October is SafeU Month at the University of Utah, and there will be dozens of opportunities to engage in safety awareness, education and training opportunities on campus. See what’s happening throughout the month here.
This fourth week (Oct. 21-27) of SafeU Month is focused on physical and environmental safety. The division of Emergency Management in the Department of Public Safety offers a variety of trainings and resources that help staff, students and faculty feel prepared should an emergency occur on campus.
Stop the Bleed
Uncontrolled bleeding is the leading cause of preventable death from a trauma. If you came across an injured person, could you save their life?
The Department of Public Safety (DPS) Division of Emergency Management and the trauma program from University of Utah Health have created an educational campaign and have distributed kits that empower staff, students and faculty to assist someone who has experienced physical trauma. Co-located with the university’s 200-plus Automated External Defibrillators across campus, these kits will aid in saving a life in an emergency situation.
“Stop the Bleed is a national program aimed at empowering individuals in a crisis to be the means of saving a life,” said Jeff Graviet, director of Emergency Management. “With a few basic instructions and some tools, we can equip our campus community with the ability to respond in an emergency situation where someone is losing a lot of blood.”
Watch the educational video that dramatizes a traumatic scenario in which someone is shot. Knowing what to expect could save a life.
To register for training and to learn how to apply a tourniquet, pack a wound and direct pressure and apply a halo chest seal, visit the Stop the Bleed website.
16/12 student preparedness
Sixteen ounces of water and 1200 calories is the minimum student emergency preparedness kit, according to Emergency Management. It is enough food and water to keep you going in an emergency.
“We don’t expect students to carry around enough food and water for three days. But, if you keep your water bottle full and always have a few energy bars in your purse or bag, you would have a capability to keep yourself fueled in an emergency,” said Stuart Moffatt, associate director of Emergency Management.
Below is a short list of important items to keep with you at all times. It is recommended that you keep even more resources in your car and consider if your family will also be on campus.
- 16 ounces of water
- 1200 calories (three protein bars)
- Medication
- Communications plan
- Flashlight
- Whistle
- Phone charger
- Download “U Heads Up”
Find out more here.
Staff and faculty preparedness
Because anything can happen at any time, Emergency Management recommends faculty and staff have an emergency kit in their office or car. The Department of Public Safety has One-Person 72-Hour Kits available for purchase. The kits contain necessities for emergency preparedness. Anyone can purchase the kit, including employees of the state of Utah or Salt Lake County. Find out more here.
“The Big 3”
For any emergency on campus, there are three protective actions that can help keep you safe.
The Big 3 are:
- Evacuate: If evacuation is needed, the key actions are to alert others, leave calmly but quickly, and know how to and where to assemble.
- Shelter in place: Used primarily during a weather-related emergency, “shelter in place” means individuals should find shelter in a building above ground, stay clear of windows and doors and continue to follow instructions as you receive updates via campus alerts, and remain sheltered in place until you receive the all-clear message.
- Secure in place: Used during an active threat of violence, “secure in place” means you should lock and barricade doors, turn off lights, silence phones, stay clear of windows, continue to follow instructions as you receive updates via campus alerts and remain in place until you receive the all-clear message.
Emergency Management personnel are training Emergency Response Coordinators for every building on campus—in an emergency, follow their lead. For more details, ask your coordinator or contact Emergency Management. For details on “The Big 3” protective actions, find out more here.
“It might seem daunting to remember an exact list of what you need to do for a long list of potential hazards and threats,” said Graviet. “However, if you can remember The Big 3—evacuate, shelter in place and secure in place, you will have a set of tools to help you stay safe on campus.”
U Heads Up!
You can find more information regarding crisis response by downloading the U Heads Up! app. The app provides a quick-reference campus emergency response guide for all kinds of hazards and threats on campus. For campus visitors, the app also provides emergency alerts about up-to-date crisis information.
Additional Resources
For more training and educational presentations from the Department of Public Safety, click here.
For more information regarding Emergency Management, visit the website.