Emergency Response

Allergy Anaphylaxis First-Aid Response Plan

Asthma First-Aid Response Plan

Diabetes First-aid Response Plan

Epilepsy First-Aid Response Plan

Fainting First-Aid Response Plan

Heart Condition First-Aid Response Plan

Fire / Evacuation – What to Do

• Raise the alarm immediately if you discover a fire.
• Leave the building immediately by the nearest safe exit.
• Do not use lifts.
• Do not stop to collect belongings.
• Assist others where safe to do so.
• Go directly to the designated assembly point.
• Do not re-enter until authorised to do so.
• Call 112/999 if the emergency services are required

Security Incident – What to Do

• Move away from danger and go to a safe location.
• Contact Campus Security immediately (01 2209999)
• Call 112/999 if there is an immediate threat to life or safety.
• Follow Security/Garda instructions, including any lockdown or evacuation direction.
• Do not confront a threatening or violent person.
• Report the incident through the University reporting process.

Wellbeing Concern – What to Do

• If there is immediate danger or risk to life, call 112/999.
• Stay with the person if it is safe to do so.
• Listen, reassure and encourage them to seek support.
• Students: contact Student Services/Student Counselling.
• Staff: contact the appropriate staff wellbeing/EAP support.
• If urgent or out of hours, contact emergency services or an appropriate crisis support service.

Biological Release – What to Do

• Stop work immediately and keep others away from the area.
• Avoid contact with the material and do not spread contamination.
• Remove contaminated clothing and wash exposed skin if safe to do so.
• Notify the laboratory/person in charge and Campus Security (012209999)
• Follow the local biological spill/emergency procedure.
• Seek medical attention if exposure has occurred or symptoms develop.

Explosion – What to Do

• Move away from the affected area immediately.
• Raise the alarm and call 112/999.
• Evacuate by the nearest safe route if directed or safe to do so.
• Do not use lifts or approach damaged areas.
• Contact Campus Security (01 2209999) and follow instructions.
• Go to the designated assembly point and do not re-enter until authorised

Flood – What to Do

• Move away from the affected area and avoid floodwater.
• Do not enter areas where electrical equipment may be affected.
• Contact Campus Security (01 2209999) /Estates immediately.
• Evacuate if instructed and use a safe route.
• Call 112/999 if there is an immediate risk to life.
• Do not re-enter until advised it is safe.

Electrical Emergency – What to Do

• Do not touch the person, equipment or exposed wiring if electricity may still be live.
• Keep others away from the area.
• Isolate the power only if safe and authorised to do so.
• Contact Campus Security (012209999) /Estates immediately.
• Call 112/999 for serious injury, fire or immediate danger.
• Do not re-enter or use equipment until declared safe.

Hazardous Material Spill – What to Do

• Stop work and keep others away.
• Do not touch, clean up or enter the spill area unless trained and equipped to do so.
• Move to a safe location and avoid fumes or vapours.
• Alert the person in charge and Campus Security (01 2209999)
• Follow the local spill/emergency procedure.
• Call 112/999 for a major spill, exposure or immediate danger.

Bomb Threat / Suspicious Item – What to Do

• Stay calm and do not touch or approach suspicious items.
• Contact Campus Security immediately (01 2209999)
• Call 112/999 if there is an immediate threat.
• Follow Security/Garda instructions on evacuation or other protective actions.
• Do not use mobile phones or radios near a suspicious item.
• Do not re-enter the area until authorised.

Armed / Violent Individual – What to Do

• Move away from the threat and get to a safe place if possible.
• Call 112/999 as soon as it is safe to do so.
• Contact Campus Security when safe (01 2209999)
• Do not confront or approach the individual.
• Follow Garda/Security instructions, including lockdown or evacuation directions.
• Remain in a secure location until advised it is safe.

Lockdown – What to Do

• Go immediately to the nearest safe, secure location.
• Lock or secure doors and stay away from windows.
• Silence phones and remain quiet.
• Do not leave or open the door unless instructed by Gardaí/Security.
• Call 112/999 if you have critical information or are in immediate danger.
• Remain in lockdown until the official all-clear is given.

Crash/Impact Collision by Vehicle/Bicycle/Other On Campus - What to do 

• Assess the situation. Remain calm, ensure your own safety;
• Check yourself and others for injuries and render first-aid if practicable;
• Contact Emergency Services 112/999 (If calling from a campus landline you may need to dial “0” for an outside line);
• If in any doubt about scene safety, stand back and await arrival of Emergency Services;
• If possible determine whether there are injured or trapped people as a result of the crash/collision;
• Note hazards on site e.g. diesel/petrol/oil and inform emergency services when they arrive;
• If able, move vehicles out of path of traffic, to a safe place, and activate hazard lights; and
• Do not leave the scene until you have exchanged information with other motorists, or the Gardaí release you from the scene.

Note: This guidance is about your safety. Contact your insurer for guidance regarding insurance claims.

If you are involved in a crash in a University vehicle, follow the steps above, and also report the incident to the University Secretary for more information.

Complete an Accident Report/Near Miss/Dangerous Occurrence Form as appropriate.

Demonstration/Civil Disorder/Protest - What to do 

TU Dublin respects the right of peaceful protest carried out in a lawful manner, and the right of peaceful free assembly and/or speech. It should be noted that the majority of protests are peaceful and non-violent. On most occasions these activities are planned and involve liaison with TU Dublin officials.

A protest should generally not be disrupted unless one or more of the following conditions exists:

• Disruption of the normal operations;
• Obstruction of access to facilities;
• Threat of physical harm to persons or damage to facilities;
• Unauthorised entry into or occupation of any room, building or area of the campus, including such entry or occupation at any unauthorised time;
• Unauthorised or improper use of any property, equipment or facilities.

General Guidelines

• If any campus user detects that a protest is about to occur/has occurred at a campus building, they should:
  • immediately report all available information to any member of senior management or the Security Control Centre/Estates;
• Any engagement in dialogue with those protesting, should be done in a tactful manner to ensure that the situation is not further exacerbated;
• In the event that a protest blocks access to facilities or interferes with operations, the protestors should be asked to leave or to discontinue the disruptive activities;
• If the protestors persist in disruptive activity, staff should take all reasonable actions to limit disruption and to work around the protest where possible;
• In the event that a violent protest in which injury to persons or property occurs or appears imminent, the following will occur:
• If possible, an attempt should be made to communicate with the protestors to convince them to desist from engaging in violent activities in order to avoid further escalation of possible violent confrontation;
• The Gardaí Siochána should also be notified.
• Operational decisions will be taken by senior management to determine appropriate actions in response to the protest. The assistance of the Garda Siochána should be sought to remove any protestors who are preventing the conduct of lawful business or who are acting in an unlawful manner.

Suspected Electrical Hazard/Fault - What to do

• Take item out of use; and
• Alert Campus & Estates Office and/or the Porter on duty, who will secure area and contact electrician/ESB.
• ESB 24 HR FAULT & EMERGENCY CONTACT 1850 372 999 / 021 4537000  

Complete an Accident Report/Near Miss/Dangerous Occurrence Form as appropriate.

Extreme Weather Events - What to do 

• Check local and national media to keep abreast of official warnings and advice from the authorities;
• Internal communications from TU Dublin will be circulated via email, social media and the website;
• Avoid unnecessary travel if it is not safe;
• If you are already on campus, stay there until advised otherwise;
• Remain indoors and close windows and doors;
• Bring indoors or firmly secure any objects outside that could become airborne in strong winds;
• Make any necessary provisions for water, food and heating in the event of road closures, disruptions to water and power supplies; and
• Do not use electrical equipment during an intense electrical storm.

Fatality on/off Campus (relating to TU Dublin Business/Activity) - What to do 

• Ensure your own safety; if you feel like you could be in danger, remove yourself from the location;
• If you are a trained first-aider check vital signs and commence CPR and defibrillation if deemed appropriate;
• Contact Emergency Services 999/112 (if calling from a campus landline you may need to dial “0” for an outside line).
• If on University campus, inform the front desk/reception and/or the Security Control Centre/Estates;
• If it seems the person was a victim of violence, communicate this when you call for help;
• Do not touch anything, as the area may be a crime scene. Do not touch skin or body fluid, as the body may contain potential blood borne pathogens that can infect you and others;
• If practicable, cover the body and ensure it cannot be disturbed until assistance arrives;
• Close off the area e.g. room/corridor/grounds;
• Disperse any spectators;
• Await the arrival of assistance and update them;
• Cooperate with Emergency Services (Medical Professionals and Gardaí); and

Seek support from the Employee Assistance Programme

Food Poisoning (on/off Campus relating to TU Dublin Business/Activity) - What to do

SUSPECTED:

As suspected food borne illnesses can have a gestation period of some length, it must be considered that the first notification of concern could be some time after consumption and from persons no longer on campus.

• If you suspect you have food poisoning, contact your General Practitioner (GP);
• Follow medical guidance and do not return to work until advised;
• Persons at risk such as very young children, the elderly and persons who are immune-compromised should seek medical attention as early as possible.

CONFIRMED:

• If your GP confirms that you have food poisoning you should also report it to the Food Safety Authority of Ireland or your local environmental health officer in the HSE.
• All confirmed cases should be reported to the manager of the canteen/catering service provider concerned and to the Safety, Health and Welfare Office;
• Provide as much information as possible e.g. when and where you purchased/consumed the suspect food, when you first felt ill and your symptoms. If you still have any of the suspect food, put it in a sealed container and store it in the fridge or freezer;

Complete an Accident Report/Near Miss/Dangerous Occurrence Form as appropriate.

Hostage Situation - What to do 

If you hear or witness a hostage situation

• Remove yourself from any danger, exit the building immediately and move to a place of safety;
• Notify anyone you may encounter as you go, to exit the building immediately;
• Call for help or dial 999/112; if calling from a campus landline you may need to dial “0” for an outside line;
• Be prepared to give Gardaí the following information: location and room number of incident, number of possible hostage takers, physical description and names of hostage takers, if possible number of possible hostages, any weapons the hostage takers may have, your name and any further information requested.; and
• Report the situation to the Campus & Estates Office.

If you are taken hostage

• Remain calm, be polite, and cooperative with your captors;
• Do not attempt to escape unless there is an extremely good chance of survival. It is safer to be submissive and obey your captors;
• Do not draw attention to yourself with sudden body movement, statements, comments or hostile looks;
• Observe the captors and try to memorise their physical traits, voice patterns, clothing, or other details that can help provide a description later;

Infectious/Communicable Diseases - What to do 

Examples of notifiable infectious diseases (this list is not exhaustive):

• Meningitis, Measles, Mumps, Tuberculosis (TB), Pandemic Influenza etc. Further details available from this link.

SUSPECTED:

• Early diagnosis and treatment is vital
• Staff members should attend their local General Practitioner or Accident & Emergency Department;
• Students can attend the Student Health Centre during term-time;

CONFIRMED:

• Once a diagnosis is confirmed, the GP is obliged to notify the Public Health Department (Health Service Executive) of certain communicable diseases;
• The Public Health Department will advise the University on any measures to be taken;
• Do not make announcements to staff/students until confirmation of diagnosis and further instructions have been received from the Public Health Department (from the Health Service Executive (HSE)).
• Further information is available from the HSE at https://www.hpsc.ie/topicsa-z/