Emergency Procedures

For any emergency, including fire, explosion, illness, or injury, contact the Office of Public Safety (P-Safe):

  • 607-274-3333 from any cellular phone.
  • If you do not have access to a cellular phone, P-Safe can be reached from a campus phone at 4-3333.  Campus phone locations:
    • The technical director’s office in the scene shop.
    • Any faculty member’s office.
    • Blue phone outside the loading dock door to Dillingham, next to F Lot.
    • Blue phone by the bus stop at the traffic circle outside the Peggy Ryan Williams Center.
    • On the desk in the costume shop.
    • Outside Dillingham Center near Smiddy Hall (near the campus map).
  • Please do not attempt to dial 911 from your cellular phone.  There is a substantial delay when contacting emergency services from a cellular phone; P-Safe will be able to respond to a distress call on campus much more quickly than public safety officials dispatched by 911.

Emergency Procedures

See below for specifics

For minor medical emergencies (i.e. anything that appears to be non-life threatening):

  • Make sure the affected individuals are out of harm’s way.
  • Report the situation to a faculty or staff member yourself, or request assistance from another student.  Do not leave the affected individuals alone.
  • If a faculty or staff member cannot be easily located, contact P-Safe by dialing 4-3333 from a college phone or 607-274-3333 from a cellular phone.
  • Non-emergency medical treatment can be received at the Health Center, 4-3177 from a college phone or 607-274-3177 from a cellular phone.

For serious injuries or illness:

  • Immediately call P-Safe at 4-3333 from a college phone or 607-274-3333 from a cellular phone.
  • Remain with the affected individual, remain calm, and request assistance from your co-workers or faculty and staff members.  If you are qualified to perform CPR or other lifesaving procedures, you may proceed.  
  • Dillingham Center is equipped with an Automated External Defibrillator, located under the AED sign in the lobby outside the Clark Theatre.

fire emergency is defined as:

  • An uncontrolled fire or imminent fire hazard.
  • The presence of non-theatrical smoke and/or a burning smell.
  • The uncontrolled release of a flammable or combustible substance.
  • The sound of a fire alarm.

In the event of a fire emergency:

  • Activate the nearest fire alarm pull station.
  • Trained individuals may use a fire extinguisher to attempt to douse a small (wastepaper basket sized) fire.
  • If the fire is large or spreading, leave the fire area and close all doors to the fire area to prevent the spread of fire.
  • Evacuate the building and await the arrival of Public Safety.  Try to assist them in accounting for everyone inside the building – members of your crew or anyone else you know to have been inside when the fire emergency was discovered.  Do not leave the evacuation site until you have been accounted for.
  • Do not attempt to re-enter the building until you have received an all-clear by a P-Safe officer, a municipal fire official, or a Center for Theatre and Dance faculty or staff member.

For further training in fire safety procedures, please contact Environmental Health and Services at 4-3353.  EH&S offers training in fire extinguisher use and offers many resources for competently handling fire emergencies.

The evacuation sites for Dillingham Center are as follows:

  • The Blue Phone in F Lot.  Exit the building via the west exit (at the loading dock/metal shop area between the scene shop and the Hoerner stage) and proceed to the blue phone in the parking lot.
  • Outside Job Hall (south entrance).  Exit the building via the lobby doors (wooden doors at northeast end of lobby, glass doors at southeast end of lobby) and proceed around the fountains to Job Hall.

If you are nearer an alternate exit (north exit toward P. R. Williams center, south exit toward Smiddy Hall), take the nearest exit and proceed to one of these two evacuation sites.  Do not leave the evacuation site until told to do so by a P-Safe officer, municipal fire official, or a Center for Theatre and Dance faculty or staff member.

We work with many potentially hazardous chemicals regularly in the theatre.  Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) list the chemical composition of substances and contain information regarding the safe handling and use of chemical compounds. MSDS information is available online or by phone (see Sources of Assistance in the tabs to your left).

If you spill a hazardous chemical (i.e. paint thinner, fabric dye) on your skin:

  • Immediately rinse the area with water for at least 15 minutes.
  • Remove any soiled/contaminated clothing or jewelry while rinsing.  Discard any leather items (belts, shoes, etc.) as these cannot be decontaminated.
  • Check the MSDS to determine if delayed effects should be expected.

If you spill a hazardous chemical in your eyes:

  • Rinse with water for at least 15 minutes from the nose outward, so as not to affect the uncontaminated eye.
  • Remove any contact lenses while rinsing; do not wait to remove them before beginning to rinse.

If you inhale a hazardous chemical or are overcome by chemical fumes:

  • Leave the room and move to fresh air immediately.
  • Attempt to ventilate room by opening doors and introducing air flow.
  • Report the inhalation hazard to a member of the Center for Theatre and Dance faculty or staff.
  • Do not attempt to re-enter the contaminated area.

If you accidentally ingest a hazardous chemical:

  • Immediately contact the Poison Control Center at 800-222-1222 for instructions.
  • Do not induce vomiting unless instructed to do so by a qualified health care provider.

In case of any chemical exposure, seek medical treatment.

For non-urgent transport to off-campus medical treatment, students may utilize a 24-hour taxi service.  The fare will be billed directly to the student’s bursar account.  This service is accessible by dialing any of the following numbers:

  • 607-277-7777
  • 607-277-CABS (277-2227)
  • 607-277-TAXI (277-8294)

For urgent transport to the emergency room, dial 911.

The following are options for medical treatment:

  • Hammond Health Center, located on the IC campus, is open Monday – Friday 8:00am – 8:00pm and Saturday from 10:00am – 6:00pm.  4-3177.
  • The Emergency Room at Cayuga Medical Center (101 Dates Drive, Ithaca, NY 14850) is open 24 hours a day, 7 days per week.  607-274-4411.
  • Convenient Care at Ithaca (10 Arrowwood Drive, Ithaca, NY 14850) is open 7 days per week from 7:00am – 10:00pm.  607-274-4150.
  • Five Star Urgent Care (740 South Meadow Street, Ithaca, NY 14850) is open 7 days per week from 8:00am – 8:00pm.  607-319-4563.

In the event of a power outage, remain calm and in your present location unless there is a further threat to your safety (i.e. fire emergency).  Most power outages last for less than five minutes.  

In the event of a power outage, emergency lighting will activate within 30 seconds of the start of the outage. 

If the power outage occurs during performance, the House Manager will instruct the audience.  The Production Stage manager will be responsible for instructing the cast and crew of what to do.

If a power outage occurs, contact P-Safe at 607-274-3333 to report the power outage in the building.

If you are in an unlit area, carefully proceed to an area supplied with emergency lighting.  Your cellular phone can provide illumination to prevent you from tripping or falling in the dark.  It is also a good idea to carry a flashlight when working backstage.

If your job involves sensitive electronic equipment, power off  the equipment and any light switches nearby to reduce power surge when the power is back online.

For further questions, contact P-Safe at 4-3333.