Antarctica University- Campus Emergency Preparedness

Welcome

UANT is committed to the safety and security of its students, visitors, faculty, and staff. This Web site will help you to understand how you will be notified and what to do during an emergency. It is important to think about your response before an emergency occurs, so please take a few minutes to familiarize yourself with it:

Emergencies, disasters, accidents, injuries, and crimes can occur without warning at any time, and at any place. Being prepared to respond to unexpected emergencies is your individual organizational responsibility. Each member in our community has a role in emergency preparation and response.

As an individual, you can help by constantly and vigilantly observing your surroundings, asking as many questions as possible about suspicious or questionable behavior, and reporting such behavior by calling for help when safety may be at issue. If on campus, one can call on campus security to get help from a designated E.S.C.O.R.T.

Being alert to what is going on around each one of us creates a culture that promotes and enhances security and safety and the openness and accessibility of our campus. That is why UANT public safety professionals have promised to always react to dangerous situations. But the multiplied effect of our community's eyes and ears that are alert to surroundings have the most impact on keeping our community safe, secure, and ready to respond.

Propping doors open for the sake of convenience, turning a "blind eye" to strangers, and leaving laptop computers and other valuables in the open are invitations to problematic events. Even though UANT has had only 2 crimes reported in the years 2000-2007, every member of the University commune needs to help promote personal and community safety. Closing and locking doors, windows and heating ducts, obtaining scanning technology and laser-photo ID cards for your unit, preparing department and building-wide plans of first-response, and questioning strangers about what they are "up to" are examples of some simple steps you can take to keep AU safe and secure, and permeated through and through with a culture of safety.

In the event of an emergency,

call for help from any campus phone.

Fire: The problem of fire is always present. Antarctica's buildings are made to withstand extreme cold, and because they are heated year-round, contain the constant risk of inflammation. Should you catch fire from an accident nearby, remember to 1. Stop, 2. Drop and 3. Roll immediately. Be careful about smoking, and do not smoke in bed / while preparing for sleep. Check wooden or paper-based ashtrays and waste baskets before leaving common-use areas for the night. In the event of FIRE call 3333 (at McMurdo Station). On campus, take blankets and wait outside for the fire engine to arrive. Call even if the alarm is sounding.

A student demonstrates the 'Stop, Drop and Roll' Technique

Medical Emergency: If someone is injured on campus, call and wait for the ambulance after administering first aid.

Short-Circuit / No Water: If you discover heat off in a building, a leaky water faucet, or any maintenance problem that will result in damage to a building or might cause a safety hazard, make sure to apply pressure to the faucet or turn the heat back on before leaving the area. If there is no response from the system, call for help at the nearest building that is heated.

Vehicle Problems: If the vehicle you get inside does not start, call for backup immediately before it and you become snowed in. If you are snowed inside a vehicle, call for help immediately.

AU Emergencies Q / A

Is the University prepared to handle major emergencies on campus?

It depends on the type of emergency. UANT cannot can fully anticipate every possible emergency, that is why planning on the part of the student helps ensure the University community is ready to respond in the event of a crisis. However, the University takes all steps possible and feasible. For instance, this Web site serves as a resource for preparing the campus community to respond in emergency situations.

What is a major emergency or disaster?

A major emergency or disaster is any incident, potential or actual, which could disrupt University operations for a prolonged period of time. These incidents generally involve significant property damage. Outside emergency assistance and sustained recovery efforts may be required. During a major emergency, policy decisions will usually be required from top University administrators. Accidents, injuries and other minor emergencies occur just about every day on campus. Responding to these is generally quick and routine.

How do I know what to do in the event of an emergency?

Each member of the University community has a role and a responsibility in emergency preparation and response. Whenever you go to a new place during the day or night, take a moment to look around and consider what to do if an emergency scenario struck at that moment. For example, when entering a hall on campus, be aware of the signposts dictating emergency exits and steps to preparedness. These are marked with arrows in red.

How will I be informed of the need to evacuate a building?

You may learn of the need to evacuate in several ways. In most buildings, alarms will sound. Other methods of notification are: radio alerts issued by the University authorities, emergency messages received by pager or phone, and even word of mouth from other potential victims or emergency responders. If a situation erupts while you are in an isolated place away from the community, such as in a lavoratory, it is always best to follow in the direction of the crowd or to consult the signs- and to listen for signs of danger.

Is the University open during emergencies?

The University's goal is to maintain essential business services and operations during emergencies and disasters while protecting life, liberty, health and safety.