An explosion is caused by a rapid expansion of gas from chemical reactions or incendiary devices. Signs of an explosion may be a very loud noise or series of noises and vibrations, fire, heat or smoke, falling glass or debris, or building damage.
Immediate Action
- Get out of the building as quickly and calmly as possible. Call 911.
- If items are falling off of bookshelves or from the ceiling, get under a sturdy table or desk.
- If there is a fire, stay low to the floor and exit the building as quickly as possible.
- If you are trapped in debris, tap on a pipe or wall so that rescuers can hear where you are. Assist others in exiting the building and move to designated evacuation areas. Read more about Evacuation/Refuge For Persons With Disabilities.
- Keep streets and walkways clear for emergency vehicles and crews. Untrained persons should not attempt to rescue people who are inside a collapsed building.
- Wait for emergency personnel to arrive. The responding emergency unit will make decisions regarding the control and abatement of the explosion incident, and issuing or not issuing the all clear for safe building re-entry and occupancy.
Decision Maker(s)
The incident commander will decide when to turn control of the scene back over to the appropriate university entity, e.g., the UA Little Rock Police Department or facility tenant(s).
Depending on the nature of the incident, other emergency responders and law enforcement agencies may be involved in decisions or control of the scene.
Subsequent Procedures/Information
Depending on the nature and degree of the explosion incident, other support agencies and UA Little Rock resource units may be brought in for services or assistance.
