Emergency Response Plan

1. Run/Escape if possible

2. Hide if escape is not possible

3. Fight only as a last resort

How To Respond When An Active Shooter Is In Your Vicinity 

• Quickly determine the most reasonable way to protect your own life.
• Remember that customers and members are likely to follow the lead of employees and managers during an active shooter situation.

Critical Information: If the hostage–taker is unaware of your presence, Do Not Attract Attention!  

1. Insure personal safety. Do not become a hostage yourself.
2. Dial 911, give exact location and details of events
3. Secure immediate area. Close doors.
4. Observe:
5. Number of people taken
6. Any weapon
7. Number and description of captors
8. Document any threats or demands if possible
9. Request all witnesses to remain until Police arrive
10. Restrict entry to area until Police arrive
11. Do not speak to the media. 

In the event of a hostage situation and you are taken hostage: 

• Cooperate with the hostage-taker to the fullest extent possible 
• STAY CALM, try not to panic; calm individuals if they are present 
• Be respectful to the hostage-taker 
• Ask permission to speak; do not argue or make suggestions

Assault is the intentional infliction of or attempt to inflict bodily harm upon another person. Early intervention may reduce or eliminate escalation of the incident. 

When an assault occurs:  

• Call 911.
• Notify staff.
• Ensure the safety of individuals and other staff.
• Work as a team in response.
• Identify any witnesses.
• Document all activities.
• File a behavioral incident report.

Mazamas Reporting Tool:

mazamas.org/behavioralincidentreport/

If You Are The Victim Of A Sexual Assault:

• Get to a safe place.
• Find a staff member for support.
• If you are comfortable doing so, call 911, give exact location and details of events.
• Consider filing a report on the Mazamas Policies and Reporting page, see link above.

If You Witness A Sexual Assault: 

• If it is safe for you to stop the assault from happening, DO SO IMMEDIATELY by interrupting the assault, or calling 9-1-1.
• Offer any support the victim needs, and see if they want to call the police, or file a report through the Mazamas Reporting Tool.
• Do not shame the victim or question what has happened to them.
• Do not force the victim to report the crime. The victim will choose the next steps moving forward.

Critical Information: ALL bomb threats must be taken seriously until they are assessed.

Upon Receiving A Bomb Threat: 

1. Call 911 to notify law enforcement
2. Consult with emergency responders, as time permits 
3. Document all actions taken by staff 
4. Preserve evidence for law enforcement 
   1. If written threat, place note in paper envelope to preserve fingerprints 
   2. If the threat is written on a wall, photograph
   3. If phoned threat, document all relevant information

• DROP on the floor
• Take COVER under sturdy desk, table or other furniture. If that is not possible, seek cover against an interior wall or doorway and protect your head and neck with your arms. Avoid danger spots near windows, hanging objects, and tall objects. 
• If you take cover under a sturdy piece of furniture, HOLD on to it and be prepared to move with it. Hold the position until the ground stops shaking and it is safe to move. Do not run.

After the shaking stops

Be aware of and expect aftershocks.

IF INSIDE: DO NOT EVACUATE AUTOMATICALLY.

• Wait for evacuation instruction.

IF OUTDOORS:

• Stay clear of buildings, trees, or other possible falling hazards. Do not go back inside any buildings. Follow directions of emergency personnel.

WHEN TO GO HOME:

• In the event of a major earthquake, be prepared for many streets and buildings being closed due to damage or to enable emergency services. Use only until emergency conditions have been stabilized.

Evacuation may be required if there is a fire in the building or other hazards. Mazama staff will direct the evacuation of the building and account for all employees outside at a safe location. 

1. Primary evacuation location: Northeast corner of Mazama parking lot.
2. Secondary: Unity of Portland Church parking lot.

If Required To Evacuate

Evacuate the building IMMEDIATELY via the nearest fire exit, unless instructed otherwise.

• Take your phone, keys, and wallets only if they are in reach. Do not go back to get personal items.
• Follow the instructions of staff at all times and assist people with disabilities if asked.
• If you need help to get out, wait in the lobby or stair landing until help arrives.
• Guide your visitors out of the building.
• Move quickly and calmly, keep noise to a minimum.

DO NOT use elevators. DO NOT carry food or drink.

Merge (like a zipper) in the stairwells with occupants from other floors.

Assemble at the designated assembly point (MMC parking lot or Unity Church parking lot).

DO NOT re-enter the building until the ALL CLEAR has been given by first responders.

Critical Information: Smoke is just as dangerous as fire. Most fire deaths are due to smoke inhalation.

• Activate fire alarm.
• Check assigned locations where people may not hear the alarm (rope room).
• Evacuate building occupants along evacuation routes to primary assembly areas outside.
• Redirect building occupants to stairs and exits away from the fire.
• Prohibit use of elevators.
• Evacuation team to account for all employees and visitors at the assembly area.
• Shut doors behind you, if possible.
• Meet Fire Department Incident Commander (IC). Inform the IC if everyone has been accounted for and if there are any injuries. Provide an update on the nature of the emergency and actions taken. Provide building floor plans, keys, and other assistance as requested.
• Smoke is just as dangerous as fire.
• Most fire deaths are due to smoke inhalation.

Critical Information: In the event of a natural or propane gas leak or odor – EVACUATE IMMEDIATELY.

In all other cases, first responders will take command of the situation and determine the steps to take regarding evacuation, shelter-in-place and ventilation systems (HVAC).

Critical Information: The role of staff in a medical emergency is to provide care to the victim until first responders arrive. Staff should NOT provide any first aid beyond their training. Staff should comfort the victim and reassure them that medical attention is on the way. Before providing assistance, staff should survey the scene for additional hazards and ensure it is safe to render aid.

Quickly assess the situation. Is it safe for you to help? 

Asses the person. Unresponsive? Breathing? Bleeding? 

Do Not move the person unless it is required for their immediate safety and it is safe for you to do so.

IF THE INJURY / ILLNESS APPEARS SERIOUS

• Or if the person requests it, Dial 911
• Give the person’s location and address.
• Say what appears to be wrong.
• Stay with the person. Call for help or send someone else to guide the emergency responders to the location.

A person struggling with a mental health issue may not be visible like a broken leg, or as understood as cancer, but it is not their fault.  Remain compassionate and remember it is not a crime to be in crisis.

Multnomah County Crisis Line: 503-988-4888 (hearing impaired dial 711)

Lifeline/National Suicide Hotline: 800-273-8255 or 1-800-SUICIDE, Text: 273TALK to the number 839-863

YouthLine: 1-877-968-8491, Text the words teen2teen to the number 839863

Person is Accepting Support

• Stay calm and reassuring, refrain from touching without permission.
• If possible, connect with below resources.
• Person is not Accepting Support or Not Communicating Coherently
• Stay calm and reassuring, refrain from touching without permission.
• If safe to do so, leave the room and call the Multnomah County Crisis Line, out of earshot of the person you are concerned about: 503-988-4888.
• If unsafe to do so, communicate with a nearby person and ask them to call the Multnomah County Crisis Line. 

Critical Information: Writing, talking or even hinting about suicide must be taken seriously. Immediate intervention is essential. Individual confidentiality is superseded by the need for safety.

Multnomah County Crisis Line: 503-988-4888 (hearing impaired dial 711)

Lifeline/National Suicide Hotline: 800-273-8255 or 1-800-SUICIDE

Text: 273TALK to the number 839-863

YouthLine: 1-877-968-8491, Text the words teen2teen to the number 839863

Suicide Intervention

• Ask them directly if they are planning to kill themselves, and if they have a plan,
• If NO, offer support from above resources.
• If YES, ask them when and how are they planning on killing themselves.
• Ask if they would be willing to call the National Suicide Hotline (below). Offer to sit with them on the call, or leave them to call alone. If they call alone, attempt to stay as close as possible to the person, without violating their privacy.
• If they are not willing to call a crisis line, let them know you are concerned about them and are going to call on their behalf. Call the National Suicide Hotline and tell them you are with someone who is planning to kill themselves now and has a plan. They will direct you on next steps.
• If they respond that their plan is not feasible in the current setting and/or they do not plan to do it now, ask them if they would be willing to call the crisis line or seek other professional help, and share the resources at left.

If Warned Of A Severe Weather Event:

1. Listen to the radio for updates and advice
2. Move people and equipment away from exposed rooms and windows. Close curtains/drapes/blinds

IF OUTSIDE: Take shelter in a protected, or low lying area if safe to do so, preferably inside a building. Avoid falling and flying hazards. Protect your head and neck. Follow directions of emergency personnel.

IF INSIDE: STAY INSIDE, Keep away from exposed windows until the storm passes. Shelter in the strongest part of building e.g. central corridors, stairwells, basements. If power fails, remain calm. Stay clear of large glass atriums and roofs.

IF IN A VEHICLE: Do not travel unless you have to. If the conditions are such that you fear for your safety and control of your vehicle, pull over and stop in a clear area. Avoid powerlines and structural hazards. Stay in your vehicle.

Shelter in place means finding a safe location indoors and staying there until you are given an “all clear” or told to evacuate. You may be asked to shelter in place because of an active shooter; tornado; or chemical, radiological, or other hazard.

If you receive a suspicious letter or package:

• Stop. Don’t handle.
• Isolate it immediately.
• Don’t open, smell, or taste.
• Activate emergency plan.
• Notify staff. 

If you suspect the mail or package contains a bomb (explosive) or radiological, biological, or chemical threat: 

• Isolate the area immediately.
• Call 911
• Wash your hands with soap and water.

Assess The Extent And Impact Of The Failure

Minor Failure

• Contact facilities and alert Director of Operations

Major failure

• Loss of power, lighting, water, lifts, communication, computer network.
• Contact facilities and alert Director of Operations

Weapons Policy: Firearms are not permitted on Mazamas activities (policy as of 11/20/19)

Individual access to weapons creates significant risk within a building environment. Early intervention may reduce or eliminate escalation of the incident.   

• Call 911 to report that a weapon is in the building.
• Determine whether to initiate lockdown or evacuation procedures.
• DO NOT approach the individual alone.

If the individual displays or threatens with the weapon: 

• DO NOT try to disarm them.
• Avoid sudden moves or gestures.
• Use a calm, clear voice.
• Instruct the individual to put down the weapon down.
• Use the individual’s name while talking to them.
• Allow for escape routes. Back away with your hands up.