Campus+Preparedness

=Campus Preparedness=

Worcester Academy is committed to supporting the welfare of its students, faculty, staff and visitors. Maintaining a campus crisis/emergency response plan and allocating resources to respond to possible emergencies is one way in which the Academy offers this support. The plan is fashioned in accordance with appropriate laws, regulations and policies that govern crisis/emergency preparedness.

The Emergency Preparedness Plan is designed to maximize human survival and preservation of property, minimize danger, restore normal operations of Worcester Academy, and assure responsive communications with the campus community, surrounding neighborhoods, and the City of Worcester.

This plan is set in operation whenever a natural or induced emergency reaches proportions that cannot be handled by established measures.

A crisis may be sudden and unforeseen, or there may be varying periods of warning. This plan is intended to be sufficiently flexible to accommodate contingencies of all types, magnitudes, and duration.

The Emergency Preparedness Plan is put into effect whenever a crisis, man-made or natural, disrupts operations, threatens life, creates major damage, or occurs within the Worcester community and its environs.

Emergency Tips
Creating a Disaster Plan Emergency Supplies Checklist Evacuation Fire Safety Hazardous Materials Shelter in Place

Creating a Disaster Plan

 * Learn about the natural disasters that could occur in your community.
 * Talk with employers and school officials about their emergency response plans.
 * Talk with your family about potential emergencies and how to respond to each.
 * Plan how your family would stay in contact if you were separated. Identify two meeting places: the first should be a place near your home; the second should be a place away from your neighborhood in case you cannot return home.
 * Pick a friend or relative who lives out of the area for family members to call to say they are okay.
 * Draw a floor plan of your residence. Mark two escape routes from each room.
 * Post emergency telephone numbers by telephones. Teach children how and when to call 911.
 * Show responsible persons in your household how and when to shut-off water, gas and electricity at the main switches.
 * Take a first aid and CPR class. See Education and Training to sign up.
 * Consider how you would help your neighbors who may need special assistance.
 * Make arrangements for your pets. Pets are not allowed in public shelters.
 * Report any lingering vapors or other hazards to your local emergency services office.

Emergency Supplies Checklist
In a community disaster, you may need to be able to survive on your own for three days or more.

This means having your own water, food and emergency supplies. The following checklists will help you assembly disaster supply kits for each member of your family. Try using backpacks or duffel bags to keep the supplies together and keep this information with your emergency supplies.

Water: The Absolute Necessity

 * Stocking water reserves should be a top priority. Store at least a two-week supply of water for each member of your family.
 * A normally active person needs to drink at least two quarts of water each day. You will need additional water for food preparation and hygiene. Store at least one gallon of water per person per day.
 * Never ration water, unless ordered to do so by authorities. Drink the amount you need today and try to find more for tomorrow. You can minimize the amount of water your body needs by reducing activity and staying cool.
 * Store water in thoroughly washed plastic, glass, fiberglass or enamel-lined metal containers. Never use a container that has held toxic substances. Sound plastic containers, such as soft drink bottles, are best.
 * Before storing water, treat it with a disinfectant, such as chlorine bleach, to prevent the growth of microorganisms. Use liquid bleach that contains 5.25 percent sodium hypochlorite and no soap. Some containers warn, “Not for Personal Use.” You can disregard these warnings if the label states sodium hypochlorite as the only active ingredient and if you use only the small quantities mentioned in these instructions.
 * Add four drops of bleach per quart of water (or two scant teaspoons per 10 gallons), and stir. Seal your water containers tightly, label them and store them in a cool, dark place.

Food: Preparing an Emergency Stockpile
If activity is reduced, healthy people can survive on half their usual food intake for an extended period or without any food for many days. Food, unlike water, may be rationed safely, except for children and pregnant women.

You can use the canned foods, dry mixes and other staples on your cupboard shelves. Canned foods do not require cooking, water or special preparation.

Though it is unlikely that an emergency would cut off your food supply for two weeks, you should prepare a supply that will last that long.

Keep canned foods in a dry place where the temperature is fairly cool. Store the foods in tightly closed cans or metal containers.

Rotate your food supply. Use foods before they go bad, and replace them with fresh supplies. Date each food item with a marker.

Emergency Checklist
1. Water, Food and Utensils
 * Water - one gallon of water per person per day, for drinking, cooking, washing and sanitation. Store as much water as possible in non-breakable containers, such as soft drink containers or milk jugs
 * Food - Non-perishable, needing little or no cooking; high nutrition-type
 * Special dietary foods, if needed.
 * Eating and drinking utensils, non-breakable
 * Bottle and can openers
 * Water purifying tablets, two percent tincture of iodine or household bleach (hypochlorite-type only)
 * Heating source, such as a camp stove or canned-heat stove, and extra fuel

2. Communications, Lighting, Safety
 * Battery-operated radio
 * Flashlights
 * Extra batteries
 * Lantern and Fuel
 * Fluorescent distress flag
 * Matches (in waterproof container)
 * Citizen’s Band radio
 * Fire extinguisher
 * Work gloves
 * Shovel

3. Clothing and Bedding
 * One complete change of clothing for each person, appropriate for season and weather conditions
 * Sturdy work clothes
 * Sturdy shoes
 * Extra socks
 * Extra underwear
 * Outerwear: rain gear, coats, jackets, boots, ponchos
 * Pillows
 * Sleeping bag or two blankets per person

4. Personal Items
 * Washcloth and small towel
 * Reading and writing materials
 * Sewing kit
 * Soap, toothbrushes, toothpaste, deodorant
 * Small toys for children
 * Hair care items
 * Insect repellant and insecticide
 * Contact lens solution
 * Dentures
 * Shaving kit
 * Sanitary napkins and tampons

5. Sanitary Needs
 * Paper towels and toilet paper
 * Liquid detergent
 * Disinfectant
 * Garbage can or bucket with tight fitting lid (for emergency toilet)
 * Plastic garbage bags (for lining toilet)

6. Baby Supplies (if needed)
 * Clothes
 * Diapers
 * Milk or formula
 * Powders, creams or ointments
 * Bottles and nipples
 * Food
 * Small toys
 * Sheets, blankets, rubber pads
 * Portable crib

7. First Aid Supplies

Keep contents of first aid kit in a waterproof metal or plastic box. Keep medicines tightly capped. Check periodically and replace any medication, which has passed its expiration date.


 * Adhesive tape rolls, two inches wide
 * Applicator - sterile, cotton tips
 * Antacid
 * Antibiotic ointments
 * Antiseptic solution
 * Aspirin or aspirin substitute
 * Baking soda
 * Bandage - sterile roll, two inches wide
 * Bandage - sterile roll, four inches wide
 * Bandage - large triangular, 37 inches by 52 inches
 * Bandages - plastic strips, assorted sizes
 * Cotton balls
 * Diarrhea medication
 * Eye medication
 * First aid handbook
 * Hot water bag
 * Ice bag
 * Iodine water purification tablets
 * Isopropyl alcohol
 * Laxatives
 * Medical items such as spare eyeglasses, contact lens needs, hearing-aid batteries, etc.
 * Medical alert tags, if needed for epilepsy, drug allergies, etc.
 * Medicine dropper
 * Motion sickness tablets for nausea
 * Non-prescription medicines
 * Nose drops (water soluble)
 * Petroleum jelly
 * Plastic bags with fasteners
 * Prescription medicines (insulin, heart pills, etc., as needed)
 * Safety pins - assorted sizes
 * Scissors
 * Smelling salts
 * Antibacterial soap
 * Splints - wooden, 18 inches long
 * Table salt
 * Toothache remedy
 * Thermometer
 * Tweezers

8. Papers and Valuables
 * Social Security cards
 * Birth certificates
 * Marriage and death records
 * Driver’s license
 * Cash and credit cards
 * Wills
 * Insurance policies
 * Deeds and mortgages
 * Stocks and bonds
 * Savings and checking account books
 * Inventory of household goods (photos preferred)
 * Small valuables: cameras, watches, jewelry, etc.

9. Library
 * Newspaper or emergency public information articles
 * Plans for expedient shelters
 * Medical self-help books
 * Civil defense manuals
 * Survival books
 * Other reading materials

Emergency Evacuation Tips
When community evacuations become necessary, local officials provide information to the public through the media. But just in case, you should have enough water, food, clothing and emergency supplies to last three days. In a catastrophic emergency, you might need to be self-sufficient for even longer.

The amount of time you have to evacuate will depend on the disaster. But many disasters offer no time for people to gather even the most basic necessities.

Planning for Evacuation

 * Learn evacuation routes. If you do not own a car, make transportation arrangements with friends or your local government.
 * Talk with your family about the possibility of evacuation. Plan where you would go if you had to leave the community.
 * Plan a place to meet your family in case you are separated from one another in a disaster.
 * Find out where children will be sent if they are in school when an evacuation is announced.
 * Assemble a disaster supplies kit. Include a battery-powered radio, flashlight, extra batteries, food, water and clothing. See the Emergency Supplies Checklist.
 * Keep fuel in your car if an evacuation seems likely.
 * Know how to shut off electricity, gas and water at main switches and valves.

What To Do When You are Told to Evacuate

 * Gather water, food, clothing, emergency supplies, and insurance and financial records.
 * Wear protective clothing and sturdy shoes.
 * Secure your home. Close and lock doors and windows. Unplug appliances. Take any actions needed to prevent damage to water pipes by freezing weather, if this is a threat.
 * Turn off the main water valve and electricity if instructed to do so.
 * Let others know where you are going.
 * Leave early enough to avoid being trapped by severe weather.
 * Follow recommended evacuations routes. Do not drive into flooded areas. Stay away from downed power lines.

Fire Safety Tips
To protect yourself, it’s important to understand the basic characteristics of fire. Fire spreads quickly. There is no time to grab valuables or make a phone call. In just two minutes a fire can become life threatening. In five minutes a house can be engulfed in flames.

A fire’s heat and smoke are even more dangerous than the flames - inhaling the super-hot air can sear your lungs. Fire produces poisonous gases that make you disoriented and drowsy.


 * Install smoke detectors
 * Place smoke detectors on every level of your house: outside bedrooms on the ceiling or high on the wall, at the top of open stairways or at the bottom of enclosed stairs and near (but not in) the kitchen.
 * Clean smoke detectors once a month and replace batteries at least once a year.
 * Plan two escape routes from every room in the house. Practice escaping from each room.
 * Make sure windows are not nailed or painted shut.
 * Teach family members to stay low to the floor (where the air is safer in a fire) when escaping from a fire.
 * Pick a place outside your home for the family to meet after escaping from a fire.
 * Clean out storage areas.
 * Check electrical wiring.
 * Inspect extension cords for frayed or exposed wires or loose plugs.
 * Do not overload extension cords or outlets.
 * Never use gasoline, benzene, naphtha or similar liquids indoors.
 * Check heating sources. Make sure your home heating source is clean and in working order.
 * Use caution when using alternative heating sources, such as wood, coal and kerosene heaters and electrical space heaters.
 * Check with your local fire department on the legality of using kerosene heaters in your community.
 * Ensure proper ventilation to the outside.
 * Place heaters at least three feet away from flammable materials.
 * Store ashes in a metal container outside and away from the house.
 * Keep open flames away from walls, furniture, drapery and any flammable items. Keep a screen in front of the fireplace.
 * Make sure home insulation does not touch electrical wiring.
 * Know the location of the gas valve and electric fuse or circuit breaker box and how to turn them off in an emergency. If you shut off your main gas line for any reason, allow only a gas company representative to turn it on again.
 * Install A-B-C type fire extinguishers in the home and teach family members how to use them.
 * Ask your local fire department if they will inspect your house for fire safety and prevention.
 * Teach children how to report a fire and when to use 911.

What To Do In Case of Fire

 * Use water or a fire extinguisher to put out small fires. Do not try to put out a fire that is getting out of control. If you’re not sure if you can control it, get everyone out of the house and call the fire department from a neighbor’s house.
 * Never use water on an electrical fire.
 * Smother oil and grease fires in the kitchen with baking soda or salt, or put a lid over the flame if it is burning in a pan.
 * If your clothes catch on fire, stop, drop and roll until the fire is extinguished. Running only makes the fire burn faster.
 * Sleep with your door closed. If you wake up to the sound of a smoke detector, feel the bottom of the door with the palm of your hand before you open it.
 * If the door is cool, leave immediately. Be prepared to crawl. Smoke and heat rise, and the air is clearer and cooler near the floor.
 * If the door is hot, escape through a window. If you cannot escape, hang a white or light-colored sheet outside the window, alerting fire fighters to your presence

Residential Halls

 * **Fire Extinguishers** - Each floor is supplied with a dry chemical fire extinguisher. Students should report any discharged extinguisher to a resident faculty member. The current refill or replacement cost of any fire extinguisher missing or illegally discharged will be apportioned to the occupants of that floor. Additional costs for damage or cleanup may be levied and disciplinary action may be taken.
 * **Fire Hazards** - Candles, incense, and other flammable materials are absolutely prohibited in the dormitories. There is NO SMOKING n the dorms. Open flames in the dormitories constitute a major school violation. Whenever a fire alarm sounds, students are required to vacate the building immediately, and may not return until permission is received from a resident staff member or the campus Fire Marshal. Tampering with or misuse of fire alarms, fire extinguishers, smoke detectors, or any other fire safety equipment is prohibited and will result in serious disciplinary action. Massachusetts laws stipulate fines up to $200 or imprisonment for up to one year for setting off false alarms.

Hazardous Materials Tips
From industrial chemicals and toxic waste to household detergents and air fresheners, hazardous materials are part of our everyday lives.

Affecting urban, suburban and rural areas, hazardous materials incidents can range from a chemical spill on a highway to groundwater contamination by naturally occurring methane gas.

Hazardous materials are substances, which, because of their chemical, physical or biological nature, pose a potential risk to life, health or property if they are released. Hazards can exist during production, storage, transportation, use or disposal.

What To Do in a Hazardous Materials Incident

 * If you witness a hazardous materials accident, call 911, your local emergency notification number or the fire department.
 * If you hear a warning signal, listen to local radio or television stations for further information. Follow instructions carefully.
 * Stay away from the incident site to minimize the risk of contamination.
 * If you are caught outside during an incident, try to stay upstream, uphill and upwind — hazardous materials can quickly be transported by water and wind. In general, try to go at least one-half mile (10 city blocks) from the danger area; for many incidents you will need to go much further.
 * If you are in a car, close windows and shut off ventilation.
 * If you are asked to evacuate, do so immediately.
 * If local officials say there is time, close all windows, shut vents and turn off attic fans to minimize contamination.
 * If you are requested to stay indoors rather than evacuate:
 * Strictly follow all instructions given by emergency authorities.
 * To reduce the possibility of toxic vapors entering your home, seal all entry routes as efficiently as possible. Close and lock the windows and doors. Seal gaps under doorways and windows with wet towels and duct tape or similar thick tape.
 * Seal any gaps around window air conditioning units, bathroom and kitchen exhaust fan grilles and stove and dryer vents with tape and plastic sheeting, wax paper or aluminum wrap.
 * Close all fireplace dampers.
 * Close as many internal doors as possible.
 * If authorities warn of an outdoor explosion, close all drapes, curtains and shades. Stay away from windows to prevent injury from breaking glass.
 * Turn off all ventilation systems, including furnaces, air conditioners, vents and fans.
 * Set all ventilation systems to 100 percent recirculation so that no outside air is drawn into the building. If this is not possible, ventilation systems should be turned off.
 * If you suspect that gas or vapors have entered the building, take shallow breaths through a cloth or towel.
 * Remain in protected, interior areas of the building where toxic vapors are reduced, and keep your radio with you.
 * Avoid contact with any spilled liquid materials, airborne mist or condensed solid chemical deposit. Keep your body fully covered and wear gloves, socks and shoes, although these measures may offer minimal protection.
 * Do not eat or drink any food or water that may have been contaminated.
 * If you need to stay indoors, fill the bathtub (sterilize it first) and large containers with water. Be prepared to turn off the main water intake valve in case authorities advise you to do so.

What To Do After an Incident

 * Do not return home until local authorities say it is safe.
 * Upon returning home, open windows, vents and turn on fans to provide ventilation.
 * If you have come in contact with or have been exposed to hazardous chemicals, you should:
 * Follow decontamination instructions from local authorities.
 * Seek medical treatment for unusual symptoms that may be related to the hazardous materials release.
 * If medical help is not immediately available and you think you might be contaminated, remove all of your clothing and shower thoroughly (unless local authorities say the chemical is water reactive and advise you to do otherwise). Change into fresh, loose, warm clothing and seek medical help as soon as possible.
 * Place exposed clothing and shoes in tightly sealed containers without allowing them to contact other materials, and call local authorities to find out about proper disposal.
 * Advise everyone who comes in contact with you that you may have been exposed to a toxic substance.
 * Find out from local authorities how to clean up your land and property.