rug or heavy coat

FLOODING

  • Stop using all electrical devices
  • Notify Facilities Management, (405) 325-3060
  • Evacuate if necessary (See GENERAL BUILDING EVACUATION)

STEAM LINE FAILURE

  • Evacuate & contact Facilities Management, (405) 325-3060

IF YOU DISCOVER A GAS LEAK

  • Cease all operations immediately
  • Evacuate
  • Notify others as you leave
  • Do not switch lights on/off
  • Do not take time to open windows/close doors
  • Leave area to report gas leak
  • Call/Text OU Police (9-1-1) after evacuating
  • DO NOT re-enter building until cleared by OU Police/proper authorities

RESPONDING TO INJURIES FOR ANYONE

  • If there is a medical emergency call 911
  • Immediately report the incident to your supervisor
  • Supervisors, notify Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) of incident by phone (405-325-2490) or email using the Quick Reporting Aid. Do not send documentation until instructed by ERM
  • Legal Counsel will send the forms when the investigation is approved
  • OU employee reporting the incident (NOT injured visitor) must fill out the following forms until directed to do so by ERM:
    • Standard Liability Incident Report (SLIR)
    • Scope of Employment (SOE)
  • Interoffice mail the originals (ERM, NEL Building, Rm 112) or scan and email to norman-risk.management@ou.edu
  • If an employee is involved in an at-fault accident they are required to take an online defensive driving course within 6 months of the date of accident. If they fail to do so, the employee will be declared uninsurable and not able to drive any State vehicles.
  • Once a claim is filed, all correspondence is between State Risk Management and the employee/claimant
  • If the employee or their supervisor is contacted by another party’s insurance company, that company should be referred to Enterprise Risk Management for further handling.  No statements of any kind should be made to an outside party regarding the details of the accident.  Please contact Tacara S. McKinney-Baisden (tmb@ou.edu or 405-325-5433) with any questions.

IF THERE IS A POWER OUTAGE

  • Notify Facilities Managment
  • If evacuating, use stairways
  • Do NOT use elevators
  • When mechanical ventilation is interrupted, vapors of chemicals may reach hazardous concentration levels

Laboratory personnel should

  • Secure experiments/activities if it poses a threat if power is restored unexpectedly
  • Close fume hoods sashes
  • Clean up/put away chemicals
  • Notify lab supervisor immediately
  • Do not perform procedures using hazardous materials until power is restored

IF YOU FIND/ OPEN A SUSPICIOUS PACKAGE/LETTER

  • Call OUPD using 911 or (405) 325-1911
  • Do NOT handle
  • Move away
  • Notify others to leave
  • Close doors as you leave
  • Do NOT operate power switches
  • Do NOT activate fire alarm
  • Move to a safe area (like Blue Emergency Phones)
  • NO re-entry where package is located
  • Follow OU Police/other recognized authorities

IF YOU ARE ON CAMPUS WHEN A TORNADO WARNING IS ISSUED

  • Place of Refuge Protocol – During the Class/Work Day
    • If a Tornado Warning is issued during business hours, all on-campus students, staff, and faculty should take refuge in the severe weather refuge areas of the building you are in. Those working, taking classes, and living on campus should familiarize themselves with the location of each building’s severe weather refuge areas in advance of a severe weather threat. Maps are available in each building, and the locations are also listed here.
    • Students in on-campus housing when the tornado warning is issued should use their appropriate residence hall refuge areas at Couch, Walker, Kraettli, Traditions East, Traditions West, Cross Village, the appropriate stairwells at David L. Boren Hall and Headington Hall, and the basements at Headington College and Dunham College. Many of these areas are controlled access, meaning that you must swipe your OU student ID to enter the place of refuge.
  • Place of Refuge Protocol – After Hours and Weekends
    • Students Living in On-Campus Housing: All residence hall refuge areas will be activated in advance of a tornado threat (i.e., when a Tornado Watch is issued). When a Tornado Warning is issued, proceed immediately to these refuge areas (Couch, Walker, Kraettli, Traditions East, Traditions West, Cross Village, the appropriate stairwells at David L. Boren Hall and Headington Hall, and the basements at Headington College and Dunham College). Many of these areas are controlled access, meaning that you must swipe your OU student ID to enter the refuge area.
    • Students Living in Greek-Affiliated Chapter Housing: Chapter facilities each have an in-house severe weather refuge area (i.e., basement, interior hallway, interior rooms/restrooms/closets, laundry rooms).
    • Students Living in Off-Campus Housing: Identify safe refuge-in-home options utilizing the “get in, get down, cover up” strategy. Specifically, select an interior room away from doors and windows on the lowest level of your residence and prepare to use a bicycle helmet, pillows and blankets to protect yourself from possible debris. Have a Plan!
  • If you don't live on campus, seek refuge at home!
    • If you do not live on campus, seek refuge at home unless you are already on campus when the warning is issued. OU buildings are not public storm shelters, as room is only available for on-campus students, staff, and faculty. Campus locations such as the Oklahoma Memorial Union, Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium, Lloyd Noble Center, etc. will not be open for the purposes of seeking refuge. 
    • Before severe weather hits, make a plan. Tornadoes in Oklahoma can occur during any time of year. Create a plan and prepare your home environment for a tornado threat. 
      • Identify safe refuge-in-home options utilizing the “get in, get down,  cover up” strategy. Specifically, select an interior room away from doors and windows on the lowest level of your residence and prepare to use a bicycle helmet, pillows and blankets to protect yourself from possible debris.

HAVE MULTIPLE WAYS OF RECEIVING WEATHER INFORMATION

  • At least one method should work without electric power and without a cellular or Wi-Fi signal, such as a battery-operated weather radio.
  • Never rely solely on outdoor warning sirens. The sirens are operated by the City of Norman and can only usually be heard if you are outdoors.
  • Stay informed of the latest Norman campus weather forecasts from reliable sources including the OU Department of Campus Safety, the National Weather Service, local media, and university communications. If you use social media, make sure you are following OU Campus Safety on Twitter and Facebook. 

IMPORTANT TORNADO TERMINOLOGY: WATCH vs WARNING

  • Tornado Watch = Be Prepared. A Tornado Watch is used to notify you to pay attention to the possibility of tornadoes during the next several hours.
    • When a Tornado Watch is issued by the NOAA Storm Prediction Center, on-campus residence hall refuge areas at Couch, Walker, Kraettli, Cross Village, Traditions East and Traditions West will be activated for access using a valid OU student ID.
    • If a watch is issued, stay up-to-date with the weather situation in your area. Weather information for the OU Norman Campus is available from the OU Department of Campus Safety as well as the OU Campus Safety Twitter feed @OUEmergencyPrep.
    • In addition, make sure that your mobile contact phone number at ecs.ou.edu is accurate to receive important alerts from OU's emergency communications system.
  • Tornado Warning = Take Action. A Tornado Warning means that a tornado is imminent and quick action is necessary.
    • An OU RAVE Tornado Alert text message will be sent if a tornado is expected to threaten the Norman campus.
    • Do not leave the building you are in. Proceed immediately to the appropriate severe weather refuge area inside the building you are in. The most dangerous location when a tornado threatens is outside. Stay indoors!
    • Note: There may be occasions in which the City of Norman activates its outdoor warning sirens but an OU Alert text message is not sent, as the city’s outdoor warning sirens cover a large geographic area that stretches miles away from campus. In these instances, make sure you are closely monitoring local weather reports.
OU Police Department
2775 Monitor Ave.
Norman, OK 73072
Updated 12/5/2024 by OU Police Department: oupd@ou.edu