A person holding the pipe of a fire extinguisher pointing at a fire A person holding the pipe of a fire extinguisher pointing at a fire

Risk Management

Be One Step Ahead

A bit of homework now could save you later. Take a moment to review our systematic approach to the following emergency situations.

Active Threat/Lockdown   Fire

First Aid  Severe Weather

Know Your Stuff

Knowing emergency phone numbers and the location of safety equipment, fire alarms, and emergency exits helps keep everyone safe. Consider these safety observation tips as you navigate campus:

  • Find the fire alarms that are located close to your classrooms and residence.
  • Familiarize yourself with the locations of fire extinguishers and check the label for instructions on how to use them.
  • Be aware of entry and exit routes that allow you to quickly escape from buildings in case of an emergency.

Gather Up

Muster areas are located in parking lots and on campus grounds and are used as meeting points by students and staff during an emergency. 

If you are in Grande Prairie, the muster point markers are yellow. In Fairview, these signs have a white background. Take note of muster points and head that way when prompted.

Grande Prairie Muster Points 

Fairview Muster Points

Timely Updates

Fire notifications will be shared through the fire alarm system. Other emergency specifics may be communicated on the safety app, through word of mouth, by email, or over one of the hallway Zoom phones. It's important to remember:

  • Don't panic. Emergencies that are communicated through the phones will relay any necessary response details.
  • Follow directions given by Security, Facilities - Maintenance & Operations, Evacuation Supervisors and emergency first responders.
  • Stay informed through NWP email, website and local radio stations.
  • Listen for the official ALL CLEAR to signal the end of the emergency.

Fire Response

Be it in a lab, classroom, housing, or elsewhere, a fire can have devastating effects. Wolfpack members can help by actively reducing risks and promptly reporting concerns and in the event of a fire following the REACT and PASS methods.

All Clear

The incident will be lifted when the RCMP gives "ALL CLEAR" guidance. Once this announcement is made, students, staff, faculty, and visitors should continue to follow law enforcement instructions.

Every second counts in a fire emergency, so remembering the mnemonic below will help you take action quickly.

  • Remove those in immediate danger if safe to do so
  • Ensure to close doors and windows but keep them unlocked, leave lights on
  • Activate the closest fire alarm pull station
  • Call 911, then Security or Facilities - Maintenance & Operations
  • Try to extinguish the fire if safe to do so

If you encounter a fire, use the mnemonic PASS when deploying the fire extinguisher. 

  • Pull the pin
  • Aim at the base of the fire
  • Squeeze the handle
  • Sweep from side to side
  1. Consider that a very small fire can be put out with a few sprays from one fire extinguisher (waste paper basket size). Make sure to have an emergency exit or escape route scoped out so that if the fire escalates, you can leave the area quickly.
  2. Once the fire is out, contact Facilities, Maintenance and Operations. They will need to replace the USED fire extinguisher with a NEW one right away.
  3. Fill out an NWP Incident / Accident Report and send a copy of the written report to Facilities Risk Management when the emergency is over.  

 

 

  • Do not panic. Stay calm.
  • Shut down equipment and evacuate the area.
  • Close doors and windows as you go, but keep things unlocked and leave the lights on.
  • Wear shoes and bring your jacket in cooler weather.
  • Walk - do not run. Exit the building via the nearest exit unless re-routed by an Evacuation Supervisor.
  • Do not use elevators.
  • Help people around you and those with physical disabilities get to designated muster or rescue areas.
  • If smoke is encountered, stay low and close to the ground as you find your nearest exit.
  • Gather at the nearest muster point area and wait for further instruction.
  • The incident is considered over when emergency services declare an “All Clear,” at which time you may re-enter the building(s).

Active Threat Response

If you are notified of an active threat or hear sounds of violence, scan and assess your situation, then consider these three options:

  • Get Out
  • Hide
  • Fight

All Clear

The incident will be lifted when the RCMP gives "ALL CLEAR" guidance. Once this announcement is made, students, staff, faculty, and visitors should continue to follow law enforcement instructions.

Get Out

GET OUT only if it is safe to do so:

  • Do not get the armed intruder’s attention
  • Choose a safe exit and do not re-enter the building
  • Do not run in a straight line
  • Try to keep objects/cover between you and the armed intruder
  • Call 911 when you are safe
  • Then, notify Security or Facilities – Maintenance & Operations

Hide

HIDE find the nearest secure room:

  • Close then lock, wedge shut, or barricade doors
  • Turn off lights, close all blinds, silence phones, and be quiet
  • Stay low and away from doors and windows
  • Hide behind architectural features or arrange solid furniture for cover
  • Call 911 only if you have a medical emergency or specific information about the armed intruder
  • If the fire alarm goes off, stay where you are unless you are in imminent danger from fire or smoke
  • No one should open any door once it has been secured until officially advised ‘All Clear’ or are certain it is emergency response personnel at the door

Fight

FIGHT only as a last resort when you cannot run or hide and your life is in imminent danger:

  • Improvise weapons from nearby objects
  • Incapacitate the armed intruder aggressively and as quickly as possible
  • Call 911 when the intruder is no longer a threat

Lockdown is similar to HIDE. When you hear a Lockdown message:

  • If you are immediately beside an exit, leave the building and do not re-enter.
  • If in a public area, get to a room that can be locked or barricaded.
  • Lock the classroom/office and/or barricade the door.
  • Close all blinds, silence phone(s), turn off lights, stay inside the room and listen for further messages.
  • Distance yourself from doors or windows.
  • If the fire alarm goes off, stay where you are unless you smell smoke.

A bomb threat may refer to an explosive or chemical, biological, radiological or nuclear (CBRN) threat or device, and should always be taken seriously. 

If you become aware of a suspicious package/bomb threat:

  • Call 911 immediately.
  • Notify Security 780.539.2700 or Facilities – Maintenance & Operations 780.539.2808
  • Do NOT activate the fire alarm system.
  • Try to AVOID cell phone use.
  • Evacuate the area, leave lights on, and close doors and windows but keep them unlocked.
  • Take with you all your personal belongings (i.e., backpacks and purses).
  • Exit the building using the nearest possible exit unless re-routed by an Evacuation Supervisor.
  • Proceed to the closest Muster Point.

When law enforcement arrives on the scene, they will assume overall command.
 

First Aid Response

Alberta OH&S Codes require a standard ratio of the number of workers (persons) to the first aiders for every location. Campus Security Services personnel are trained in First Aid, as are some NWP faculty and staff.

Kits are located in classrooms, Facilities Risk Management (G106 and FC104), hallways, and residence offices for easy access.

Located in cases mounted on walls at the Grande Prairie and Fairview campus locations. Step-by-step instructions for trained first aiders begin once the defibrillator is turned on and purposely in use.

Grande Prairie Campus

Fairview Campus

Across from the Kinesiology and Health Sciences Entryway

Plant Science

Outside Douglas J Cardinal Theatre

Gymnasium

Electrical Trades Building

Atrium

Beside Student Services Entry

Residence

M-Wing Hallway

Animal Health

Residence

 
Graphic illustration of how to respond to injury at work

  1. Remain calm. Remove or contain any hazards that can affect your safety and that of the victim.
  2. Use personal protective equipment like gloves, eye protection, and a filter mask as required.
  3. Do not move the victim unnecessarily. Only move the victim if they are in imminent danger and it is safe to do so. In life-threatening situations due to toxic fumes, vehicle fire, or building damage, move the victim to a safe location and try to remember their original position for the report.
  4. ​If you are the one who has been hurt, ask for assistance and call security.
  5. The First Aider will conduct an assessment and treatment within their qualifications and limitations. A First Aider must not attempt procedures or techniques beyond their abilities or training.
  6. As required, an ambulance / 911 will be called in to help with the injured and take them to the hospital. Continue treatment and monitoring until more qualified medical assistance arrives on the scene.
  7. An ambulance is always the preferred method to transport the injured to the hospital. If the injured individual does not want an ambulance and is experiencing a non-emergency, non-life-threatening injury, then a taxi may be used.
  8. Taxi services (vouchers) are available at the time of the incident and in case of a non-life-threatening illness or injury, where transportation is required to get to a clinic or emergency room. Instructors or Security personnel can call the taxi company for you.
  9. Ensure hand washing and personal cleanliness.

Severe Weather Response

Inclement weather occurs frequently across Alberta and can threaten life and property. Storms develop quickly, so an emergency plan is essential.

Loss of utilities is only considered an emergency if:

  • There is an impact to health, safety, and hygiene, such as complete loss of heat in the winter,
  • There is a risk of damage to the building or the environment. 

During these instances, Facilities, Maintenance and Operations, in collaboration with the utility companies, will do everything possible to repair the problem. The Executive Team will determine the need to temporarily cancel classes and close the Campus based on the impacts of the utility loss. Review your NWP email, go to the NWP website, or listen to local radio stations for updates on the situation.

Tornado Watch

Conditions are favourable for tornado formation, and an alert is typically received from the local weather service, television, radio or emergency services agencies in the area.

  1. If you hear that a Tornado Watch has been issued, contact Security or Facilities – Maintenance & Operations, and they will monitor weather advisory information (radio, television or through local emergency services agencies) and share updates with the Learning Community.
  2. Continue normal activities but remain alert to changing weather conditions.
  3. An ‘All Clear’ will be declared when the Tornado Watch has ended.
     

Tornado Warning

A tornado has been sighted or indicated on the weather radar. The approximate location of the sighting and the direction of travel of the tornado are typically provided.

  1. If you hear that a Tornado Warning has been issued, contact Security or Facilities – Maintenance & Operations, and they will communicate Tornado Warning information to the affected NWP area.
  2. When notified of a tornado warning, immediately proceed to:
    1. Interior hallways and rooms without exterior walls on the lowest floor,
    2. AVOID gym, exterior rooms, theatre or any room with a wide free-span roof or windows.
    3. Assume a kneeling position and cover the back of your neck and head with your hands or a coat to protect your eyes and head.
    4. Face away from areas of greatest danger of flying glass.
  3. An ‘All Clear’ will be declared when the Warning has ended

Slick conditions call for extra caution while walking and driving. 

Driving

Take it slow and steady, and use extra care at bridge overpasses, sharp corners, and intersections where ice tends to accumulate. If roads are covered in sleet, do not drive until road conditions have improved. 

Walking

Slow down and walk with both feet close to the ground, in a shuffle. De-ice walkways and driveways. Alert Facilities – Maintenance & Operations to any campus areas that require gravelling or de-icing. 

Driving during snowstorms that create little to no visibility is best avoided. If travel is essential, let someone close to you know when and where you are going and when you have arrived. 

What to bring

Take extra pieces of clothing, a few non-perishable food items, a shovel, and de-icer with you. Have a charged communications device along with a list of emergency phone numbers.

Use caution when the weather becomes wild and unpredictable. 

  • Do not go outside during a storm unless absolutely necessary, as visibility may be extremely poor and hail can cause damage and injury.
  • Be mindful that strong winds can cause tree branches to break and power lines to come down.
  • Treat flooding seriously. The water may be deeper than anticipated, and the current may be powerful. Do not attempt to drive through a flooded area. Park the vehicle and call for help. Wait until conditions subside.
  • When thunder starts to rumble, get indoors. Seek shelter in a substantial building or hard-topped vehicle, then wait for 30 minutes after the storm to resume outside activities.

Get in Touch

We are here to help keep you safe and sound.