Emergency Preparedness

• 2024 Emergency Response Plan

Emergency Guidelines

Chemical Spill

• Notify the SSU Police Department at (912) 358-3004 or dial 911 immediately.
• Do not attempt to clean up the spill.
• Remove yourself and others from the area.
• Cordon off the area and do not let others enter the area.
• If anyone had contact with the hazardous material, they should be isolated and await treatment by emergency personnel.
• Do not pull the fire alarm unless there is a fire.
• Provide first responders with information about the spill, chemicals, and the spill area.
• Evacuate the building if first responders issue an evacuation order.
• Re-enter the building only when an “all clear” is provided by first responders.

Thunderstorms

During spring and summer in Georgia, there is an increased threat of severe thunderstorms.  Thunderstorms are dangerous because they can produce strong winds, lightning, tornadoes, hail, and flash flooding.

Keep yourself as well as your family safe by understanding the primary threats during a thunderstorm.

Before a Thunderstorm:

Familiarize yourself with the terms used to identify a thunderstorm hazard:

• A severe thunderstorm WATCH means there is the potential for severe thunderstorms (damaging winds/large hail) to impact your area within the next 6 hours.
• A severe thunderstorm WARNING means a severe thunderstorm is occurring or will likely occur soon. If you are advised to take shelter, do so immediately.

*Note, a severe thunderstorm refers to a thunderstorm producing winds of 58 mph or greater, 1-inch (quarter) size hail or larger, and/or a tornado.

During a Thunderstorm:

• If there is a thunderstorm in the area, go quickly inside a home, building, or hard-top automobile, if possible.
• If shelter is not available, go to the lowest area nearby.
• Access Weather.com on your smartphone to look for weather alerts in your area.
• Pay attention to weather alerts distributed on the Everbridge system, distributed by SSU Campus Police.
• Avoid taking a shower or bath during a thunderstorm.
• Do not use electrical items such as computers or television sets as power surges from lightning can cause serious damage.

After a Thunderstorm:

After the storm passes, remember to:

• Never drive through a flooded roadway. Turn around, don’t drown!
• Stay away from storm-damaged areas to keep from putting yourself at risk from the effects of thunderstorms.
• Stay away from downed power lines and report them immediately to SSU Campus Police at (912) 358-3004

Hurricanes

Hurricane warnings are issued when a hurricane is expected to strike the Savannah area within 24 hours. However, we know from experience that days before the onset of a hurricane, supplies such as gasoline, food and bottled water become scarce. The lines at stores get long and frustrating. So, it is best to prepare early.

Students, faculty and staff will be notified via the Everbridge alert app or the Chatham Emergency Management Agency (CEMA). This notification will warn you of the expected impact of a hurricane.

It is extremely important that you follow the guidance in this quick reference guide. In most cases, the hurricane warning will include an assessment of flood dangers in coastal and inland areas, small craft warnings, gale warnings and recommended emergency procedures.

When a hurricane warning is issued you should:

• Educate yourself about the storm to the best of your ability and be aware of the strength of the storm and its expected path. This can be done by visiting the National Hurricane Center’s website at www.nhc.noaa.gov.
• Listen to a radio or television for official instructions. A weather radio will be very helpful.
• Fill your gas tanks of your automobile(s) in case you have to evacuate the area.
• Store valuables and personal papers in a waterproof container.
• Keep a supply of flashlights and extra batteries handy.
• Ensure your cellular telephones are fully charged and that important phone numbers are entered and/or written down.
• If power is lost, turn off major appliances to reduce power "surge" when electricity is restored.
• Avoid open flames, such as candles and kerosene lamps, as a source of light.
• Prepare a shelter bag consisting of extra clothing, personal items, hand sanitizer and extra medications.

Even if you have emergency supplies, don’t make the mistake of trying to “ride out” a hurricane. Evacuate if told to do so. Leave early before the roads become flooded or clogged with traffic preventing you from getting out of danger.

Utility or Power Failure

• Immediately report utility failures during regular working hours
• Immediately report utility failures after regular working hours, on weekends, and on holidays to the SSU Campus Police Department at (912) 358-3004.

Gas Leaks:

• Evacuate the area immediately.
• Do not attempt to shut off or manipulate valves.
• Call the SSU Campus Police Department at (912) 358-3004 to report the problem.
• Do not switch on lights or any other electrical equipment.
• If the leak is outside, do not remove any vehicles from the immediate area until cleared by the SSU Campus Police Department.

*Note, starting a vehicle while gas is emitted into the air could cause serious damage to lives and property in the immediate area.

• Account for all building personnel once outside and wait for further instructions from SSU Campus Police or Savannah Fire Department.

Power Outage:

• Help co-workers in darkened areas to move to a safer location.
• Unplug or turn off personal computers, appliances, and non-essential electrical equipment.
• Open windows for additional light and ventilation.
• Advise SSU Police of any known stranded personnel/students and the location of the disabled elevator(s).
• Follow the instructions given by the SSU Police, Facility Management, and/or the Savannah Fire Department.

Tornado

Tornados are nature’s most violent storms and they are Georgia’s No. 1 weather-related killer.  They can develop without warning and oftentimes can be hidden by trees or rain.  Be prepared to act quickly.  Planning and practicing specifically how and where you take shelter is a matter of survival.  Tornadoes can occur at any time of the year, making advance preparation vitally important.  

Before a Tornado

A storm can strike suddenly and it may occur at a moment’s notice.  Ensure your phone number is in your student account to receive emergency messages as well as your relatives.

A tornado WATCH means weather conditions are favorable for tornadoes to develop.

A tornado WARNING means either a tornado is occurring or is expected to develop shortly in your area, and you need to take shelter immediately. 

Determine in advance where you will take shelter in case of a tornado warning.

• An interior room like a bathroom or closet (without windows) or hallway on the lowest floor possible is the best option.
• Make sure you have multiple ways to receive warnings, including our Everbridge emergency notification system.
• Listen to radio or television newscasts, or go to Weather.com and check the weather for the latest information. In an emergency, always listen to the instructions given by the university and local emergency management officials.
• Remain alert to changing weather conditions. Look for approaching storms.

When a Tornado WATCH is Issued

Monitor a radio or television for the latest weather forecasts, log onto the University’s website and/or review Weather.com to remain aware of any changes or alerts.

Be alert to changing weather conditions.  Blowing debris or the sound of an approaching tornado may alert you.  Many people have reported that the sound of a tornado sounds like a freight train.

Make sure you know where you will seek shelter if a tornado warning is issued.  The best practice is to shelter inside a sturdy building (shelter).  If a tornado warning is issued, you will not have much time to act.

When a Tornado WARNING is issued  

Local authorities may not immediately be able to provide information on what is happening and what you should do.  However, you should listen to NOAA Weather Radio, watch TV, listen to any portable radio, or check the internet often for official news and instructions as they become available.

Remain out of damaged buildings and stay clear of downed power lines.  Report downed power lines when safe to do so.

If you are trained, help injured or trapped people.  Check on others who may require special assistance.

FIRE

Notify SSU Police at (912) 358-3004 IMMEDIATELY and/or dial 911.  If possible, extinguish the fire.  If the fire is not extinguishable, pull the fire alarm system to alert other occupants in the building.

Occupants should exit the building IMMEDIATELY.

• DO NOT PANIC! Remain calm.
• If the room is smoky, get on your hands and knees or stomach and crawl to the exit.
• Upon reaching a door, feel the door knob. If hot, do not open the door.  If it is cool to the touch, open slowly.
• If the hallway is smoky, stay next to the wall and count the doors as you crawl to the nearest exit.
• Do not prop open doors to the exit staircase.
• Proceed to the nearest fire exit.
• Pull the fire alarm as you evacuate, if the building alarm is not already activated.
• DO NOT use elevators.
• If possible, assist any occupants with disabilities.

If you cannot leave the room

• Check to see if there is smoke outside the window; if there is no smoke, and if the window can be opened, hang a sheet or light-colored material outside. Leave the window slightly open for ventilation.  If smoke comes through the window or smoke is pulled into the room, close the window completely and leave the sheet or light-colored material outside.  This will provide an indication to first responders that someone is occupying that particular room.
• If the room is smoky, fold a towel (wet if possible) into a triangle and tie it over your nose and mouth: stay low, and try to place clothing or bedding around cracks in the doors to keep additional smoke out.
• Occupants should try to be visible to rescue personnel through any window or balcony, but should not jump.

Active Shooter

Notify SSU Campus Police at (912) 358-3004 or by dialing 911 from an in-house desk phone immediately.

• DO NOT pull the fire alarm to alert others of an active shooter or active threat. 
• Evacuate the area if you are able to do so safely and avoid danger.
• If evacuation is impossible, lock or barricade all doors and secure yourself in a safe area.
• If barricading is a safe area, shut off the lights and stay out of sight. Remain calm and in place until an “all clear” is given by law enforcement.
• Turn down the volume and ringer on your cellular device.
• Dial 911 when safe to do so. If you are unable to speak, leave the call open so the dispatcher may hear what is happening around you.
• Taking action should be a last resort and only when your life is in imminent danger. Attempt to incapacitate the active shooter or active threat by either throwing items or with physical aggression.
• When law enforcement arrives, follow all directions given.
• Keep your hands where they can be seen at all times.
• Leave your belongings behind.

It is important to remain vigilant of our surroundings at all times.  “IF YOU SEE SOMETHING, SAY SOMETHING!”