NMU THEATRE & DANCE EMERGENCY PROCEDURES

 

In case of an emergency, call NMU Public Safety at 906-227-2151.

 

First Aid


First aid stations are located in:

  • The NMU Costume Shop (McClintock 112)
  • The NMU Scene Shop (McClintock 107)
  • Backstage left and backstage right of the Forest Roberts Theatre

Students can speak with the Production Manager about first aid training.

If an injury occurs that results in visible blood, proper Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) must be used to administer first aid. PPE must then be bagged and labeled and Public Safety must be called to clean, pick up, and dispose of any Bloodborne Pathogens (BBP) or Other Potentially Infectious Materials (OPIM). Any personal injury accident involving faculty, staff, students, or visitors resulting in an injury that requires treatment other than self-administered first aid must be reported to Public Safety. A University Incident Report must be prepared and filed within 24 hours of the injury by a supervisor, faculty member, or Public Safety.

 

Calling an Ambulance



Forest Roberts Theatre

In case of serious accident or injury in which an injured person or persons require an ambulance, call Public Safety at 906-227-2151. Someone should be posted at the loading door to greet the EMTs and uniformed officers and help guide them to the injured person.

 

Panowski Black Box Theatre

In case of serious accident or injury in which an injured person or persons require an ambulance, call Public Safety at 906-227-2151. Someone should be posted at the double doors of the Black Box leading out to the faculty/staff parking lot to greet the EMTs and uniformed officers and help guide them to the injured person.

 

Dealing with Emergencies Step-by-Step

 

  • Remain Calm
    • It is important to keep as calm as possible and stay focused so that your judgment is not impaired by your emotions.
  • Assess the Situation
    • As quickly and professionally as you can, find out what the exact situation is that has taken place and what needs to occur to remedy the situation.
  • Protect Your Safety
    • Never put yourself in harms way.
  • Protect the Safety of Others
    • If possible, aid people in evacuation or movement to a safer location.
  • Notify Authorities
    • Call Public Safety if in need of an ambulance or other police services. Calling 911 from a campus phone will put you in direct contact with the campus EMT network. Be as specific as possible about the situation and the aid needed, and be precise about the location.

 

Emergency Procedures During a Performance


Student performers, stage managers, designers, technicians, and front of house staff should be prepared for a patron or member of the cast/crew to become ill, injured, or otherwise incapacitated during a performance. Students should also be prepared in case of fire or severe weather. All students within the Theatre and Dance Department should familiarize themselves with the following procedures.

 

Patron/Guest Becomes Ill or Injured

 

  1. Ask if there is anything you can do to help.
  2. Move the patron out of public view, if possible.
  3. If the situation is severe, contact Public Safety and make sure a staff member is stationed outside to guide the EMTs when they arrive.
  4. Give aid while waiting for emergency personnel to arrive.

 

Cast/Crew/Production Team Member Becomes Ill or Injured

 

  1. Ask if there is anything you can do to help.
  2. Move the person out of the way of moving set pieces, flies, or other performers/crew members if possible.
  3. If the situation is severe, contact Public Safety and make sure a staff member is stationed outside to guide the EMTs when they arrive.
  4. Give aid while waiting for emergency personnel to arrive.
  5. Unless the illness is very severe and the person is not able to be moved from a dangerous area (onstage, in the way of scenery, etc.), try to keep the audience unaware of what is happening.
  6. If the illness is severe or the sick person is not able to be moved from a dangerous area, ask the Production Stage Manager to call a hold.

 

Minor Fire

 

  1. Use the nearest fire extinguisher to control the fire.
  2. Notify the Production Stage Manager.
  3. If the fire becomes out of control, follow the procedures for a major fire.

 

Major Fire

 

  1. Initiate the fire alarm.
  2. Clear the stage of performers and crew members and lower the fire curtain.
  3. If time allows, call Public Safety and alert them of the location of the fire.
  4. The Production Stage Manager should make the following announcement to the house:
    1. "Ladies and gentlemen, this is your Production Stage Manager speaking. We ask that you please excuse this interruption of the performance, but we must ask you to leave the building for a short period of time. The fire alarm has been activated and we request that you evacuate the building until the situation is completely under control. Please follow the instructions of the management staff when exiting the building. Thank you for your cooperation."
  5. Turn the house and work lights up to full.
  6. The Production Stage Manager should announce over headset and backstage:
    1. "Ladies and gentlemen, there is a fire in (state location). Please secure your areas and begin evacuating the building."
  7. Assist front of house staff in opening all exit doors and assist patrons in exiting the building. Ask them to meet in an open area out of the way of officials. If smoke or fire blocks the exit, reroute patrons to another exit. 
  8. If time permits, staff and crew should close and lock all doors, windows, and safes, turn off all electrical equipment, and leave the building via the nearest exit, checking doors for heat before opening them. If smoke is present, keep near the floor.
  9. Once out of the building, meet the rest of the staff in a designated area.
  10. The building may be reoccupied only after the fire alarm has been turned off and the proper authorities have given the all clear.

 

Power Outage

 

  1. Turn off an electrical equipment that may cause injury when power is restored.
  2. Check to make sure that no one is trapped in an area without back-up electricity or emergency lighting.
  3. Have someone check the elevator to make sure nobody is trapped.
  4. The Production Stage Manager should make the following announcement to the house:
    1. "Ladies and gentlemen, this is your Production Stage Manager speaking. We are currently experiencing a power outage. At this time, we do not have a way of continuing the performance. Please remain seated and we will wait to see if the power is restored. If not, we will begin assisting you in exiting the building safely."
  5. Front of house staff will use flashlights to assist patrons from their seats to a safe exit.

 

Tornado/Severe Weather

 

  1. Contact Public Safety for a weather report and notify them of the situation.
  2. The Production Stage Manager should announce over headset and backstage:
    1. "Ladies and gentlemen, I have been notified of a severe weather situation. All cast and crew, please move to the dressing rooms. Please remain calm. I will give a clear when I have been notified of the weather's passing."
  3. The Production Stage Manager should make the following announcement to the house:
    1. "Ladies and gentlemen, this is your Production Stage Manager speaking. We are currently in a (specify weather situation). Please remain calm and in your seats. Our front of house staff will begin to instruct you on where to go for safety."

 

Minor Flood or Sewage Backup

 

  1. Contact Public Safety and building maintenance.
  2. Turn off all running water, including washing machines, sinks, and toilets.
  3. Ask patrons to exit restrooms and redirect them to the nearest restroom.
  4. Post an out of order sign on all affected areas.
  5. Start mopping or a bucket brigade, depending on the severity of the flood.