UAHuntsville Emergency Information

Crime Alert

UAHuntsville H1N1 Influenza Update: September 25, 2009

As of September 25, 2009, we have not had a large number of confirmed cases of H1N1 flu on the UAHuntsville campus. There have been 7 reported cases confirmed as Influenza A (and assumed to be H1N1) since classes began on August 19, and a total of 78 reported cases of flu-like symptoms. Students, faculty, and staff are reminded to follow the recommendations below as we move through the Fall semester. Nationally, the CDC reports influenza-like illnesses are still higher than normal for this time of year.

In a statement issued jointly by the US Department of Education and the Department of Health and Human Services, it was noted the H1N1 virus has been shown to affect ages 6 months through 24 years disproportionately. They further noted that transmission rates among school-aged children were higher in group settings.

An H1N1 vaccine is currently in clinical trials and is expected to be available by mid- to late October. Students, faculty, and staff in at risk categories are encouraged to seek the vaccine when it becomes available. If you are unsure if you should take the vaccine, please consult with your health care provider. The Alabama Department of Public Health has also established an H1N1 hotline to answer questions - call 1-877-377-7285 between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. Central Time.

Health experts still recommend the following measures to prevent H1N1 infection:

• Stay informed. Health officials will provide additional information as it becomes available
• Everyone should take these everyday steps to protect your health and lessen the spread of this new virus:
  • Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
  • Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way.
  • Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
  • If you are sick with a flu-like illness, stay home for 7 days after your symptoms begin or until you have been symptom-free for 24 hours, whichever is longer. This is to keep from infecting others and spreading the virus further.
  • Follow public health advice regarding school closures, avoiding crowds and other social distancing measures.
• Remind your children to practice healthy habits, too. If they are ill, keep them at home and away from other well children.
• If you have influenza like illness (ILI), eg. fever, cough, muscle ache, sore throat, nausea, or vomiting stay home and call your local health care provider. This is referred to as ‘self-isolation’.
• It is recommended that you remain self-isolated for until your fever has been gone for 24 hours without the aid of fever-reducing medication.
• If you should be diagnosed with suspected H1N1 flu, please notify the appropriate faculty or staff member about your status. This will allow people who may have been in close contact with you to be notified of a possible exposure. This is especially important for those individuals within the College of Nursing.
• When you report that you have been diagnosed with suspected H1N1 flu, your name will remain confidential. Certain information about where you were on campus will be released to UAHuntsville community so those who might have been exposed can seek care.
• Persons who are at high risk of complications from the H1N1 flu should consider their risk of exposure to the flu if they attend public gatherings in the community. Examples of people who are considered to be at higher risk include people ages 6 months to 24 years, with chronic medical conditions, children less than 5 years, persons 65 years or older, and pregnant women.
• If you are in a high-risk category for H1N1, take the H1N1 vaccine when it becomes available
• Take the seasonal flu vaccine in additionn to the H1N1 vaccine. The vaccine for one type of flu will not protect you against the other.

The university will continue to monitor the spread of H1N1 influenza and will provide updates as developments warrant. In the meantime, you can find helpful information on the following sites:

• www.flu.gov
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) H1N1 Information
• Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH)
• US Department of Education (ED) H1N1 Guidance

The University of Alabama in Huntsville strives to provide a safe and secure environment for Students, Faculty, Staff, and visitors.  One of the key factors for successful response to an emergency or life-threatening situation is training.  To that end, the University includes as part of its overall Emergency Response Plan the requirement for regular fire drills for every campus building.

Fire drills are conducted to familiarize building occupants and visitors with the sound of the building fire alarm, the emergency exits, Fire Emergency Procedures, and evacuation assembly points.  All building occupants and visitors are expected to participate in and facilitate a safe and orderly evacuation according to the Fire and Building Evacuation Emergency Procedures.

Notice of Scheduled Fire Drills

• University Center - date TBD
• Tom Bevill Center - date TBD

UAHuntsville safety personnel will be on site to monitor and evaluate the evacuation process.

Please note that some scheduled drills will be announced, while others may occur unannounced for evaluation purposes.

All UAHuntsville building occupants are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the University’s procedures for Fire and Building Evacuation.  These procedures are available in the multi-colored Emergency Procedures Handbook, which should be available in each campus office.  Additional copies may be requested from Public Safety/Police or the Office of Environmental Health and Safety.  You may also view the handbook online at:  http://emergency.uah.edu, or download a copy in Adobe Acrobat format at:  http://emergency.uah.edu/handbook.pdf.

UAHuntsville Building Evacuation Procedures

When to evacuate:

      The following will result in the evacuation of a university building:

• Audio alarm
• Power failure – Laboratories must be evacuated, follow instructions as provided on UTILITY FAILURE tab
• Natural disaster
• Man-made disaster
• Mechanical problems that are deemed a danger to the occupants
• Hazardous Chemical spill or gas leak
• Order of University Police or other Public Safety Official

General Procedures

• Stay Calm.
• For fire evacuations, close (but do not lock) all doors and windows to help contain the fire.
• Faculty and staff should attempt assisting in the evacuation of their areas. In the event you are not familiar with the evacuation route of your area, please follow the nearest "Exit" sign.
• Do not use the elevators.
• Report to the designated assembly area(s) and stay there until directed otherwise.
• Reenter the building only when directed by a fire department official or University Police.
• Staff should only perform those evacuation duties that they are comfortable with.
• Occupants should be strongly encouraged to evacuate the building; however, if an occupant refuses to leave, the building emergency supervisor/staff should inform the occupant of the danger of staying in the building. The building emergency supervisor/staff should then continue notifying the remainder of occupants in his/her area.  

• The location of any personnel refusing or unable to leave the building should be reported to emergency response personnel.
• Mobility impaired persons should proceed to the nearest enclosed stairwell or “area of safe refuge” and stay there.
• If possible, a co-worker, supervisor, instructor, or building emergency supervisor should be notified.
• Once outside, the co-worker, supervisor, instructor, or building emergency supervisor must notify the Huntsville Fire and Rescue or the University Police that there is a mobility impaired person in the stairwell, which floor the person is on, and the location of the stairwell or refuge area.
• In case of fire, enclosed building stairwells are “safe refuge areas” and have a higher fire resistive rating.  Make sure the door to the stairwell is closed.  Open doors will violate the safe refuge area and will allow smoke, and possibly fire, into the stairwell.

General Guidelines when evacuating the building

• Evacuate the building in a top down fashion. Do not go upstairs to evacuate activity spaces; the Building Emergency Supervisor or Support Staff will notify occupants in those areas.
• Follow the "Exit" signs posted throughout the building.
• Evacuate away from the affected area.
• Clear the activity area that you are closest to during the alarm.
• Make your way to the next activity area if there is no sign of smoke or fire.
• Do not return to the building until given the all-clear from UAHuntsville Public Safety/Police personnel. (Silencing of alarm does

This message is sent on behalf of the UAHuntsville Office of Environmental Health and Safety.  For more information, please visit us on the web:  http://facilities.uah.edu.