Emergency Response Planning
Contact: Maurine G. Claver, mgc3@psu.edu

This information is to be used for planning purposes only. It is not intended for use in the event of an emergency.

If you are in an emergency situation, call 911.

Emergency planning has been in the news recently for good reason. Having well-developed emergency plans provides a framework, procedures and resources for University personnel to rapidly and appropriately respond to emergency situations that pose a health or safety risk to people or the environment. EHS is responsible for ensuring the development of facility-specific emergency response plans that encompass the prevention of fires, explosions, hazardous materials releases and exposures and appropriate response actions. Working closely with individuals in laboratories, health services, hazardous materials storage areas, farms and other facilities, EHS and facility managers have developed many emergency plans that have been implemented during emergency situations and have been reviewed under a wide range of applications to ensure they are ready to implement when needed. The exact plan is dictated by the nature of the emergency. EHS also provides training in prevention and response measures, as well as "post-incident" reviews and appropriate modifications.

Planning for Fires:

EHS implements a number of measures to prevent fires, but, on occasion, fires may happen. The development of site-specific fire evacuation plans and drills provide assurance that individuals safely evacuate a building in the event of a fire. Many buildings at University Park have developed fire evacuation plans and have tested these plans during actual drills. EHS can assist facility managers in the development and implementation of these plans. The contact person for fire emergency response planning is Steven Triebold, Fire Protection Engineer, (sgt4@psu.edu)

Planning for Releases of Hazardous Materials

EHS is primarily responsible for ensuring appropriate measures are in-place during biological, chemical and radioactive spills, releases and related fires and explosions. Individuals using these materials are trained in their safe handling and use and response to spills and releases. Calls to University Police to report spills/releases are relayed to EHS personnel (24-hours/day). University Police also have access to spill response materials and have been trained in their use. Penn State has a Pennsylvania-certified Hazardous Materials team (HAZMAT team) readily available to respond to large spills/releases. The contact person for emergency response planning for each of these areas is given below. Formal spill prevention plans are prepared by EHS in conjunction with the facility’s management for certain chemical and oil storage facilities.

Chemicals: Kate Lumley-Sapanski, kxl3@psu.edu
Oil/Fuels: Lysa Holland, ljh17@psu.edu
Radioactive Material: Eric Boeldt, ejb6@psu.edu
Biological Material: Curt Speaker, css2@psu.edu