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Shelter-In-Place

Overview

Shelter-in-Place refers to a designated area of safety, generally indoors, when it is not safe to go outdoors. An example is a small, interior room with no or few windows where refuge can be taken. If you receive an emergency notification from USI Public Safety’s Rave Alert System or another authoritative source, follow the instructions provided.

Sheltering Procedures

Why you might need to Shelter-in-Place:

  • The air outdoors may become dangerously contaminated biologically, radiologically, or chemically either intentionally or accidentally.
  • Severe weather such as a thunderstorm or tornado is occurring.
  • There is an active shooter, making it unsafe to be exposed to outdoor conditions.

Should Sheltering-in-Place become necessary, information will be provided by University authorities through a Public Safety-issued Rave Alert. In any emergency, local authorities may not immediately be able to provide information on what is happening and what you should do. Monitor credible news sources for information and official University instructions (Rave Alerts, USI homepage, and www.usi.edu/Emergency) as they become available.

Follow These Procedures for Shelter-in-Place for Severe Weather or Contamination

  • Stop classes or work, or close business operations.
  • Gather essential disaster supplies, if possible.
  • Select interior room(s) above the ground floor with the fewest windows or vents.
  • The room(s) should have adequate space for everyone to be able to sit. Avoid overcrowding by selecting several rooms if necessary.
  • It is ideal to have a hard-wired computer or laptop and a hard-wired telephone in the room(s) you select, or have a person with a cell phone. Keep the phone available if you need to report a life-threatening condition.
  • Bring building occupants into chosen room(s) and close doors.
  • Share the notification with others in the building if possible, but do not leave the area where you were instructed to Shelter-in-Place.
  • Close all windows, exterior doors, and any other openings to the outdoors.
  • If you are told there is danger of explosion, close the window shades, blinds, or curtains.
  • If you are in a laboratory equipped with a fume hood and/or a biosafety cabinet, close hoods and sashes.
  • University and local officials may call for evacuation in specific areas. Monitor credible news sources for information and official University instructions (Rave Alerts, USI homepage, and usi.edu/Emergency) as they become available.

Shelter-in-Place for an Active Shooter Attack