Shelter-in-Place Guidance

Shelter-in-place means remaining inside or moving into a building because conditions outside—or movement through the affected area, may be unsafe.

Shelter-in-place may be used for:

Severe weather;
An outdoor hazardous-material or airborne contaminant release;
Dangerous environmental conditions, including smoke or extreme temperatures;
Police activity or a public-safety incident near campus;
A significant utility or infrastructure emergency; or
Another situation in which remaining indoors provides greater protection than evacuating.

Do not automatically shelter-in-place for every emergency. Follow the instructions provided through CSC ALERT, Campus Safety, law enforcement, the fire department, or other emergency responders.

Shelter-in-Place, Lockdown, or Evacuation?

The appropriate protective action depends on the emergency:

Shelter-in-place generally protects people from a hazard outside the building.
Lockdown is used when movement may expose people to a violent person or security threat. Lock the room, deny access, and follow Avoid–Deny–Defend guidance.
Evacuation is used when it is unsafe to remain in the building.

Read or listen to the entire emergency message and follow the instructions provided for your location.

Emergency Notification

The College may issue shelter-in-place instructions through:

CSC ALERT text messages;
NH Alerts text messages
Email;
Desktop emergency alerts;
Emergency messaging displays;
Campus telephones;
The College website;
Campus Safety or emergency responders; or
Other official College communications.

Share the instruction with people nearby when it is safe to do so. Continue monitoring official communications for updates.

Do not rely on social media posts, secondhand information, or unverified messages for emergency instructions.

How to Shelter-in-Place

When instructed to shelter-in-place:

Go inside the nearest safe building or remain inside your current building.
Close exterior doors and windows.
Move away from exterior doors, windows, skylights, and outside-air intakes.
Select a protected location appropriate for the hazard.
Bring essential medications, communication devices, accessibility equipment, and service animals with you when they are immediately available and doing so does not delay protective action.
Silence unnecessary electronic devices, but keep your phone available to receive CSC ALERT messages.
Assist others when it is safe and appropriate to do so.
Keep entrances, hallways, and emergency access routes clear.
Continue monitoring CSC ALERT and other official College communications.
Remain sheltered until an official all-clear or additional instruction is issued.

Do not leave the sheltered location merely because conditions appear quiet or an unverified message says the emergency has ended.

If You Are Outside

If you are outside when shelter-in-place is ordered:

Enter the nearest safe building when doing so will move you away from the hazard.
Avoid moving toward smoke, fumes, suspicious activity, police operations, or another known danger.
Do not cross campus to reach your usual classroom, residence hall, office, or vehicle.
Follow directions from Campus Safety and emergency responders.
Once inside, close exterior doors and move to the appropriate shelter location.

If entering a building would require moving toward the hazard, move away from the affected area and seek another safe location.

Selecting a Shelter Location

The safest shelter location depends on the emergency.

Severe Weather

For a tornado warning, destructive winds, or similar severe weather:

Move to the lowest safe level of the building.
Use a basement when one is available and safe.
Otherwise, move to a small interior room, hallway, or stairwell.
Stay away from windows, exterior doors, skylights, and large open-span areas.
Avoid gymnasiums, auditoriums, dining halls, and other rooms with wide roofs.
Protect your head and neck from flying or falling debris.
Do not use elevators.

Outdoor Hazardous-Material or Airborne Contaminant Release

When instructed to shelter because of a chemical, biological, radiological, smoke, or other airborne hazard:

Move to an interior room with few or no windows and exterior openings.
Close doors and windows.
Move away from outside-air intakes.
Close room vents when they can be closed easily and safely.
Do not independently operate building mechanical or ventilation equipment unless you are trained and authorized to do so.
Campus Safety will coordinate with Facilities regarding building ventilation systems.
Do not go outside to observe the incident.
Do not evacuate unless directed or unless remaining in the building becomes unsafe.

Do not tape or seal doors, windows, or vents unless specifically instructed. The appropriate action depends on the material involved and the anticipated length of the emergency.

Police Activity or a Nearby Security Incident

When the security concern is outside your building:

Remain inside.
Stay away from exterior doors and windows.
Secure exterior doors if you are responsible and authorized to do so.
Do not allow people to gather in lobbies or near entrances.
Do not go outside to observe police activity.
Monitor CSC ALERT for areas to avoid and additional instructions.

If a violent threat enters your building or immediate area, transition to the College’s Avoid–Deny–Defend procedures.

Building Ventilation

Community members should not attempt to shut down central building ventilation systems.

When necessary, Campus Safety will coordinate with Facilities to shut down or adjust heating, cooling, or ventilation systems. Occupants may be instructed to close local windows, doors, or vents when those actions can be completed safely.

Accountability and Assistance

When sheltering with a class, department, residence hall, event, or other organized group:

Remain together when practical.
Identify anyone who may need medical, mobility, communication, or other assistance.
Report an emergency, injury, or urgent assistance need to 9-1-1 and Campus Safety.
Be prepared to provide your building and room location and the number of people with you.
Report anyone believed to be in immediate danger or missing when requested by College officials or emergency responders.

Do not call Campus Safety solely to submit a routine list of everyone in the room unless instructed to do so. Keep emergency telephone lines available for urgent information and assistance.

If the Building Becomes Unsafe

Shelter-in-place does not require anyone to remain in a building that presents an immediate danger.

Evacuate or move to a safer location when:

You see fire or smoke;
A fire alarm sounds and no contrary emergency instruction has been issued;
The building is structurally damaged;
Hazardous material is entering your location;
The violent or dangerous activity moves into your building;
Emergency responders direct you to leave; or
Remaining in place presents a greater immediate danger.

Use the safest available route, avoid the known hazard, and do not delay to collect personal belongings.

Call 9-1-1 and Campus Safety when it is safe to do so.

Personal Preparedness

Consider keeping basic emergency supplies in your residence hall room, office, or primary work area, including:

Essential prescription medications;
A small first-aid kit;
Drinking water;
Nonperishable snacks;
A flashlight;
A mobile-phone charger or portable power bank;
Necessary accessibility or communication equipment; and
Other personal items that may be needed during an extended emergency.

Do not delay immediate protective action to gather supplies.

Remain Sheltered Until the All-Clear

Continue to monitor CSC ALERT and follow instructions from Campus Safety and emergency responders.

Remain sheltered until:

CSC ALERT issues an official all-clear or new protective instruction;
Campus Safety or emergency responders release your location; or
Remaining in place creates a more immediate danger.

An alarm stopping, conditions becoming quiet, or receiving an unofficial message does not mean the emergency has ended.