Emergency / Disaster Policy
Fire
Do not panic, but do not under-estimate the potential danger to customers or staff represented by a fire. At the first indication of smoke or flame, investigate the situation to determine location and extent of the fire. If the fire can obviously be contained and extinguished quickly and safely by staff, proceed to do so. However, if there is any doubt about whether the fire can be controlled, immediately call 911 or the fire department and then clear the building.
The time to think about fires is before they happen. Familiarize yourself with the type, location, and application of the fire extinguisher(s) in the building. Orient all staff and volunteers to this information. If you share a building with another agency and it occasionally initiates fire drills, library staff should respect those training exercises and respond as they would in the case of a real fire.
Health emergencies
Staff members should exercise caution when administering first aid of even a minor nature because of the safety of the injured individual and the potential liability of the staff member. Without specialized training it is not advisable for staff to undertake more than keeping the sick or injured patron comfortable and protected from needless disturbance until medical help can be obtained. Since each case is unique, staff members should use their own judgement to do what is prudent and reasonable.
All staff members will be trained on use of the AED Machine.
The Rescue Squad/Police (911 if available) should be called immediately in the event of any serious problem.
No medication, including aspirin, should ever be dispensed to the public.
Bomb threats
- Keep the caller on the line as long as possible. Ask the caller to repeat the message and try to write down every word spoken by the person.
- If the caller does not indicate the location of the bomb or the time of possible detonation, ASK FOR THIS INFORMATION.
- Pay particular attention to peculiar background noises such as motors running, background music and any other sounds which may indicate where the location from which the call is originating.
- Listen closely to the voice (male, female), voice quality (calm, excited), accents and speech impediments.
- Immediately after the caller hangs up, call the police. Clear the building. The police will handle the actual bomb search.
Snow storms
The Library will follow the recommendation and actions of the city (or village) between 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Closing during other days and hours will be at the discretion of the Library Director.
Tornado Warnings
- Stay calm.
- In the event of a tornado warning the librarian on duty will take all patrons into one of the restrooms.
- The librarians will keep everyone in the restroom until the tornado warning has expired or there is no longer the threat of a tornado.
- The librarian will also take the telephone and/or a cell phone with them into the restroom just in case they need to call for emergency services or check the radar or storm alerts.
Policy to be reviewed/revised every three years:
Approved 9/13/2016
Created 9/2/2016