In an Emergency

All fire alarm activations should be taken seriously. Never assume it is a false alarm. Building occupants must evacuate when the alarm sounds.

• If something is on fire, use the nearest pull station to activate the fire alarm and then call 119. Communicate the details about the fire you know.
• If trained, use a fire extinguisher for incipient (early) stage fires Before you fight a fire, make sure that you:
  • Have called 119 or pulled the fire alarm
  • Have an evacuation route planned
• If trapped by smoke or fire; stay low and try to cover your mouth with a wet cloth.
  • Find a room where you can seal the cracks under the door and call 911
  • If near a window, open but do not break Wave or hang something outside to alert fire personnel.
• If your clothes catch fire: STOP, DROP and ROLL to smother the flames.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

• If you hear the fire alarm, evacuate the building or area. Close all doors as you go.
• Wear face covering if under communicable disease restrictions.
• Do not use elevators. Evacuate by using the nearest stairwell.
• Go to the Evacuation Assembly Point (EAP) for Mason Korea and maintain proper physical distancing at the EAP if under communicable disease restrictions.
• Report to the evacuation warden, evacuation director, or the fire department.

Do not re-enter the building until authorized by emergency personnel.

Please find out more on George Mason University Korea Evacuation Plan

If you suffer an injury, becomes ill, or suffer from alcohol poisoning, drug overdose or other medical issue and requires immediate medical attention, the following actions should be taken:

1. Immediately contact emergency services by dialing 119 and relay the following information:

• • Nature of the injury or illness,
  • Victim’s location,
  • Identity of the victim, and
  • Suspected or known cause of the injury or illness.

2. If trained, provide first aid or medical assistance as necessary.
3. Do not move the victim if they are unconscious, unless they are in immediate danger.
4. If the victim is unconscious and not breathing, locate an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) if available, start Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), turn it on and follow the instructions provided by the unit.
5. Remain with the victim until emergency response personnel arrive.
6. Report the emergency to the office of University Life. 
7. Remain on scene to assist with the investigation or response as necessary.
8. If needed or requested, refer students to the IGC Health Center for counseling.

The following procedures must be followed whenever a critical (i.e., power, water, and/or heating, ventilation and air conditioning) utility failure occurs:

• Report the utility failure to the IGC.
• Discontinue all non-essential work until utilities are restored.
• Exit the building and assist employees and students who may not be familiar with evacuation procedures or the building floor plan.
• If it is unsafe to exit the building, relocate to an area that has sufficient ambient light to avoid injury, such as a lobby or conference room with windows.
• If emergency lighting is unavailable, remain calm, contact emergency services 119, provide your location, and request assistance.
• If a building is evacuated due to a utility failure, the building will not be reoccupied until a university official declares that the building is safe for occupancy.

If you are required to evacuate a building, it is suggested that you take all personal belongings with you and secure the area before leaving. In the event of a power failure, electronic access systems should remain operational using battery backup for a limited period of time following the power outage.  

The Severe Weather Shelter Area for Mason Korea students and employees is G105 and G106 Classrooms of the Mason Korea Building.

If a tornado warning or severe weather warning is issued, the following actions should be taken:

1. Do not leave a hardened structure.
2. If you are in a modular, prefabricated, or temporary structure, relocate to the closest hardened structure immediately.
3. Locate a shelter area.
4. If severe weather strikes the building in which you are sheltered and produces damage, protect your body from flying debris with any available furniture or sturdy equipment.

Shelter areas are indoor locations that are capable of providing protection from severe weather and should ideally:

• Be located in an interior space of a hardened structure (e.g., conference room, classroom, hallway or office).
• Not possess any windows or skylights.
• Have ample space for everyone that is expected to occupy the shelter to sit comfortably.
• Be at the lowest point in the building, however, consider potential flood risks and modify locations accordingly.
• Be equipped with a phone.
• Be identified by signage within the room or immediately adjacent to the entrance(s).
• Remain unlocked during work hours and accessible to persons with special needs.
• Have furniture or features that can be used to protect occupants from falling debris.
• Preferably have more than one entrance and exit.
• Be centrally located to all persons expected to use the shelter area.

If You Are Indoors: Remain indoors and seek protection until the earthquake subsides. Stay calm and take precautions to protect yourself from potential debris by:

• Drop to the floor and get under or adjacent to a sturdy table, desk, or permanent fixture.
• Cover your head and neck with your arms and hands.
• Hold On to the table or desk you are under as objects may shift during the earthquake.
• If you are not near a sturdy table or desk, drop to the floor against an interior wall and cover your head and neck with your arms and hands.
• Stay away from windows, overhead fixtures, objects on walls, tall furniture, large appliances and cabinets filled with objects that may be displaced and fall during an earthquake.
• If you are in an elevator you are afforded a reasonable amount of protection and should remain in place. Entrapment may occur; notify emergency response personnel by using the elevator phone, help button, or cell phone.
• If you are in bed, remain in bed and cover your head with a pillow.

If You Are Outdoors: Move away from buildings, overhangs, trees, and power lines to a clear area such as a large open public area or field. If you’re driving, pull over and stop in an area that does not have any overhead hazards.

After the Earthquake: Once the earthquake has stopped, do the following:

• Exit the building when safety permits and move to the Designated Assembly Area.
• Use emergency exit route information posted throughout university buildings to determine the quickest route out of the building. Elevators should not be used.
• If the building loses power during the earthquake and you are unable to safely navigate your way out of the building due to low visibility, remain in place and notify emergency services of your location if you are able.
• Move to the Designated Assembly Area and take account of students and employees; report missing persons to emergency response personnel and Mason
• Do not re-enter any building until it is cleared by emergency service personnel or the appropriate facility engineer.

During epidemics and pandemics, it may be necessary to modify Mason Korea operations to mitigate the spread of the disease through social distancing. The decision to modify operations (e.g., suspend classes and close administrative offices, limit access to dining facilities, or evacuate students from the area) will be made at the discretion of the GMUK Emergency Executive Council.

Epidemic: In the event of an epidemic Mason Korea will follow the directions of local health officials and international health organizations if they are involved. General precautions that should be followed and relayed to all students and employees during epidemics are:

• Wash hands frequently.
• Cover mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing.
• Routinely clean and disinfect surfaces.
• Practice a healthy lifestyle; exercise, eat a balanced diet, and get sufficient sleep.
• Handle and prepare food safely: keep foods at correct temperature, cook foods (especially meats) thoroughly, wash produce, and observe expiration dates.
• Avoid public places, work, or school when sick to prevent the spread of a communicable disease.
• Maintain appropriate immunizations and vaccinations based upon the region in which you live and work, and your exposure risk.

Pandemic: In addition to following the precautionary measures listed above, Mason Korea will follow the guidance of local health officials and international health organizations in all matters related to pandemics.

Information about COVID-19 can be found here.

A person that deviates from a normal routine, fails to appear for a scheduled event, and is unable to be reached may be considered missing. Any person missing for more than 24 hours must be reported. If a student or employee is suspected to be missing or the victim of foul play observe the following procedures:

1. Notify the GMUK Emergency Operations Team.
2. Notify emergency services immediately (119 or 112) and provide the following information:

• The person’s full name, nickname(s), or aliases,
• Full description including sex, race, date of birth (age), height, weight, eye color, and hair color,
• Unusual or visible physical attributes such as birthmarks, tattoos, scars, or piercings,
• Date and time of last contact,
• Last known whereabouts,
• What they were last seen wearing, and
• Who they were last seen with.

Provide additional information and assistance to all involved investigating agencies as necessary. If the student is a Korean national, the local responding agency will be responsible for notifying the student’s guardian or emergency contact. GMUK Emergency Operations Team may assist the local responding agency to the extent reasonably possible. If the student is a U.S. or non-Korean international student, Associate Dean of University Life will notify the individual’s guardian or emergency contact(s).

Run: If a person appears willing to use a firearm on campus, adjacent to campus, or enters a university building with a firearm:

1. Exit the building immediately, if possible.
2. Notify others to exit the building and find shelter outdoors.
3. Call 119 or 112 and relay the following information:
   • Your name and location,
   • Location of the incident and number of shooters,
   • Identity and description of the shooter(s),
   • Type of firearm(s) used, and
   • Number and location of victims and their injuries.

Hide: If you can’t safely exit the building, or the shooter is nearby:

1. Proceed to the nearest room, and close and lock the door, if possible.
2. If you cannot lock the door, block the door with furniture or equipment or take cover behind equipment or furnishing
3. Turn off the lights.
4. Cover door windows.
5. Remain quiet and act as if the room is empty, play dead if necessary. Make sure that cell phones are put on silent or vibrate.

Fight/Defend: In the event that you are confronted by an individual with a weapon and as a last resort, defend yourself and others by whatever means necessary and do not relent until the aggressor is incapacitated or emergency services arrive.

• Missing Student
• Student Arrest
• Student Death
• Stalking(Victim)
• Stalking(Suspect)
• Aggressive or Suicidal Students
• Sexual Assault

• Missing Employee
• Employee Death
• Stalking(Victim)
• Stalking(Suspect)
• Sexual Assault
• Aggressive or Suicidal Employee