Emergency Procedures

Members of the campus community should follow the guidelines listed below in the case of an emergency. Students in the residence halls should consult the “Emergency Procedures for Residential Students” section of this Handbook for more specific instructions.

We encourage all members of the Coker University community to review the Emergency Terminology found on the Office of Campus Safety and Security webpage.

INCLEMENT WEATHER

See Inclement Weather Policy in the General University Policies section of this handbook.

FIRE

The nearest fire alarm should be activated, and the affected building immediately evacuated. If on campus, call Campus Safety at 843-383-8140. The Hartsville Fire Department should then be called (911 or 843-383-3000).

If you discover a fire:
- Pull the closest fire alarm. If there is no immediate threat, a fire extinguisher or hose should be used to extinguish the blaze.
- Try to notify the Hartsville Fire Department (911) and a Campus Safety officer at 843-383-8140. Do not put yourself in danger! Be prepared to give an exact location and your name.
- If you are unable to reach a fire alarm pull station, locate a phone in a safe building and report the emergency to the Fire Department and Campus Safety.
- Alert others in the area.
If you hear a fire alarm:
- Evacuate the building immediately. Leave all personal items behind.
- Close your doors and windows if time permits. This helps to suffocate the fire.
- Follow your assigned evacuation plan. Do not run.
- Once outside the building, report to your check in station so that you may be accounted for.
What to do if a fire prohibits you from evacuating:
- Close the door securely and attempt to seal any openings through which smoke or gas could enter.
- Open exterior windows and crouch close to the floor at the open window.
- Alert those outside that you are unable to get out. Do not panic. Fire Department procedures require that rescue operations take precedence over other emergency activities.

TORNADO

If the National Weather Service issues a TORNADO WATCH, this means that tornadoes and severe thunderstorms are possible. If they issue a TORNADO WARNING, this means that a tornado has been sighted. During a tornado warning, take shelter immediately. Stay away from windows, doors and outside walls.

If a tornado warning is broadcast over radio or television, or if a tornado is spotted nearby, protect yourself in a basement, interior hallway or other structure away from windows. Move to the lowest floor in any building and do not stay in an automobile. Please see designated shelter areas below.

If you are in the residence hall, go to the designated shelter area (see areas listed below). Use stairs only. Lie face down on the floor with your knees up under you and back of your head covered by your hands.

If you are outside, go to the nearest sturdy structure or lie flat in the nearest ditch, ravine or culvert with your hands shielding your head.

Designated Tornado Shelter Areas:

Grannis - First and second floor hallways (on Coker end), away from all windows and doors. DO NOT use elevator
Coker - Basement and hallway, away from all doors and windows
Belk - Center of first floor hallway, away from all doors and windows
Memorial--Center of first floor hallway, away from all windows and doors
RTC - Internal stairwell between the first and second floors
JLC - Interior Lobbies
The Village at Byerly Place - Stairwells and Interior bathrooms
Classrooms - Lowest floor, center of building, away from exterior windows and doors.
Other buildings - Off–campus locations will have designated areas posted.

HURRICANES

Because of the distance inland of the University facilities, we will have abundant notice if landfall is predicted along the South Carolina coast. Instructions, including evacuation plans, will be made available to the campus community via email, text messaging, and/or website / social media presence.

BOMB THREATS

Notify Campus Safety at 843-383-8140. They will notify the police, who will initiate investigation procedures.

NUCLEAR ACCIDENT

The following is a summary of the procedures that are recommended if you are on campus during an emergency.

Tune radio or TV to an Emergency Alert Station (EAS) for the information:
- FM Local Cable
  - 105.5 WDAR Channel 13 WBTW-TV Florence
  - 103.3 WJMX Channel 21 WPDE-TV Florence

State and county officials will decide whether we are to evacuate or seek shelter and will instruct College officials as to whether Potassium Iodide pills should be distributed to faculty, staff and students.

If told to seek shelter:
- Go indoors and close all windows and doors.
- Turn off fans, heating and air conditioning that require outside air. Close any other air intakes.
- Do not use the telephone unless absolutely necessary.
- Stay indoors until a local radio or television EAS reports it is safe to go outside.
- If you must go outside, place a cloth over your nose and mouth.
If instructed to evacuate
- Prepare to go to the assigned primary shelter for our area which is the Florence Convention Center or to anyplace more than 10 miles from the Robinson Plant.
- If possible take with you:
  - The Progress Energy Safety Brochure if available
  - Two sets of clothing, two blankets or a sleeping bag, toiletries, bath towels, identification, car registration, credit cards, checkbook, cash, portable radio, flashlight, batteries.
- When traveling:
  - Close car windows & vents. Do not run air conditioner or heater.
  - Follow published evacuation routes or instructions from law enforcement officers.
  - As you drive, stay tuned to a local radio station for more information.
- If you go to the assigned shelter:
  - You will be registered, can locate relatives, and can be checked for radiation if necessary.
  - You will be assigned a safe place to stay.

If you go somewhere other than the shelter, it may be difficult to locate friends and relatives or to let them know where you are. EAS will inform you when it is safe to return home.

Potassium Iodide Pills: Coker University has been supplied with Potassium Iodide (KI) pills. KI pills are designed to be absorbed by the thyroid gland and would help prevent the absorption of nuclear radiation. Should the University be instructed to distribute KI pills, they will be distributed in the DeLoach Athletic Center to any faculty, staff or student who would like them. Each person must sign a form indicating they had received a KI pill. Persons with Iodide allergies should not take a KI pill.

PERSONAL CRISIS

For emotional distress or suggestion of suicide, contact your RA or the RA on duty (843-307-7375). You may also contact Counseling Services directly for intervention 843-383-8040. If there is a suicide attempt, call 911 immediately then report to the RA or RA on duty. For other personal crises, contact the Office of Residence Life at 843-383-8360.

SEXUAL HARASSMENT

See “Student Sexual Misconduct Policy and Procedures” section of this Handbook

Below is a list of on and off-campus resources for reporting and seeking help for victims of sexual assault / misconduct. More information can be obtained from the University’s Title IX Coordinator.
● Campus Title IX Coordinator - Cole Heatherly (843-383-8171 or cheatherly@coker.edu)
● Office of Residence Life – 843-383-8630
● College Nurse – 843-383-8140
● College Counselor(s) – 843-383-8040
● Campus Safety – 843-383-8140
● Hartsville Police Department – 843-383-3014
● PeeDee Coalition Against Sexual Assault – 24 Hour Crisis Line – 1-800-273-1820
● Hartsville Extension of Pee Dee Coalition – 843-383-0240
● South Carolina Coalition Against Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault – 803-256-2900
● Carolina Pines Regional Medical Center – 843-339-2100
● National Domestic Violence Hotline – 1-800-799-SAFE (7233)
● National Sexual Assault Hotline – 1-800-656-HOPE (4673)