You should read and understand all guidelines relating to responding in emergency situations. After familiarizing yourself with this information, any questions should be discussed promptly with the Program Director or Executive Director.
Accidents/Medical Emergencies
If you observe a person who appears to be injured or ill:
Notify the Department Supervisor. If an ambulance is needed, your Supervisor will call to have one dispatched.
Avoid unnecessary conversation with, or about, the ill or injured person.
Limit your communication with the injured person to quiet assurances and let them know that help is on the way.
DO NOT attempt to move a person who has fallen and appears to be in pain.
Do not discuss the possible cause of an accident or other conditions that might have contributed to the cause.
You should take whatever action they can to prevent further aggravation of the injury before the arrival of the Emergency Medical Services.
In the case of minor accidents or illnesses, the person’s wishes should be followed. First Aid kits are located in all Computer Mentors locations.
Evacuation
The actual notification to evacuate may be either via Computer Mentors emergency fire alarm or the Administration staff. NOTE: when evacuating the building do not use the elevator and always leave through the closest exit. Stay calm and leave quickly and safely.
When the evacuation alarm sounds or you are told to evacuate – Remain calm, Leave quickly and safely, Supervisors are to check nearby restrooms, etc.
Supervisors are to accompany and help handicapped personnel, visitors and co-workers who may need calm direction or assistance.
Take your car keys, purses, briefcases, etc. (not large or heavy objects).
Shut all doors behind you as you go.
Closed doors can slow the spread of fire, smoke and water.
Once out of the building, move away from the structure.
Supervisors should take a count of their employees.
Report any problems to Computer Mentors Director (or designee).
Return to the work area only after it has been declared safe by the fire officials.
Fire(s)
If the fire is small, attempt to put it out with an extinguisher.
Notify the Department Supervisor and the Director immediately.
Never allow the fire to come between you and the exit.
DO NOT JEOPARDIZE YOUR PERSONAL SAFETY.
Take keys and purses (if they are available).
Do not attempt to save possessions at the risk of personal safety.
Return to the work area only after it has been declared safe by fire officials.
IF THE FIRE ALARM SOUNDS: Close all doors to contain the fire.
Do not use the elevators. Know at least two ways out of the building from your workspace.
All employees and patrons should leave the building in a safe and deliberate manner.
Move a safe distance from the building. This will keep the area free for the fire fighters to work.
Supervisors should take a count of their employees and communicate any problems to the fire officials.
Safety Prevention and safe work habits are important.
A safe environment lowers the chances of having an accident. The following is a partial list of potential safety hazards and tips on how to minimize the dangers:
Wet floors: do not walk on wet floors. They can be slippery.
Blocked doors: do not block doors. This can cause an exit to be unavailable during an emergency.
Missing fire extinguisher: please report any missing fire extinguishers to the supervisor in the area.
Strange odors: be alert for strange odors. Notify the department supervisor and the maintenance department immediately.
Safe work area: clean your work area after each project. Report any safety concerns to the department supervisor and maintenance.
Power failure: emergency lights are installed throughout the computer mentors facilities to provide some lighting in the event of a power failure. Unless the power failure is caused by severe weather, staff members should move all visitors from public areas to the computer mentors main entrance. As long as the power is out, the computer mentors facility is closed to the public. For prolonged outages, the director may determine that the computer mentors facility will close for the remainder of the affected day.
Telephone threat: it is possible that staff members may receive a threatening telephone call pertaining to a bomb or personal harm. Responses to a telephone threat-stay calm and write down the time, listen carefully, be polite and show interest. Write down everything the caller says, listen for background noises and write it down, and ask the person to repeat everything and write it down. Do not hang up after the caller hangs up. Write down the time. Notify the director. The director (or designee) will make the decision to evacuate the facility. The director (or designee) will notify the police. The director (or designee) will organize and direct all searches at the request of the authorities. Do not talk to the press or outsiders. Answer all questions from the director (or designee) and police/fire/emergency officials. Do not transfer the threatening call. Only one person should talk to the caller.
Severe Weather
When the weather appears threatening the Director (or designee) will keep abreast of all severe weather warnings and keep Supervisors informed. The Director (or designee) will determine if the facility will remain open or close. If seeking shelter becomes imminent, your Department Supervisor will be responsible for evacuating their area, securing all offices and leading staff members and clients to a safe area. Supervisors should check each department and lend any help that is needed.
Computer Mentors follows Hillsborough County School calendar and follows their lead for closing during sever weather. An easy “rule of thumb” is that if schools are closed or close, Computer Mentors is also closed.