Decatur Campus Student Employee Guide: Emergencies and Resources

If an armed person enters the building or you hear gunfire, take immediate action to protect yourselves and others.

• Stop work or activity.
• If you are in a classroom, close the door and lock it if it has a lock. If it does not have a lock, use desks and chairs to block the doorway.
• If it is safe to do so, move to a safer area away from the threat. Warn others of the danger.
• Stay away from windows and out of view. Take a position behind heavy furniture, a counter, or anything that will hide your location and provide some cover. 
• If a phone is available and it is safe to do so, call the police and/or campus security (404-413-3333). 
• If you are in an open area, drop down and find a way to get to cover safely.
• There are two emergency doors on the lowest level of the building. One is located by the 1200 classroom; the other is located in the back stairwell. To use these doors, you must depress the bar for 15 seconds before the door will open. An alarm will sound once the doors open.  
• If you are wounded, do your best to put pressure on the wound to stop the bleeding. If you are able and it is safe to do so, find a way to get to cover.
• When the gunfire ceases, remain hidden until the police and/or campus security gives an all-clear.
• If you are approached by the gunman, your actions will depend solely on your judgment and capability. No strategy can ever be 100 percent effective, but have a plan and DO something. 
• If you are approached by the police, remain calm. Keep your hands visible. Follow any instructions you are given, and remain hidden unless instructed to leave.
  • The first priority of responding officers is to stop the threat. They will not be able to tend to any wounds or answer questions. 
• If it is safe to do so, observe and make notes of the following:​
  • Descriptions of the people involved in the event
  • Vehicle description
  • Types and number of weapons
  • Statements and other pertinent information

For more information, visit the university's emergency management page.

Our Perimeter Counseling Team is:

·         Ann Ellis, LPC  Campus wide, Decatur & Newton 

·         Louise Turner, LPC, Campus wide, Dunwoody, Alpharetta (half day Tuesdays) and Clarkston

·         Rachel Newby, LCSW  Campus wide, Dunwoody, Alpharetta (half day Mondays) Clarkston

·         Sarah Meng, LPC   Campus wide:  Decatur & Atlanta 

Perimeter Locations:  

·       Alpharetta:  AA 1430

·       Clarkston:  CN 1345 (access through the Military Outreach suite CH 1300)

·       Decatur:  SA 3410

·       Dunwoody:  NT 1130 (in Student Health Clinic space)

·       Newton:  2N 2308

 Call 678-891-4105 for more information.

Tornado warnings mean a tornado is near. Stay inside to protect yourself and others.

During the event:

• Stop work or activity
• Advise others to stay inside the building due to the emergency. Going outside poses a risk of injury or death.
• Move to the lowest floor in the building. Select an interior room or stairwell without windows. Avoid rooms with mechanical equipment and exterior doors if possible. 
• Do not use the elevator.
• Get under a sturdy piece of furniture if available.
• Use your arms to protect your head and neck.
• If possible, find a room with a landline telephone as cell phone networks may be overwhelmed once the storm passes.
• Listen to the radio, if possible, and monitor email, the GSU web page, and indoor and outdoor public address systems until you are told all is safe or to evacuate.

After the event:

• Help injured, trapped, or persons with disability or special needs if it is safe to do so. 
• Give first aid when appropriate. 
• Do not try to move the seriously injured unless they are in immediate danger of further injury. 
• Call campus police (404-413-3333) or 911 if help is needed. 
• Stay away from damaged utilities and downed power lines when evacuating. 
• Stay out of damaged buildings until campus officials deem it safe to return. 
• Avoid spilled chemicals.
• If you smell gas or chemical fumes, notify the campus police (404-413-3333).

For more information, visit the university's emergency management page. 

Police: 911

Campus Police: 404-413-3333

Hearing Impaired: 404-413-3202

From an office phone:

• Dial 9 to call an outside line (eg: 9-911 for police)
• For campus police, dial 84-33333

For more information, please visit Georgia State University's Office of Safety & Security page. 

It is important to know that asking for help is not a sign of weakness. Work/school stress, issues with abuse (substance/physical/sexual) and relationships issues are universal life experiences.

If there is a non-life-threatening mental health concern, there is a Perimeter Counseling Access Line available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week: 678-891-4105.

Students can also try the Counseling Services Access Line at 770-278-1300 (Monday through Friday from 8 AM to 5 PM).

Students who want to make an appointment on campus should call 678-891-4105 to schedule a counseling appointment on any campus.

After regular business hours, there is also the Georgia Crisis and Access Line at 1-800-715-4225. It can be accessed 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Emergency Situations
If there is a life-threatening emergency, please call 911 immediately.

On campus, call Public Safety at 404-413-3333 or Campus Dispatch 404-416-4357 for assistance.

If a student is in severe distress and you think that he or she may harm himself/herself or someone else, call 911 or contact Public Safety at 404-413-3333.

If there is a need for crisis intervention and the campus counselor is not available, please call the Atlanta campus Counseling and Testing Center at 404-413-1640 and ask to speak with the Clinical Officer on Duty (COD). Have the student's name and contact information available. The counselor should be able to speak directly with the student to begin assessing the concern and making a plan.

Confidentiality: Do not talk about or write/post about any person's disclosures outside of work. Doing so is a breach of confidentiality, which will result in termination of employment. If you are unsure how to handle a situation, refer a student to a supervisor or full time staff member.