Emergency Response

You will be instructed where to go and what to do if an evacuation or shelter in place order is issued. In some instances, communication may not be possible, and you may need to assess the situation, your own safety, and the options to best protect yourself. The unpredictable nature of emergency situations requires quick action and clear thinking to avoid injury. Make the best decision you can to remain safe and avoid putting yourself into a more harmful situation.

WHEN TO EVACUATE

• Anytime you hear the fire alarm in your building.
• If you smell smoke or know an actual fire is burning.
• If a hazardous material has been released and you have a safe evacuation route away from danger.
• Any other situation where it is apparent that staying in place will put you in a potentially more harmful situation than leaving.
• When instructed to do so by Muskingum County Dispatcher (if you have called 911), Muskingum University Police, New Concord Police Department, first responders, authorized Physical Plant/Facilities personnel, or via META.  

Certain circumstances may prevent safe evacuation. If this happens, move away from the danger and find shelter in an area with a window to allow rescue. Signal your location to first responders. 

WHAT TO DO IF YOU HAVE TO EVACUATE

• Carefully follow the instructions of emergency personnel or those sent via META.
• Remain calm.
• Close the door to your residence hall room or workspace as you leave.
• Leave quickly - do not try to gather materials on the way out.
• Keep talking to a minimum.
• Exit in a single file line, down the right side of the stairwells – do not take an elevator.
• No smoking.
• Alert first responders of any people still inside and who need assistance.

SPECIFIC BUILDING/AREA EVACUATION

Certain emergencies may affect a specific building or area of campus. In this case, people in those buildings/areas will be evacuated to a predetermined site. When appropriate, the following campus Evacuation Locations will be used; however, you should always follow the directions provided via first responders or META.  

Building/Area	Primary Evacuation Shelter	Backup Evacuation Shelter
Any campus residence	BHWC	Steele Center and John Glenn Gyms
Non-residential campus buildings	Steele Center and John Glenn Gyms	BHWC

FULL CAMPUS EVACUATION

You will receive instructions via META and/or from law enforcement if a full, campus evacuation is required. Evacuation of the entire University will be handled in conjunction with the emergency procedures of the University, Muskingum County, the Village of New Concord, the East Muskingum Local School District, and surrounding community, as appropriate. In the unlikely event that a campus evacuation is necessary, you will be directed to leave the University in the following manner.

IF YOU HAVE A CAR ON CAMPUS

If you are instructed to evacuate campus and to take vehicles, we want to get as many cars off campus as possible, which means avoiding traffic congestion at intersections both on and off campus. We must also allow adequate access for first responders. Please offer to assist anyone near you who does not have access to a vehicle and follow the instructions below:

If police, fire, or ambulance vehicles approach, DO NOT block their travel – they must be able to respond to the emergency on campus. Take your normal route to your vehicle unless you discover a dangerous situation along that route. Follow the plan below. Be alert that law enforcement may direct traffic in a different direction.

Parking Lot	Campus Exit Route	How to Access I-70
Stadium Heights, Townhouses, BHWC, Thomas, Mem/Moore, and North Turf	Use the West Entrance Turn left onto Route 83/Friendship Drive Turn right onto Route 40	Drive West to Exit 164
Cambridge Lot, Police House	Turn left on Comin Street Turn right on Route 40	Drive West to Exit 164
Kelley/Patton	Turn right on Lakeside Drive/College Dr.	Drive East to Exit 176
Finney, Lakeside Houses	Turn onto Liberty Street Turn left on Main Street/Route 40	Drive East to Exit 176
Walter Hall, Paul Hall, Neptune Center, Palmer Gallery, Methodist Church lot	Exit down the hill Turn left on Main Street/Route 40	Drive East to Exit 176

IF YOU DO NOT HAVE ACCESS TO A VEHICLE

Exit campus by walking through the Hollow, across the North Turf, or up Lakeside Drive to assemble at the Larry Miller Intermediate School (“LMIS”) parking lot and/or gymnasium. This school building is directly across the road from the village pool.