Crisis Procedures

Bigelow Free Public Library Crisis Plan

 

This Crisis Plan has been designed for staff members of the Bigelow Free Public Library to give library staff common sense, step-by-step procedures on how to respond immediately to a crisis. Following the will help you prioritize and help to provide a sense of order in an emotionally charged situation.

Staff members are reminded to please stay calm during a crisis. It is also important to convey the need to remain calm to library patrons. If you panic; they will panic.

 

Table of Contents

General 911 Emergencies ……………………………..page 2

Evacuation of the Building…………………………….page 2

Threat Outside the Building……………………………page 2

Threat Inside the Building………………………………page 3

Bomb Threat……………………………………………page 3

Suspicious Package……………………………………..page 4

Facility Malfunction/Hazardous Waste………………….page 4

 

 

 

  1. GENERAL 911 EMERGENCIES

All staff members of the Bigelow Free Public Library are empowered to call 911 without a supervisor’s permission.

Staff member will:

  • Call 911; stay on the line until released by the 911 dispatcher
  • Identify yourself; providing and confirming that the library’s address is 54 Walnut Street and that the phone number is 978-365-4160
  • State the nature of the incident as well as the exact location of the incident
  • Designate a person to meet the responding fire/police units at the appropriate entrance
  • Notify Library Director or, in absence of Director, library Trustee

 

  1. EVACUATION OF THE BUILDING

Staff member will: 

  • Check the hallways/stairwells for safety prior to evacuation
  • Exit through the nearest doorway. If exit is blocked, use the next closest exit situated away from the emergency
  • Move to assigned evacuation location (Central Park Fountain)
  • Avoid downed power lines or other unsafe hazards
  • Report injuries to Library Director or, in absence of Director, library Trustee
  • Attempt to reunite parents with children
  • Wait for further instructions

 

III. THREAT OUTSIDE THE LIBRARY

There is a situation OUTSIDE the library building requiring the library to take extra security measures. Situations such as an explosion outside the building, a hazardous materials leak outside the building, or a violent situation near the library.

Staff member will:

  • Call 911
  • Advise library staff
  • Stay calm; bring patrons in from outside
  • Lock library doors & secure windows
  • Wait for further instructions.

 

  1. THREAT INSIDE THE LIBRARY

There is a situation/intruder INSIDE the library building. An intruder is any unidentified or unauthorized person who has entered the library or library grounds whose intent may be harmful, or whose intent is unknown, or who appears to be a potential safety threat to a staff member or patron.

Staff member will:

  • Call 911.
  • All children’s room staff and any patrons in the children’s room should immediately exit the building from the upstairs emergency exit
  • Check hallways and restrooms for other patrons, if safe to do so.
  • No one should be allowed inside the library, unless they are identified as emergency personnel.
  • If you are outside the library when a lockdown occurs, remain outside and seek shelter in a safe location, remaining hidden from the source of the threat.
  • Remain calm; patrons are watching for your reactions.
  • Wait for further instructions.
  1. BOMB THREAT

Staff member will:

  • Keep the caller on the line
  • Evacuate the building using the library’s evacuation procedures
  • Do not touch any suspicious device or object found on the premises
  • Restrict the use of cell phones
  • Wait for further instructions
  • Notify the Library Director or, in absence of director, library Trustee
  1. SUSPICIOUS PACKAGE

Any package that is unexpected, handwritten with no return or legible return address or odd address. The package could have oily stains, discoloration or an odor, lopsided or lumpy in appearance, sealed with excessive amounts of tape, sent with excessive postage, protruding wires or aluminum foil or suspicious powder, marked with inappropriate restrictive endorsements such as “personal” or “confidential.”

Staff member will:

  • NOT handle the package
  • Restrict the use of cell phones
  • Notify the Library Director or, in absence of director, library Trustee
  • Call 911
  • Consider immediate evacuation

VII. FACILITY MALFUNCTION/HAZARDOUS WASTE

In the event of a facility malfunction involving the fire alarm system or the security system, the alarm company will call the library. Write down whatever they say as to where and what kind of alarm/malfunction is happening.

Staff member will:

  • Call 911 if deemed appropriate and the alarm company has not already done this.
  • Notify Library Director or, in absence of director, library Trustee
  • Describe condition and avoid contact
  • Determine if the building needs to be evacuated using library evacuation procedures

Approved by Board of Trustees October 2014