Evacuation Procedures

General Building Evacuation Procedures

Building evacuations will occur when the evacuation alarm sounds and/or upon direction by the Emergency Response Coordinator or Campus Safety.

• When the building evacuation alarm is activated during an emergency, head to the nearest marked exit and alert others to do the same.
• Assist disabled individuals in exiting the building. Do not use the elevators in case of fire or earthquake.
• Once outside, proceed directly to the appropriate “Designated Assembly Area.” Stay there until an accurate head count is taken and you have been told it is safe to leave, or are directed to an alternate location.
• Keep streets, fire lanes, hydrant areas and walkways clear for emergency vehicles and personnel.
• DO NOT return to an evacuated building unless told to do so by a Connecticut College or Fire Department Official.

Residential Hall Evacuation - House Fellow/REAL Staff Responsibilities

• When the alarm is sounded, immediately report to the designated assembly area.
• As the residents exit the building and report to the Designated Assembly Area, conduct a roll call, using the dorm resident list.
• Report to a Campus Safety Officer with the names and room numbers of any residents who are unaccounted for, or are known (or presumed) to be elsewhere. Campus Safety will attempt to contact these individuals. Under no circumstances should anyone re-enter the building to look for missing individuals. Leave searching the building to the Fire Department.
• Instruct residents to remain outside until Campus Safety sounds the “All Clear.” Ensure that residents stay clear of emergency equipment and vehicles. In case of inclement weather, Campus Safety will direct residents to another building to await the “all clear.”

Residential Hall Evacuation - Resident Responsibilities

• Upon hearing the alarm, immediately exit the building and report to the Designated Assembly Area, shutting all doors and windows on the way out. Do not use the elevator, as it may shut down, trapping occupants inside.
• Assist individuals with disabilities from the building. If the disabled individual is on an upper floor and is unable to evacuate (or be evacuated), assist them to an "area of refuge" in a student room, to await assistance from the Fire Department. Stuff clothing under the door to keep smoke out. Call 911 to inform the Fire Department dispatcher of the your location.
• Report to the House fellow or (or REAL staff member) who will be taking roll call.
• Report the whereabouts of residents who have not answered the roll call, and are known (or presumed) to be elsewhere (Class, off campus, etc.). Campus Safety will attempt to contact these individuals. Under no circumstances should anyone re-enter the building to look for missing individuals. Leave searching the building to the Fire Department.
• Report any pertinent information (smoke, flames, smells, injuries etc.) to a Campus Safety Officer.
• Stay calm and do not interfere with emergency responders.
• DO NOT attempt to re-enter the building, for any reason, until Campus Safety or the Fire Department sounds the “All Clear.”

Academic and Administrative Evacuation - Faculty, Department Head, Supervisors and/or Lead Person Responsibilities

• When the alarm is sounded, immediately report to the Designated Assembly Area. As occupants exit the building and report to the designated assembly area, conduct a roll call, ensuring that all individuals for whom you are responsible are accounted for.
• Report to a Campus Safety Officer with the names of any individuals who are unaccounted for. Campus Safety will relay that information to Fire Department personnel. They are equipped to re-enter the building to look for missing individuals.
• Instruct occupants to remain outside until Campus Safety sounds the “All Clear Signal.” Ensure that building occupants stay clear of emergency equipment and vehicles. In case of inclement weather Campus Safety will direct occupants to another building to wait for the all clear.

Academic and Administrative Building Evacuation - Building Occupant Responsibilities

• Upon hearing the alarm, immediately exit the building and report to the Designated Assembly Area, shutting all doors and windows on the way out.
• Assist individuals with disabilities from the building. If the disabled individual is on an upper floor and is unable to evacuate (or be evacuated), assist them to an "area of refuge" in a classroom, office or in a stairwell that can be isolated by tightly closed fire doors to await assistance from the Fire Department. If seeking refuge inside the building, stuff clothing under the door to keep smoke out, and call 911 to inform the dispatcher of your location.
• Report to your faculty instructor, supervisor or Work Leader, who will be taking roll call.
• Report the whereabouts of occupants who have not answered the roll call, and are known (or presumed) to be elsewhere (off campus, etc.)
• Report any pertinent information (smoke, flames, odors, etc.) to a Campus Safety Officer.
• Stay calm, and do not interfere with emergency responders.
• DO NOT attempt to reenter the building for any reason, until Campus Safety or the Fire Department sounds the “All Clear”.

Campus Evacuation

Although highly unlikely, unforeseen on-campus or off-campus events may require the evacuation of the entire campus. Connecticut College is in relatively close proximity to the U.S. Naval Submarine Base, and the Millstone Nuclear Power Station. In addition, the New England Central Railroad runs along the Thames River adjacent to the College, and any accident resulting in the release of hazardous materials could affect the campus.

News and instructions from civil authorities will be broadcast via the local Emergency Alert System (EAS). In the unlikely event of a large scale hazardous atmospheric condition, the EAS public alerting sirens will be sounded to alert residents to turn to an Emergency Alert System (EAS) radio or television station for more information. The EAS Sirens are not a signal to evacuate, but to simply alert the public that there is an emergency, and to seek additional information or instructions.

The decision to evacuate all (or part) of the campus will be made by the President in consultation with civil authorities. News and instructions from state and local emergency planning authorities will be broadcast via the local Emergency Alert System. The table below includes a list of Emergency Alert System radio and television stations. 

Information specific to Connecticut College will be communicated to the campus community via the Emergency Communication System.

When the decision to evacuate the campus is made, all persons (students, faculty, and staff) are to immediately vacate the site in question and relocate to another part of the campus, or off campus as directed.

During an off-campus nuclear incident, evacuation would normally be ordered only if a large amount of radiation were expected to escape over an extended period of time. Such action would most likely be ordered as a precaution. In the event that an emergency evacuation is required, special instructions will be given on Emergency Alert System radio and television stations.

Evacuation Information - Routes and Instructions

The Millstone Nuclear Power Plant, and Millstone’s owners, Dominion Nuclear Connecticut, have worked with local authorities to establish evacuation routes and reception centers in host communities, which are at least 10 miles from the nuclear plant site for individuals living within the Millstone Emergency Planning Zone (EPZ).  The Connecticut Office of Emergency Management and Homeland Security (DEMHS) has published a booklet, “Safety Planning Information for Neighbors of Millstone Power Station”, which provides additional information and guidance.

Campus Evacuation Procedures

Local, state, or federal authorities will initiate any order to evacuate the City of New London, including Connecticut College. Upon confirmation of the emergency, and after consultation with the Director of Campus Safety, the President will order the campus evacuation. Evacuation information will be communicated via the Emergency Communication System.

• At the beginning of each academic year, Campus Safety identifies those students with vehicles who are willing to provide transportation for other students in the event of a campus evacuation. Any emergency communication directing students to evacuate will include a reminder to those with vehicles to depart with as many passengers as possible.
• Those students without vehicles, and who are not able to arrange transport, will gather at either Harkness Chapel or Fanning Hall. From these locations, those needing a ride will be assigned departing vehicles with space available, or will be assigned to a campus vehicle. Again, all vehicles should depart with as many passengers as possible.
• Before leaving campus, drivers should print a copy of the EPZ Emergency Planning Route Map, which provides instructions and driving directions to the designated Evacuation Assembly Center and host community. (The designated evacuation assembly center for individuals evacuating from New London is Windham High School, 355 High Street, Willimantic, CT.)

Office of Residential Education and Living staff (House Fellows and Floor Governors) will conduct a room-by-room check to ensure that all students have been evacuated.

Law enforcement and traffic control will likely be dispatched to predetermined locations along evacuation routes. Evacuees will be directed out of the 10-mile Emergency Planning Zone and to the appropriate Evacuation Assembly Center.

If an evacuation is announced, drive to the Evacuation Assembly Center broadcast over the local Emergency Alert System radio station. Listen to the station for any changes as you drive. Adhere to the speed limits on the highways.

Evacuation Checklist

In the event of a campus evacuation, use the following checklist to ensure you are protected and prepared.

• Take clothing (3 changes), toilet articles, necessary medications, important papers, and valuables (money, credit cards, jewelry, etc.). Supplies such as sleeping bags, a portable radio, flashlight, and batteries should also be taken, if available.
• Keep phone lines open for emergency use. Keep cellphone use to a minimum. During an emergency, cellular networks are likely to be overwhelmed.
• Assist other members of the campus community without transportation. If you do not have your own transportation, make plans to ride with someone who has transportation.
• While evacuating, keep car windows and vents closed, and air conditioners turned off.
• Proceed directly to the designated Evacuation Assembly Center at the Windham High School, in Windham.
• Drive safely. Stay tuned to your Emergency Alert System radio station for further information.
• New London’s Emergency Operations Center will monitor wind direction and will broadcast any Evacuation Assembly Center changes.

Sheltering In Place

If local or state officials determine that people cannot be safely evacuated from an area or it is safer to remain indoors, Connecticut College may order internal sheltering for Connecticut College employees, students and visitors. The following procedures should be followed during internal sheltering:

• Go indoors and close all windows and doors. Turn off fans and heating and air conditioning that require outside air, and close any other air intakes; (in most cases, Facilities Management can perform this action remotely from the Power House;)
• Do not use the telephone unless it is absolutely necessary. Keep phone lines open for emergency communication;
• Keep cellphone use to a minimum. During an emergency, cellular networks are likely to be overwhelmed;
• Cover all open food containers. Food, water, and milk supplies that are covered inside are safe for consumption;
• Remain indoors until officially notified the emergency is over;
• Stay tuned to the local radio or television stations for emergency information; and
• Stay in place and await additional information.