Emergency Procedures

Emergency Response

In the event of an emergency within the area surrounding a Mariner office or within the broader building or campus which we operate an office, it may become necessary for Associate’s to take action.  This could include shelter-in-place, a lockdown or evacuation in order to protect occupants and minimize the overall exposure to danger. 

Shelter-in-place is the use of a structure to temporarily separate you from a hazardous outdoor atmosphere. This can be because of a hazardous material incident, or perhaps a weather-related emergency. It entails closing all doors, windows and vents and taking immediate shelter in a readily accessible location.

A lockdown is a temporary sheltering technique to close and lock of all doors and windows, possibly barricading oneself to block entry and exit to an office suite. It may be instructed during situations such as the presence of a hostile or armed assailant in proximity of an office building or suite.

Evacuation is a prompt exit of Associates from an office suite and possibly campus grounds, if warranted.  This may occur in the event of a fire or other environmentally hazardous event occurring indoors, or in response to an an assailant within a Mariner office.

In the event of a medical emergency, it is important to provide first aid to injured Associates and notifying emergency responders of the situation via phone, if possible. Associates may leave or return to the building only after an “all clear” has been sounded by emergency personnel and allowed by the senior-most member of Management.

Additional situation-specific responses are further described below, including Fire, Severe Weather, Earthquakes and Intruder Safety.

Fire Evacuation Procedures

In the event that the emergency fire alarm system is activated, all Associates are to evacuate the building in calm, quick and orderly fashion.  Unless announced in advance, you should assume that all alarms are in the event of an actual emergency.

It is the responsibility of all able staff to assist any persons with disabilities in descending the stairwell in a safe and quick manner.

Once outside of the building, Associates should quickly proceed away from the building.  Associates should gather within their work team, at the designated rally points, and roll-call should be taken to ensure every Associate’s safe evacuation.

The street must be kept clear at all times as not to hamper the movement of emergency personnel into the area. Upon their arrival, emergency personnel should be notified of the details of the situation and of anyone thought to be missing.

 

Severe Weather Safety

In the event local sirens are sounded, warning of the possibility or presence of a tornado, all Associates should seek shelter in the nearest restroom, stairwell, or center-most room of the building and on the lowest floor that they can safely move to.  If no advance warning is available, you should seek cover beneath desks and away from windows or other objects that could cause injury if broken or fallen.  You should take a protective position, crouching to the ground and covering the head and neck from falling objects.

You should remain in the sheltered area until the tornado passes.  Before leaving, the area should be checked for injured persons.  One Associate should remain with any injured individual unable to safely exit the building and begin to administer first aid.  All other Associates should move away from hazardous locations and notify emergency personnel of any remaining injured parties and their location.

Earthquakes

In the event of an earthquake, all Associates should practice the OSHA recommended procedure of “Drop, Cover and Hold On” when possible: 1) drop to the ground, 2) take cover by getting under a sturdy table or other piece of furniture and 3) hold on until the shaking stops.  If you aren’t able to drop to the ground, you should find an inside corner of the room away from windows and objects that could fall.  You should stay away from glass, windows, outside doors and walls and anything that could fall, such as lighting fixtures or furniture.

Associates should remain in the “Drop, Cover and Hold On” positions until the shaking stops.  If there is a clear path to safety, leave the building via a staircase and go to an open space away from damaged areas, being mindful that aftershocks may occur.  Before leaving, the area should be checked for injured persons.  One Associate should remain with any injured individual unable to safely exit the building and begin to administer first aid.  All other Associates should move away from hazardous locations and notify emergency personnel of any remaining injured parties and their location.  If there is not a clear path to safety, you should move as little as possible and tap on a pipe or wall so rescuers can hear them and only shout as a last resource.  Be careful to not move about or kick dust up.

 

Intruder Safety

In the event there is an active shooter in the building, you should be mentally and physically prepared.  An “active shooter” is an individual engaged in killing or attempting to kill people in a confined and populated area.

Typically, these situations are over within 10 to 15 minutes and most often before law enforcement arrives on the scene.  Because of the speed of events and lack of warning, you must quickly determine the most reasonable way to protect your own life.  Clients are also likely to follow the lead of the Associates and Managers during an active shooter situation.

The following RUN, HIDE, FIGHT procedures are recommended by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The decision to engage an active shooter is personal.  You should weigh the risks and outcome.

Anyone should call for emergency assistance by dialing 9-1-1 and identify the company, location address, your location within the premises, and clearly state that an active shooter is onsite and the direction of their travel, if known.

When law enforcement arrives it is imperative that you do not engage the officers, point, yell, or make other sudden movements or sounds that could mistake their identity as a threat or take officers’ attention away from their immediate objective. When law enforcement arrives it is imperative that you do not engage the officers, point, yell, or make other sudden movements or sounds that could mistake their identity as a threat or take officers’ attention away from their immediate objective. Only once the immediate threat is gone will officers and emergency personnel assist with injuries or facilitate an investigation or counseling of witnesses and victims.

For more information, please take the time to view the following resources:

https://www.dhs.gov/xlibrary/assets/active_shooter_booklet.pdf

https://www.youtube.com/user/RunHideFight