Environmental Health and Safety
Severe Weather
Active
Shooter | Airplane
Crash | Animal
Incidents / Rabies
Blood,
Bodily Fluid, or Infectious Agent Exposure | Bomb
/ Explosion
Civil
Disturbance / Demonstration Procedures | Confined
Space Emergency
Criminal
/ Violent Behavior | Evacuation
Procedures | Fire
| Hazardous
Materials
Hostage
| Medical
Emergency / Accident | Mental
Health Emergency
Public
Health Concern | Severe
Weather | Sexual
Assault | Shelter-In-Place
Shelter
Operations | Structural
Collapse / Failure | Suspicious
Packages
Terrorism
| Transportation
Emergencies | Utility
Failure
Severe Weather
Guidelines for Dealing with Severe Weather Conditions
Only the Governor can officially close a State University campus. In the event of severe weather; students, faculty, and staff are expected to use personal judgment concerning travel safety. In the event of severe weather, individual faculty members may choose to cancel class or SUNYIT may cancel all classes. Such cancellations will be posted on the Web at http://www.sunyit.edu/canceled_classes.inc. When one or more classes are cancelled, the information will be posted on a web page that can be accessed through the “Quick Links” menu, by clicking on the link “Cancelled Classes”. In addition when severe weather or other unusual occurrences prompt class cancellations, an announcement will be posted on the SUNYIT home page, under the main photo.
Severe weather-related class cancellations will also be broadcast on radio and television stations in the Utica-Rome, Syracuse and Albany areas.
In the event of inclement weather, please do not call University Police unless it is absolutely necessary. A large volume of calls could disrupt emergency telephone communications.
Report any hazardous ice conditions to University Police at extension (111).
Upon receiving a severe thunderstorm or tornado warning, University Police will attempt to contact the Athletic Department and Facilities Department advising of the warning. Coaches and/or supervisors with students or employees outdoors should consider instructing them to go inside the closest building.
- If you live in a flash flood area such as a mountain valley, be especially alert for floods. If you suspect a flash flood, do not wait until you are instructed to move. Go immediately to higher ground.
- Never disregard a flood warning.
- If you receive a flood warning, listen to your radio for emergency instructions. Proceed with emergency preparations if evacuation is not yet necessary.
- If you are the first in your immediate area to know about the flood, report the situation to authorities.
- Do not tie up telephone lines. Keep the lines open for emergency use.
- Do not pass along rumors.
- Be ready to help with rescue operations if called upon.
- Never disregard an official evacuation advisory. If you are advised to evacuate, do so immediately. Family safety is more important than protection of property or possessions. Evacuation is much simpler and safer before flood waters are too deep for ordinary vehicles. Listen to your radio and follow directions for evacuation routes.
If Inside:
Drop and Cover Procedure
 |
 |
 |
| DUCK or DROP down on the floor | Take COVER under a sturdy desk, table or other furniture. If that is not possible, seek cover against an interior wall and protect your head and neck with your arms. Avoid danger spots near windows, hanging objects, mirrors or tall furniture. | 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.
|
If in a crowded stadium, theatre or lecture hall:
- Stay in your seat; protect your head and neck.
- Do not rush for the exits.
- Follow directions of emergency personnel.
If in an elevator:
- If power fails, elevators will stop and lights will go off.
- Be patient. Emergency personnel will rescue you as soon as possible.
If outside:
- Move to a clear area if safe to do so. Avoid falling hazards.
- Duck, cover and hold in an open area. Protect your head and neck.
- Follow directions of emergency personnel.
If in a vehicle:
- Pull over and stop in clear area. Avoid overpasses, power lines and structural hazards.
- Stay with your vehicle.
After the shaking stops:
If inside a campus building:
- Expect aftershocks over the next hours or days.
- Check yourself and others for injuries. Report any injuries to supervisor or emergency personnel.
- Use your training to provide first aid, use fire extinguishers, clean-up spills, etc.
- Assess your surroundings, check for damage and hazardous conditions. Report them to supervisor or emergency personnel.