View of Saint Joseph Hall, a stone building with terra cotta roof tiles, through the trees

Campus Crisis Protocols

Emergency and Closing Notifications

Chestnut Hill College provides a web-based service that uses voice messaging, text messaging, electronic mail and RSS feeds to send critical messages to the campus community. It is subscription-based and requires members of the Chestnut Hill College community to opt into the service.

While the service is free, standard voice and text messaging charges may apply.

Emergency Reporting Protocol

We encourage the students, faculty and staff to be alert, to take precautions, and to report anything suspicious, unusual or of a criminal nature to the Department of Safety and Campus Security by dialing extension 7777 from an on campus phone or 215.242.7777 from off campus or a cell phone. The main security desk is located in Fournier Hall. The number to the information desk, which is also located at the security station, is 215.248.7090. In addition, there are several emergency phones located throughout the campus inside the buildings. Ten emergency blue light phones are located throughout campus.

In an emergency: call Campus Security at ext. 7777 (from an on campus phone) or 215-242-7777 (from a cell phone or from off campus).

Life threatening situations: call 911 (9911 from a campus phone) for Police/Fire/Emergency Medical Services.

Important:
When calling 911 or Campus Security:

  • Give your name, location and the nature of the emergency.
  • Do not hang up until told to do so.

General Evacuation Protocol

  • Building evacuations will occur when an alarm sounds and/or upon notification by the Campus Emergency Alert System.
  • When the fire/evacuation alarm or the Emergency Alert System is activated during an emergency, leave by the nearest marked exit and alert others to do the same.
  • Use stairs in case of fire and/or other emergencies. Do not use elevators.
  • Once outside proceed to a clear and safe area away from the building.
  • Keep driveways and walkways clear for emergency vehicles and personnel.

Important: Do not return to an evacuated building unless told to do so by a College official.

Fire Emergency Response Protocol

Preventing a Fire

The College helps to prevent fires through the following methods:

  • Smoking is not permitted in buildings or within 20 feet of entrances and exits.
  • Fire alarms are tested on a regular basis.
  • Fire drills occur in the residence halls on a regular basis.
  • Fire safety inspections occur in the residence halls during all semester breaks.
  • Fire extinguishers are inspected on a monthly basis.

Reporting a Fire

  • Pull the nearest fire alarm on your way to an exit.
  • Do not attempt to fight the fire. Use extinguishers for personal safety.
  • Exit through the nearest door to the nearest assembly area outside the building.
  • Notify the Campus Security that you pulled the alarm and location.
  • Call ext. 7777 (from an on campus phone) or 215-242-7777.

Response to the Fire Alarm

  • Evacuate the area.
  • Assist persons with physical or temporary disabilities with exiting the building. Move handicapped individuals to a stairwell and close all doors as you move to the first floor to keep fire out of the stairwell. Inform Campus Security if a handicapped person is in a stairwell. Emergency Response personnel will evacuate handicapped personnel in the stairwells.
  • If possible, persons exiting the building should close doors to the corridor as they exit the building.
  • Do not use elevators.
  • Leave the building by the closest exit.
  • Move to an external assembly area away from the building.
  • Do not return to an evacuated building until told to do so by a College official.

Violent or Criminal Incident Response Protocol

Everyone is asked to assist in making the campus a safe place by being alert to suspicious situations and promptly reporting them to Campus Security at ext. 7777 (from an on campus phone) or 215-242-7777 (from a cell phone or from off campus).

If you observe a criminal act or a suspicious person on campus, notify Campus Security immediately and report the incident, including the following information:

  • Nature of incident
  • Location of the incident
  • Description of person(s) involved.
  • Description of property involved.
  • Type of weapon, if any.

Note: If the incident poses a danger of death or bodily injury, call 911 first and provide the information listed above. After calling 911 please notify Campus Security.

Always do the following to ensure the best possible response and safest outcome:

  • Stay calm, do not be heroic.
  • Stay out of harm’s way.
  • Run away from the area (if possible); do not run in a straight line.
  • Allow professionals to address the situation.
  • Assist the officers when they arrive by supplying them with any additional information.

Bomb Threat Response Protocol

  • If the threat is received by telephone, encourage the caller to talk. The person receiving the bomb threat should ask specific questions such as:
    • When is the bomb going to explode?
    • Where is the bomb located?
    • What kind of bomb is it?
    • What does the bomb look like?
    • Why did you place the bomb?
  • Keep talking to the caller as long as possible and record the following information:
    • Time of call.
    • Approximate age and gender of the caller.
    • Speech pattern, accent or other distinguishing vocal traits.
    • Emotional state of the caller.
    • Background noises.
  • If you are able to get the attention of another individual ask them to call Campus Security while you keep the caller on the phone. Campus Security can be reached at ext. 7777 (from an on campus phone) or 215-242-7777.
  • If you are able to call yourself, contact Campus Security at ext. 7777 (from an on campus phone) or 215-242-7777 to inform them that a bomb threat has been received and (if known) inform Security of the location of the device.
  • After the caller hangs up, do not hang up your phone but use another phone to call.
  • If a suspicious object or potential bomb are observed on campus, do not handle it. Clear the area and immediately notify Campus Security at ext. 7777(from an on campus phone) or 215-242-7777 (from a cell phone or from off campus).
  • Do not return to an evacuated building until told to do so by a College official.

Dangerous Person in a Building

Everyone is asked to assist in making the campus a safe place by being alert to suspicious situations/persons and promptly reporting them to Campus Security at ext. 7777 (from an on campus phone) or 215-242-7777.

If you observe a dangerous or suspicious person on campus, notify Campus Security immediately and report the incident, including the following information:

  • Nature of the incident.
  • Location of the incident.
  • Description of person(s) involved.
  • Description of property involved.
  • Type of weapon, if any.

If the individual shows a weapon:

  • Stay calm, do not be heroic.
  • If not threatening, ask them to put down the weapon. Ask the nearest person to call 911 (9911 from an on campus phone).
  • If possible, notify Campus Security at ext. 7777 (from an on campus phone) or 215-242-7777.
  • If threatening, attempt to separate yourself and others from the individual. Do not attempt to confiscate the weapon.
  • Attempt to reason with the individual if necessary, but do not blame or threaten.
  • Try to calm the individual while calming and reassuring other persons involved.

If a weapon is suspected, but not visible:

  • Stop. Do not approach the individual; do not attempt to confiscate the weapon.
  • Call 911 (9911 from an on campus phone).
  • Notify Campus Security at ext. 7777 (from an on campus phone) or 215-242-7777.
  • If possible, clear the area

Distressed Person Protocol

Behaviors 

  • Behavioral or emotional change
  • Change in hygiene or appearance
  • Decline in academic performance
  • Excessive or inappropriate anger
  • Alcohol or drug abuse
  • Bizarre thoughts or behavior

Reactions to Behavior 

  • Feeling uncomfortable about person’s comments or behavior
  • Concern about person’s ability to function
  • Feeling alarmed or frightened

Assess the level of distress: Is this an urgent matter or is it important, but not urgent? 

  • If the situation is urgent, please call 911 and alert Campus Security at 215-242-7777.  If calling from a campus phone, dial 9-911, and 7777 for Security.  The situation is urgent if the person is at immediate risk of harming self or others, is incoherent or unresponsive, or is in extreme distress or causing extreme distress to others. Stay with the person to provide support and information for the officers (unless you feel your own safety is at risk).
  • If the situation is important but not urgent—that is, if the person does not appear to be in acute and current distress, contact the Vice President for Student Life. After business hours, contact Security at 215-242-7777.

Active Shooting in Building

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has issued guidance and best practices on responding to an active shooter.  In keeping with this guidance, Chestnut Hill College has adopted the following crisis protocol.

An active shooter is a person(s) who appears to be actively engaged in killing or attempting to kill people in a populated area; in most cases active shooters use firearm(s) and there is no pattern or method to their selection of victims. These situations are dynamic and evolve rapidly, demanding immediate deployment of law enforcement resources to stop the shooting and mitigate harm to innocent victims.

In general, how you respond to an active shooter will be dictated by the specific circumstances of the encounter, bearing in mind there could be more than one shooter involved in the same situation. If you find yourself involved in an active shooter situation, try to remain calm and use these guidelines to help you plan a strategy for survival.

If safe to do so, Call 911 or notify Campus Security (215-242-7777 from a cell phone and ext. 7777 from any campus phone) immediately and report the incident, including the following information:

  • Location of the incident
  • Number of shooters (if more than 1)
  • Physical description of shooter(s)
  • Number and types of weapons
  • Number of potential victims

Depending on the location of the shooter, the following is meant to serve as guidelines for response:

Run

If there is an accessible escape path, attempt to evacuate.  Be sure to:

  • Evacuate regardless of whether others agree to follow
  • Leave your belongings behind
  • Keep your hands visible
  • Help others escape, if possible
  • Do not attempt to move or help wounded people
  • Follow the instructions of law enforcement

Hide

If evacuation is not possible, find a place where the active shooter is less likely to find you.  When possible:

  • Lock the door
  • Blockade the door with heavy furniture
  • Silence any cell phones and turn off any sources of noise (TV, radio, etc.)
  • Turn off lights
  • Remain quiet
  • Hide behind large items (cabinets, desks, bookcases, etc.)
  • Call 911 and keep the line open to allow the dispatcher to listen

Fight

As a last resort, and only when your life is in imminent danger, attempt to disrupt and/or incapacitate the active shooter by:

  • Acting as aggressively as possible against him/her
  • Throwing items and improvising weapons
  • Yelling

The City of Houston has created a widely used active shooter training video that can be found at the link below.  Please note that this video contains sensitive and somewhat graphic material and may be upsetting to some people, but we believe it is a valuable resource to share.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5VcSwejU2D0

When law enforcement arrives, their primary purpose is to stop the active shooter as soon as possible.  Officers will proceed directly to the location of the last known shots; they will not stop to help injured persons.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s complete guide on responding to an active shooter can be found online at https://www.dhs.gov/xlibrary/assets/active_shooter_booklet.pdf.

Shelter in Place

Shelter in place is the action of seeking immediate shelter indoors, preferably in an interior area. Ideal features of a shelter in place area include:

  • A location with minimal windows or vents
  • Adequate space for all individuals
  • Hallways, conference rooms, restrooms and classrooms can all be utilized to shelter in place
  • Depending on the nature of the incident, access to phone lines, cell phone service and/or internet is also desirable.

Shelter in place may be activated in the event of a hazardous material spill, tornado warning, shooting or act of terrorism. Please note that shelter in place may refer to short-term or long-term situations. At times, shelter in place may occur in a centralized area after an evacuation notice.

When sheltering in place:

  • Close all doors and windows
  • If possible, close or seal air vents
  • Close window shades, blinds or curtains
  • If possible, seal gaps around doors and windows with wet towels and/or tape
  • Move all occupants away from doors and windows
  • Remain indoors until an all clear message is received from a campus administrator

Hazardous Materials Spills and Leaks

A hazardous material incident may include, but is not necessarily limited to, a chemical fire, incompatible materials reaction, explosion, leak, spill and/or other release of toxic vapors or radiation which could threaten individuals and/or the environment. In the event of a hazardous material incident contact Campus Safety (215-242-7777 from a cell phone/outside phone or ext. 7777 from any campus phone). The person calling should provide the following information:

  • The exact location of the spill or leak.
  • The type of chemical/material.
  • The hazardous status of the chemical (ex. Hazardous, extremely hazardous, corrosive, toxic, etc.).
  • Estimated quantity of spilled chemical.
  • Time the spill occurred or was discovered.
  • Number of people (if any) who have been exposed to the chemical.
  • Status of individuals who have been exposed.

Campus Safety will call 911 to report the emergency. If necessary, the immediate area and/or campus will be evacuated following the evacuation protocol.

Severe Weather Conditions

If the National Weather Bureau is predicting flood, hurricane, tornadoes, or a severe winter storm, the Director of Facilities will maintain a check on weather conditions. While it is impossible to predict all weather conditions, the following can be used as a guideline in specific situations:

Floods
When flash floods are predicted, Facilities and Campus Safety will closely monitor the local forecast and the water level of the Wissahickon. If the water level raises high enough to warrant evacuation of parking lots and/or buildings, the order to evacuate will be issued. Facilities and Campus Safety will work cooperatively if College vehicles or equipment need to be moved to a higher location.

Hurricanes
When hurricanes are predicted, Facilities and Campus Safety will closely monitor the local forecast. Hurricanes result in high winds and heavy rain; if water levels rise high enough to warrant evacuation an order to evacuate will be issued. Should a hurricane result in a power failure, the College will follow protocols for systems/power failures.

Tornadoes
If a tornado warning is in effect, Facilities and Campus Safety will stay alert to changing weather conditions. A tornado warning indicates that a tornado has been sighted; a tornado watch indicates that weather conditions are such that a tornado is possible. If a tornado is sighted in the local area, all individuals will be directed through the campus intercom system and text alert system to move to an interior hallway on the lowest floor possible, away from windows, glass and doors. Individuals who are outside should seek immediate shelter inside (if possible) or lay in a low lying area until conditions pass. Do not go outside in the event of a tornado warning.

Severe Winter Storms
In the event of a severe winter storm, the President, in consultation with the Vice President for Academic Affairs, will determine when to close the College. Should weather force the cancellation of classes, students will be notified through the College’s website and on the School Closing Emergency Line (215-248-7009). Announcements will also be made on the KYW School Closing Website. The College’s code numbers are as follows:

Day Classes 126
Evening Classes 2126
School of Continuing and Professional Studies 1094
School of Graduate Studies 2155

Please check for announcements prior to traveling to campus. Should a winter storm begin during normal business hours, the College will monitor local conditions and arrange for the College to dismiss early and/or cancel evening classes when appropriate.

Civil Unrest

Most campus demonstrations, marches, meetings and rallies tend to be peaceful and non-disruptive. A student demonstration should not be stopped unless one or more of the following conditions exist:

  • Inference with normal operations of the College
  • Blocked access to offices, buildings or other College facilities
  • Threat of physical harm to persons
  • Threat of damage to College facilities

If any of these conditions exist please notify Campus Safety. Depending on the nature of the demonstration, the following procedures should be followed:

Peaceful, Non-Obstructive Demonstrations
In the event of a peaceful, non-obstructive demonstration, the situation will be monitored. Should the situation change and become obstructive, please follow the protocol below.

Non-violent, Disruptive Demonstrations
In the event that a demonstration blocks access to College facilities or interferes with College operations:

  • Demonstrators will be asked to terminate the disruptive activity by the Director of
    Campus Safety or a Campus Safety Shift Supervisor
  • Key College personnel and student leaders will ask the demonstrators to desist.
  • If demonstrators fail to desist, they will be informed that failure to terminate the activity may result in disciplinary action or police involvement.
  • After consultation with the President the police may be contacted if necessary.

Violent, Disruptive Demonstrations
In the event that a violent demonstration results in injury to persons or damage to College property, the President and other College officials will be notified. The Director of Campus Safety will call the Philadelphia Police (if necessary). A campus alert will be issued which may call for evacuation or shelter in place.