What to do in an emergency

In an emergency

Call Triple Zero (000)

for police, fire brigade or ambulance assistance

For campus security

Call 1800 931 633

Emergency procedure flip charts

If you are faced with one of these serious, unexpected, and often dangerous situations requiring immediate action, here's what to do:

  • Evacuation

    An evacuation may be required in the event of a fire, gas leak, chemical spill or bomb threat.

    1

    Remain calm

    Alert nearby staff members they may need to evacuate. DO NOT run or shout, as this may cause others to panic and become injured.

    2

    Await instructions from Emergency Wardens

    particularly for bomb threats, as alternative exits and assembly points may be required.

    3

    Follow EXIT signs

    Never use the elevator. Walk briskly, but do not run. Stay on the right in order to allow emergency response personnel clear access up the stairs, along the left side.

    4

    Use the stairs

    Never use the elevator. Walk briskly, but do not run. Stay on the right in order to allow emergency response personnel clear access up the stairs, along the left side.

    5

    Allow others to enter the stairwell

    As you approach the landing of each floor, allow evacuees from that level to enter the stairwell.

    6

    Steer clear of hazards

    If evacuation becomes difficult via a chosen route, because of smoke, flames or blockage, re-enter the facility on a safe floor. Continue evacuation via the nearest safe exit route.

    7

    Move away from the building

    Once you have exited the facility, proceed to your Evacuation Assembly Area.

    8

    Do not re-enter building

    until it has been declared safe to do so by the Chief Warden or Building Warden.

  • Fire

    On becoming aware of a fire or smoke:

    1

    Remain calm and alert nearby staff to leave the immediate area.  DO NOT shout FIRE as this may cause panic.

    2

    Activate the fire alarm, phone Triple Zero (000) and request the Fire Brigade. Do NOT assume that someone else has phoned.

    3

    Contact Campus Security on 1800 931 633 to notify them of the Triple Zero (000) call.

    4

    Confine the fire and smoke by closing doors once all persons are out of the danger area.

    5

    Attempt to extinguish the fire only if it is safe for you to do so.

    6

    Turn off the power to electrical appliances and gas isolation valve if safe to do so. Leave lighting on.

    7

    Evacuate the building following the Emergency Warden's instructions. Wardens will direct individuals away from the fire. Ensure individuals with mobility limitations, have evacuated their area.

    8

    Stay at the assembly point and do not re-enter the building until it has been declared safe to do so by the Chief Warden or Building Warden.

  • Bomb/phone threat

    Treat all threats as genuine and record as many details as possible using the Phone Threat Checklist as a guide.

    1

    Be calm and courteous. Do NOT antagonise the caller.

    2

    Details of any bomb threat should be recorded using the Phone Threat Checklist.

    3

    Do NOT hang up on the caller or transfer the call unless requested.

    4

    Ask where the bomb is located, and when will the bomb explode.

    5

    Take note of background sounds, caller’s gender, speech patterns, and accent.

    6

    Discreetly attract the attention of a nearby staff member if possible, to contact Campus Security 1800 931 633 and police on Triple Zero (000).

    7

    Keep the caller on the line as long as possible.

    8

    After the caller has hung up the phone;

    • Ensure the threat has been reported to Campus Security and the Police.
    • Alert your nearest Emergency Warden

    9

    Follow the evacuation procedures for bomb threats.

  • Personal threat

    Follow these emergency action steps if you receive or observe a personal threat

    1

    Try and remain calm and do not make any sudden actions

    2

    Do not place yourself at risk. Try and keep a safe distance between yourself and the offender

    3

    Obey the offender’s reasonable instruction

    4

    Attempt to de-escalate the situation – avoid getting into an argument

    5

    Take note of exits or other possible escape routes and try to get as close as possible

    6

    Take a mental note of any identifying features of the offender

    7

    When safe, contact Campus Security to report the event on 1800 931 633 or 400 shortcut from any internal phone

    8

    If required, phone Triple Zero (000) for Police assistance

  • Self-harm

    If you are responding to someone who has self-harmed

    1

    Remain calm and control your emotional response

    2

    Apply appropriate first aid

    If you don't know first aid, contact a first aid officer

    3

    If the person is seriously injured call Triple Zero (000). Ask for Ambulance

    4

    Call Campus Security on 1800 931 633 as they can provide assistance and further support

    5

    Reassure the person and stay with them until Campus Security and/or Emergency Services arrive

  • Internal emergency

    An internal emergency is an event that has occurred within a building or space e.g. gas leak, chemical spill, structural collapse, or explosion occurring in your building.

    1

    Evacuate and assist persons in immediate danger.

    2

    If the event requires Fire, Police or Ambulance, phone Triple Zero (000)

    3

    Contact Campus Security, phone 1800 931 633

    4

    Follow the buildings evacuation procedures.

    5

    Follow instructions of the Emergency Wardens.

  • External emergency

    An external emergency is an event occurring external to the building that may impact the building in the short or long term eg bushfire, chemical spill, storm, motor vehicle accident, aircraft crash, explosion, or similar.

    1

    If the situation requires Fire, Police or Ambulance, phone Triple Zero (000)

    2

    Dial 1800 931 633 and confirm details with Campus Security - don't assume they know.

    3

    Wardens to assess and coordinate the safety of occupants. This may involve sheltering within the building or evacuating to an alternate safe location. Follow instructions from your Emergency Wardens

    4

    Follow instructions from your Emergency Wardens.

    5

    For campus-wide events, stay alert and await Charles Sturt Safe emergency notifications.

  • Medical emergency

    In an emergency call Triple Zero 000  for an ambulance, Campus Security 1800 931 633 and Charles Sturt First Aid Officers.

    Use "DRS ABCD" to remember and follow the steps during a medical emergency.

    DRSABCD action plan

    D

    D: Danger

    Ensure the area is safe for yourself, others and the patient.

    R

    R: Response

    Check for response: Ask name, squeeze shoulders
    No response: Send for help
    Response: Make comfortable, monitor response

    S

    S: Send for help

    Call Triple Zero (000) for an ambulance or ask another person to make the call

    A

    A: Airway

    Open mouth - if foreign material is present
    Place in the recovery position
    Clear airway with fingers
    Open Airway by tilting head with chin lift

    B

    B: Breathing

    Check for breathing - look, listen and feel
    Not normal breathing: Start CPR
    Normal breathing: place in the recovery position, monitor breathing

    C

    C: CPR

    Start CPR - 30 chest compressions: 2 breaths
    Continue CPR until help arrives or the patient recovers

    D

    D: Defibrillation

    Apply defibrillator if available and follow voice prompts
    See Charles Sturt defibrillator locations and available in Campus Security vehicles

  • Sexual assault / sexual harassment

    We have trained counsellors who can support you or people you know who are affected by sexual assault or sexual harassment, please tell someone so we can help you.

    What to do if you’ve been sexually harassed or sexually assaulted:

    1

    Get to a safe place if possible

    2

    Dial Triple Zero (000) and ask for POLICE, providing as much detail as you can about the incident

    3

    When safe Dial 1800 931 633 or ask someone to ring for you and state “SEXUAL ASSAULT” giving your location

    4

    Report this incident as soon as you can

    We are continually committed to building a safe, respectful, and inclusive University community and we encourage everyone to be alert of any suspicious situations and to report to us immediately.

    What to do if to see someone being sexually assaulted, sexually harassed, or receiving any unwanted sexual behaviour:

    1

    Immediately dial 1800 931 633 to notify Security Staff

    When you report the incident, try to include as many details as possible relating to the following:

    1. Nature of the incident
    2. Location of the incident
    3. Description of person(s) involved
    4. Description of property involved

    2

    Follow the instructions of Security Staff

    3

    Stay with the victim, providing comfort and support until Security Staff arrive

    Additional resources

    • Phone Campus Security, on 1800 931 633
    • Seek counselling support by completing our online referral form
    • Contact NSW Rape Crisis for 24-hour crisis counselling on 1800 424 017
    • Contact 1800 RESPECT or 1800 737 732 (24/7)
    • Visit the Charles Sturt Project Zero webpages - resources for Students about consent, conversations, and support
    • Confidential free, counselling services for staff - Employee Assistance Program 1300 361 008 (24/7)

    As part of your duty of care as a Charles Sturt staff member, all student disclosures you receive need to be reported via our online form. If the student does not wish to be identified, their personal details can be withheld from the report.

Apps that save lives

We recommend that everyone download these

Emergency Plus App

Emergency Plus App

Save the app that could save your life – Emergency Plus.

In an emergency, time and location accuracy are critical. By downloading the ‘Emergency +’ app, you’ll equip yourself with a powerful tool that will help you call Triple Zero (000) quickly, and allow you to accurately communicate your location to emergency call-takers

St John First Responder App

St John First Responder App

This app can also save lives by breaking down your first aid response steps. Like Emergency Plus it will instantly send your GPS coordinates to an operator, speeding up the time it takes to confirm your location and dispatch an ambulance.

Fires Near Me NSW App

Fires Near Me NSW App

It's important you stay up to date before, during and after bush fires and other emergencies. You can set your location and get notifications when there are updates in your area.

BeachSafe App

BeachSafe App

Access the latest information about every Australian beach on the go. The Beachsafe app provides detailed information from patrol status, facilities and hazards to weather, swell and tide.