Reporting Crimes and Emergencies

BCC students, staff, as well as visitors are encouraged to immediately report to Campus Security any incidents of criminal activity, sexual harassment, racist behavior, or other emergencies.

Security guards may be approached at any time or may be contacted in the following manner:

• by calling ext. 6100 which rings on the radio carried by the guards at all times.
• by using emergency phones located throughout the campus (see back page for listing) which automatically dial security upon lifting of the handset.
• If security staff cannot be reached, incidents can be reported to the Director of Facilities located in F-235, ext 3015; to the Dean of Administration & Finance located in F-225, ext. 3002, or to the Dean of Student Affairs located in F-122, ext, 1602.
• Dial 6100 for medical emergencies. The security guard on duty is trained in basic first aid and is the first to respond to the scene. S/he will also notify the College Health Care Counselor and will order and ambulance if needed.

Reporting Procedures For South County Center

The South County Center Director and staff are available and accessible during all regular operating hours for the reporting of incidents of any type. They in turn relay the information to the security staff of the main (Pittsfield) campus for follow-up as described in the preceding pages and/or to the Great Barrington Police Department for immediate response.

The public has access to a telephone for emergency calls to local police and fire departments if necessary, by dialing 911.

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Location of Emergency Phones

INTERIOR emergency phones are located in the small entry corridors of each classroom or lab in the buildings of Hawthorne and Melville.

EXTERIOR emergency phones are located in the following areas:

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Pay Phone Locations

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Institutional Response to Reported Incidents

Incident Reports

Upon receiving a report of any criminal activity, injury, or accident, security will respond by interviewing the reporting individual for details of the incident and will complete an incident report which is reviewed by the chief security officer and the Director of Facilities. Copies of incident reports are kept in the offices of the Director of Facilities and the Dean of Administration and Finance.

Actions

• The security guard on duty can often respond to an incident by taking such actions as asking a person to leave the campus, by issuing a parking ticket, or intervening to disperse participants in an incident.
• In the event of medical emergencies, security, the Health Care Counselor, or another first-aider can contact an ambulance to transport the victim to the hospital.
• Security works with the Massachusetts State Police in reporting incidents of criminal activity. The state police then conducts their own investigation, keeping college officials apprised of the status and dispensation of each case.
• In the case of incidents or complaints regarding maintenance of buildings and grounds, the college buildings and grounds staff address the concern in response to a Maintenance Request Form completed by the responding guard
• Complaints of sexual or racial harassment are referred to the college Affirmative Action Officer as well as the state police, if necessary.

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Victim Information Sheet

Whom to Contact

In the event that you are the victim of sexual assault on the campus, first and most importantly get yourself into a place of safety, if at all possible where you are able to call one or more of the following:

1. The Campus Security at ext. 6100 to report the incident and receive prompt assistance
2. The State Police at (413)743-4700
3. A friend
4. A local rape crisis hotline at (413) 443-0089.

The Importance of a Medical Examination

For purposes of ensuring your own physical health as well as successful apprehension and prosecution of your attacker if desired/warranted, it is very important that you promptly go or be sent to a nearby hospital emergency room to be examined. As awkward or uncomfortable as it may be, you should not change your clothing or bathe prior to this examination. You will want, at this time, to be treated for any injuries you may have sustained and also be tested for the presence of any sexually transmitted diseases.

Be aware that it is your right to have a trained rape counselor accompany you throughout all or any part of the medical examination. The counselor is there to provide support and answer any questions you may have. The information you share privately with the counselor is confidential. Seeing the doctor and having an evidentiary "rape kit" completed does not mean you must prosecute your attacker, but it does significantly increase the potential for success if you choose to do so.

If possible, either bring a change of clothing with you to the hospital or have someone do so for you as your clothing worn during the assault should be collected by the medical team.

Protecting Yourself Following a Sexual Assault

After a sexual assault has occurred, it is extremely important to provide for your personal safety. If you know or fear that your attacker knows your whereabouts, you may want to make temporary arrangements to stay elsewhere. Restraining orders preventing your attacker from contacting you are available through the court system. Although you must request the order (with or without the help of an attorney), rape crisis counselors can help you fill out the required paperwork at the police station. Counselors can also refer you to appropriate support agencies and shelters if desired.

Recovery

It is important to remember that sexual assault can happen to anyone. Sexual violence is not the victim's fault. However, victims frequently experience confused and deeply troubling feelings following an attack. It is important not to hold such feelings in - talk to a trusted friend or relative and seek appropriate professional counseling. Rape Crisis Centers offer 24-hour hotlines and these conversations are completely confidential. You can talk to the counselors about anything - they are there to listen and to help. They can answer questions about police proceedings, legal issues, medical procedures, counseling options, and many other topics.

Remember, if you have been sexually assaulted, you are the victim - you need now to take appropriate steps toward recovery - physical and emotional.

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Emergency/Evacuation Procedures

To Report an Emergency

Dial 6100 to reach Security (It takes several rings for the call to reach Security.)

State your name, location and type of emergency (fire, bomb threat, medical, etc.)

If it is a medical emergency, Health Services will respond to scene. Until help arrives:

• Keep everyone calm
• Reassure injured/ill person
• Keep someone with the person at all times
• Keep person still and warm
• Keep area free of spectators

In the Event an Evacuation is Necessary

If the fire alarm is sounded, or you are instructed by a college official to leave the area, evacuate to the nearest parking lot immediately. Close doors behind you.

If you're with someone who may need assistance or has a disability, evacuate this person last in order to minimize the possibility of injury. (Never leave someone with a disability unattended.)

• Visually impaired: Ask the person to take your arm and describe the evacuation process while you move towards safety.
• Mobility impaired (crutches): If the use of stairs is necessary, ask the person to use a single crutch so that one hand is free to grasp a handrail, and guide the person from behind.
• Mobility impaired (wheelchair): If exits are blocked, move the person to an Area of Rescue Assistance* and wait for assistance from the evacuation team and/or fire department. Do not remove anyone from a wheelchair

Area of Rescue Assistance

REMEMBER

• Allow all emergency vehicles and personnel to pass freely.
• Do not attempt to contact Security unless you're actively involved in the emergency.
• Do not reenter buildings until officially notified.
• Do not use the elevators if the fire alarm is sounded.

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