Emergency Procedures

Active Shooter Bomb Threat Building Fire Life Safety
Civil Disturbance Emergency Contacts Elevator Malfunction
Evacuation Fire & Life Safety Flooding
Medical Emergency Power Failure Severe Weather
Tornadoes Toxic Hazards  

ACTIVE SHOOTER IN THE BUILDING:

  • Call Security or 9-1-1, and be prepared to give the following information concerning the incident:
    • CONTACTING AUTHORITIES - When you are safe:
      1. Your exact location (building, floor, room number).
      2. Specific location and direction of the assailant(s).
      3. Number of assailant(s).
      4. Sex, race and age of assailant(s).
      5. Clothing color and style.
      6. Number injured, types of injuries.

  • Run - if there is an accessible escape path, attempt to evacuate the premises:
    • Be sure to:
      • Have an escape route and plan in mind.
      • Evacuate regardless of whether others agree to follow.
      • Leave your belongings behind.
      • Help others escape, if possible.
      • Prevent individuals from entering an area where the active shooter may be.
      • Keep your hands visible.
      • Follow the instructions of any police officers.
      • Do not attempt to move wounded people.
      • Call 9-1-1 when you are safe.

  • Hide - if evacuation is not possible, find a place to hide where the active shooter is less likely to find you.
    • Your hiding place should:
      1. Be out of the active shooter's view.
      2. Provide protection if shots are fired in your direction (i.e., an office with a closed and locked door).
      3. Not trap you or restrict your options for movement.
    • To prevent an active shooter from entering your hiding place:
      1. Lock the door.
      2. Blockade the door with heavy furniture.
    • If the active shooter is nearby:
      1. Lock the door.
      2. Silence your cell phone and/or pager.
      3. Turn off any source of noise (i.e., radios, televisions).
      4. Hide behind large items (i.e., cabinets, desks).
      5. Remain quiet.
    • If evacuation and hiding out are not possible:
      1. Remain calm.
      2. Dial 9-1-1, if possible, to alert police to the active shooter's location.
      3. If you cannot speak, leave the line open and allow the dispatcher to listen.

  • Fight - As a last resort, and only when your life is in imminent danger, attempt to disrupt and/or incapacitate the active shooter by:
    1. Acting as aggressively as possible against him/her.
    2. Throwing items and improvising weapons.
    3. Yelling.
    4. Committing to your actions.

BOMB THREAT

  • If a Bomb Threat is received by the Management Office:
    1. The Police Department will be notified immediately.
    2. The tenant representative will be informed of the situation.
    3. A complete search of suspected and pre-defined search areas will be made by building security staff.

  • If a Bomb Threat is received by a Tenant:
    1. Document all details of the telephone call. Use the “Bomb Threat Check List” available from the Management Office.  Do not rely on memory.
    2. Keep the person on the telephone as long as possible and ask questions.
    3. Once the call has concluded, do not hang up the receiver. Use another land line telephone to call 9-1-1 and report the incident as soon as possible. Do not use your cellular phone or two-way radio to make calls because these devices can be used to trigger a detonation.
    4. Call the Management Office at (312) 357-2955 so that security personnel can be ready for the city’s responders.
    5. Finally, notify the designated floor warden on your floor.

  • If a suspicious object is found, be sure not to disturb the object until the proper officials advise tenants it is safe.

BUILDING FIRE & LIFE SAFETY

Click on the link below to view the Building Fire Life Safety Online Training video:

  • Life Safety at 131 S Dearborn
    • Fire drill training password: 131drill
    • Floor warden training password: 131warden
  • To register your SafetyNet account click here.
    • Fire drill training password: 131drill
    • Floor warden training password: 131warden

CIVIL DISTURBANCE

  • Should a riot or civil disturbance start outside the building, security officers will immediately lock all entrances to the building and the police will be notified. Tenants will be updated on the event as appropriate.
  • If a disturbance should occur in the main lobby, all elevators will be turned off at the first floor and the police will be summoned.

ELEVATOR MALFUNCTION

  • In the event of a problem with one of the elevators, such as doors not opening or the car stopping between floors, press the emergency "BELL" button. A building security officer will respond and speak directly with the elevator’s occupants while contacting the elevator company for assistance.

EMERGENCY CONTACTS

For your convenience, please find the following emergency contact information.  It is recommended to keep these numbers in a convenient place that is easily accessible.

Management Office (24-hour) (312) 357-2955
Lobby Security (312) 267-6860
Control Room (312) 267-6859

City of Chicago Emergency Contacts:

    1. Chicago Police Department 911 (Emergency)
    2. 311 (Non-Emergency) http://cityofchicago.org/311
    3. Ambulance Service 911 (Emergency)

  • Important Notes
    • If you call 911 as a result of a medical emergency, please be sure to also notify the Management Office with your name, call-back number and location so that security may swiftly guide the paramedics to your exact location.
    • If the audible alarm within the building sounds, please do not call the Management Office unless you have something specific to report. Building Management will be aware of the alarm and respond as quickly as possible.

EVACUATION

  • In the event of an emergency, it may be necessary for a floor or several floors to be evacuated. This evacuation will be announced via the building’s Public Address System.

  • Evacuation of Handicapped and/or Injured Personnel
    • Handicapped and/or injured individuals should wait in the stairwell landing of the occupying floor and remain with the pre-designated assistant or co-worker until the police and/or fire department arrive to assist with evacuation. The floor warden will be responsible to ensure that building management or security personnel are notified so that emergency personnel can be appropriately dispatched.

FIRE & LIFE SAFETY

FIRE SAFETY

  • In case of a fire, it is important to remain CALM:
    1. Call the Chicago Fire Department by dialing 911.  Provide them with the following information: exact location, floor, suite and building address, which is 131 South Dearborn Street.
    2. Alert the Management Office at (312) 357-2955 and others of the emergency on your floor.
    3. Listen carefully to announcements that are made through the public address system or by a member of the emergency evacuation team.
    4. Move to a safe location if you are in immediate danger, proceed to the nearest stairwell or exit.
  • Do not use elevators; use the emergency stairwells and close all doors behind you.

  • If the fire alarm sounds:
    • Remain calm and listen carefully to announcements that are made through the public address system or by a member of the emergency evacuation team.
    • Only the Chicago Fire Department has the authority to allow tenants to re-enter, as they will ensure that the building is safe for occupancy.

  • Fire Safety Tips
    • Doors should be touched with the back of hand prior to being opened. A hot door indicates fire on the opposite side and the door should not be opened.
    • If smoke is encountered, occupants should breathe through a handkerchief or piece of clothing to reduce smoke inhalation.
    • If caught in heavy smoke, drop to your hands and knees and crawl. Try to hold your breath as much as possible.
    • If clothing catches fire, people should stop, drop, and roll. Attempting to run will fan the flames and spread the fire.
    • If trapped in a room, the doors should be closed and the opening below the door should be covered with a towel and/or other object to limit smoke infiltration.

  • Fire Extinguishers
    • All fire extinguishers may be operated utilizing the PASS procedure:

      1. Pull pin
      2. Aim
      3. Squeeze lever
      4. Spray the base of the fire

    The Chicago Fire Department strongly encourages tenants to dial 911 to have trained fire fighters dispatched to extinguish the fire rather than attempting to extinguish the fire themselves. Never attempt to extinguish any fire larger than a small trash receptacle. Even if a fire is extinguished, the fire department still needs to be dispatched.

FLOODING

  • If you notice a leak within the building, please contact the Management Office at (312) 357-2955.

MEDICAL EMERGENCY

  • If an employee has a medical problem, dial 911 for assistance. Advise them of the following:
    • Tenant name
    • Building address
    • Floor and suite number
    • Name of individual needing medical assistance
    • Description of the problem
      • Notify the Management Office at (312) 357-2955 enabling building security staff to assist if necessary.
      • Please note that you should not move the individual needing medical assistance but should try to keep him or her comfortable.

POWER FAILURE

  • Due to circumstances beyond building control, utility service may be interrupted.
  • In the event of a power failure:
    • Remain calm and in place. Look around to see if the area affected by the power outage is within your suite only or on the entire floor. If the power outage has affected your suite only, call the Management Office at (312) 357-2955 to advise them of your situation.
    • Unplug all electrical appliances, computers and audiovisual equipment. It is also important to turn off all light switches in order to protect light bulbs and equipment in case a power surge occurs when electrical power is restored.
    • If the power outage occurs during daylight hours, open window shades to obtain natural lighting.  
    • It is strictly prohibited to light candles or have other types of open flame in the building. Instead, occupants should keep a supply of flashlights and batteries on hand.
  • Citadel Center contains an emergency generator that will supply power to emergency fixtures throughout each floor; as well as stairwells, restrooms and one passenger elevator in each elevator rise in the event of a power outage.

SEVERE WEATHER

  • If a major storm occurs, move away from the building exterior to an elevator lobby or an interior room without windows. Report any damage or storm related leaks to the Management Office at (312) 357-2955.

TORNADOES

  • Tornado Warning:
    • A tornado warning is an alert by the National Weather Service confirming a tornado sighting and location. The National Weather Service will announce the approximate time of detection and direction of the movement.
  • Public Warning:
    • A public warning is an alert by the County Civil Defense Warning System, which will be a three (3) minute steady alarm over the radio and/or television.
    • Tenants are urged to move away from the building exterior to an elevator lobby or an interior room without windows. Doors should be kept closed. Individuals should sit down in these areas and protect themselves by putting their head as close to their lap as possible or kneel protecting their head. If tenants are unable to get to an elevator lobby or an interior room without windows, they should seek protection under a desk or table.
    • Do not attempt to evacuate the building unless instructed by the proper authorities.

TOXIC HAZARDS

  • If there is a toxic spill or exposure, proceed immediately to an area where you are no longer exposed. Call 911. Provide the building’s address, your floor and phone number, and also what type of spill has occurred. Take appropriate action to contain the hazard; close doors behind you, and always follow all safety procedures when working with toxic materials.

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