IACUC Policies

University of Montana Laboratory Animal Resources Disaster Plan

Last updated: September 9, 2008

This document is designed to:

• prepare Laboratory Animal Resources (LAR) staff and animal users for potential emergencies,
• guide LAR staff and animal users during emergencies, and
• assist LAR staff and animal users in the avoidance and anticipation of dangerous situations.

Emergencies, accidents and injuries can occur at any time. Being prepared is key to minimizing the effects of emergency situations on the health and well-being of people and animals.

For more information on emergency procedures in LAR facilities, contact Dr. M. A. McCrackin, Director and Attending Veterinarian for LAR, (406) 243-6344 or (406) 360-1560.

General information

All LAR staff and animal users are strongly encouraged to read the entire disaster plan carefully. All personnel should be aware of the LAR facility floor plan and evacuation routes. Evacuation routes are conspicuously posted in the main corridors of all facilities near the main entrances. Both the Health Sciences and Skaggs Building LAR facilities have glass-enclosed, wall fire extinguishers located about half way down the main corridors from the main entrances.

You and your family should discuss action plans in case of a large scale disaster during the work day.

Preparedness

Know the locations of the following items in LAR:

Emergency information: manuals, telephone numbers

• Posted near telephones

Telephones

• HSB009 and half way down main corridor;
• SB041 and half way down main corridor

Stairs

• HSB: east and west ends of main corridor;
• SB: 2 doors west of main entrance and to the right outside of monkey “changing” room

Fire alarms and fire extinguishers

Fire alarm pulls are found in the following locations:

• Skaggs Building (there are no fire alarm pulls inside the LAR facility)
• 25 feet west of the main LAR entrance next to the stairwell
• Next to room 050 along the fire evacuation route
• Health Sciences Building (inside LAR facility)
• Next to room 008
• Next to west exit door

Fire extinguishers are located half way down the main corridors of HSB and SB

First aid kits

• HSB: HSB009 in vertical storage cabinets left side of room upon entry
• SB: half way down main corridor on top of refrigerator next to gray metal storage cabinet.

Eyewash station

• HSB 012 to left of dirty side of cage washer
• SB 034 to right side of sink

Flashlight and fresh batteries

• HSB 009, extra batteries in refrigerator
• SB 041, extra batteries in refrigerator

Portable radio and fresh batteries

• HSB 009 and SB 041

Everyone should carry personal emergency telephone numbers with them as much of the time as practical.

Emergency categories

Emergency situations will be divided into four categories for the purposes of this document:

• Natural disasters (earthquake, large winter storms, flooding),
• Facility malfunctions (ventilation or power failure),
• Hazardous material spills, and
• Security threats (bomb threats, animal rights demonstrations).

Emergency levels and response

Emergencies may also be categorized by the level of impact, ranging from equipment failure at a single facility to catastrophic building damage at multiple facilities. The operational organization necessary for responding to each level of emergency depends upon the size and complexity of the emergency and of the facility impacted.

Level 1 emergencies will be handled by LAR staff with little or no assistance. The Director of LAR and Attending Veterinarian will be notified of emergencies related to animal health and safety.

Level 2 emergencies will require outside assistance from other departments and/or city emergency response personnel. For instance, a bomb threat may involve University of Montana Public Safety personnel, Missoula Emergency Medical Services, and Missoula City or County Law Enforcement.

Level 2 emergencies typically involve a single facility or building. Damage assessment will be conducted by the Director of LAR and reported directly to Facility Services and Public Safety. The LAR staff member on site with highest seniority will assume these responsibilities in the absence of the Director. While level 2 emergencies may be extensive, local University and community resources are generally readily available to assist.

Level 3 emergencies are infrequent and catastrophic and will likely exceed the capacity of local emergency response teams. LAR staff may need to respond to the crisis for several hours or longer without outside assistance. As in level 2, the Director of LAR or the LAR staff member on site with highest seniority will communicate damages directly to Facility Services and Public Safety. Emergencies of this level are under the direction of the President of the University or his designee, as outlined in The University of Montana Disaster Plan. The LAR staff will follow all directives and instructions issued by these authorities.

Emergency Animal Care Principles

In all emergencies, human life and safety will take precedence over animal life. The LAR staff or animal users must not put themselves or their colleagues in danger in order to evacuate animals. The LAR staff will work together with the Director of LAR and Attending Veterinarian to determine appropriate actions based on the individual emergency situation.

In the event of a large scale disaster, euthanasia of animals may be necessary. Euthanasia will be a last resort and will be conducted under the direction of the Director or Attending Veterinarian.

Questions concerning emergency animal care may be directed to Dr. M. A. McCrackin, Director of LAR and Attending Veterinarian, (406) 243-6344 or (406) 360-1560.

Safety Information Principles

Access to the LAR facilities is restricted in order to provide safety for the health and well-being for the research animals and for the personnel who work there. Entry is coded on University Griz cards and granted by the Director of LAR or his/her designee. Individuals using LAR facilities should carry their Griz cards at all times and should not let strangers enter with them. After hours, the facilities are protected by a security alarm system and officers from the Department of Public Safety.

Reporting Incidents

All incidents, including threats, suspicious persons, thefts of property and any crime in progress, should be reported immediately to Public Safety (406) 243-4000 if a threat is present and (406) 243-6131 if no immediate threat exists.

The University of Montana Public Safety

• Life-threatening emergency: 9-911 or 243-4000;
• Non-emergency: 243-6131

When to Call

• Fire
• Localized flooding
• Major medical emergency - severe bleeding, head injuries, heart attack/severe chest pains, unconscious and/or not breathing, broken/dislocated joints or bones (excluding fingers and toes)
• Crime in progress

What to Say

• WHAT: Give the type of problem or injury
• WHERE: Give your facility name and address
• Health Sciences Basement LAR facility, HSB009, 243-4892
• Skaggs Building Basement LAR facility, SB041, 243-2358
• Quartermaster Stables, Fort Missoula Aviary, 243-6875
• HOW: Describe the emergency
• Step by step, how did it happen? Is the area safe?
• WHO: Victim information
• Give the number of ill, injured, or threatened and their ages, if possible.
• Give the victim’s medical history or doctor for major medical emergency.
• CONTACT: Give the telephone number to be used to call you back
• Stay on the phone. Do not hang up first. Emergency instructions may be given of more information requested.
• HELP: Return to help with the victim(s) if the area is safe

When NOT to Call

• DO NOT CALL to report that an EARTHQUAKE has occurred. Listen to the radio for damage information.
• DO NOT CALL to describe the WEATHER (for example, it’s snowing).

First Aid

Know who in your work group has first aid training and where the first aidkit(s) and automatic external defibrillator (AED) are located.

Response Actions

• Never move a person who is injured or unconscious
• Stay with the victim. Send someone else to call help (9-911 and 243-4000) unless you are the only other person present.
• Adults who have experienced a heart attack require immediate trained medical attention. Call for help first, then send someone for the AED unit and start CPR if you are properly trained.

Basic Procedures

• Always assess the scene for safety first. Do not risk your own life if danger still exists. Call for help, 9-911 and 243-4000. Once the scene is safe, first aid can be given.
• Wear gloves.
• Start breathing by opening the airway -- move the lower jaw open while maintaining the position of the head and neck. If victim is still not breathing, begin assisting ventilation if you are trained to do so.
• Check the carotid artery in the neck for a pulse. If there is no pulse, send a volunteer in the area for the AED located in the basement of the Skaggs Building to the right of room 025. Do not use the AED unless you are trained to do so.
• Stop bleeding by applying direct pressure to the wound using clean bandage material, paper towel, or gloved hand. Have the victim sit or lie down. Elevate the injured body part above the level of the heart.
• If someone is found choking, determine if the victim can speak or cough. Encourage coughing to dislodge the obstruction. If the victim is conscious and unable to cough or breathe, perform the Heimlich maneuver if you are trained to do so.

Major Medical Emergencies

Major medical emergencies include severe illnesses or injuries that require immediate hospital care. Minor illnesses such as strains and sprains may be treated by private physicians or urgent care facilities in Missoula.

Major medical emergencies include the following:

• Severe bleeding
• Head injuries
• Seizures
• Sudden onset of moderate or severe mental disorientation
• Severe chest pain or heart attack
• Unconscious and/or not breathing
• Broken/dislocated joints or bones (excluding fingers or toes)

Response Actions

1. Assess the situation. Is the scene safe?
2. If the scene is safe for assisting the victim, one person should stay with the victim and administer first aid, others should call for help.
3. Call Missoula Emergency Medical Services (9-911) and Public Safety (243-4000) and state that you need medical aid. Stay on the phone with the dispatcher and answer as many questions as possible so that additional information can be transmitted to the responding aid unit.
4. Give the following information to the dispatcher:
• Facility name, including building name and street address
• Room number and floor
• Type of problem or injury
• Individual information
• Sequence of events leading to the emergency
• Medical history or doctor (if known)
5. Call for additional help or instruct another bystander to get additional help
• Medical doctors:
• Dr. Lilian Calderon-Garciduenas (office 243-4723; SB287)
• Staff with EMT training:
• Dr. Doug Coffin (243-4723; 544-5342; office, SB174)
• Dr. M. A. McCrackin (243-6344; 360-1560; office, DHC005)
6. AED (Medtronic Lifepak defibrillator) location: to the right of SB025
• Go 40 feet to the west of LAR main entrance in the Skaggs Building and turn right. The AED box is visible at the north end of this hallway next to room 025.
• If you are not trained to use an AED, it is imperative that you know where it is so you can go get it while someone trained in CPR and AED use can stay with the victim and administer first aid.
7. Meet the EMS team in the parking lot to direct them to the location of the victim.

Utility Failures

The most common facility malfunctions that impact the laboratory animals are utility failures such as malfunction of the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system and power outages. Problems with the HVAC system typically occur in the “shoulder” months of spring and fall when the weather is changing, often on a daily basis in Montana.

Readiness

Know the location of a flashlight and back-up batteries.

• Skaggs Building room 041; back-up batteries in small refrigerator
• Health Sciences Building room 009; back-up batteries in large refrigerator

Know how to read both the animal room thermometers mounted in the main corridors and those permanently mounted inside the rooms.

• Digital thermometers mounted in hallway – read display screen
• Thermometers inside rooms are liquid column thermometers – read from top of liquid column

Know which portions of the facility are handled by different air handlers or can be affected uniquely.

• Skaggs Building
• Rooms 027-030 are supplied by an air handler at the north end of the hall (SB026)
• Rooms 032-041 are supplied by a separate air handler
• Health Sciences Building - two separate air handlers
• North side of the main corridor (rooms 004-009)
• South side of the main corridor (rooms 011-018)

Know the locations of temperature alarms

• Skaggs Building
• Room 032
• Room 027
• Health Sciences Building
• Room 006
• Room 018B

Response Actions

Monday through Friday call the work order desk at 243-6091. The work order desk is closed from 12 noon to 1 pm. Then call the DLAR or AV at 243-6344 or 360-1560.

After hours and on weekends, first verify the utility failure. If a temperature alarm has been activated, read the temperature of the room from both the hallway-mounted thermometer and the thermometer inside the room.

Temperatures below 65°F should be reported for correction by Facility Services. Call 243-6091 during regular business hours and Public Safety dispatch at 243-6131 after hours and on weekends. Describe the problem, the location of the problem (use specific building and room numbers), and your specific request that facility services be notified. Also request that the facility services personnel responding to the call contact you or the DLAR after the problem has been addressed.

In the event of power failure, locate the flashlight. Unplug all computers, monitors, printers, cage washers, and autoclave to prevent damage from electrical surge when the power is restored. Contact Public Safety and Facility Services as described above.

Major Winter Storms

Occasionally, major winter storms in Montana are associated with rapid and significant snow fall. Road conditions may preclude staff from arriving to work on time or at all. The safety of human life is always the priority in these situations. Employees should not risk their personal safety to take care of animals in the facility. However, employees who live near the University are asked to make efforts to arrive even if the University has been officially closed for classes.

Readiness

• It is a good idea to have winter safety equipment in personal vehicles, including sand, a shovel, tire chains, a broom, snow boots, insulated coveralls or other warm clothing, gloves, safety flares, potable water, and food.
• Keep important family phone numbers in case you are snowed in at work and cannot get home.

Response Actions

If a major storm occurs during the regular work week when bedding changes and full cage washes are scheduled and only 1 or 2 employees are able to make it to work, perform daily health checks in all animal rooms not scheduled for bedding changes or full cage washes first.

• If time allows AFTER daily health checks have been done, then do the scheduled bedding changes and full cage washes as time allows. If the entire room cannot be completed, be sure to do required daily health checks on remaining animals and write a note as to where the bedding changes or full cage washes stopped.
• Call the DLAR or AV to inform him/her of the status of the animals and the facility.

Fire

Smoke, heat, and toxic gases from a fire are the most common causes of fire-related deaths and injuries, not flames. Be aware that these deadly fire elements rise and collect at ceiling levels, pushing cooler, cleaner air toward the floor. While toxic gases and heat are often fire’s invisible killers, rising smoke may cover and hide exit signs above doorways. To get out of the building safely, you must be able to find the exits even if the signs are covered by smoke.

Readiness

• Locate building exits, fire extinguishers, and the fire alarm nearest your work area
• Identify at least 2 evacuation routes that lead safely outside the building. Review the floor plan maps for your facility. Maps are conspicuously posted in main corridors near the entrances.
• Locate the designated assembly place outside of your building. For both the Health Sciences and Skaggs Building LAR facilities, the assembly area is in the parking lot south of these 2 buildings.
• Notify the Director of LAR, Dr. M. A. McCrackin (243-6344, 360-1560), if you have a disability that may limit or impede your ability to evacuate the building in a timely manner. Assistance will be arranged to provide for your safe evacuation.
• Keep flammables in appropriate cabinets.
• Keep hallways clear.

Response Actions

1. Notify Public Safety and the Missoula Fire Department immediately
• Pull a fire alarm.
• If a phone is closer than a fire alarm, call Public Safety (243-4000) and the Missoula Fire Department (9-911) first. Then pull a fire alarm as you are evacuating the building.
2. Fire suppression
• Some small, well-contained fires, such as trash can fires, may allow use of a fire extinguisher.
• Do not use the fire extinguishers unless you are trained to do so.
• Fire extinguishers are located about half way along the main corridor of both the Health Sciences and Skaggs Building LAR facilities.
3. Evacuation procedures
• Leave the building by following the fire exit route posted in the main corridors of LAR facilities and near stair wells and elevators. Do not use elevators for evacuation.
• “GET LOW and GO” to avoid contaminated, smoke-filled air.
• “STOP, DROP, and ROLL” if your clothing catches on fire.
• Supervisors are the last to leave the area, accounting for all personnel at the designated assembly area.
4. After the fire marshal approves the building for re-entry, move rodent boxes from top shelves on racks to bottom shelves and larger mammals such as rabbits from top cages to bottom cages, away from any remaining toxic gases near the ceiling. Evacuate animals only at the direction of the Director of LAR or the Attending Veterinarian.

Earthquakes

Earthquake shaking may begin suddenly with a sharp jolt or slowly with a side to side motion. Earthquakes are generally noisy from creaking of buildings, objects falling and breaking, and the rumble of the earthquake itself. Do not try to leave any building during an earthquake as this is always unsafe.

Preparation

Check your work area(s) for heavy objects or equipment that could fall on top of you during an earthquake or that could block corridors, escape routes, and exits. Rearrange work areas as necessary to prevent these problems.

Be aware that you may not be able to get home after an earthquake due to blocked or damaged roads and/or bridges. Keep emergency supplies such as family phone numbers, flashlight, battery-operated radio, and first aid kit on hand.

Identify safe areas in the work place that will provide you with protection from falling objects such as sturdy tables or desks. In the event that these items are not close by, stand near an inside wall or in a hallway. Be aware that doors may swing back and forth uncontrollably.

Response Actions

During earthquake shaking

• If you are inside the building, DROP, COVER, and HOLD at the nearest safe area. Desks may move across the floor, so hold on tight to the furniture if it starts moving away from you. Turn your face toward your knees or to the floor.
• Shaking often lasts less than 10 – 30 seconds. Aftershocks can begin seconds, minutes, or hours after the initial earthquake. Be prepared to stop, cover, and hold again at any time.
• If you are outside when the earthquake starts, move away from buildings, power lines and utility poles.

After the earthquake shaking stops

• Be ready to DROP, COVER, and HOLD if the shaking starts again.
• Check to see that your co-workers are safe and uninjured. Do not move an injured person.
• Do not use candles, matches, or flames and do not turn electrical equipment on or off. Flames and electrical sparks can cause leaking gas to ignite or explode.
• Check the building for safety. Evacuate if there is a fire, broken gas pipes, or severe structural damage to the building. Fallen light fixtures, ceiling tiles and paint cracks do not indicate damage to the structure.
• Remember to use caution when trying to go home. Roads and bridges may be damaged and unsafe.

Earthquake Evacuation

• After the safety of evacuation routes has been verified, exit according to established fire evacuation plans. Follow the instructions of your supervisor or other security personnel on site if the fire evacuation route is blocked or unsafe.
• Use the stairs, not the elevator.
• Do not attempt to remove animals from the building.
• Call for emergency assistance only if someone is injured or has a medical emergency. The authorities already know there was an earthquake. Unnecessary phone calls may delay emergency responders.
• Listen to the radio for information.
• Go directly to the assigned assembly area so that all personnel can be accounted for as quickly as possible.

Animal Activist Demonstration

Employees need to be aware of their surroundings at all times and of unauthorized or suspicious persons attempting to gain access to animal facilities. Activists may pretend to have authority to gain access or may claim to “have a delivery,” an “appointment,” or to have left their card access elsewhere. All animal areas are secure areas. Employees and animal users are required to carry their Griz cards at all times when in the animal facilities.

Response Actions

• Remain calm.
• Be courteous.
• Avoid an incident.
• If you arrive during a disturbance, leave the area at once.
• If you are inside the building, stay in your office or work area.
• If you are inside the building and need to leave, request an escort from Public Safety, 243-6131.
• Use the stairs to exit the building rather than the elevators.
• If you learn of animal activists targeting The University of Montana in any way, including researchers’ homes, main facilities, or satellite facilities, alert the DLAR or AV and Public Safety.

Bomb threat, Bomb or Suspicious Item Found

Bomb threats are usually received by telephone but can also come by note or letter. Most telephoned bomb threats are made by callers who want to create an atmosphere of general anxiety and panic, but all such calls are to be taken seriously and handled as though an explosive is in the building. If you receive a bomb threat by telephone, do not hang up. It is important that you remain calm and try to prolong the conversation to get as much information as possible. After the call has ended, immediately call Public Safety, 243-4000.

ALWAYS PRESUME THAT BOMB THREATS ARE REAL.

Check mail and packages for anything that appears out of place, such as unusual packaging, lack of return address, or signs of stains or leakage on the package. Carefully survey all mail after a bomb threat has been received by phone, note, or e-mail. Note any package, foreign object, or odd device located in an unusual place.

Building evacuation may be necessary after a bomb threat or the finding of a suspicious package or item. Evacuation should proceed along established fire evacuation routes.

Bomb Threat by Phone: Response Actions

• Remain calm
• Stay on the telephone
• Collect as much information as possible. Follow the bomb threat check list.
• Report the threat to Public Safety, 243-4000. If possible, get a co-worker to do this while you continue talking to the caller.
• Survey your work area for unusual packages or foreign objects in an unusual place. If you find something, do not touch it. Contact Public Safety, 243-4000, to alert them of the location.

Suspected Bomb or Suspicious Item Found: Response Actions

• If you see a package or foreign object in an unusual place, leave it alone. Do not touch it.
• Quickly study the size, location, and any other specific details you can remember about the object.
• Call Public Safety, 243-6131

Bomb Threat Evacuation: Response Actions

• Leave the building immediately using established fire evacuation routes.
• Note the size and location of any unfamiliar, strange, or suspicious objects on your way out.
• Go directly to the assembly area (south side of SB or south side of HSB) so that all personnel can be accounted for.
• Move at least 200 feet away from the building.
• Stay outside the building until you are told by Public Safety or your supervisor that is safe to re-enter the building.

Adapted from Washington University in St. Louis, Division of Comparative Medicine Animal Facility Emergency Guide (pdf).