Emergency Procedures

Police-Fire-Ambulance  9-1-1

Security  (208) 769-3310

Power Outages (208) 769-3413

Hazardous Materials Incident  (208) 769-3413

Poison Control Center (800) 860-0620

9-1-1 Procedures

When to call:

• If life/property are in immediate danger
• If you see smoke or a fire
• If you see a crime
• If rescue or emergency medical assistance is needed

During the call:

• State the emergency
• Give the exact location and cross street
• DO NOT HANG UP

Examples: blood, vomit, semen, contaminated needles

If encountered:

• DO NOT CLEAN UP
• Contact:
  • your Supervisor
  • Facilities (208) 769-3413
  • Security (208) 769-3310
  • After hours (208)-769-3310
• Secure the area without touching contamination. (A trained staff member will assess the situation.)
• If skin contact with biohazard occurs, immediately wash the area with hot water and soap and report it to your supervisor.
• College employees who injure themselves and cause a blood spill should clean up the spill themselves, if possible, with a 10 percent bleach solution.

If you receive a telephone threat:

• REMAIN CALM
• Listen and try to keep the caller talking to gather more information. 
• After you hang up, call 9-1-1 immediately.

If you see a suspicious object:

• DO NOT TOUCH IT
• Keep others away.
• Call Security, (208) 769-3310.
• If evacuation is ordered, proceed to the appropriate assembly area.

If you receive a written threat:

• DO NOT TOUCH THE ITEM
• Keep others away.
• Call 9-1-1 immediately and Security at (208) 769-3310
• If evacuation is ordered, proceed to the appropriate assembly area.
• Promptly write everything you can remember about receiving the letter or parcel or finding the object for police.
• Stay calm.

If you see or hear an explosion:

• CALL 9-1-1 IMMEDIATELY and Security at (208) 769-3310
• Be prepared for more explosions
• Leave the area, if possible
• If unable to leave, take cover
• Stay away from windows, mirrors, overhead fixtures, filing cabinets, bookcases, heavy objects, and electrical equipment
• If evacuation is ordered, proceed to the appropriate assembly area
• Do not move seriously injured persons unless they are in immediate danger
• Open doors carefully. Watch for falling objects.
• Do not use elevators
• Do not use matches or lighters
• Be prepared for fire or power failures after explosions

When confronted:

• Get assistance from a colleague, if possible.
• Call 9-1-1 and then Security at 208-769-3310 if there is any doubt about safety.
• Be calm, polite and firm to defuse tension.
• Separate the person from others but remain in the public eye.
• Do not let the person put you or others into a corner; keep the person at least a leg-length away.
• Empathize with the person and acknowledge their feelings.
• Listen for clues as to the person’s motivation and likely causes of behavior.
• Do not physically touch, crowd, or confront the person.

Complete an Incident Report Form with Security ASAP.

If inside:

• DROP to the ground 
• Take COVER under a desk or table
• HOLD ON to desk/table until shaking stops

If driving:

• Go to a clear location, driving as little as possible to get there.
• Stay there with seatbelt fastened until shaking stops.
• Proceed with caution and avoid bridges or ramps that might have been damaged.

Before an earthquake, identify close safe places around you inside. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1sbkSfQa69Q

If you observe fire/smoke:

• Determine the location of the fire and what may be burning.
• Call 9-1-1.
• Provide your name and the location of the fire. If in a safe location, stay on the line with the dispatcher.
• If you hear the evacuation alarm, proceed to the appropriate assembly area.
• If the fire is small, you may attempt to put it out with a fire extinguisher if you have been properly trained. Do not jeopardize your personal safety.
• All fires, no matter how small, must be reported to Security at (208) 769-3310 immediately
• Evacuate your area if you are unable to put out the fire. Close the doors behind you to confine the fire. Proceed to the appropriate assembly area.
• Never allow the fire to come between you and the exit.
• Before opening the door, use the back of your hand to feel the top of the door, the doorknob, and the crack between the door and the doorframe. If it feels hot, use your secondary escape route. Even if the door feels cool, open it carefully. If the door is hot, or if smoke is visible, do not open the door. If you have to move through a burning or smoke-filled area, stay low to the ground or crawl. Use a damp cloth to breathe through if it is available.
• Don’t break a window unless it is the ONLY means of escape.
• If you can’t escape, leave the door closed, stay low to the floor, and hang a white or light-colored cloth in an outside window.
• Don’t use elevators.
• Don’t attempt to save possessions at the risk of person injury
• Do not return to the area until instructed to do so by a public safety official.

Disability tips:

• Persons using wheelchairs should move to areas of refuge, if available.
• If unavailable, shelter in place (remain in room until given an “all clear” or told to evacuate) unless the danger is imminent.
• Call 9-1-1 or Security at 208-769-3310 to report the location.

During chemical spills:

• If emergency services are needed, call 9-1-1 and then report the spill immediately to Security at 208-769-3310 and Facilities at 208-769-3413.
• Identify the material if possible. Is it leaking, spilling, or burning? Can you identify any placards or container labels?
• Get away and resist the urge to rush into a contaminated area. You can’t help others until you know what you are facing.
• Secure the scene without entering the immediate hazard area.
• Evacuate.
• Avoid inhalation of fumes, smoke and vapors. Move upwind, if outside.
• Don’t re-enter a contaminated area until cleared to do so by authorized authority.
• If you touch chemicals, immediately flush the affected area with water for 15 minutes. Use chemical showers and/or eye wash stations, if available.
• Complete an Incident Report Form with Facilities and Security within 24 hours.

• Call 9-1-1.
• Call Security, (208) 769-3310.
• Apply first aid, if trained, while waiting for first responders.
• If you can’t apply first aid, stay calm and with the person.
• Bystanders can assist by moving crowds away.
• Tips: Check breathing; give CPR (if necessary); control bleeding by direct pressure on the wound.

With evacuations, unless the situation is extremely severe and likely to further endanger the victim(s), leave those to emergency professionals.

If you experience a sex offense:

• Go to a safe place. If safety is not jeopardized, point out the perpetrator to others.
• Call someone you trust for support and possible accompaniment to the hospital and/or police station.
  • Rape Crisis Line - 208-664-9303
  • NIC Counseling and Health Services - (208) 769-5947
• Seek immediate medical attention if you have been assaulted or injured.
  • Hospital emergency rooms are equipped to treat physical injuries, sexually transmitted diseases, and pregnancy, and to collect evidence.
  • Evidence collection will take place only with consent, but it must be gathered within 72 hours of the attack.
  • Consider not bathing, changing clothes, or douching before going to the emergency room because this will destroy evidence that would be helpful in a future prosecution.
  • The hospital will help by informing the police if they were not already contacted.
• Call 9-1-1. (Reporting a sex offense does not mean one must prosecute.)
• For cases that will be prosecuted, it is best to:
  • Avoid immediately bathing or changing clothes to preserve evidence.
  • Avoid disturbing the scene or touching objects that were touched by the perpetrator.
  • Remember as many details about the perpetrator as possible, such as age; height; weight; hair, eye, and skin color; clothing; scars and other distinguishing marks; brand of cigarettes; make of car and license plate number; and verbal or body language habits.
  • Keep a written record of what happened.

Title IX and its implementing regulation, at 34 C.F.R. § 106.31 (a), provide that no person shall on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any academic, extracurricular, research, occupational training, or other education program or activity operated by the university.

Sexual harassment is a form of sex discrimination prohibited by Title IX. Sexual harassment is unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature. Sexual harassment can include unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal, nonverbal, or physical conduct of a sexual nature, including rape, sexual assault, sexual battery and sexual coercion or other sexual misconduct.

Sexual harassment of a student can deny or limit, on the basis of sex, the student's ability to participate in or to receive benefits, services, or opportunities in the school's program.

Any student, faculty or staff member with questions or concerns about sex discrimination or sexual harassment or who believes that he or she has been the victim of sex discrimination or sexual harassment may contact the Title IX Coordinator for assistance. The Title IX Coordinator is available to discuss options, explain college policies and procedures and provide education on relevant issues.

Title IX complaints involving student complainants and student respondents will be referred to the Title IX Coordinator for investigation and shall be subject to the STUDENT CONDUCT CODE.

The Title IX Coordinator for North Idaho College is:

Alex Harris
Title IX Coordinator
Director - Student Development
Office: Edminster Student Union Building 200E
Phone: (208) 769-5970 / (208) 676-7156
alex.harris@nic.edu

Online Resources

• Domestic Violence
• Dating Violence
• Sexual Assault
• Stalking
• Alcohol Awareness
• Safe Passage (Formerly the North Idaho Violence Prevention Center)

Phone Numbers

• Emergencies (on campus)  (208) 769-3310 (Security)
• Emergencies (off campus)  9-1-1
• NIC Counseling  (208)769-3447
• NIC Health Services  (208) 769-5947
• Kootenai Health ER  (208) 666-3000
• Victims of Domestic Violence  (208) 664-9303
• Women’s Center  (208) 664-9303

If you observe someone with a weapon, believe someone may have a weapon or hear shots:

• CALL 9-1-1 IMMEDIATELY and then Security at (208) 769-3310
• Observe at a distance and provide Police the following, if possible:
  • Your exact location and the location of the person(s) involved
  • What is currently happening or what has happened. Are there injuries?
  • A detailed description of the person or persons involved including gender, race, clothing, cap or hat, shoes, and distinguishing characteristics such as facial hair, glasses, etc.
  • Describe the weapon involved, if known
  • Describe any vehicle(s) that may be involved and license number(s), if available.
• Don’t confront a person whom you believe is armed.
• With gunfire, take cover, shelter-in-place, seek an area free from risk. Make every effort to get others out of the immediate area. If you are in harms way, close and lock doors and stay away from windows.
• Don’t take matters into your own hands as you may become the next victim. Be observant as the safety of others may depend on you.
• If confronted by an active shooter, the following are recommended:
  • Ask/plead with the person to put the weapon in a neutral location. Don’t argue, threaten, or block an exit. Do not make a sudden move to disarm the person. Know your ability to protect yourself.
  • If you have no other option and are near the shooter, fight back. This is dangerous and not recommended, but it could be your only option. Do what you can to disable or slow down the aggressor. You can use items as weapons: books, trash cans, or other small items.
  • If you are caught by the intruder and not going to fight, obey all commands and avoid eye contact. If violent action is likely, try to cover up or flee.

Report suspicious persons, behaviors, or unusual activities by calling 9-1-1 or Security at (208) 769-3310.

• Possible suicide bomber indicators (A-L-E-R-T):
  • Alone/nervous
  • Loose clothing (that may not fit the weather conditions)
  • Exposed wires, possibly through a sleeve
  • Rigid midsection that may be explosive device or rifle
  • Tightened hands that may hold detonation device
• If an explosion is seen or heard:
  • CALL 9-1-1 IMMEDIATELY and Security at (208) 769-3310
  • Be prepared for more explosions
  • Leave the area, if possible
  • If unable to leave, take cover
  • Stay away from windows, mirrors, overhead fixtures, filing cabinets, bookcases, heavy objects, and electrical equipment
  • If evacuation is ordered, proceed to the appropriate assembly area
  • Do not move seriously injured persons unless they are in immediate danger
  • Open doors carefully. Watch for falling objects.
  • Do not use elevators
  • Do not use matches or lighters
  • Be prepared for fire or power failures after explosions
• If there is an unusual odor or visible cloud, especially in the enclosed area:
  • Evacuate immediately
  • Call 9-1-1
  • Get outside to fresh air and seek medical help
  • If there is a physical reaction such as tearing, coughing, difficulty breathing, or sudden nausea do not attempt to rescue persons who collapse or become unconscious. You cannot help others until you know what you are facing.
• If you discover a suspicious object:
  • Call 9-1-1
  • Do not approach or touch the object. Note the description and the exact location of the object and report this as accurately as possible.
  • Evacuate the immediate area and do not allow others to enter.

Inclement Weather Information
Classes at outreach centers may be canceled independently of main campus, and vice versa. North Idaho College school closure information will be communicated via Cardinal Contact (voice/text/email notification system), www.nic.edu homepage, NIC Snow Closure Line at (800) 254-4526, Facebook and local media. Announcements will be made by approximately 6 a.m. Monday through Saturday for daytime classes and by approximately 2 p.m. Monday through Friday for classes that begin at 4 p.m. or later. 

Flooding and water damage

• During business hours, notify Facilities, 208-769-3413. After hours and holidays, call Security, (208) 769-3310. Give the exact location and severity of the leak.
• Notify your supervisor.
• If there are electrical appliances or outlets near the leak, use caution. Do not step into standing water.

Winter weather

• NIC occasionally cancels when severe winter weather threatens. To confirm that the college is closed, check the NIC website, local radio and TV stations, or call the weather hotline, (800) 254-4526.
• Do not drive unless you must.
• If caught in your car, wait in your car to be found.
• Wear several layers of loose-fitting, light weight, warm clothing rather than one layer of heavy clothing.
• Wear mittens instead of gloves and wear a hat or cap.
• Watch for symptoms of frostbite and hypothermia.

Thunder and lightning storms

• In a forest, seek shelter in a low area under a thick growth of small trees.
• In an open area, go to a low place such as a ravine or valley.
• In open water, get to land and find shelter immediately.
• If you feel your hair stand on end (indicates that lightning is about to strike), squat low to the ground on the balls of your feet. Place your hands over your ears and your head between your knees. Minimize your contact to the ground. DO NOT lie flat on the ground.
• Inform emergency and rescue personnel of any trapped person(s).