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Emergency Preparedness
Bad Weather
During bad weather that causes classes to be cancelled, Facility Management personnel are still expected to arrive in kennels and care for the animals. No one else is available to care for them under these circumstances. If you cannot safely get to the facility then don’t. Contact classmate or facility supervisor so we know you are safe and can arrange to have animals taken care of. In the case that no students can safely get to the facility, the facility supervisor, or another staff or faculty member will care for the animals.
Earthquake: During the quake, remember to stop, drop, and hold. Once the tremors have stopped, take a good look around. Do not enter buildings that may have become unstable during the quake. Like you, your animals will be frightened and need reassurance. Be prepared for aftershocks.
Electrical outages
The city of Curtis has its own generator and in the last 30+ years the campus (and city) has never been without electricity for more than a couple of hours.
Electrical Outage Cat area
Confine cats to colony room. Provide extra blankets. Set up flashlights so they have some light.
Electrical Outage - Dog area
Severe cold and no electricity (no heat): Bring dogs inside. Close doggie doors to exercise area. Provide blankets. Set up flashlights in cyclone fencing so there will be at least a little light for them.
Electrical Outage – Other animal areas
Severe cold and no electricity (no heat): Cover cages with sheets and provide extra bedding where needed.
Emergency Management Kit - South Entrance: File Cabinet By VT Secretary’s Desk
Evacuation:
If the need to evacuate arises (fire etc.) the overall guidelines is that IF you have an animal with you and can easily leave, taking the animal with you do so. Otherwise leave the animals behind. We love all of them, but YOU are the most important.
Red Cross Shelters do not accept pets. Depending on the areas affected, as many animals as possible will be taken with students, faculty, and staff to other locations. Such locations include but are not limited to personal homes, veterinary clinics, and boarding facilities.
For animals that cannot be evacuated: Post a highly visible sign in a window to let rescue workers know how many and what type of pets were left behind. Leave plenty of water in a large open container which cannot be tipped over. Leave food in manner practical for species involved. Emergency water supply is kept in the Dog Storage Room.
Fire – Most Important:
- Leave the building immediately using the nearest door.
- Meet in the Student Union “The Barn"
- Do not re-enter building until approved by NCTA employee.
- If an animal can be easily taken with you when you leave do so otherwise do not.
- Do not enter buildings that are already burning, smoke inhalation will slow you down and possibly kill you. Leave this to fully equipped emergency personnel.
- Contact emergency personnel immediately.
Fire: Post a lookout for possible dangers. Have your trailer hitched and pointed towards the road. Leave barn and building doors unlocked. Put halters and collars on animals. If you believe that the barn or animal facility will burn before emergency personnel arrives, release the animals to a safer location. Animals often return to a place they know as home. If caught out in the open when the fire hits, seek areas with sparse vegetation or bare ground. Avoid trying to outrun the head of the fire, instead watch for slower burning flanks. Do not attempt to control the animals that are with you. Let them go free, they will have a better chance of escaping the fire. chances for survival are greater if they can escape easily. Human safety is paramount. Do what is practical for the animal and keep yourself safe.
Fire Alarms: Leave the building immediately using the nearest door. Meet on the south side of the vet tech building. Do not re-enter building until approved by NCTA employee.
First Aid Kits – Fire extinguishers and AED
What is Available
| Location | What is Available |
| Main South entrance – just inside first door | First aid kit, fire extinguisher, AED |
Main South entrance – File cabinet by VT Secretary’s desk | Extra first aid supplies |
North student entrance between Radiology and Animal Holding | First aid kit and fire extinguisher |
Anatomy Lab - Room 130: Above Light Switches | First aid kit and fire extinguisher |
| Clin. Path Lab - Room 123 | Fire blanket, MSDS book, fire extinguisher, first aid kit, shower and eyewash |
| Radiology Hallway - Room 162 | Eye wash station, First aid kit |
| Radiology Hallway – Room 1 | MSDS book & phone with outside line |
Animal Holding Break Room -Room 177: Black Shelf Under Microwave | First aid kit, phone with outside line, flashlights |
Teaching Clinic – Room 162C – Receptionist’s desk | First aid kit |
| Nursing and Animal Care Lab | Eye wash and shower |
Flood: If you receive notice of rapidly rising waters, move all animals, feed, and water to higher ground. Escape routes may be cut off quickly so avoid leaving animals in standing water or in areas that can be easily cut off by the flood. Do as much as you can without putting yourself in danger.
Lost Animals: Call or visit local Veterinary Clinics, Shelters and Sheriff Department. When deemed safe, post and distribute lost animal posters.
Radiation Exposure
Radiology Class
· Students must be 18 years of age or older to take Radiology Class.
· Exposure to radiation is monitored with film badges.
· Should a student be exposed to levels higher than those deemed safe for the public (500 mrems / year or 40 mrems per month), they will have to withdraw from the class and not participate in taking radiographs for the remainder of the year.
· Students are required to wear lead aprons when taking radiographs and adhere to all standard safety practices learned in the eight hours of required safety training.
· X-ray machines are registered with the State of Nebraska.
In the event of an emergency involving a radiation producing device, proceed with the following:
· Advise all people to vacate the area at once
· If possible, turn off the radiation producing device using the power switch of circuit breaker
· Vacate the room, but stay nearby in a safe area outside the room until released by a college official
Safety Data Sheets (SDS Books) -Yellow Binders Attached to Baskets on Walls
· Located in the Animal Holding Break room, the Clinical Pathology Lab, and Radiology Hall – Room 1
Shelter in Place: In case of an emergency where leaving the facility would be dangerous, an NCTA faculty or staff member or “School Announce” will indicate to “Shelter in Place” This means, stay in the room, lock the doors, and hide. People closest to the doors are to quickly lock the doors and barricade if possible. Stay quiet and OUT OF SIGHT. Take cover/protection using items such as closets, desks, or concrete walls. If it is safe to do so, leave as quietly as possible after going to a safe location have one person call 911 and provide information about the situation.
Tornado: Tornado Warning is a 5-minute siren. If the siren is sounded or NCTA personnel indicate a tornado threat, go immediately to a designated interior room or hallway on the ground floor. In the Veterinary Technology building interior rooms include but are not limited to the conference room, student mail room, radiology darkroom and the radiology hall. If an animal can be easily taken with you when you leave do so otherwise do not.
Thunderstorm
Bring all animals in if there is adequate time. All VT employees and students should seek shelter. Otherwise, the animals will be assessed after the thunderstorm has passed and any care or medical attention required will be provided.