Skokie / RHC Evacuation and Emergency Plan

Announcements

If evacuation is necessary, Oakton's Police Department will assign runners to go to each room and announce the evacuation. Making an announcement over the PA system or sounding the fire alarm should be avoided. Electronic fields generated by these devices could detonate certain types of explosive devices. Radios, pagers, and cell phones also should not be used.

Oakton police and facilities personnel will direct the evacuation. The Police Department will assist evacuation facilitators to keep the flow orderly and instruct people to use the nearest exit doors.

Evacuation facilitators will leave the building at the nearest exit when areas are clear of personnel. They will remain with the door supervisors until the "ALL CLEAR" is given. Facilities personnel with radios will be assigned locations to assist and communicate between door supervisors and the crisis team.

Additional Information

The Police Department will notify the Vice President of Business and Finance, ext. 1876. If that VP is not available, the Vice President of Student Affairs ext. 1660, Vice President of Academic Affairs, ext. 2604, Vice President for Continuing Education, Training and Workforce Development, and Vice President for Information Technology must be notified.

The Police Department will monitor the Illinois State Police LEADS network, public radio or television bulletins, and other emergency weather channels for changes in the storm watch classifications. A tornado watch is declared when professional meteorologists determine conditions are such that there is a strong possibility of a tornado occurring in a specific geographical area. A tornado warning is declared when a tornado is sighted.

Police Department and facilities personnel will instruct everyone to move to shelters within the building. If possible, seek shelter in the lowest level of the building. Designated shelter areas are identified with labels on the exterior doors. Maps to shelter areas are clearly marked on the room doors.

If a watch is upgraded to a warning, people will be instructed to take cover inside the building and stay in the shelters until the "ALL CLEAR" is given by the Police Department. Department personnel will conduct a sweep of the building to ensure that everyone is in a safe location. Officers and cadets will unlock the shelter areas during a watch or warning.

Anyone who receives a bomb threat should call the Oakton Police Department immediately.

The following steps will then be taken:

  • The Police Department will notify the Faculty Support Office manager/RHC, the Director of Lifelong Learning Programs and Operations, or the Assistant Vice President for Educational Service.
  • One of those named above will notify the Crisis Team. (The crisis team consists of the President, vice presidents, Director of College Relations, Director of Facilities, and Chief of Police.)
  • The Police Department will notify Facilities and begin a search of the building. The person reporting the bomb threat will fill out the Information Form per the instructions on the cover sheet.

Level A: A bomb threat, transmitted by phone, fax, or mail.
If nothing is found, the Police Department will wait for the Crisis Team to advise about evacuation.

Level B: An actual device or suspected device is found.
The Police Department will notify the Des Plaines Fire and Police Departments and request assistance as determined by the Crisis Team. The Crisis Team members will inform their respective offices, and evacuation plans will be made.

Final Search
When the evacuation is completed, the Police Department will conduct another sweep of the building to determine if everyone has been evacuated and make a final search for a bomb. Employees will remain on campus, and faculty also will instruct their students to remain and to return to class when an "ALL CLEAR" is sounded.

After waiting the predetermined time set by the Crisis Team, the Police Department will make another sweep of the building. They will report to the Crisis Team, who will then instruct the department to coordinate the re-occupancy of the building.

In the event of a fire, or if the fire alarm sounds, evacuation of the premises begins immediately .

  • Everyone must leave the building by way of the nearest exit and gather in one of these parking lots: Lincoln, East Lincoln, Mulford, or East Drive between the Lincoln and Mulford lots.
  • Do not remain in the Circle Drive to the south of the main entrance .
  • Stand away from the building and wait for further instructions.
  • Employees should not leave the property, and faculty should instruct their students to remain on campus grounds.

When the alarm sounds, the following procedures should be followed:

  • Instructors will close room doors and move their students to the exits and out to the parking lots.
  • The police officer on duty will respond to the alarm panel and locate the source of the alarm.
  • If any other Police Department personnel are on duty, they will begin to evacuate the building.
  • The Facilities person on duty will respond to the main entrance, assist with the evacuation, or await further instructions from the police officer.
  • The officer will relay alarm location information via radio or other means to the facilities person on duty. The facilities person will meet fire department personnel at the main entrance and escort them to the source of the alarm.
  • Do not return to the building when the alarm is silenced. Wait for the official word to do so.
  • Do not reset the alarm until the fire department permits you to do so.
  • When the fire department permits re-entering the building, Police Department and facilities personnel will coordinate and check each exit to inform anyone who may still be outside.

The Skokie Police Department will be contacted for assistance with traffic at the main entrance at Lincoln Avenue and the Mulford Street entrance or at other locations as warranted.