STATE HOUSE
EMERGENCY PROCEDURES
Occupant Section
July 2006
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Occupant Section
July 2006
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This Emergency Response Plan is for use by all the occupants of the Massachusetts State House. It contains comprehensive occupant information relative to the various elements of the plan, the organization of emergency response teams, specific response procedures and action items and facility emergency information. This Occupant Section of the Emergency Response Plan is available online at Mass.Gov on the Bureau of State Office Buildings web page.
If you are accessing this plan due to an ongoing emergency:
· Go immediately to the table of contents,
· Locate that emergency (bold red lettering) section, and
· Follow the procedures for that emergency.
Emergency Procedures: Occupant Section
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Evacuation map to Boston Common |
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The proper reporting of any emergency situation is crucial in assuring the proper response of emergency personnel. Since there are many options available to occupants, it is important to know the benefits and the limitations of one option over another.
4. After the alarm system has been activated, locate the Emergency Team
Leader and inform him/her of the location and nature of the emergency.
617-727-2917 State Police
MEDICAL EMERGENCY NOTE:
The following pages establish procedures to follow for various emergency situations. Please become familiar with them.
While evacuation of a building is sometimes necessary, evacuation is not always the only, or even proper, response in an emergency. Decisions regarding when and how much of a building to evacuate are highly dependent upon the nature and circumstances of a specific emergency.
For example, the activation of the fire alarm system at the State House will almost always require the evacuation of the entire building. Most other emergencies will not require immediate evacuation. Some emergencies may require the occupants to leave the immediate area but not evacuate the building.
The Emergency Response Plan has been be developed and organized according to the
Incident Command System or ICS. Knowledge of the Emergency Procedures
is your most important tool.
Some things to remember:
· When the alarm system is activated all doors are available to be used as an emergency exit. Be familiar with at least two emergency exits in your location.
· Do not use the elevators for emergency evacuations.
· Follow the instructions of the Emergency Team Leaders and Emergency Response Personnel.
· The overriding concern is for Life Safety. Use common sense.
Pull stations are located at key points and are the fastest and most direct option to insure that all emergency response agencies, and building occupants are immediately notified of an emergency. Become familiar with their locations.
Other methods of reporting a Fire include:
Call the State Police at 617-727-2717. Give the MSP the following information: floor, room number (if available) tenant, and fire or smoke location if known.
Immediately call the DCR Rangers and inform them that a 911 call has been placed and supply the Rangers with the same information given to the 911 operators.
Additional Fire Response Considerations:
· Physically challenged or mobility-impaired personnel should report to the freight elevator lobby on each floor for evacuation to the Ashburton Park entrance, (B) level unless otherwise instructed.
· All others should proceed carefully down the stairs using the handrails and staying to the right of the stairwell. Be aware that emergency personnel may utilize the same stairwell to access the fire floor. Do not use the elevators unless directed to do so by emergency personnel.
· If instructed to evacuate the building, leave by the nearest exit, walk to the nearest stairwell, proceed to ground level and exit the building. Once you reach your designated relocation area, remain there until you are given further instructions or the “all clear” command is given. Under no circumstances return to an evacuated floor or building except as directed by Fire Department personnel.
but do not lock, all doors.
Immediately call the DCR Rangers and inform them that a 911 call has been placed and supply the Rangers with the same information given to the 911 operators.
Additional Medical Emergency Response Considerations
· Position volunteer employees at strategic intersections and/or doorways to act as a guide to responding personnel. This will improve response time considerably.
NOTE ATTACHMENT FOLLOWING PAGE: State Police Bomb Threat Data Form (Questions to ask caller, items to listen for and note.)
Other methods of reporting a Bomb Threat include:
Immediately call the Rangers and inform them that a 911 call has been placed and supply the Rangers with the same information given to the 911 operators.
Additional Bomb Threat Considerations:
· Persons knowing of the bomb threat should visually inspect their work areas for suspicious or unknown objects or devices. Never touch or move a suspicious object.
· Evacuating a floor or building without knowing exactly where a device is located may be dangerous.
· If evacuation is required, tenants will be notified via the public address system and normal evacuation procedures will be followed. Once outside the building, occupants should assemble at least 500 feet from the building.
· One individual who is very familiar with the involved area should report to the Control Center and identify him/herself as a the individual with knowledge of the area involved in the threat.
· A copy of the MSP Bomb Threat Data Form (attached) should be distributed to all personnel answering general telephone calls on a regular basis.
· Bureau of State Office Buildings procedures comply with, and are based upon, State Police General Order SOC-02 6/23/97. Evacuation will only take place if deemed essential. If evacuation is necessary, the emergency evacuation procedure will be followed.
REMEMBER:
Do NOT touch, attempt to move, or in any way disrupt a suspicious device.
CALL the State Police at 727-2917
B. EMERGENCY SITUATIONS AND PROCEDURES (continued)
Massachusetts State Police Bomb Threat Data Form
State Police –Beacon Hill—727-2917
Exact wording of the threat:
Questions to ask:
1. When is the bomb going to explode?
2. Where is it right now?
3. What does it look like?
4. What kind of bomb is it?
5. What will cause it to explode?
6. Did you place the bomb? If so, why?
7. What is your name?
8. What is your address?
Callers Voice: (circle any that apply)
Calm / Nasal / Angry / Stutter / Excited / Lisp / Slow / Rapid / Deep / Soft / Loud / Crying / Accent / Ragged / Distinct / Laughter / Normal / Clearing throat / Slurred / Disguised / Whispered / Deep breathing / Cracking voice.
If voice is familiar, who does it sound like?
Background Sounds: (circle any that apply)
Street noise / Voices / Factory machinery / Music / Crockery / Clear / Static / Motor / Animal noises / PA system / Local / Sirens / Horns / Phone booth / Long distance / House noises / Office machinery / Other
Threat Language: (circle any that apply)
Well spoken / Incoherent / Foul / Taped / Irrational / Prepared message read.
Remarks:
Received by: Position: Phone:
Date: Time: AM/PM
IN CASE OF A HAZARDOUS MATERIAL EMERGENCY
Prior to the arrival of emergency response personnel the following steps should be taken:
1. Report the incident immediately.
2. Instruct those who have not come in contact with the hazardous material to leave the immediate area but to remain on the floor.
3. Persons who have been, or may have been, in contact with hazardous substances should immediately wash thoroughly with warm water and soap. Do not touch the eyes, nose, or any other body part.
4. Persons who had no contact with any materials but were in the vicinity should stay together in a safe location nearby to await instructions and assistance from emergency response personnel. Do not leave the floor unless instructed to do so.
5. In a hazardous materials emergency, containment of the materials and individuals exposed may be critical to preventing additional unnecessary contamination. Isolate the area or close off the room by closing all doors. Turn off all fans and air conditioners.
6. Follow the directions of emergency response personnel exactly and immediately.
Other methods of reporting a Hazardous Materials Incident include:
Immediately call the Rangers and inform them that a 911 call has been placed and supply the Rangers with the same information given to the 911 operators.
Additional HAZMAT Considerations:
1. Hazardous materials (HAZMAT) emergencies can occur at any time.
2. If you suspect a dangerous, life threatening condition exists, initiate emergency procedures immediately.
3. If you encounter an unidentified liquid spill, or detect a strange odor, or notice the presence of any foreign substance report it immediately.
4. Remember, containment helps reduce contamination, stay together in a safe place.
IN CASE OF FAINT ODOR OF SMOKE OR BURNING
1. Report the type of smoke/smell and location immediately.
2. Follow instructions when provided.
3. If you suspect a dangerous condition exists, locate the nearest fire pull station and pull the lever down completely.
There will be occasions where you will encounter a burning odor or a faint trace of smoke. These may be due to electric light fixtures overheating slightly, slipping belts in running machinery, or they may be something much more serious.
Call the below listed numbers immediately:
For reporting other potentially dangerous situations, or for any other safety
issues or concerns:
Call the State Police at 617-727-2917
Duties of the Emergency Team Members are outlined on the following pages. Please make note that since the Occupant Emergency Team is made up of volunteers, the effectiveness of this, or any, emergency plan depends upon the support and participation of all tenant agencies and the cooperation of all personnel involved.
B. OCCUPANT EMERGENCY TEAMS
The Occupant Emergency Teams (OET) are responsible for the initiating and directing emergency procedures in their assigned areas and maintaining contact with the Command Center Team. The OET consists of the following positions:
Emergency Team Leader (ETL):
Assistant Emergency Team Leader:
Disabled Persons Monitor:
IV. EMERGENCY TEAM MEMBER DUTIES (continued)
Disabled Persons Monitor (continued)
.
Area/Room Monitor:
Stairway Monitor:
Number of floors: 7
Occupied floors: 7
Mechanical floors: Attic and sub-basement
Fire alarm system & signals: Yes—entire building
Automatic sprinkler system: Yes—partial
Public announcement system
throughout the building.
Smoke detection system: Yes—elevator lobbies and ducts.
Standpipe system: Yes—Entire building.
Emergency power: Yes—diesel generator
Elevators: 15.
Elevator capture and recall: Yes—Automatic capture to the
lobby level.
The State House is a 7 storied, Type 3 building of ordinary construction. Its original dimensions are: front 173 feet, depth 61 feet, and height 100 feet.
Additions to the State House were made in 1831, 1856, 1895, and 1917. There are 5 stories above grade and 2 levels below grade.
The State House is equipped with fifteen elevators—fourteen passenger and one freight elevator. In the event of a smoke alarm activation in a specific elevator lobby, that bank of elevators is automatically recalled to the first floor.
· The Control Center is located at the McCormack Building, lobby level Room 101 and manned a 24 hours a day. (617-727-1000)
· The DCR Rangers maintain a 24-hour presence at the State House and the office is located in Room 5 in the sub-basement, East Annex. (617-722-1188)
· The Director of Security for BSB is located in Room 1 in the State House, sub-basement, East Annex. (617-727-1100 x 35535)
· The Bureau of State Office Buildings is located at the McCormack building, Room 107. (617-727-1100)
V. BUILDING INFORMATION (continued)
· In the event of a function in the Great Hall the preferred evacuation route would be to evacuate the hall, descend the Grand Staircase to floor 1, and exit the State House to Mount Vernon Street.
· Handicapped and mobility-impaired individuals should be escorted to the freight elevator located down the East Annex Hallway for evacuation to the Ashburton Park level.
· In the event of meetings being held in Hearing Rooms B-1 and B-2, occupants are to evacuate to Ashburton Park.
· In the event of a meeting or function in Gardner Auditorium, occupants are to evacuate via the Bowdoin Street exit and proceed to Ashburton Park.
· If the House of Representatives is in session, all members are to evacuate down the Grand Staircase two levels and exit to Mount Vernon Street, then proceed to Ashburton Park. Court officers will assist and monitor.
· If the Senate is in session, all members are to evacuate one level down and exit via the main door in Doric Hall to the front lawn.
· In the event of an alarm and neither the House nor the Senate is in session, the court officers will initiate the evacuation of their respective members, from their offices, to the exits.
· The evacuation of the Governor and Lieutenant Governor will be the responsibility of the on-duty officer of the Massachusetts State Police.
V. BUILDING INFORMATION (continued)
617-727-2917 State Police
911
· Listen carefully to the instructions given via the public address system.
· All physically challenged or mobility impaired personnel should report to the freight elevator lobby on each floor for evacuation to the Ashburton Park,
(B) level unless otherwise instructed.
NOTE: If it is a medical emergency AND 911 has been notified, you MUST notify the DCR Rangers at 617-722-1188 and advise them of the emergency and that Emergency Medical Services have been summoned via a call to 911