Emergency Response Guide

This is a basic emergency response guide organized by the type of emergency.

  • This is not a comprehensive first responder training guide.

  • This does not replace safety training required to be on the summit.

  • A full copy of the emergency procedures and evacuation routes are found here in English (starting on slide 19) and here in Spanish (starting on slide 19).

  • It is recommended to contact the safety team to complete summit driver’s training in addition to the required summit training.

Note

Observing specialists serve as the Nighttime Safety Officers if there is not a member of the safety team physically on the summit. If they take the decision to close the telescope or evacuate the summit for inclement weather, that decision is not negotiable. The priority of safety will always be given to staff first, equipment second.

Medical Emergency

Contact the PolyClinic (the Paramedic on summit) at extension 577.

Important

If no one answers the telephone, use any Rubin radio tuned to Channel 1. Put out the call:

“Atento paramedico, habla [your name].”

Wait for a response. If there is no response on the radio, call 440 to the Mountain Assistant.

Describe the emergency:

  • Type of Emergency

    My collegue is unconscious.

    • “Mi colega esta inconsciente.”

    My collegue is not breathing.

    • “Mi colega no respira.”

    My colleague has fallen.

    • “Mi colega se ha caído.”

    My colleague has fainted.

    • “Mi colega se ha desmayado.”

    My colleague is bleeding profusely.

    • “Mi colega esta sangrando mucho.”

  • Your name

    My name is [your name].

    • “Me llamo [your name].”

  • Your location

    We are in [AuxTel/Main Building] [floor 1, 2, 3, ..].

    • “Estamos en el [telescopio auxiliar/edificio principal] de Rubin, en el piso [uno, dos, tres, …].”

  • How many people are injured

    There are [two, three, …] people injured.

    • “Hay [dos, tres …] personas heridas.”

  • Name any hazardous conditions present IF you can identify them. Speak only to the details you know.

  • Wait for instructions.

Inclement weather

  • In the event of precipitation (rain or snowfall), close both domes (if open) and prepare to evacuate the summit.

    • If Summit or NOIRLab Operations have ordered a summit evacuation, prepare to go down on the provided transportation or join a group evacuating in a summit vehicle.

  • If precipitation arrives after hours, shut down operations quickly.

    • Put an announcement on #summit-announce and call on radio channel 3 and 5 to announce to any on site personnel that the summit is being evacuated.

    • Gather everyone in the shared vehicles and drive slowly down to Hotel Pachón.

Fire

If you detect smoke or fire:

  • Use a fire extinguisher if you are trained to do so.

  • Take a Rubin radio. Announce on Channel 3.

    Attention Rubin Personnel, FIRE! Evacuate the building!

    • “Atento a todo personal, HAY INCENDIO! Salgan del edificio!”

  • If an emergency leader is identified, follow their instructions to evacuate.

Give everyone you encounter directions to meet at the emergency assembly point in the first level parking lot.

  • Remain low to the ground if you encounter smoke.

  • Leave all belongings behind.

  • Take the stairs, not the elevators.

  • Pull a fire alarm if possible.

  • Once outside, alert the Mountain Assistant at extension 440:

    • If they do not answer, call Control Puerta at extension 434.

    • Put out a call for help on any Rubin radio tuned to Channel 1.

Earthquake

If the building begins to shake for more than 1 or 2 seconds, it is a terramoto (earthquake) not a tremblor (tremor). If it is a small earthquake and shaking stops quickly, there is no need to evacuate.

  • Drop, cover, and remain still.

  • Stay away from windows and any electrical panels.

  • After the shaking stops, give directions to everyone with you to meet at the emergency assembly point at first level parking.

  • Use the Rubin radio on channel 3 to alert other personnel in the building to meet at the safety point.

  • If the earthquake is severe and someone is injured, call the Mountain Assistant on radio channel 1.

    • If they don’t respond, call Control Puerta at 434.

  • Wait for instructions in the emergency assembly point.

Chemical spill

  • Remove any person from the contaminated area if you can.

  • Alert others in the immediate area to stay clear and evacuate.

  • Call the emergency contact numbers and request emergency and medical responders.

  • Provide as many details as you can, MOST IMPORTANTLY THE LOCATION.

  • Use the eyewash stations or safety showers (away from the spill) to rinse chemicals off of yourself.

Electric shock

  • DO NOT TOUCH the person that was shocked.

  • Look for the hazard.

  • Shut off power if you can.

  • Call the emergency contact numbers and request emergency and medical responders.

  • Provide as many details about the emergency as you can, MOST IMPORTANTLY THE LOCATION.

This procedure was last modified Dec 16, 2024.