University Alert System

Shelter in Place

A Shelter in Place incident is a potentially threatening situation on campus that may involve disasters such as chemical or biological attacks or leaks, natural disasters such as tornadoes or attacks with weapons.

Below are the steps that faculty, staff and students should follow if an incident such as this should occur on the UNO main campus.

A 3 minute siren sound means “take shelter”; a text message will be sent through the Privateer Alerts System and an email message will be sent to all UNO email addresses when the “all clear" is given.

Active Shooter | Tornado | Outdoor: Airborne Hazardous Materials 

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Tornado

Warning Siren:

When you hear the official Shelter-In-Place warning siren, you should:

1. If you are outside on campus and you see dark threatening clouds or see an approaching cloud of debris, take shelter in a building.

Text Message:

If you hear the siren and you are registered for the University’s text messaging service (University Notification System), you should:

1. Check your text messaging service immediately;
2. You will receive a text message indicating the nature of the emergency and what steps you should take to protect yourself;
3. Direct individuals to the lowest floor of the building.

Email Message:

An email message will be sent to all UNO email addresses indicating the nature of the emergency and what steps to take to protect yourself.

Seek Shelter:

1. Shelter should be an interior windowless room/area such as a bathroom or an interior classroom on the lowest floor of the building;
2. Direct others in your area to move away from doors and windows;
3. Close and lock or barricade doors if possible;
4. Kneel or sit facing a wall and cover your head and face;
5. If you are in a vehicle, seek shelter in a building as soon as possible;
6. If disabled individuals cannot safely move to the lowest level, assist to an interior room or area away from windows and areas with a large expanse of glass.

If Your Are Outside When the Siren Goes Off:

1. Move at right angles away from the tornado;
2. Attempt to reach shelter, such as a building;
3. If there is no time to escape, lie flat in a ditch or depression.

Areas to Avoid:

1. Do not use elevators;
2. Areas with glass windows or doors, or hallways with windows at either end;
3. Automobiles;
4. Areas with large ceiling spans, such as auditoriums and gymnasiums.

Take Roll of Those Present:

1. Someone should take roll of everyone present;
2. Be prepared to provide this information to Department of Public Safety/University of New Orleans Police.

Stay Where You Are:

1. Until an "all clear" email is received or an "all clear" text message is received; or
2. You are given face-to-face instructions by Department of Public Safety/University of New Orleans Police or a University administrator that the emergency is over.

After the Tornado:

1. Watch out for fallen power lines and stay out of the damaged area;
2. Listen to the radio for information and instructions, if possible;
3. Use a flashlight to inspect the area for damage;
4. Do not use candles at any time.

Do NOT Call Department of Public Safety/University of New Orleans Police:

1. Once the siren has sounded, Department of Public Safety/University of New Orleans Police are aware of the emergency.
2. Only call Department of Public Safety/University of New Orleans Police if you have a life-threatening emergency or specific information on an immediate dangerous situation to report.

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Outdoor – Airborne Hazardous Materials Release

Warning Siren:

When you hear the official Shelter-In-Place warning siren, you should:

1. Close and lock or secure your door as best as you can.

Text Message:

If you hear the siren and you are registered for the University’s text messaging service, you should:

1. Check your text messaging service immediately;
2. You will receive a text message indicating the nature of the emergency and what steps you should take to protect yourself.

Email Message:

An email message will be sent to all UNO e-mail addresses indicating the nature of the emergency and what steps to take to protect yourself.

Seek Shelter:

Upon confirmation of an outdoor hazardous materials release.

1. Central Plant will turn “OFF” all ventilation systems to all the buildings under their control.  All other groups on campus that operate their own ventilation systems should do the same. (Locally controlled air conditioners, lab hoods, air circulation fans, etc.);
2. Do not use elevators;
3. Direct individuals to a floor above ground level;
4. Shelter should be an interior windowless room/area such as a bathroom or an interior classroom;
5. If the room has windows, close and seal them and any doors.  Place wet cloth material, i.e., clothing, towel, rags, etc., in the opening between the door and the floor. (Seal all openings as best as you can.);
6. If disabled individuals cannot safely move to an above ground level, assist to an interior room or area away from windows and exterior walls;
7. Listen to the radio for information and instructions, if possible.

If You Are Outside When the Siren Goes Off:

1. If you see a cloud of smoke or smell any unusual smells, cover your nose and mouth and seek shelter inside of a building. Check your text messages or e-mails to identify the threat and follow the same precautions as above.

Take Roll of Those Present:

1. Someone should take roll of everyone present;
2. Be prepared to provide this information to Department of Public Safety/University of New Orleans Police.

Stay Where You Are:

1. Until an "all clear" email is received or an "all clear" text message is received; and,
2. You are given face-to-face instructions by Department of Public Safety/University of New Orleans Police or a University administrator that the emergency is over.

Do NOT Call University Police:

1. Once the siren has sounded, University Police is aware of the emergency;
2. Only call Department of Public Safety/University of New Orleans Police if you have a life-threatening emergency or specific information on an immediate dangerous situation to report.

When the “All Clear ” is Given:

1. Ventilate buildings, open windows and doors; turn “ON” all air circulation equipment that was turned “OFF” during the Sheltering-In-Place emergency.

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