Campus Safety & Information Resources

• Assess the situation and contact 9-1-1 to report injury accidents or the Schoolcraft College Police Department for property damage accidents at 734-462-4424 or 4424 from any campus phone.
• Provide Emergency Responders with the following:
  • What occurred
  • Where it occurred
  • Any known injuries
  • When it occurred
  • Who was involved

An active shooter describes one or more armed persons whose only objective is to cause serious injury or death to as many persons as possible.  Normally there is no pattern concerning which victim will be selected by the intruder. However, there are certain things you can do to minimize your chances of becoming a victim. Incidents of this type tend to escalate very quickly and will require the immediate response from armed law enforcement officers to contain and stop the incident. In the following guide you will find certain suggestions that faculty members, students and staff can take if you are ever confronted with a situation of this nature. Remember to stay calm, follow these simple steps during an emergency and your chance of being a victim can be greatly reduced.

Shooting incident outside:

• Immediately run to a building, enter a room, and lock the door if possible.
• Drop anything you are carrying that may slow you down.
• If you can’t get inside, use a tree, vehicle, mailbox etc. for cover and concealment from the gunman.
• If you are caught out in the open get on the ground and lay flat, do not move until
  the gunman has left the area.
• As soon as possible call 9-1-1 and tell the police where you are and if you need any medical attention.
• Provide a detailed description of the assailant and the direction he/she was last observed travelling toward.

Shooting incident Inside of a building:

• Stay and shelter in place. Remain in a room that can be locked or barricaded.
• If you are not in a secure location and it is safe to move, go to a near-by room
  that can be locked or barricaded.
• Reinforce the door with furniture, desks, file cabinets or any other material available to you.
• Turn off the lights and computer monitors, close the blinds and cover any door
  window with an opaque cover.
• Keep as quiet as possible, stay down low near a wall away from the door and windows in the room.
• Place all cellular phones on silent or vibrate mode.
• Call 9-1-1 as soon as possible. Give your exact location to the police. Tell them how many others are with you and if anyone needs medical attention.
• Describe the assailant if he/she was observed by you.
• Do not open the door to any voice commands even if you recognize the voice.
• Wait until you are sure the police are present before opening the door.
  If needed, call 9-1-1 to confirm that law enforcement officers have arrived.
• If the assailant attempts to enter the room you are in, be prepared to throw objects at him/her and fight for your life!

When Police arrive:

• Follow the instructions of the police officers exactly.
• Keep your hands visible at all times.
• Do not touch anything at the crime scene.
• Do not leave the campus until you are instructed to do so by the police
  or Public Safety personnel.
• Remember you may be a witness to a crime and may be required to speak with investigators.

Take the caller seriously! DO NOT HANG-UP ON THE CALLER!

Remain calm and try to remember the exact words of the threat.  Write details down and attempt to learn answers to the following questions, if possible:

• “When is the bomb going to explode?”
• “Where is the bomb right now?”
• “What does the bomb look like?”
• “What kind of bomb is it?”
• “What will cause the bomb to explode?”
• “Did you place the bomb?”
• “Why is the bomb being placed?”
• “Who are you?”
• “Where are you? Where do you live?”
• “What is your phone number?”

Also, the police will want to know other details, if possible:

• Estimations on age, sex and race based on what was said and how it was said
• Any distinguishing aspects of their voice (tone, accent, slurred, impediment, etc.)
• Were there any background noises that could be heard

While the call is in progress, attempt to get someone’s attention and have him/her call the Schoolcraft College Police Department at 734-462-4424 or 4424 from any campus phone. If you cannot get assistance, call Campus Police as soon as the call ends.

Campus emergency phones are a crime deterrent because they are highly visible and easy to access. The phones provide peace of mind for parents, students, employees and visitors on campus. Persons that observe suspicious activity or crimes in progress can activate any of the emergency phones that dial directly to Schoolcraft College Police Department. 

Emergency phones are located at both the Main (Livonia) Campus and the Radcliff (Garden City) Campus.

Main Campus Emergency Phone locations:
(18600 Haggerty Road, Livonia, MI 48150)

• East Parking Lot, sidewalk, rear of the Health Science Center (HSC) Building
• East Parking Lot, sidewalk, rear of the Biomedical Technology Center (BTC) Building
• North Parking Lot, sidewalk, corner of Fox Dr., North Side of the Health Science Center (HSC) Building 
• North Parking Lot, sidewalk, corner of Chippewa, North Side of the VisTaTech (VT) Building
• North Parking Lot, across from Livonia Medical Center
• Fox Drive at Chippewa, between the BTC & HSC Buildings
• Bookstore Parking Lot, Southwest corner and Chippewa 
• Fox Drive, Southwest Corner of the Physical Education (PE) Building
• Forum Courtyard, west of the Forum, East of Grote
• Physical Education (PE) Building, Southeast corner (rear)
• Elite Sports Center front (south) sidewalk
• South Lot, East End sidewalk near the Liberal Arts (LA) Building 
• South Lot, West End sidewalk near the McDowell (MC) Building
• McDowell (MC) Building, sidewalk at Center Lot
• Jeffress Center (JC) Parking Lot, sidewalk near S/E entrance.
• Jeffress Center (JC) Patio
• McDowell (MC) /Liberal Arts-(LA) Building, sidewalk between buildings.
• Sports Dome Welcome Center Entrance
• Sports Dome Southeast Lot

Public Safety Training Center Phone locations:
(31777 Industrial Road, Livonia, MI 48150)

• Fire Tower entrance gate, 32303 Glendale, Livonia
• Fire Tower, outside wall near restroom.
• Academy Training Center (ATC) driving pad entrance gate, 31777 Industrial Dr., Livonia

Manufacturing and Engineering Center Phone locations:
(13001 Merriman, Livonia, MI 48150)

• West Entrance
• East Entrance
• West Parking Lot

Civil Disturbances include riots, demonstrations, or assemblies that have become significantly disruptive.

• Assess situation.
• Call 9-1-1 for any life threatening emergency.
• Call Schoolcraft College Police Department for all other disturbances at 734-462-4424 or 4424 from any campus phone.
• Avoid provoking or obstructing demonstrators.
• Secure your area (stay inside, lock buildings etc.).
• Continue normal routines (if possible).
• Stay away from windows and doors.
• Prepare for evacuation or relocation (Schoolcraft College Police Department will advise).

If you are outside:

• Go to an area away from trees, building, walls, and power lines.
• Drop to the ground in the fetal position until shaking stops.

If you are inside a building:

• If inside, stay inside. Don’t run outside.
• Take cover underneath a desk/table and protect your head.
• Stay away from windows or objects that could fall on you.
• Help others in need if requested.
• Persons in wheelchairs should lock their wheels.

After the Earthquake:

• Don’t use cell phones except to report serious injuries.
• Be prepared to evacuate.
• Listen for direction from Security Police or other First Responders.
• DO NOT ENTER BUILDINGS that do not look safe!

If you smell smoke or see flames in any building on campus:

• Manually activate the fire alarm system.
• Call 9-1-1.
• STOP-DROP-ROLL if your clothes catch on fire.
• If safe to do so, exit the building immediately, close doors.
• Drop to your hands and knees-crawl to an exit.
• Stay low and hold your breath as much as possible.
• Breathe shallow through the nose.
• If unable to exit, be prepared to signal to someone outside, but do not break windows as a rush of air will feed the fire.

If you are in a building when the fire alarm is activated:

• WALK to the nearest exit or stairwell.
• Assist persons with special needs.
• Notify First Responders if you know of someone trapped in the building.
• Feel the door with your back of your hand before using it.
• Do not attempt to save possessions at the risk of your safety.
• Do not use elevators.
• Do not break windows.
• Stay low if moving through the smoke.

• Evacuate the flooded area.
• Contact Schoolcraft College Police Department at 734-462-4424 or 4424 from any campus phone.
• Use extreme caution around electric wires, appliances, equipment, etc.
• Secure vital equipment and chemicals.
• Don’t return to the building unless you have been given instructions by Schoolcraft College Police Department.

Only trained and authorized personnel are permitted to respond to hazardous materials incidents! Employees must be trained in the safe use of chemicals or chemical management prior to working in a lab or cleaning up minor spills.

Minor spill or leak:

• Attempt to contain the spill.
• Wear proper Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) while cleaning up the spill/leak.
• Notify supervisor and call Schoolcraft College Police Department at 734-462-4424 or 4424 from any campus phone.

Major hazardous spill:

• Call Schoolcraft College Police Department immediately at 734-462-4424 or 4424 from any campus phone.
• Do not attempt to clean up the spill yourself.
• Provide clean-up/rescue personnel with appropriate Materials Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) and other important information.

Call Schoolcraft College Police Department at 734-462-4424 or 4424 from any campus phone and they will respond. Advanced Life Support will be contacted as needed.

There are Automatic External Defibrillators (AED’s) in every Schoolcraft building.  Students and staff are encouraged to become familiar with the location of building AED’s should they be needed in an emergency.

Mental health emergencies include:

• A person’s statements involving harm to self or others
• Strange / destructive behavior
• Severe emotional behavior

If you come in contact with a mental health emergency:

• Call 9-1-1 if the situation is life threatening.
• Call Schoolcraft College Police Department if the situation is non-life threatening at 734-462-4424 or 4424 from any campus phone.
• Remain calm…keep the person talking…call other resources to assist.

Resources:

• National Suicide Prevention Hotline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
• Schoolcraft College Counseling Center 734-462-4429 or 4429 from any campus phone.

Remain calm and notify Schoolcraft College Police Department at 734-462-4424 or 4424 from any campus phone.

Major Power Outage:

• Follow direction of Schoolcraft College Police Department.
• Shelter in place until the situation is evaluated.
• Lab personnel should secure all experiments and unplug electric equipment prior to evacuating.
• Do not light candles or any other type of flame for lighting.
• Turn off light switches. Unplug all electric equipment (Computer, etc.).

People trapped in Elevator:

• Keep the passengers calm and let them know you are getting help.
• Call 9-1-1 for any life-threatening emergency.

Call Schoolcraft College Police Department for non-life threatening emergencies.

Some characteristics of suspicious packages and envelopes include the following:

• Inappropriate or unusual labeling
  • Excessive postage 
  • Handwritten or poorly typed addresses
  • Misspellings of common words 
  • Strange return address or no return address 
  • Incorrect titles or title without a name 
  • Not addressed to a specific person 
  • Marked with restrictions, e.g. “Personal,” “Confidential” or “Do not x-ray”
  • Marked with threatening language
  • Postmarked from a city or state that does not match the return address
• Appearance
  • Powdery substance felt through or appearing on the package
  • Oily stains, discolorations or odor
  • Lopsided or uneven envelope
  • Excessive packaging material such as masking tape, string, etc.
• Other suspicious signs
  • Excessive weight
  • Ticking sound
  • Protruding wires or aluminum foil

Other things to consider:

1. Is the package expected?
2. Sent from someone known?
3. Addressed to someone no longer at the location or non-existent?
4. Unusual weight, size or shape?
5. Any threats?  Why would the victim be a target?

If a package or envelope appears suspicious, NON-EMERGENCY PERSONNEL SHOULD NOT OPEN OR TOUCH IT.  Call the Schoolcraft College Police Department at 734-462-4424 or 4424 from any campus phone and secure/clear the area.

Examples of behavior deemed threatening or harmful include:

• Stalking actions or other unwanted non-physical contacts by another.
  • Do not confront the stalker.
  • Call 9-1-1, or Schoolcraft College Police Department at 734-462-4424 or 4424 from any campus phone.
  • Seek safety with groups or others.
  • Note the physical description of the stalker, vehicle, etc.
• Assaultive actions involving unwanted physical contact.
  • Call 9-1-1, 734-462-4424 or 4424 from any campus phone.
  • Seek safety and medical attention if needed. Remain with the victim until EMS, Police arrive.
  • Domestic Violence shelters in Wayne County:
    • Interim House (Downtown) 313-861-5300
    • First Step (Westside) 734-722-6800 or 888-453-5900

Before:

• Be alert to changing weather conditions. Look for approaching storms.
• Look for the following danger signs:
  • Dark, often greenish sky
  • Large hail
  • A large, dark, low-lying cloud (particularly if rotating)
  • Loud roar, similar to a freight train
  • If you see approaching storms or any of the danger signs, be prepared to take shelter immediately.

During:

• Go to the pre-designated shelter areas that are marked on maps in each campus building.
• As a rule, if a building has no basement, go to the center of an interior room on the lowest level (closet, interior hallway) away from corners, windows, doors, and outside walls. Put as many walls as possible between you and the outside. Get under a sturdy table or desk and use your arms to protect your head and neck.
• In a high-rise building, go to a small interior room or hallway on the lowest floor possible.
• Do not open windows.

There are all kinds of emergencies out there that we can prepare for.  Take a zombie apocalypse for example. That’s right, z-o-m-b-i-e a-p-o-c-a-l-y-p-s-e. You may laugh now, but when it happens you’ll be happy you read this, and hey, maybe you’ll even learn a thing or two about how to prepare for a real emergency.

A Brief History of Zombies

We’ve all seen at least one movie about flesh-eating zombies taking over, but where do zombies come from and why do they love eating brains so much? The word zombie comes from Haitian and New Orleans voodoo origins. Although its meaning has changed slightly over the years, it refers to a human corpse mysteriously reanimated to serve the undead. Through ancient voodoo and folk-lore traditions, shows like the Walking Dead were born.

The rise of zombies in pop culture has given credence to the idea that a zombie apocalypse could happen. In such a scenario zombies would take over entire countries, roaming city streets eating anything living that got in their way. The proliferation of this idea has led many people to wonder “How do I prepare for a zombie apocalypse?”

Well, we’re here to answer that question for you, and hopefully share a few tips about preparing for real emergencies too!

Better Safe than Sorry

So what do you need to do before zombies…or hurricanes or pandemics for example, actually happen? First of all, you should have an emergency kit in your house. This includes things like water, food, and other supplies to get you through the first couple of days before you can locate a zombie-free refugee camp (or in the event of a natural disaster, it will buy you some time until you are able to make your way to an evacuation shelter or utility lines are restored). Below are a few items you should include in your kit, for a full list visit the CDC Emergency page.

• Water (1 gallon per person per day)
• Food (stock up on non-perishable items that you eat regularly)
• Medications (this includes prescription and non-prescription meds)
• Tools and Supplies (utility knife, duct tape, battery powered radio, etc.)
• Sanitation and Hygiene (household bleach, soap, towels, etc.)
• Clothing and Bedding (a change of clothes for each family member and blankets)
• Important documents (copies of your driver’s license, passport, and birth certificate to name a few)
• First Aid supplies (although you’re a goner if a zombie bites you, you can use these supplies to treat basic cuts and lacerations that you might get during a tornado or hurricane)

Once you’ve made your emergency kit, you should sit down with your family and come up with an emergency plan. This includes where you would go and who you would call if zombies started appearing outside your door step.  You can also implement this plan if there is a flood, earthquake, or other emergency.

1. Identify the types of emergencies that are possible in your area. Besides a zombie apocalypse, this may include floods, tornadoes, or earthquakes. If you are unsure contact your local Red Cross chapter for more information.

1. Pick a meeting place for your family to regroup in case zombies invade your home…or your town evacuates because of a hurricane. Pick one place right outside your home for sudden emergencies and one place outside of your neighborhood in case you are unable to return home right away.

1. Identify your emergency contacts. Make a list of local contacts like the police, fire department, and your local zombie response team. Also identify an out-of-state contact that you can call during an emergency to let the rest of your family know you are ok.

1. Plan your evacuation route. When zombies are hungry they won’t stop until they get food (i.e., brains), which means you need to get out of town fast! Plan where you would go and multiple routes you would take ahead of time so that the flesh eaters don’t have a chance! This is also helpful when natural disasters strike and you have to take shelter fast.

Zombie Apocalypse information borrowed from the Center for Disease Control (PDF)