Emergency Procedures

1. Most bomb threats are received by telephone, although some may be made via e-mail or letter. If any form of bomb threat is received, remain calm and obtain as much of the following information as possible:

   • Location of bomb

   • Expected time of explosion

   • The bomb type

   • Reason it was placed

   • The name or affiliation of the caller

2. Immediately call Murray State Police at 911 or 270.809.2222. Provide the dispatcher with all information obtained, most importantly, any specific details concerning location and/or time.

3. Do not touch or move unfamiliar objects. If the threat is made by note or mail, do not handle. Wait for Police to arrive.

4. The Murray State Police will determine whether evacuation is warranted. If the building is evacuated, account for all building occupants at the designated meeting area.

Immediately Dangerous to Life or Health

If a chemical spill occurs that is determined to pose an immediate threat to any building occupant, proceed as follows:

1. Immediately notify all building occupants of the area in which the spill has occurred.

2. Notify Murray State Police at 911 or 270.809.2222 to report the spill. Murray State Police will send a RacerAlert message giving appropriate instructions.

3. Ensure that HVAC (heating, ventilation, air conditioning) for the building is shut down. This may require a call to Facilities Management at 270.809.4291 (after hours 270.809.3805).

4. Evacuate the immediate area of chemical emergency. Only if necessary, pull fire alarm to evacuate the building. Contact Murray State Police immediately and advise that the fire alarm has been activated and why. Account for all building occupants at the designated meeting area.

5. If direct physical contact is made with the spilled chemical, immediately remove all contaminated clothing. Flush any point of bodily contact with plenty of water for at least 15 minutes and/or use a safety shower if one is available.

6. Ensure that everyone exposed to the spilled chemical obtain medical assistance.

Not Immediately Dangerous to Life or Health

Follow the procedures listed below for spills involving chemicals that are definitively known to pose no immediate threat.

1. Evacuate the rooms and close the door, but do not lock it.

2. Immediately notify the building emergency coordinator and the Office of Environmental Safety and Health at 270.809.3480. After normal business hours contact Murray State Police at 911 to report the spill. Be prepared to give the following information:

   • Building name

   • Building location

   • Floor number

   • Room number

   • Type of spill

   • Chemical(s) involved

   • Estimated volume of chemical(s) involved

3. If trained and familiar with the hazards, attempt to contain the spill as much as possible.

4. Avoid direct physical contact with the spilled material. If contact is made, remove any contaminated clothing and flush area with water for 15 minutes. Use a safety shower, if one is available.

5. The Office of Environmental Safety and Health will notify the appropriate response agencies and assist in the spill cleanup.

Report a crime in progress or suspected criminal activity to Murray State Police at 911, 270.809.2222, or use the LiveSafe app. Relay as much information as possible, including, when applicable:

• The nature of the crime

• The location

• Physical description of the perpetrator

• The type of weapons involved

• Vehicle description and license number

• Direction of travel when last seen

• A photo or video if using LiveSafe app.

DO NOT APPROACH OR ATTEMPT TO APPREHEND THE PERPETRATOR. Stay on the telephone with POLICE until the first officer arrives.

Warning Signs of Danger

• Possession of weapon

• Suicide threats or statements

• Detailed threats of violence

• Rage for minor reasons

• Destruction of property

• Conflicts with peers, family, others

Early Warning Signs of Threat of Harm

• Withdrawal

• Feelings of isolation or rejection

• Victim of violence or bullying

• Uncontrolled anger

• Talk of suicide

• Depression

• Marked changes in appearance

• Expressions of violence in writings or drawings

• Distorted or bizarre thoughts and statements

If you become concerned that an individual may pose a risk of harming him/herself or others, contact Murray State Police at 911, 270.809.2222, or the LiveSafe app and give information on individual.

A major earthquake will cause shaking of the earth or building. This shaking may begin as a gently rocking motion or as violent jolt.

During an Earthquake

1. Seek protection from falling debris in doorways, under desks or tables or in corners of rooms. Do not seek cover under laboratory benches or tables, as chemical spills are possible.

2. Do not use elevators.

3. If outside, move away from buildings, power lines and trees. Seek open areas.

4. If driving, pull to the side of the road and stop immediately. Avoid overpasses and power lines. Stay inside the vehicle until the shaking has ceased.

After an Earthquake

1. Collect personal belongings (coat, purse, cell phone), leave the building quickly and gather at the designated meeting area.

2. If persons are injured, missing or known to be trapped inside the building, call Murray State Police at 911 or 270.809.2222. It may be necessary to send a runner to Murray State Police.

3. To expedite rescue and emergency services, a sign should be posted on the front of the building with the following information:

   • The date

   • The time

   • The number of people known inside

   • The location(s) of the persons known inside

4. Provide assistance to those who have mobility impairments or to those who may be trapped by fallen debris.

5. Check for injuries, but do not attempt to move a seriously injured person unless there is a greater danger by not doing so. Call Murray State Police at 911 or 270.809.2222.

6. Use telephones only to report emergencies (i.e. gas leaks, fire or injuries).

7. Only Facilities Management or other trained individuals should attempt to turn utilities on or off.

8. Never touch downed utility poles or lines. Do not approach damaged building equipment.

9. Avoid open flames due to potential gas leaks.

10. Do not drive a vehicle unless warranted by an emergency. Streets should be kept clear for emergency vehicles.

11. Be prepared for aftershocks. Aftershocks are usually smaller than the initial earthquake, but they may be strong enough to topple already damaged buildings.

Remember, a significant earthquake will affect an entire community. Rescues and/or assistance may not be immediate. During emergencies that render broad, citywide impacts, it may be necessary to assume responsibility for the safety of oneself and if possible, others in the vicinity who need aid.

• All campus emergencies (Murray State Police) - 911 or 270.809.2222 24 hours a day

• Office of Environmental Safety and Health- 270.809.3480 (Office hours 7:30 a.m.-4 p.m.)

• Facilities Management - 270.809.4291 (Office hours 7 a.m.-4 p.m.) (after hours call 270.809.3805)

In cases of emergencies, those individuals with physical impairments, who are not on the ground floor, may need assistance with building evacuation.

Ambulatory Individuals

Ambulatory individuals are those with disabilities that may impair rapid building evacuation. Examples include those who are blind, deaf or whose mobility is restricted by the use of walkers or crutches. Assistance to ambulatory individuals can be provided by guiding them to a stairwell, waiting until a clear passage is established and helping them down the stairs to the designated meeting area.

Non-ambulatory Individuals

Non-ambulatory individuals are those with disabilities that require the use of wheelchairs. To assist these individuals, proceed as follows:

1. Call Murray State Police at 911 or 270.809.2222. Provide the dispatcher with as much information as possible, most importantly, the location of the individual.

2. Move the impaired individual into the stairwell and await assistance if there is no immediate danger within the vicinity of the stairs. Send a runner to the building accountability area and report where the evacuation assistance is necessary.

3. If the hazard becomes life threatening, move the individual into a room and close the door. If evacuation is deemed necessary, proceed according to the established plan. Immediately inform emergency personnel of the location of the non-ambulatory individuals.

4. Signal the emergency responders whenever possible by hanging an article of clothing from a window to attract attention and gain assistance.

Smoke, fire or an explosion in a building shall warrant activation of the nearest fire pull station which is located near an outside exit.

1. Call Murray State Police at 911 or 270.809.2222. Immediately evacuate the building using established evacuation routes. Do not use elevators.

2. If possible, provide assistance to mobility-impaired individuals. If this is not possible, or if anyone is injured, call Murray State Police at 911. Provide the location to arriving emergency services (fire, police, etc.) of physically-impaired individuals sheltered in the building.

3. Do not attempt to extinguish the fire.

4. Once outside the building, account for all building occupants at the designated meeting area.

5. Do not re-enter the building or leave the campus unless advised to do so by the building coordinator, department chair or Murray State Police.

6. Give any known details of the alarm or fire to arriving emergency personnel.

7. Report damage to Facilities Management at 270.809.4291 (after hours 270.809.3805).

8. Give any known details of the alarm or fire to arriving emergency personnel.

View the Open Flame Policy

Download the Open Flame Permit

Flammable, toxic, corrosive, oxygen, cryogenic

1. If a gas cylinder or gas piping begins to leak or is suspected of leaking, thereby presenting danger to building occupants, proceed as follows:

2. Immediately notify building occupants to evacuate the area along the established route.

3. Notify Murray State Police at 911 or 270.809.2222 to report the details of the chemical emergency.

4. Ensure that HVAC (heating, ventilation, air conditioning) for the building is shut down. Avoid open flames. This may require a call to Facilities Management at 270.809.4291 (after hours 270.809.3805).

   • Be prepared to provide the following information:

   • Building name

   • Building location

   • Floor number

   • Room number

   • Specific chemical name of the involved gas

   • Estimated volume of gas

5. Make every attempt to direct evacuating personnel away from the hazardous area. Account for all building occupants at the designated meeting area. Building occupants should not return until instructed to do so by the Murray State Police or Murray Fire Department personnel.

Do not leave the injured person unattended except to summon help. Call Murray State Police at 911 or 270.809.2222.

Do not move a seriously injured person unless that person's life would be threatened by not doing so.

1. Render first-aid or CPR if trained.

2. When reporting a medical emergency, provide the following information:

   • Type of emergency

   • Location of injured

   • Condition of injured

   • Any dangerous conditions

   • Have someone stand outside the building to flag EMS as they reach the vicinity of the building.

3. Comfort the injured person until EMS arrives.

4. Have someone stand outside the building to flag EMS as they reach the vicinity of the building.

5. If exposed to the injured persons' body fluids, wash the exposed area and contact a supervisor or the Office of Environmental Safety and Health at 270.809.3480 or Facilities Management at 270.809.4291 (after hours 270.809.3805).

Murray Natural Gas maintains 272 miles of gas main and over 8,500 customer service lines in 2 counties.  We follow Department of Transportation, Public Service Commission and the NFPA 54 National Fuel Gas Code book recommendations and in some instances, we exceed those recommendations.  Murray Natural Gas employees inspect all new services once a licensed gas merchant has completed his or her work, to make sure the work follows our recommendations and the work is safe.  Employees also perform system evaluations each and every time they are at a location with natural gas service including reconnecting and transferring gas services to ensure that the appliances work properly and to verify that there are no leaks.

Murray Natural Gas provides around the clock personnel for emergencies and problems that may occur with natural gas, so we can promptly rectify the situation and ensure the safety of all involved.  To report problems call the office at 270-762-0336 or 911.  

Murray Natural Gas can’t guarantee gas, or an uninterrupted supply of gas.  The supply will be as free from interruptions as possible.  The supply in the gas system may be affected by line breaks, scheduled repairs, alterations, additions, and acts of God.

If natural gas is not in your area, and you are interested in our service, contact our office at 270-762-0336 to discuss the possibility of getting natural gas service extended

Safety is our top priority

Where is the pipeline?  Pipelines are located within a narrow strip of land that is generally free of trees and shrubs.  This strip of land is known as a right-of-way. The purpose of the right-of-way is to provide a safe and clear corridor for the pipeline. We use the right-of-way to gain access to the pipeline for inspection, maintenance, testing, or emergencies.  For these reasons, certain activities such as erecting structures and/or planting trees on the right-of way are restricted.

Facts about natural gas

Natural gas is a colorless, odorless, tasteless fossil fuel that is clean burning and lighter than air.  It rises and disperses rapidly into the atmosphere, unlike heavier petroleum products like oil. It is non-toxic and not easily ignited on its own. In order to burn, gas requires both precise amounts of oxygen and an ignition source.  If there is an emergency like a fire or explosion near or involving the pipeline, immediately evacuate the area and call 911.

How to recognize a natural gas leak

Leaks from a natural gas pipeline are extremely rare. However, it is important to know how to recognize the signs of a leak if one were to occur in your area.  Call 911 immediately if you:

• SEE
  Vegetation over or near the pipeline, which appears to be dead or dying for no apparent reason.  Water bubbling at a creek, pond, river or any wet area over or near the pipeline.  Dirt flying into the air over or near the pipeline.  Fire or explosion near or involving the pipeline.  Exposed pipeline, possibly caused by a natural disaster, such as a flood or earthquake.
• SMELL
  Murray Natural Gas adds an odorant to the gas before it is delivered to your home or business. When an odorant is added, the gas may have a slight rotten egg smell. If the odorant is not added, it may have a petroleum smell at times or there may not be any detectable smell.
• HEAR
  A hissing, whistling or roaring sound along or near the pipeline.

What to do if you suspect a leak

If you suspect a natural gas leak inside your home or in your service line, immediately evacuate the area and contact our office at 911.

• DO leave the area immediately and warn others to stay away.
• DO NOT move any equipment or vehicles in the area.
• DO NOT turn on any equipment ignition or attempt to move the equipment. If the equipment is running, do not attempt to turn it off.
• DO NOT use an open flame or bring anything into the area like phones or lighters that could cause the gas leak to ignite.
• DO NOT go near the area. Keep away from the site. In the event of an emergency, evacuate the area and immediately contact our office at 911.

Call before you dig, it’s the law

Whether you are planning to build a major development, erect a fence or landscape your property, you should protect your safety and the safety of those around your work site by contacting the Kentucky One-Call Center at least two days before you begin any work on or near the pipeline by calling 811.

KRS 367.4911- Each excavator planning excavation or demolition work shall, not less than two (2) business days nor more than ten (10) business days prior to commencing work, notify each affected operator of the excavator’s intended work and work schedule. Contacting the applicable protection notification centers shall satisfy this requirement.

Be sure to provide accurate and correct information to the One-Call Center. It is very important we know exactly where you plan to dig, so we can mark our lines appropriately.

When you call, Murray Natural Gas is notified if its right-of-way is involved and will come to your site to locate and mark our pipeline. We will also consult with you on safe methods for moving heavy equipment across the right-of-way.

There is no charge for this service.   Failure to call Kentucky 811 could result in penalties based on KRS 367.4917.

When should you call?

Please call before digging for any project, including installation of fences, light posts, landscaping, sprinkler systems, foundations, swimming pools, ground clearing, grading, deep plowing, laying underground pipe, or wiring, etc.

Pay attention to pipeline markers

Because natural gas pipelines are underground, line markers are used to indicate the approximate location of the pipelines. However, these markers do not indicate how deep the pipeline is buried. Also, the pipeline route can take twists and turns between markers. Never assume the pipeline lies in a straight line.

It is a federal crime for any person to deliberately damage, destroy, or remove any pipeline sign or right-of-way marker. It’s also against the law to damage or destroy pipeline facilities. A gouge, scrape, scratch, dent or crease to a pipe or its coating may cause a safety problem. It is imperative that we inspect and repair any damage to the pipeline, no matter how minor it may seem. Failure to report any contact with the pipeline could result in fines.  If you hit or damage a pipeline, no matter how minor the contact may seem, call 270-762-0336 or 911 immediately.

Pipelines must meet all applicable regulations 

We often exceed these requirements. We have taken several key steps to ensure the safety of community members and our employees.

The pipeline is built to high industry standards and is inspected thoroughly before being placed in service.

Markers listing our pipeline’s 24-hour telephone number are posted at fence rows, as well as roads, waterways, railroads and property line crossings.

Aerial, foot and vehicle patrols survey the route regularly to identify areas such as sinkholes or washouts that need attention. These patrols also identify any construction activity near the pipeline.

Pipelines are part of the critical infrastructure of the U.S. energy grid.

Immediately following the attacks on September 11, 2001, pipelines across America instituted heightened security measures. While pipeline companies and employees across the nation are on a heightened state of alert, we continue to monitor and patrol the pipelines regularly via aircraft, vehicles, and/or on foot.

Please call local law enforcement if you see anything out of the ordinary in your area.

Toxic/Irritant Gas Inside Building

1. Call Murray State Police at 911 or 270.809.2222. Provide dispatcher with as much information as possible.

2. Immediately evacuate the building using established evacuation routes.

3. Account for all building occupants upon arrival at the designated meeting area.

Infectious Agents

1. Call Murray State Police at 911 or 270.809.2222. Provide dispatcher with as much information as possible.

2. Do not move or handle the material. Immediately vacate the building using the established evacuation route.

3. Account for all building occupants upon arrival to the designated meeting area. Segregate those individuals who may have been exposed to an infectious agent.

Tornado or Severe Thunderstorm Watch

A tornado or severe thunderstorm "watch" means that severe weather is possible, but not imminent. Proceed with normal activity, but continue to monitor weather-related reports. Listen to the local radio stations (WKMS, WRKY) and for the Murray State University warning sirens to sound.

Tornado Warning

A tornado warning is issued when a tornado has been sighted in the area. Murray State University's outdoor warning sirens will be sounded. If a warning (wavering tone) is issued, proceed as follows:

1. Notify all building occupants.

2. Seek shelter in a designated safe haven immediately. Basements and small interior hallways or rooms of lower floors with no glass provide the best shelter.

3. Do not remain in a vehicle. Seek shelter in a sturdy building. In cases where no obvious shelter is available, a ditch or ravine will provide some protection.

4. After danger has passed, (solid tone indicates "all clear"), immediately report all injuries to Murray State Police at 911 or 270.809.2222. Be prepared to give the following information:

   • Type of emergency

   • Location of injured

   • Condition of the injured

   • Any dangerous conditions

5. Leave a damaged building immediately and do not attempt to return unless given permission by the building emergency coordinator or Murray State Police personnel. Report to the designated meeting area and account for all occupants.

6. Do no attempt to turn utilities or equipment on or off. Call Facilities Management at 270.809.4291 (after hours 270.809.3805).

Severe Thunderstorm Warning

If a severe thunderstorm watch is in effect, be prepared to move to a designated safe haven in the event that the "watch" is upgraded to a "warning". If a warning is issued, proceed as follows:

1. Notify other building occupants of the warning.

2. Stay indoors and away from windows until the warning has expired.

3. Report any injuries to Murray State Police at 911 or 270.809.2222.

   Be prepared to give the following information:

   • Building name

   • Building location

   • Type of emergency

   • Condition of the injured

   • Any dangerous conditions

In a case of utility failure (electricity, water, gas or telephone), immediately call Facilities Management at 270.809.4291 (after hours 270.809.3805). If no answer call Murray State Police at 270.809.2222.

1. If phone service has been affected, attempt to use the university's computer network, if available.

2. In cases involving persons trapped in elevators, call Murray State Police at 911 or 270.809.2222.

In every case, be prepared to give:

• Building name

• Building location

• Floor number

• Room number (if applicable)

• Nature of problem

• Contact person or telephone extension

Remain in place until notified by the building emergency coordinator. While emergency lighting is activated, exit stairs and exit doors should be illuminated.

Emergency lighting is temporary and is not provided to continue building operations. The building emergency coordinator or department chair will determine if employees should continue working or leave the building.