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Emergency Guidelines

Active Shooter

Follow these steps if someone begins shooting on or near campus.

In a situation where someone has entered a building or area of the campus and begins shooting, the following list of actions are recommended only if you feel SAFE to leave:

  1. Exit the building or area immediately ONLY if it is SAFE
  2. Notify anyone you encounter and have them exit the building or area immediately
  3. Call BUPD at 309-677-2000 or dial 9-1-1
  4. Provide dispatcher the following information:
    • Your name and current location
    • Location of the incident—be as specific as possible
    • Number of shooters, if known
    • Identification and/or description of shooter(s), if known
    • Number of people involved

If you do NOT feel it is SAFE to immediately exit the building or area, these actions are recommended:

  1. Go to the nearest room or office.
  2. Close and lock the door. If there is not a lock on the door, try to quickly barricade the door or block the door with something.
  3. Cover the door windows.
  4. Keep quiet and act as if no one is in the room.
  5. DO NOT answer the door.
  6. Call BUPD at 309-677-2000 or dial 9-1-1.
  7. If you can, safely provide the dispatcher the following information:
    • Your name
    • The location—be as specific as possible
    • Number of shooter(s), if known
    • Identification and/or description of shooter(s), if known
    • Number of people involved
    • Wait for emergency personnel to help you out of the building or for further instructions

It is okay to leave the building or area if you feel that it can be done SAFELY. If you feel it can not be done safely, then go to a room, closet, other part of the building, etc. and try to secure yourself inside. Try to remain quiet and out of sight. If you are in a room that has windows to the outside and begin to feel threatened or unsafe, use something (chair, computer, etc.) to break out the window, clear the broken glass as much as possible, and safely exit the room.

Department of Homeland Security’s Guidelines on How to Respond to an Active Shooter (PDF)

Bomb Threats/Suspicious Packages

Know how to respond if you receive a bomb threat or encounter a suspicious package.

  • Follow instructions on the Bomb Threat Checklist
  • Contact the University Police Department immediately by calling 2000 on a campus telephone.
  • Write down exactly what was said as soon as possible. If you have a display telephone, note the number from which the call originated.
  • For more information, contact Bradley Police at 677-2000.
  • Do not move or open the item.
  • Contact the University Police Department immediately by calling 2000 on a campus telephone.
  • Clear employees and students away from the immediate area, and lock the area.
  • Meet the responding police officers outside.
  • For more information, contact Bradley Police at 677-2000.

Earthquake

For Illinois and neighboring states, earthquakes with the epicenter in the New Madrid Fault Zone pose the greatest “single hazard” natural disaster with the potential for massive destruction and injury within the Central Mississippi Valley. Seismologists concur that there is the probability that a Richter Scale Magnitude 6.0 to 6.5 quake, could occur there at any time, or that a moderate-to-severe quake could occur sometime during the next 15 to 50 years.

  • Seek protection in a doorway without doors (doors may swing back and forth violently), under a desk or table or in a corner.
  • Stay away from glass, windows, shelves, heavy equipment and outdoor walls.
  • Do not use elevators.
  • Be prepared for aftershocks.
  • If telephones are working, call University Police at 911 if emergency help is needed after the initial shock.
  • Report physical damage to Facilities Management.
  • If there is a related emergency, such as a fire or gas leak, activate any available building alarm.

After the shaking subsides, evacuate the building in the following manner:

  • Assist persons with disabilities in exiting the building.
  • Walk to the nearest exit and ask others to do the same.
  • Do not use elevators; do not panic.
  • Once outside, watch for falling debris and move to a clear area at least 500 feet away from the
    affected building(s). Stay away from power lines, utility poles and trees.
  • Keep roadways, fire lanes, hydrants and walkways clear for emergency crews.
  • If you are asked and if you wish to do so, assist emergency crews.
  • Keep clear of any emergency command posts unless you have official business.
  • Do not re-enter an evacuated site unless directed to do so by Bradley University Police.
  • Move away from buildings, trees and utility poles. Remain at least 500 feet away from such structures.
  • Avoid power or utility lines.
  • Lie or sit down to avoid being thrown about during the quake.
  • If you are in an automobile, pull over to the side of the road and stop, avoid power lines, trees, overpasses and masonry or high-rise buildings. Stay in the vehicle for the shelter it offers.
  • Keep roadways, fire lanes, hydrants and walkways clear for emergency crews.
  • If you are asked and if you wish to do so, assist emergency crews.
  • Keep clear of any emergency command posts unless you have official business.
  • Do not re-enter an evacuated site unless directed to do so by Bradley University Police.

Fire

A fire may include visible flames or strong odors of burning. The appropriate emergency action is for persons to evacuate the building quickly and safely and notify the Fire Department by dialing 911. Once a fire alarm has sounded, do not re-enter a building until the fire department or Bradley Police has given the all-clear message.

  • Immediately call for the fire department by dialing 911.
  • Extinguish only if you can do so safely and quickly.
  • If the fire cannot be extinguished:
  • Confine the fire by closing the doors.
  • Pull the nearest fire alarm.
  • Call the Fire Department – DIAL 911.
  • Alert others.
  • Meet the Fire Department or Bradley Police when they arrive.
  • Close the doors to your immediate area.
  • EVACUATE the building via the nearest exit. Assist others in exiting the building, making sure all students and staff have left.
  • DO NOT use elevators.
  • Avoid smoke filled areas.
  • For persons evacuating from the immediate fire area:
  • Feel door from top to bottom. If it is hot DO NOT proceed; go back.
  • If door is cool, crouch low and open the door slowly. Close door quickly if smoke is present so you do not inhale it.
  • If no smoke is present, exit the building via the nearest stairwell or exit.
  • If you encounter heavy smoke in a stairwell, go back and try another stairwell.
  • The following are special procedures for persons with physical
    disabilities who may be present in a building during a fire:
  • Persons with physical disabilities are permitted to stay in a building during an emergency situation only if they are non-ambulatory or where elevator assistance is essential for their evacuation and they are located either above or below the ground floor. Elevators cannot be used during a fire.
  • Seek a safe place (preferably a room with an exterior window, a telephone and a solid door).
  • Call 911 and report their location to the dispatcher.
  • The Fire Department will then determine if they need to provide evacuation assistance or if the caller should stay in place.
  • If required, persons with a visual impairment should seek assistance from other occupants in the building to assist them in evacuating the building.
  • All other persons with disabilities need to evacuate the building in an emergency.

Most academic and administrative buildings are equipped with automatic fire alarm systems. Some are equipped with automatic fire sprinkler systems. The University does not conduct fire drills in academic or administrative buildings. Testing is normally conducted during hours the building is closed, or when it is necessary to test during normal working/classroom hours, the building is posted in advance. Any fire alarm that sounds must be treated as an actual alarm unless prior notice is given of the testing. When evacuating, take your personal belongings with you, and secure your office as you leave.

Pandemic Flu

Follow these CDC guidelines when new (novel) influenza A viruses emerge.

Seasonal and Swine Flu

Learn about Bradley’s prevention, vaccination and isolation strategies associated with seasonal flu and swine flu.

CDC Flu Information

  • Wash your hands frequently with soap and water. Waterless hand sanitizers also work well. Students, faculty and staff are encouraged to use “wellness stations” throughout campus and bring their own hand sanitizer for their offices, classroom and work areas.
  • Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing.  Then dispose of the tissue and wash your hands.
  • Avoid close contact with people who are ill or who have flu-like symptoms.  If you get sick, keep your distance from others.
  • Keep your hands away from your eyes, nose and mouth to reduce the chance of getting flu germs in your system.
  • Sleep. Do not stay up all night studying. Sleep deprivation lowers your ability to fight off any virus.
  • Eat breakfast and drink plenty of fluids.
  • Students with any flu-like symptoms should immediately call the Bradley Health Center in the Markin Center at 677-2700. Faculty and staff should call their personal healthcare providers.
  • H1N1 influenza is a respiratory illness.  Symptoms of H1N1 are much the same as seasonal flu and include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills, and fatigue.  While some people with H1N1 have also reported diarrhea and nausea, they are not typical symptoms of influenza.
  • Call the doctor immediately if you have a medical condition that puts you at increased risk from the flu or you develop severe symptoms, such as high fever, chest pain, shortness of breath or rapid breathing.
  • Plan to get the H1N1 vaccine when it becomes available.
  • Plan to get a seasonal flu vaccine, which will not protect against H1N1, but will help keep you healthy.  

When available on campus, H1N1 vaccine will be dispensed in this order per recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:

  1. Pregnant students and student that have children less than 6 months of age.
  2. Students with chronic medical conditions affecting their immune system or respiratory function.
  3. Students ages 18 and under.
  4. Students ages 19-24.

Because people younger than 25 are at a greater risk from H1N1, faculty and staff will not be given vaccines from Health Services unless some is left after targeting these populations. Faculty and staff and those over 65 years old are not in the most vulnerable population from H1N1.

Students who have a positive flu test will be isolated as follows:

  • If a student lives off campus, he or she will be instructed to go home and not return to campus until they have been without fever for 24 hours without medication.
  • If a student lives on campus and is a reasonable distance from their family home, he or she will be instructed to go home and not return to campus until they have been without fever for 24 hours without medication.
  • If a student lives on campus and is not a reasonable distance from their family home, he or she will be isolated on Wendle Hall 3rd floor.
  • Students restricted to their rooms or on Wendle Hall 3rd floor will be provided meals.

For additional information about this strain of flu, please see the CDC website. If you have further questions, do not hesitate to contact the Office of Student Affairs, 677-3140 or Student Health Services, 677-2700.

Tornado

The University has placed NOAA severe weather radios in many department offices as part of its ongoing life safety systems upgrade. The weather radios will alert departments about severe weather that may affect the city of Peoria and Bradley University and they will alert other departments within their building.

The weather radios will be used in conjunction with the existing City of Peoria siren warning system. The sirens effectively alert persons out of doors, however they do not provide good coverage indoors. The sirens are activated for tornado warnings only, not for watches. The City of Peoria will initiate a siren, or steady tone, for a period of 3 to 5 minutes. When you hear this siren, take cover immediately – danger is imminent.

A tornado watch means conditions are right for a tornado. During a tornado watch, staff should be alert to weather conditions.

A tornado warning means that a tornado has been sighted.

  • Remain calm and avoid panic.
  • Go to an area of safety. Each building has a designated severe weather shelter area. These locations can be found on the Emergency Evacuation/Tornado Shelter maps found on the walls of the buildings.
  • AREAS OF SAFETY — rooms and corridors in the innermost part of a building if you cannot get to the designated shelter area in your building.
  • AREAS TO AVOID — stay clear of windows, corridors with windows, or large free-standing expanses.
  • There is no guaranteed safe place during a tornado. However, it is important to seek shelter in the best location to help minimize your exposure.
  • DO NOT use elevators during a tornado warning. Persons with mobility concerns should go to an area of safety at the time of a tornado watch; DO NOT wait for a tornado warning.
  • Close all doors, including main corridors, making sure they latch.
  • Crouch near the floor or under heavy, well supported objects and cover your head.
  • Be alert for fire. In the event, of a fire, the Bradley fire plan should be utilized.

Violent Incident

Violent incidents including but not limited to acts of terrorism, assaults, and incidents of workplace violence can occur on the University campus with little or no warning. It should be noted that the following instructions are intended for incidents that are of an emergency nature (i.e., imminent or having just occurred).

  • If the event is taking place elsewhere in the building, lock door and move students or staff members out of line of view of the door.
  • Emergency situations should be reported to law enforcement by dialing 911.
  • When 911 is dialed, the Peoria City Police Department will receive the call and contact the BU Police Department if the incident is located on University property.
  • The 911 call will also appear on a computer screen in the DPS dispatch center.
  • When you dial 911, be prepared to provide as much information as possible, such as the following:
  • What is happening.
  • The location.
  • Who is involved.
  • Type of weapon(s) involved, if any.
  • Your name and address.
  • Taking the time to provide such information will not delay law enforcement response. Complete information may allow them to handle the matter more effectively.

Bradley has self-defense-training programs available for interested faculty, staff, and students. For information on women’s self defense training, contact Bradley Police at 677-2000. For information on martial arts training/classes, contact the Campus Recreation Department at 677-2677.

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