Emergency Response and Fire Safety Plan

INTRODUCTION AND PURPOSE

The Town of Strathmore is committed to the safety and well-being of persons using its facilities. Upholding this commitment requires planning. This plan isxists to satisfy those needs and to outline the steps to be taken to respond to an emergency affecting the Strathmore Seniors Hpapy Gang.

The Gols of the ToS ln an emergency include:

  • Ensuring the safety of all persos
  • Timely staiblization of an emergency
  • The protection of the T0S facilities and property.

APPLICABILITY AND SCOPE

 

This plan applies to all persons present st the Strathmoe Seniors Happy Gang building. The scope of this plan is intendeed to encompass possible emergency situations and provide guidance for an effective response. When encountering a situation which has not been expressly addressed in this plan, use good judgement and the giding principles outlined below.

MEDICAL ASSISTANCE FIRST AID SERVICES

In Case of Emergency, cal 9-1-1

ALARMS AND SIGNAGE

The Facility is equipped with 

  • Several Fire Alarms
  • Illuminated exit signage

EMERGENCY EQUIPMENT

If using a Fire Extinguisher remember the PASS method:

  • PULL           Pull the pin
  • AIM            Aim low, pointing the extinguisher nozzle at the base of the fire.
  • SQUEEZE   Squeeze the handle to release the extinguishing agent 
  • SWEEP       Sweep from side to side at the base of the fire until it is out

DEVICE TYPE

LOCATION WITHIN BUILDING

ABC Fire Extinguisher

On wall oppossite of main entrance to Happy Gang

ABC Fire Extinguisher

On wall next to emergency exit on SE side of building

ABC Fire Extinguisher

First Aid Kit

Automated External Defribrillator (AED)

On wall next to emergency exit on NW side of building (door that connects Happy Gang with the Library)

On top of frig in kitchen area

Located in foyer of Strathmore Municipal Library. Accesss the AED through emergency exit (door that connects Happy Gang with library), or through Librry main entrance.

The Primary muster point for the Strathmore Happy Gang building is located at the North side of the Lambert Centre (in the Strathmore Municipal Library Parking Lot)

  •  Evacuate to the muster point in the case of a building emergency
  • NO SMOKING at the muster point
  • Do not leave the muster point until you’ve received the ‘all clear’ from responding authorities

In certain situations, a secondary muster location may be needed due to wind direction or other hazards. Possible locations for secondary muster of building occupants include:

  • Station Garden or Lambert Park
  • Strathmore Municipal Building (1 Parklane Drive, South of Lambert Centre)

Follow the direction of the responding authorities

Evacuation Procedure

An evacuation response may be required for the following emergencies:

  • Fire
  • Gas Leak/chemical exposure
  • Threat inside the building

If you are the first to notice the fire, respond by:

  • Notifying anyone in the immediate area to evacuate
  • Pull the nearest fire alarm pull-station to que the audible alarm (if not already sounding)
  • If the fire is small (size of an office garbage can or smaller) and you are not putting yourself in danger by doing, so use a fire extinguisher. Remember the PASS method. Do not attempt to extinguish a fire is you have not beeen trained on fire extinguisher use. Do not attempt to extinguish a fire if you are alone.

If evacuation is needed for reasons other than a fire, trigger the evacuation in the same way  y activating the fire pull station.

Evacuation Procedure:

  • If you hear a fire alarm sounding, leave the building and report to the designated muster point.
  •  Move quickly and quietly
  • Aid others where needed if safe to do so
  • If you must enter another room through a closed door, touch the door first. Heat may indicate fire on the opposite side of the door, and you may need to find an alternative escape method.
  • Once you have assembled at the muster point, do not leave the muster point until you have received the all clear from emergency personnel or your area warden
  • If the muster point is unsafe for any reason, assemble at the alternative muster point locations
  • Do not smoke at the muster point

Violence Procedure

A violence response procedure may be required for the following emergencies:

  1. In-Perrson Threats
  2. Bomb Threats
  3. Suspicious Package
  4. Active Shooter

In-Person threat

This may include agressive or physical behavious, robbery, gang violence, domestic violence,, etc.

  • Explain to the other person or group that their behaviour is not appropriate and politely ask that they stop the behaviour, or else you may have to ask them to leave
  • Know where you nearest ‘out’ or ‘exit’ is
  • Cooperate with the individual or group
  • Try to get the attention of someone else
  • As soon as you can, or if you’ve been signalled by another person of an ongoing situation
  • Call 911 and report the incident
  • If safe to do so, record information related to the individual, group, and threat
  • If there is a threat within the building, initiate an evacuation

Bomb Threat

  • Stay calm
  • Cooperate with the individual or group
  • Try to get the attention of someone else
  • As soon as you can:
      • Call 911
      • Write down information pertaining to the individual or group. Items such as skin tone, accent, clothing, personal identification marks such as tattoos
  • Persons being threatened should ask the following questions if possible:
      • What time is the bomb going to explode?
      • Where is it right now?
      • What does it look like?
      • What kind of bomb is it?
      • What will cause it to explode?

Suspicious Package

  • If you suspect a package may contain a bomb DO NOT open it
  • Call the RCMP and follow their instructions.

Active Shooter

  • As soon as you can, or if you’ve been signalled by another person of an ongoing situation
      • Call 911 and report the incident
  • Follow “Run. Hide, Fight”
    • Your best chance of avoiding injury is to put as much distance between youself and the active shooter as possible. Do this by running away however and wherever you can.
    • If you cannot run, find a hiding place. Try to notify odthers, if safe to do so, to come to the hiding place with you.
      • Get to a room that can be locked, close and lock windows and doors
      • Try to get everyone down on the floor (so that no one is visible from outside the room)
      • Turn off any cell phones, stay quiet.
    • If you are unable to run or hide, initiate a self defense response. Look for nearby heavy, blunt objecs that can be used to defend youtself. Notify others.

What to expect from responding police officers

RCMP responding to an active shsooter are trained in a procedure known as “Rapid Deployment” and proceed immediately to the area in which shots were last heard. Their purpose is to stop the shooting as quickly as possible. The first officers to arrive will not stop to aid injured peole; rescue teams composed of other officers and emergency medical personnel will follow the first officers after areas have been secured to treat and remove injured persons.

Understand that the RCMP will be treating all those they encounter (including you) as possible suspects. When you encounter the police:

  • Remain calm
  • Do as the officers tell you
  • Put down any bags or packages you may be carrying
  • Keep your hands up and visible at all times
  • If you know where the hostile intruder/active shooter is, tell the officers
  • Once out of harm’s way remain at whatever assembly point authorities designate
  • Keep in mind that the entire area is still a crime scene; police will usually not let anyone leave until the situation is fully under control and all witnesses have been identified and quuestioned

 

Escape of Oil, Gas or Other Dangerous Chemicals Procedure

If asked to evacuate the area

  • Do so immediately
  • If evacuation is required, follow the evacuation procedure
  • If you have time, minimize contamination by closing all windows, door, and ventilation
  • Follow the direction or orders given from the authorities that issued the evacuation notice

Caught outside:

  • Stay upstream, uphill and upwind. In general, try to go at least one-half mile (usually 8 to 10 blocks) from the danger area. Move away from the accident scene and help keep others away
  • Do not walk into or touch any spilled liquids, airborne mists, or condensed solid chemical deposits. Try not to inhale gases, fumes and smoke. If possible, cover mouth with a cloth while leaving the area
  • Stay away from accident victims until the hazardous material has been identified

If requested to stay indoors:

  • Close and lock all exterior doors and windows. Close vents and as many interior doors as possible
  • Turn off air conditioners and ventilation systems. If possible, set 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
  • Seal gaps under doorways and windows with wet towels or plastic sheeting and duct tape
  • Seal gaps around windows and air conditioning units, bathroom and kitchen exhaust fans, and stove and dryer vents with duct tape and plastic sheeting, wax paper or aluminum wrap
  • Use material to fill cracks and holes in the room, such as those around pipes
  • If gas or vapours could have entered the building, take shallow breaths through a cloth or a towel, Avoid eating or drinking any food or water that may have been contaminated.

 

Explosion Procedure

Explosion Inside of a Facility

  • Fall to floor and take immediate shelter under tables, desks or other such objects that will offer protection against flying glass or debris. Protect face and head with your arms
  • After effects of explosion have subsided evacuate as per evacuation plan. Do not stop to retrieve personal possessions or make phone calls
  • Once you are out:
    • Do not stand in front of windows, glass doors or other potentially hazardous areas
    • Move away from sidewalks or streets to be used by emergency officials or others still exiting the building
    • Do not return to the building until “ALL CLEAR” signal has been given by a responding authority

If you are trapped in debris:

  • Avoid unnecessary movement so you don’t kick up dust
  • Cover your nose and mouth with anything you have on hand. (Dense weave cotton material can act as a good filter. Try to breathe through the material)
  • Tap on a pipe or wall so rescuers can hear where you are
  • Shout only as a last resort. Shouting can cause a person to inhale dangerous amounts of dust

Explosion outside of a facility

  • Call 9-1-1
  • Go indoors
  • Remember to shut all doors and windows to prevent any vapours entering the building
  • You may need to be evacuated to a safer place. Prepare to turn off the electricity, gas and water supplies in your building