The Manassas Campus Police 24/7 emergency number is (703) 368-3998. We recommend you add this number to your “speed dial.”

During certain emergency situations, such as inclement weather, chemical, biological or radioactive material releases, or other kinds of violent acts, you may be advised to “shelter in place” rather than evacuate the building.

The signal for a shelter in place is a sound like an air raid siren, which may be followed by voice messages.

There are two kinds of shelters in place. One is for a weather related emergencies; the other is for a police emergency. The voice message should indicate which circumstance exists.

For a tornado, first follow the directions of the Emergency Wardens to get to the designated Assembly Area, which will be an area away from windows and external or hallway doors.

The difference between a TORNADO WATCH and a WARNING:

• A tornado watch means weather conditions are favorable for a tornado to develop. People should be alert for approaching storms, classes will continue.
• A tornado warning means a tornado or funnel cloud has been sighted, or is indicated on weather radar. Whenever possible the college Emergency Alert Warning System (EAWS) will be activated. People should seek shelter IMMEDIATELY.
  

To report a tornado:

If you are on campus, contact College Police. If you are off campus, call 9-1-1.

Protect yourself:

• Go to the designated Assembly Area, as guided by Emergency Wardens or other College employees.
• Shelters should be a lower level, windowless interior room such as a closet, bathroom, interior hall, etc. The Auditorium and the Library classroom are two designated Assembly Areas in Colgan Hall. Room 216 and the Counseling Conference Room are two designated Assembly Areas in Howsmon Hall. People in other buildings must get as far away from windows and doors as possible and get down onto the floor.
• Get under a sturdy workbench or heavy furniture (i.e. table or desk), if available.
• If you are outside and unable to get to a building for protection, move away from the tornado’s path at a right angle. If there is no time to escape, lie flat in the nearest depression (i.e., ditch or ravine). Do not get into your automobile.
• Use your arms to protect your head and neck.

For police emergencies, you usually will be told to shelter in place where you are or in the nearest room, gather your belongings together, and await further instructions.

When directed to shelter- in- place:

• Stay inside the building (or go indoors as quickly as possible).
• Do not use elevators
• Follow the instructions of the Emergency Wardens or the messages coming from a speaker system.

• If there is time, shut all windows and doors.
• In the event of a chemical release, go to an above ground level of the building; some chemicals are heavier than air and may seep into basements even if windows are closed.
• Turn off the heat, fans, air conditioning or ventilation system, if you have local control of the systems.
• Drink bottled water or stored water, not water from the tap.