Animal Care Program Emergency Plan Updated September 2014
| Office | Contact | Office | Emergency |
|---|---|---|---|
| IACUC Chair | Mr. David March | 540-458-8176 | 540-817-2599 |
| University Veterinarian | Dr. Phillip Bailey | 540-463-2015 | 540-264-0116 |
| W&L Public Safety | Dr. Craig VanClief | 540-458-8999 | 540-458-8427 |
| W&L EHS Director | Mr. Mike Jennings | 540-458-8175 | 540-460-0500 |
Washington and Lee University recognizes that in the event of an emergency such as a natural disaster (e.g. earthquake), severe weather (e.g. flooding due to excessive rain), or unforeseen events (e.g. power outages) actions must be taken to ensure the safety of lab animals.
It is understood that not all staff or emergency personnel may be present in the event that this plan must be implemented. As such, all personnel who regularly work in Parmly Hall and all Principal Investigators (PIs) housing vertebrate animals in Parmly Hall should be familiar with the Emergency Response Plan and have the contact information of those listed above readily available when in the Parmly Hall Animal Colony or other laboratory spaces associated with this facility that house vertebrate animals. Additionally, contact information for the building's researchers is to be made available in and around the building's location at the discretion of Department Heads of departments whose faculty have active W&L IACUC protocols.
Emergency Plans
- Power or climate control systems failure shall be responded to by close monitoring of the lab conditions or transporting of the animals to the closest, unaffected, suitable facility.
- Natural disasters that affect animal labs shall similarly be responded to by transporting all living animals to the closest, unaffected, suitable facility.
- Weather-related emergencies that damage animal labs shall be responded to by transporting of the animals to the closest, unaffected, suitable facility.
- Blocked entrances due to disasters should be monitored closely and often until the situation can be resolved. Animals should at all times have adequate food, water and bedding supplies for three days. When an emergency arises, emergency services will be contacted for prompt intervention.
- Building fires are an immediate threat in which personnel should evacuate the building immediately according to normal fire safety procedures, and concern themselves with animal safety only after emergency services evaluate the building and grant permission to enter.
- Bomb threats vary in severity. If the campus is evacuating due to a bomb threat, personnel shall follow instructions and concern themselves with animal safety only after emergency services evaluate the building and grant permission to enter.
- Injured animals of any species in this facility will be tended to as promptly as it is safe to do so, to determine whether the animal is recoverable and, if so, to treat. Animals that sustain untreatable injuries will be humanely euthanized.
Additional Information
- Emergency contact information (listed above) should be prominently displayed in all lab areas.
- The Animal Emergency Plan (this document) should be prominently displayed in all lab areas.
- Permissions must be granted to all personnel entering lab areas.
- A work schedule must be posted to ensure all animals are cared for appropriately during holiday or other periods.
- Each Colony room and laboratory room in which animals are housed even temporarily must have emergency contacts clearly cited on the doorway to the individual rooms.