Emergency situations can occur at any time. Remember, we are a long way from emergency services and professional response may not be timely. The most effective way to plan for emergencies is through prevention and good safety practices.

I. BUILDING EVACUATION PROCEDURE

These procedures shall be followed when conditions are created which require building evacuation:

A. Inform other persons in your immediate area as to the reason for evacuation.

B. Exit the building by the nearest door.

C. Close all doors as you leave.

D. Help those who need assistance, especially disabled persons.

E. Report to the designated area in the PARKING LOT.

F. If neither the Director nor the Maintenance Worker are present, send someone to find one of them.

G. If the hazard is too great, evacuate to the second designated area, the Entrance Road. Make sure everyone evacuates.

H. In the absence of the Director, his spouse, or the Maintenance Worker, the researcher present with seniority at SNARL shall be in charge and make decisions regarding evacuation, perform head counts, etc.

II. IN CASE OF STRUCTURAL FIRE

A. Alert other persons that fire is in progress.

B. If the fire is small, put fire out with fire extinguisher by following instructions on extinguisher.

Notify the Director so the fire may be reported properly.

C. If fire is large telephone 9-1-1, inform the operator as to the nature of the emergency and give detailed instructions on how to locate SNARL (see attached directions).

D. Evacuate all persons and meet at the first designated area in the PARKING LOT.

E. If neither the Director nor the Maintenance Worker is present, send someone to find them.

F. Turn off propane at valve on big tank.

G. Check all buildings and rooms and evacuate people in those areas. Never enter a room without a backup person being present. Feel doors at the top for heat before opening and close door upon exiting.

H. If available, start-up fire pump using posted procedure and use fire hose to douse fire until assistance arrives.

I. If available, use garden hose to douse fire until assistance arrives.

J. If fire becomes too dangerous, evacuate the area and meet at the second designated area, the ENTRANCE ROAD. Make sure everyone evacuates the area.

K. Do not re-enter the building until authorized to do so by the County Fire Department, the Director or the Maintenance Worker.

L. If a fire extinguisher has been discharged, notify the Director or the maintenance worker so it can be sent for servicing.

III. IN CASE OF WILD FIRE

MINOR FIRE ON SNARL PROPERTY

A. Alert other persons that fire is in progress. Send someone to locate the Director or the Maintenance Worker.

B. If the fire is small, use a shovel to smother the flames with dirt.

C. If the fire gets out of control, call 9-1-1 to request assistance. If possible, turn off propane at valve on big tank then follow evacuation procedures.

MAJOR FIRE ON/NEAR SNARL PROPERTY

A. Call 9-1-1 to report the fire.

B. Alert other persons that fire is in progress.

C. Keep close contact with County Fire Department and be prepared to implement procedures for structural fire and evacuation if necessary.

IV. IN CASE OF EARTHQUAKE

A. During the earthquake get under a table or desk and remain there until the shaking stops.

B. Stay away from windows and cabinets.

C. After the shaking stops, survey your area for damage and trapped persons.

D. If the earthquake was large evacuate all persons to the first designated area, the PARKING LOT.

E. If neither the Director nor the Maintenance Worker is present, send someone to find them.

F. If the quake was large, shut off the propane at the valve on the big tank.

G. Check all buildings and rooms and evacuate persons in those areas.

H. Do not re-enter the building until authorized to do so.

I. If research animals are being maintained on the property, check for injuries and escapees.

J. If outside, get to an open area away from trees, buildings and power lines.

K. If in a vehicle, pull to the side of the road away from underpasses, bridges and buildings. Remain in the vehicle until the shaking stops. Do not leave the vehicle if a power line has fallen on or near it.

V. CHEMICAL SPILLS

MINOR SPILL – characterized by the capability of on-site personnel to clean up the spill without assistance of outside emergency personnel.

A. Alert people in immediate area of spill.

B. Avoid breathing vapors from spill.

C. Confine spill to a small area.

D. Use appropriate kit to neutralize and absorb inorganic acids and bases. Sodium bicarbonate (for acids) can be found in the chemical cabinets and mercury absorbent is stored under the island cabinet in chemistry lab 3. Collect residue, place in container, and dispose as chemical waste.

E. For other chemicals, use appropriate kit or absorb spill with vermiculite, dry sand, or diatomaceous earth. Clean spill area as appropriate for the chemical.

F. If additional help, materials or expertise is required, send someone to locate the Director.

G. Notify Environmental Health and Safety and the Director to explain details and circumstances surrounding the accident.

H. If chemical spills on body, flood exposed area with running water from faucet or safety shower for at least five minutes. If a hazardous material is splashed in the eye, immediately rinse eyeball with water continuously for 15 minutes. Forcibly hold eye open to ensure effective wash behind eyelids.

MAJOR SPILL – characterized by 1) a life-threatening condition, 2) a condition that requires outside help i.e. fire or police, 3) the condition requires immediate evacuation of the building or area.

A. Alert people in the involved area to the hazardous condition.

B. Evacuate the impacted area.

C. Close doors and divert people away from the spill area.

D. Telephone 9-1-1 and identify the nature of the emergency and the location. Provide detailed instructions on how to locate SNARL (see attached directions). Provide as much specific information about the material spilled as you can.

E. If he is not present, locate the Director.

VI. RADIATION SPILLS

A. Inform all personnel in the laboratory that a spill has occurred. Limit and contain the spill by covering with absorbent pads or paper towels. Evacuate uncontaminated personnel to nearby safe areas.

B. Monitor all potentially contaminated personnel and do not allow them to leave the area. If personally contaminated, remove contaminated clothing, wash skin contamination with soap and water. Do not use abrasives or solvents.

C. Notify Environmental Health and Safety and the Director about the spill. Obtain advice on decontamination techniques and determine the effectiveness of decontamination. Don appropriate personal protective equipment (e.g., laboratory coats, and leg coverings, gloves and shoe covers, safety glasses or face shields, etc.).

D. Formulate a decontamination plan and assemble necessary supplies such as additional gloves, soap, brushes, absorbent paper and radioactive waste containers.

E. Generally, decontaminate the least contaminated areas first. Avoid using large amounts of water since this may spread the contamination. Frequently monitor spill area to determine effectiveness of decontamination.

F. In the event of serious physical injury with possible radioactive contamination, prompt medical attention and hospitalization takes precedence over all other concerns. Dial 9-1-1, request an ambulance, describe the accident and provide first aid as required.

VII. ANIMAL CARE IN EVACUATION SITUATION

In the event of an emergency that requires the evacuation of research animals on the reserve and the evacuation will not result in harm to humans, do the following:

A. Evacuation of animals only applies to animals held in the animal quarters or observation corrals. No attempt will be made to evacuate fish held in stream channels

B. Inform someone where you are going. Evacuate as many animals as you can per their IACUC-approved protocols. Do not remove animals from cages, rather place the cages in a covered vehicle and cover cages if possible. Animals can only be released if the IACUC-approved protocol permits it and with consultation with PI and Director. Report to the designated evacuation area, the Parking Lot.

C. In the event that you cannot safely evacuate the animals, check all animals for injuries and escapees immediately after the crisis. Check all equipment for damage.

VIII. EMERGENCY FIRST AID

A. For response to medical emergencies, one should have some training in basic first aid. If not, and no alternative help is available, refer to the First Aid Manual in the First Aid kit. First Aid kits are in the dorm and main lab.

B. In any circumstance where an individual is unconscious or having a serious medical emergency, call 9-1-1. Tell the dispatcher the nature of the emergency and give detailed instructions on how to locate SNARL (see attached directions).

C. Send for additional help as soon as possible.

D. SNARL users are encouraged to have basic First Aid and CPR training.

E. If someone directly contacts a hazardous material:

1. Remove any contaminated clothing.

2. Wash hands and exposed areas with a mild detergent and water.

3. Shower necessary; shower is located in lab restroom.

4. If eyes have been contaminated, flush with water for 15 minutes.

5. Emergency eye wash is located in the chemistry lab.

6. For additional care transport individual to Emergency Room or telephone 911.

IX. EMERGENCY UTILITY FAILURE

PROPANE

A. If you smell or otherwise detect a leak of propane, cease all operations; follow evacuation procedures. DO NOT TURN ON OR OFF ANY LIGHT SWITCH OR ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT.

B. Turn propane off at valve on end of big tank.

C. If neither the Director nor the Maintenance Worker is present, send someone to find them.

D. Telephone Amerigas Company at 934-2213. Explain nature of emergency.

FLOODING/PLUMBING FAILURE

A. Do not touch energized electrical devices while you are standing in an area flooded with water.

B. Shut off main water valve behind water pressure tank, near water heater, in generator room, in rear of boat garage.

C. Contact the Director or the Maintenance Worker.

ELECTRICAL

A. If back-up generator starts, turn off as much electrical equipment as possible to prevent overload.

B. Telephone Southern CA Edison Co. at 1-800-661-1911 to report failure.

Mono County now has a computerized 9-1-1 system. The dispatcher answering your call should know where you are, based on what phone you use. Each building at SNARL has a unique address for 9-1-1 purposes. If there is any confusion tell the operator “ I am at the Sierra Nevada Aquatic Research Laboratory, SNARL, located on Mt. Morrison Road. Mt. Morrison Road is on the west side of US 395, one-half mile south of the Benton Crossing Road. It is the street with the South Mono County Cemetery”.

1. Store flammable reagents in approved safety containers in cabinets.

2. Store flammable waste in approved safety containers provided by the Director.

3. Dispense and use flammable liquids in accordance with established safety standards.

THERE IS NO SMOKING PERMITTED ANYWHERE ON SNARL PROPERTY. Smoking is permitted outside the gate on the Entrance Road. Do not discard butts on the ground.

4. Gasoline, paint thinner and other flammable materials are to be stored in flammable materials cabinets only. These are located in the Maintenance Garage and Fish House Garage.

5. Do not obstruct aisles that lead to exit doors.

6. If any of the smoke alarms installed in the facilities emits a noise, report this to the Director or Maintenance Worker. DO NOT, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, REMOVE THE BATTERIES FROM THE SMOKE ALARMS.

1. Hold the extinguisher UPRIGHT and PULL the ring pin, snapping the plastic seal.

2. STAND BACK from the fire TEN FEET and AIM at the BASE of the fire nearest you.

3. Keeping the extinguisher UPRIGHT, squeeze the HANDLES TOGETHER to discharge and SWEEP from side to side. Move closer as the fire is extinguished, but NOT SO CLOSE as to scatter the burning material.

4. When the fire is out, watch for RE-INGITION.

5. EVACUATE and VENTILATE the area immediately after use. The fumes and smoke from any fire may be hazardous and can be deadly.

Dan Dawson

Resident Director, Q7

Office Phone: 760-935-4334

Home Phone: 760-935-4356

Cell Phone: 760-937-4198

JD Delabar

Maintenance Supervisor

Office Phone: 760-935-4503

Home Phone: 760-873-8142

Cell Phone: 760-920-9997

Kim Rose

Administrative Assistant

Office Phone: 760-935-4503

Home Phone: 760-934-3208

Cell Phone: 661-246-5205