Disaster Prevention, Disaster Preparedness, and Disaster Recovery: Chapter 2Disaster PreparednessGeneral Instructions for Library Employee Safety The following steps must be satifactorily accomplishied before an emergency occurs: 1. Inform all employees in the library of their primary and secondary escape route. A primary escape route is the nearest approved exit from the work area. A secondary excape route is any of the next closest approved escape routes out of the building. 2. If any physically handicapped employees work in the area, send a list of the name, extension number, location of work station, and , if possible, type of handicap: temporary or permanent, wheelchair, crutches, blind, deaf, heart condition, etc., to the designated authority. The list should be updated if or when changes or additions occur. 3. Assure that all aisleways, passageways, and corridors leading to exits are kept clear at all times. If assistance is needed to assure clear exit passage, contact the disignated authority. The designated authority is ____________________________________________. 4. Inform all employees where the first aid supplies are located on the premises. A Materials Priority List needs to be completed by each library, based on tis own perceived strengths and weaknesses. A materials priority list is a list for each department and area of the collection, arranged in the order in which materials would be salvaged first following a disaster. Keep these considerations in mind when setting priorities: A. Can the item be replaced? At what cost? (Cost figures should include ordering, cataloging, etc., in addition to the purchase price). B. Would the cost of replacement be less or more than the cost of restoring the object? C. How important is the object to the collection? D. Is the object available elsewhere?
Sample materials priority list Disaster Recovery Team As a final preparation for disaster, every library should have a Disaster Recovery Team. The Team should prepare lists of person, equipment, and supplies which will be necessary in the event of a disaster. Also, the Team should maintain a priority list of material to receive immediate attention and/or evacuation. Once the lists have been completed, each member of the Disaster Recovery Team should retain a copy in his or her private residence. The lists should be updated annually. Sample disaster recovery team list Life-Threatening Situations Fire Fire is a potential danger for any library. Fires can be caused by electrical malfunctions, careless use of smoking material, spontaneous combustions, or the attempts of arsonists. In addition to the damage caused by the file, there is also the water damage caused by a sprinkler system and the a water used by the Fire Department to extinguish the fire. If only the smell of smoke is detected, check for possible cause. If warranted, notify the library director. Should an actual fire be discovered in the Library, the absolute first action that employees should take is to assure that all occupants of the building are advised of the emergency. This means activating the fire alarm system. The location fo the fire alarms are designated on the following pages. Because a fire alarm system is a mechanical device, it is subject ot failure. Therefore, even if the library's fire alarm is hooked up directly to the local fire station, once the alarm system is activated a back-up telephone call advising the fire department is required. The telephone call must include: the name of the person placing the call, location, and the nature and extent of the fire. Once notification steps are started, search all areas in each department to assure the persons present have received notification or have heard the alarm signal. Searching must be thorough, and include restrooms, storage rooms, computer rooms, offices, and all other occupied areas. If handicapped persons are present in the building, they should be evacuated immediately. Turn off the ventilation system to reduce the possibility of spreading smoke. Once all of the proceeding details have been accomplished, report to the Deaprtment Head/Librarian the status of the area. All occupants are to be directed outdoors and away from the building.
The following pages include a diagram indication the nearest exit location
for the various deparments in the library. Do Not Attempt to Use Elevators
during any Emergency Evacuation! On the following lines, designate a
prearranged meeting area for all library employess in the event an evacuation
is necessary. All personnel are to leave the building in an orderly manner; no running, pushing, crowding, or "horse play" of any kind will tolerated. Personnel will not re-enter the building until notified by the official in charge. Fire Extinguishers Portable fire extinguishers should be distributed through out each floor in the building. They are intended for use on small fires only. They are not considered to be a significant fire-fighting aide because they: 1) have a limited supply of extinguishing agent, 2) are subject to theft or misplacement, 3) are not automatic, 4) can be affected by smoke or heat, 5) have an extinguishing agent that is an irritant to expiration, and 6) may be too heavy for some people to use. Good judgement must determine if the use of fire extinguishers is warranted or safe. Fire extinguishers are located at the areas designated on the following sheets. Fire Exit Locations All staff members should be able aware of the nearest fire exit located
by their work area. Fire exits for the various floors are located: All staff members should be able to locate the nearest fire alarm.
Fire drills should be conducted regularly. The alarms are located: Fire Shut-off Procedure Venitlation Shut-off Procedure Fire Extinguisher Locations Heat Detector Locations Heat detectors will set off an alarm if the temperature of the building rises above _____ degrees. Heat Detector Shut-0ff Procedure Sprinklers The sprinklers will automatically activate if the temperature within
the building reaches _____ degrees. They will spray in _____ feet-wide
circles. The sprinklers are located: Sprinkler Shut-off Procedure Tornado When a tornado watch is issued, there is little that can be done. Continue
offical duties, but remain aware that weather conditions could deteriorate
rapidly. Should the National Weather Service issue a tornado warning,
or a tornado be sighted by observers, the Civil Defense sirens will
be activated. The Civil Defense siren will be the signal to evacuate
employees in each department to the shelter area. The designated shelter
area is located: Duties will remain the same as in a fire evacuation. The major differnce is that employees are to stay within the building and not go outdoors. When each area has been thoroughly searched, handicapped accounted for, and the area is empty, proceed to the designated shelter area. Once at the shelter, no smoking rules are to be put into effect. Bomb Threats Should information be received that an explosive device is somewhere in the Library, or an object be discovered that is perceived to be an explosive device, all employees should be advised to notify the Police at 911. The decision to remain and search, evacuate, or do nothing will be made by the Director, with input from the Police. If a search is made, contact all employees in the area, requesting that they perform an Eyes Only search of their work station(s). Eyes Only and Hands Off should be stressed. Under No circumstances are the employees to move or inspect the object. Their responsibility is just to report. If a suspicious object is discovered, it should be immediately isolated. Evacuation will be conducted similar to a fire evacuation. Police will then begin disposal efforts. In the event a possible bomb threat is received by an employee, the employee should: 1. Contact a supervisor or co-worker to listen to the conversation with them. Keep the individual talking as ling as possible, while someone else calls the Police at 911. Immediately notify the Director. 2. Note any speech defects, gender, approximate age, and any other noticeable features, such as background noises, etc., on the Bomb Threat Checklist. 3. Inform the individual of the possibility of harm to people in the building area. 4. Try to get information: what kind of device is used, where located, why planted, and time of detonation. 5. All threats are to be kept strictly confidential so as not to unnecessarily alarm those persons in the immediate area. Bomb Threat Checklist Speech: Flooding In the event of flooding in the Library, Stay Out of the effected area. Do not enter the area until the Electric Company has disconnected the electricity. There is extreme danger of shock. Post a staff member to guard the entrance to the flooded area to keep out unauthorized personnel. Telephone 1. The Library Director. State the location of the area that is flooded. Give any pertinent information that can be easily assessed with out entering the area-broken pipe, leaky roof, etc. 2. The Electrical Company. State the name and address of the library. Stay on the line until the Electrical Company has all the information it needs. 3. Telephone the Department Head whose area is affected by the flooding. 4. Telephone the Recovery Team members. After the Electrical Company has given permission to enter the flooded area, begin salvage operations immediately. Salvage operations are described in greater detail in Chapter 5. Death or Severe Medical Problem If a person is unconscious, do not presume death has occurred. Telephone the Ambulance at 911 and give them the following information: 1. Describe the victim's condition--burned, bleeding, broken bones, etc. 2. State the exact location--name and address of library, and any special directions on where the victim is located--Second Floor, Kansas Room, Basement, etc. 3. Give your name. 4. Do not hang up. Let emergency personnel end the conversation. They may have questions or have special instructions to give you on what you can do until help arrives. 5. Notify the Library Director, or the designated authority. Note: Staff members with serious medical problems should be encouraged to notify their supervisors and co-workers of the medical problem as well as many standard emergency treatment related to that problem. Drugs and Psychiatric Emergencies When engaged in a suspected drug or psychiatric emergency situation, stay calm. Do Not Get into an Argument. Speak calmly and firmly to the person involved. Listen to what they are saying and try to accept their point of view. Gain as much time as possible since a person's perception nay be only temporarily distorted. A mentally disturbed individual may only require a slightly abrasive experience to reduce that person to an attitude of desperation. Be alert to the possibility of violence. Telephone the Police as soon as possible, or have a staff member phone the Police. Give the following information, if known: 1. The person's name. 2. The symptoms. 3. The precise location of the person. State name and address of library. Exact floor location and room designation are essential. Other Emergencies Other emergencies such as earthquakes, explosions, and gas leaks shall be treated in the same manner as a fire threat. Floor Plans Electrical Wiring Diagrams Emergency Procedures for Power Failure Flash lights should be strategically located around the building for
staff use in case of short-term power failure. On the following lines,
list all locations where emergency flashlights are stored: In the event of an extended power failure, the Director of designated representative will contact the Electrical Company to obtain information as to the severity of the electrical problem. If the power failure is extensive, the Director will make a decision concerning the continuation of library operations. If the decision is reached to evacuate the building, standard evacuation procedures should be followed. Water and Sewer In case of water problems and/or sewer backup, the Building Maintenance staff should be notified. Steps will be taken to isolate the area and eliminate water/sewer problems. In extreme cases, the Director will contact a professional plumber. Collapsed Shelving The Library acquires only free-standing metal bookshelves for the majority
of library materials. Special bracing is installed in order to prevent
a "domino" collapse of bookshelves which may be accidentally
or purposely shoved. Elevator Failure If a person is stranded in an elevator, it is important for the library
staff to give reassurance until help can be obtained. Do Not Attempt
to Force Open the Doors. Call the designated authority for help. The
designated authority is ____________________________ _______________________________________________________________________.
Rodents, Insects, and Mold When rodent, insect, or mold infestation is noticed, attempts must be made to isolate the infested material from the rest of the collection. The type and extent of the infestation needs to be determined. In the event of rodent or insect infestation, the designated authority will immediately notify the local exterminator. The designated authority is ___________________________________ ______________________________. In the event of mold infestation, the infested material must be fumigated. The designated authority will notify the appropriate personnel. Fumigation must be applied by an individual with the proper professional training. This ensures not only the safety of the employees and public, but also the preservation of the collection. Vandalism In the event of minor vandalism--writing in a book, using a book as a doorstop-- the patron will be asked politely to stop. In the case of serious destruction of library materials or facilities, security personnel and /or the Director of the Librrary will be notified immediately. Security personnel will assist the patron out of the library. Borrowing privileges will be suspended for the remainder of the library work day. If no security officer is present, the library staff will assist the patron out of the library. If the patron refuses to leave, telphone the police at 911. Give them the following information: 1. the name and address of the librry. Give floor and room information if necessary. 2. Briefly and concisely explain the situation. 3. Do not hang up. Let the police end the conversation. 4. Notify the Library Director, or the designated authority. 5. Wait for the police. Offer any additional necessary information at the time of their arrival. Safety Checklist Date Checked E. Staff familiarized by tour with locations of fire extinguishers,
emergency lights, flashlights, radio, shelter areas, first aid kits,
shut-off valves for utilities, and how to reach members of the Disaster
Recovery Team? This checklist should be rechecked and updated on a regular basis. Emergency Call Numbers Director_____________________________________________________ Assistant Director___________________________________________ Assistant Director___________________________________________ Fire Department______________________________________________ Ambulance____________________________________________________ Police_______________________________________________________ Recovery Team (Call in order until you reach someone) Cataloger____________________________________________________ Collection Department________________________________________ Department Head whose Area is Affected_______________________ Electrician__________________________________________________ Elevator Repair______________________________________________ Exterminator_________________________________________________ Fire Alarm Repair____________________________________________ Fumigation Service___________________________________________ Insurance____________________________________________________ Janitorial Service___________________________________________ Legal Adviser________________________________________________ Locksmith____________________________________________________ Plumber______________________________________________________ Telephone Company____________________________________________ Utility Company______________________________________________ |
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