Elderbush Manor
Greenbush, MN
EMERGENCY
PREPAREDNESS
&
EVACUATION
PROCEDURES
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Elderbush Emergency and Evacuation Plan
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I.
II.
III.
IV.
V.
VI.
VII.
VIII.
IX.
X.
XI.
XII.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
CONTACT NUMBERS
Introduction
Reporting Emergencies
Definitions & Explanations
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Buddy Partner Plan
Assembly and Reporting Centers
Emergency First Aid Kits
Flashlights
Emergency Lights in Halls
Alarms at Elderbush Entrances
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Emergency Rosters and Maps
Building Evacuation Procedure
Storm Warnings or Severe Weather
Bomb Threats
Terrorist Acts
Disturbances & Demonstrations
Utility Emergencies
Hazardous Accidents
Biological or Chemically Harmful Mail
Robbery
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CONTACT NUMBERS
Emergency – 911
Eunice Korczak – 782-2375
Ed Dallager – 781-2181
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(Otter Tail) – 1-800-257-4044
(Plumbing) Dale Wicklund – 782-3114
I. Introduction
The purpose of the Greenbush Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HRA)
Emergency Preparedness Plan is to outline the Elderbush commitment to safety of
tenants, guests, employees, and emergency workers while on HRA property and to
minimize loss and injuries associated with disasters and emergencies.
All HRA tenants, tenant caretakers, and tenant next-of-kin, as well as HRA staff
and volunteers should make themselves familiar with the procedures.
II. Reporting Emergencies
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Individuals who notice non-life-threatening emergencies may report to the office
(Eunice Korczak) 782-2370 or 782-2375. In the case of life-threatening and other
imminent emergencies, please use the following guidelines.
REPORT ALL EMERGENCIES WHICH ARE LIFE-THREATENING IN
THE FOLLOWING ORDER:
1. Notify any people who are in immediate danger.
2. Call 911
3. Notify any people who may be in danger.
4. Notify your “Buddy-Partners” and other tenants.
5. Notify the following if appropriate:
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Emergency – 911
Eunice Korczak – 782-2375
Ed Dallager – 781-2181
(Otter Tail) – 1-800-257-4044
(Plumbing) Dale Wicklund – 782-3114
III. Definitions and Explanations
Buddy Partner Plan
Your Buddy Partners are your two or three closest neighbors. You will have
more than one buddy.
The buddy partner plan asks that you cooperate in enhancing the safety of your
neighbors while they do the same for you. The village emergency siren is not
always heard in individual apartments, especially if the TV is loud. If you hear the
alarm sounding for weather or any other emergency, please notify the persons
living on either side of you. And they then should notify their neighbors. It is
important that all tenants are aware of an emergency situation.
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Assembly and Reporting Centers
Assembly and reporting centers are important in an evacuation plan. Please make
sure you know where you are to assemble and report so that we can account for
everyone. Do not leave the area without reporting that you are safely out of
the building. One person unaccounted for may mean the lives of emergency or
rescue workers will be unnecessarily risked or lost. If the fire department brings
school buses to aid with the evacuation, there should be one at the front of the
Elderbush and one at the rear of Elderbush; these will be the official reporting
centers, as well as warm shelter for evacuees. These busses may be parked some
distance from the building to facilitate efficiency for rescue workers and safety for
those taking refuge in the busses. Look for them past the immediate driveways.
Safe Houses - Locations
If the fire department does not bring busses, report at the following centers:
Glen & Roxanne Brazier Home – 782-2606 (Across the highway from our front yard)
Richard & Sue Halstengard Home – 782-2306 (Across the alley from our garage)
It is important that you find out which houses these are so you know where to
seek shelter if the busses do not show up.
REMEMBER TO TELL AUTHORITIES WHERE YOU ARE.
Emergency First Aid Kits Locations
(1) East Wing beneath the bench in the hall
(2) West wing beneath the bench in the hall
(3) Laundry room beneath the folding counter
Emergency First Aid Kits Contain:
Antibiotic ointment, alcohol, alcohol wipes, aspirin (chewable), bandage strips,
Band Aids, batteries, eye wash, face masks, first aid book, flashlight, garbage bags,
gauze pads, gauze strips (stretch), nutrition bars, Q-tips, sanitizing hand wipes,
scissors, thermometer, tweezers, water,
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Flashlights
Everyone should have a working flashlight at hand in case of an emergency.
Know where it is. Bring it with you in an emergency. Each emergency first aid kit
contains a flashlight. Please be aware that the batteries may not be installed in the
flashlight but stored in the first aid kit in a plastic bag to extend the lives of both
flashlight and batteries.
Emergency Lights in Hallway
Elderbush hallways are equipped with emergency lights that come on when the
electricity goes off. The lights may not be as bright as the normal hall lights so use
caution when moving through the halls under the emergency lamps. You
should not depend upon the emergency lighting and should be prepared with
working flashlights for emergencies.
Alarms at each of the Four Entrances
At each of the entrances, just inside the second door, there is a building alarm that
can be pulled to warn people of an emergency. The alarm switch is quite small,
but is red and at approximately eye height. You should familiarize yourself with
the locations. To set it off, pull down hard enough to break the glass rod. Use this
alarm as directed by the Emergency Procedure for the situation that is at hand. Do
not use it for silent evacuations.
Emergency Roster and Maps Outside
At both the front and rear of Elderbush near the entrances, a metal emergency box
containing tenant rosters and pertinent maps of the building and ground is attached
to the wall. This is for the use of authorities and emergency teams.
Locations of first aid kits, alarms, and extinguishers
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Emergency kits
(1) under hall bench West wing
(2) under hall bench East wing
(3) under counter in laundry room
Fire Alarms
at each entrance (front, back, east, west) on wall at eye level. Look for a small red
box with a handle. To sound alarm pull down handle until glass is broken.
Fire Extinguishers
at each entrance (front, back, east, west) on wall at about knee level. Look for a
gray box with extinguisher inside. To use extinguisher, pull the pin, aim and
depress trigger. The extinguisher foam is under pressure so be sure to have a firm
grip on it and do not aim it at people.
IV. Building Evacuation Procedure
1. In general, a building evacuation will be initiated by a village siren, an in-house
alarm, or notification by an official or the executive director. Under certain
circumstances, such as a bomb threat or a terrorist activity, a silent evacuation may
be initiated (without sirens or alarms). If an evacuation procedure is announced,
get out. NO ONE should remain in the building.
2. Remain calm; do not panic. Evacuation may be accomplished without injury if
everyone remains calm.
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3. Tenants and guests are to walk to the nearest exit in an orderly manner. You
can bring keys, handbags, and other items of importance, but do not delay your
exit by looking for them. Keep in mind that personal safety is more important than
belongings.
4. If the evacuation is due to threat of fire or smoke, please use your sliding glass
doors, if possible. You should NOT open the hall door, especially if it feels hot to
the touch.
5. If you know of someone who needs assistance, request help from staff or an
emergency worker.
6. During evacuation procedures, close but do not lock, the doors as you leave the
building.
7. Once outside, stay together a safe distance from the building and report to
your designated assembly and reporting center. Do not leave the area with a
friend or relative before you have reported. The rescue workers need to know who
is safe and who may still be in the building. Keep all fire lanes clear. Do not
attempt to drive away from the building until authorized to do so, since this will
hamper the arrival of emergency vehicles. When the emergency situation is
cleared, officials will notify you. Do not return to the building until officials call
an all-clear.
If you leave the immediate area
REMEMBER TO TELL AUTHORITIES WHERE YOU ARE
V. STORM WARNINGS AND SEVERE WEATHER
In the event that Elderbush or the Greenbush area is threatened by tornado or
severe storm, seek immediate shelter. The village siren may or may not be audible
to you inside the building, so pay attention to broadcasts for severe weather
warnings.
A tornado watch means a tornado is possible so be alert.
A thunderstorm watch means a thunderstorm is possible so be alert.
A tornado warning means a tornado is actually occurring, so take cover to avoid
high winds and flying debris.
A thunderstorm warning means a thunderstorm is occurring or is likely to occur
soon, so remain indoors or take cover to avoid lightening strikes.
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Some people may not hear the siren because of TVs or air conditioners, so please
notify your neighbors to the right and left of your door. This way we can be sure
that everyone knows a storm is threatening and can prepare.
If sheltering from a storm is necessary for Elderbush tenants, guests, or staff, the
following key factors will help you decide where you feel safe:
 Go to the most interior areas, such as inner hallways or small interior rooms
without windows.
 Stay away from windows and building entrances.
 Remember that most building shelters are much safer than being in a car or
outside.
The primary storm sheltering areas in the Elderbush building are the inner
hallways and public bathrooms.
Procedures for Weather Warnings
1. Proceed without delay to your preferred shelter area. Bring keys, cell phones,
flashlights, pillows, blankets, and other useful items if you can gather them without
delay. If you are on nitro for your heart, bring it with you. If you are a diabetic,
consider whether you may need insulin or snacks with you.
2. Close all doors leading to the sheltered area once safely inside. Do NOT under
any circumstances remain in a room with exterior window glass during severe
weather.
3. If the storm is overhead, it may be a good idea to lay facedown with your face
protected from flying or falling debris. Use arms, blankets, or pillows to protect
face and head.
4. Remain in the shelter until the storm has passed and it is safe to return to normal
activities.
5. If the building is damaged by the storm, call 911. Evacuation procedures shall
commence when the storm has passed.
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6. Should damage occur to your chosen shelter area, move to another hall or small
room shelter.
7. Snowstorms/Blizzards/Ice: If electricity is interrupted, notify 911 or Otter Tail
(1-800-257-4044) or proper authorities. Do not attempt to leave the building on
your own during a raging storm or blizzard. Be aware of ice and slippery
conditions.
VI. BOMB THREATS
Evacuation of Elderbush due to bomb threats, terrorism, or other threats of
violence will be conducted in generally the same manner as fire, except that the
alarm system may not be used. Silent evacuations will be less threatening to the
terrorist and it is important to keep the holder of bomb, gun, or other deadly
weapon calm. Authorities will determine if the building is to be evacuated.
Procedure
Threat by telephone
1. If you receive a threat against life or property over the phone, remain calm and
patient.
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2. Use the following checklist to get as much information as possible about the
bomb and its location.
 Talk -- calmly and carefully, you want to get the caller to tell you as
much as possible, but you do not want to provoke the caller.
 Tell -- the caller that people will get hurt--innocent people, tenants,
guests, and employees.
 Ask -- When is the bomb going to explode? What day and time?
Morning or afternoon?
 Ask -- Where is it now? Ask for exact location.
 Ask -- What kind of bomb is it? What does it look like?
 Ask -- What will make it explode?
 Ask -- When did you place the bomb? Why?
 Ask -- How do we know it is not a prank?
 Ask -- What is your name and where do you live?
 Ask -- Where are you calling from?
3. While still on the phone: if you can, notify someone else who can call from a
different regular land line phone (not cell phone) to call 911, do so.
4. To allow for a better chance to trace the call, when the caller has hung up,
hang up your phone and immediately take the receiver back off the hook.
5. If someone hasn’t already done so, immediately call 911 from a different
regular land line phone and report your name, exact location, address, phone
number you received the call on, and any other information obtained from the
caller.
Do not initiate a fire alarm during a bomb threat unless expressly authorized
to do so. Do not use any two-way radio, cell phone, or pager. Do not turn any
electrical devises on or off. Any of these activities may set off the bomb.
Once authorized, follow the building evacuation plan with the following added
conditions:
 Do not touch or move unusual packages, boxes, envelopes, or objects as you
leave the building. Immediately report any such items and their locations to
an emergency worker once you are safely clear of the building.
 Request or provide immediate aid to handicapped persons in the building.
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Discovery of Suspected Bomb
 If you discover a suspect package or object in the building, call 911, then
notify the office.
 DO NOT handle or move the suspect package.
 When authorized, the building and grounds will be evacuated to the distance
of at least a block.
 Permission to re-enter the building can only be granted by the authorities.
Suspect Packages may have these characteristics:
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Does not have a return address
Delivered by an unknown company or individual
“Open Immediately” stated on the package
Makes noise, hum, ticking, etc
Has nasty or threatening words or phrases printed on the package
VII. Terrorist Acts
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Although similar to other threats, a physical terrorist confrontation is an immediate
life-threatening danger which is not provoked and is unpredictable. Each situation
must be handled on an individual basis. Elderbush employees will, in general, not
participate in the handling or resolution of this type of activity. However, the
following instructions and procedures may be helpful in the event of a terrorist
attack.
 In the event you are confronted by a person with or claiming to have a
weapon or explosive device, remain calm, do not panic, do not set off the
Elderbush fire alarm. Remember, your reaction to the situation may
provoke the terrorist, so try to remain calm.
 Listen to all demands – do not disagree or attempt to reason with them.
 Do not attempt acts of heroism by rushing or attempting to disarm or
subdue them.
 If you have access to something the terrorist demands, move slowly, keep
you hands visible to them at all times, and give them what they request.
 Do not look terrorists directly in the eye or stare at them. Do as requested
and remain calm.
 If you see a terrorist attack in progress, do not get involved. Calmly move
away from the area if it is safe to do so. Once clear of the area, call 911.
Completely describe what you saw, how many terrorists, how many victims,
exact location of the activity.
 The building may be evacuated but each situation will be handled as
conditions warrant.
 Be prepared to seek protection behind solid walls or objects. Keep close to
the floor when sheltering.
VIII. DISTURBANCES & DEMONSTRATIONS
The Executive Director will assess the seriousness of a disturbance or
demonstration in the neighborhood or in the town and its impact on the safety of
tenants, guests, and staff. The following procedure will be used in the case of an
actual threat to life or property.
 If the Executive Director is not on duty and you feel threatened call 911,
then call the Executive Director (Eunice Korczak 782-2375).
 Tenants, guests, and staff will be advised of any threat to their safety that
may occur by exiting the building. Do not become a spectator.
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 The authorities at 911 or the Executive Director will alert the police for
possible needed assistance.
 If necessary, building will be kept secured and all persons entering or exiting
the facility will be carefully screened by Elderbush representatives or the
authorities. Avoid window and doorway areas.
 Each occurrence will be handled as unique. Caution should be exercised at
all times. The Executive Director will coordinate situations which directly
affect Elderbush as a whole. The Executive Director should be promptly
notified of developments concerning tenant safety and facility security.
IX. UTILITY EMERGENCIES
Electric Power Failure or Water Main Failure:
The following general procedures should be used
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 Move around carefully to retrieve an emergency flashlight
(Everyone should have a working flashlight and know where it is)
 Turn off surge-sensitive equipment, such as computers and television sets
 Determine the extent of the power failure or probable cause
 People to notify as seems appropriate:
o Eunice Korczak 782-2470 or 782-2375
o Ed Dallager 781-2181
o Dale Wicklund (water) – 782-3114
o Otter Tail (electric) – 1-800-257-4044
o 911 if warranted
In some instances, shutting off the power may be necessary. Ed Dallager or other
authority or Otter tail representative will shut it off. Once the power has been
restored, DO NOT turn on electrical equipment until Ed or another authority
gives an okay.
If the water is shut down, be sure you DO NOT turn on faucets and leave them on.
Again, once the water is restored, wait for an all-clear before turning your faucets
on.
X. HAZARDOUS ACCIDENTS
Warning of a hazardous accident will generally be received from the local
authorities such as Police or Fire Department. The Executive Director must be
notified when such accidents have occurred close enough to Elderbush to be a
threat to the safety of the tenants. This will include accidents which happen near
Elderbush or in an area where the wind could carry fumes or particulates from the
accident to Elderbush.
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Procedure guidelines (must be adapted to situation):
 Call 911 to notify the Police and/or the Fire Department if the information
regarding a hazardous accident was not originally received from them.
 The Executive Director along with authorities will determine the need to
leave the building or grounds based upon recommendations concerning the
severity of the situation.
 If evacuation is necessary, move to a location as directed or assess the wind
direction and move at a 90 degree angle from the prevailing wind. Never
move directly with or against the wind as air-borne contaminants are more
likely to follow this airflow.
 Seek professional medical treatment at once for all injuries or symptoms no
matter how inconsequential they may seem.
 Once safely away from the facility or danger, the Executive Director or other
authority will account for tenants and guests to try to ensure complete
evacuation. Immediately notify Emergency workers if someone appears to
be missing.
 Re-entry to the building will not be allowed until the authorities have
declared an all-clear.
 In the event a spill or environmental threat, such as gasoline or diesel fuel,
occurs on Elderbush property, notify the Eunice Korczak or the authorities
immediately. Eunice, Ed Dallager, or other authorities will determine if the
condition requires contacting the EPA regarding containment and cleanup.
XI. BIOLOGICAL OR CHEMICALLY
HARMFUL MAIL
Biological agents are organisms or toxins that produce ill effects on people. A
person affected by a biological agent requires the immediate attention of
professional medical personnel. Some agents are contagious, and victims may need
to be quarantined.
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Procedure or guideline for dealing with a suspected letter or package:
 Do not handle the mailpiece or package suspected of contamination. Do not
pass it around.
 Notify Eunice Korczak immediately or call 911 for the police.
 Make sure that the suspicious package(s) are isolated and the immediate area
cordoned off.
 Make sure that all persons who may have touched the package wash their
hands with soap and water and then isolate the sink to prevent others from
using it.
 Blow your nose before washing your hands if inhalation is suspected.
 The authorities will assess the threat situation and coordinate the action to be
taken.
 Make a list of all the people who may have touched the package, letter or
envelope. Include contact information for each and provide the list to the
authorities.
 If instructed to do so, place all clothing worn at the time of the exposure into
a plastic bag and keep it available for the authorities to pick up.
 As soon as practical, shower with soap and water.
Seek medical attention if exposure was possible. If medicine is prescribed take it as
directed
Some Typical Suspicious Characteristics of Which to Be Aware
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Powdery substance on any part of letter or envelope
Has an unusual amount of tape on it
Marked with restrictions, such as personal or confidential
Heavier than the size would indicate, lopsided, oddly shaped
Strange odor or stain
City or state postmark does not match the return address
Is unexpected or from someone unfamiliar to you
Addressed to someone no longer living at you address or otherwise outdated
No return address or one that cannot be verified as legitimate.
XII. ROBBERY
In the event of a robbery attempt, remember that your personal safety is of primary
importance. Possessions are not as important as your safety. Do not do anything
that may jeopardize your safety.
Procedure:
 Stay calm
 Obey instructions from the robber.
 DO NOT attempt to stop or apprehend the robber.
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 Take careful note of physical description, height, color of hair, what he’s
wearing, and distinguishing characteristics.
 Once the robber has left, if possible watch through the window. Try to get a
description of any vehicle or accomplices\
 Call 911 for the police
 Notify Eunice Korczak 782-2470 or 782-2375
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Jot your emergency notes here.