SunTrust Plaza &
SunTrust Plaza Garden OfficesBy
Greg Wellborn, CPP
Contents “ FAST FACTS “ –
General building information regarding Fire, Bomb Threat, Medical Incidents, Weather Emergency and Events of Extreme Violence
“ What to Do “ - General Tenant Procedures for these emergencies
“ Am I Ready “ - A quick quiz to check for understanding
SunTrust Plaza – Opened in 1992
SunTrust Plaza Garden Offices opened in 2000
Both buildings are 100% sprinkler protected
State-of-the–art fire protection system is monitored 24/7 by the Security team
Both buildings were designed, built and maintain strict compliance with fire and construction codes
An Annual Fire Drill is conducted for each floor and an Annual Full Bldg. Evacuation Drill is conducted which includes Pre-Drill training for identified Floor Wardens and other response personnel
The Fire Alarm System can be activated by a smoke detector, movement of water in the sprinkler system or alarm stations mounted near the exit stairwells.
The Fire Alarm will have both audible and visual alarms for ADA code compliance.
The audible alarm will be silenced to allow for radio and verbal communication on the floor(s) affected by the alarm.
The visual alarm will continue to flash as long as the alarm is active .
First alarm does not require evacuation but anyone may proceed to their Safe Refuge Floor or Area if desired.
Plaza Safe Refuge Floor(s) -Counting the Floor of the Alarm, take one of the Fire Stairwells Four (4) floors down and re-enter.
Example – An Alarm on Floor 12 is sounding and personnel are evacuating. Safe Refuge Floor would be the 9th floor.
Tenant Suites containing internal stairwells are counted as a single floor.
Example – Floors 34 and 35 are connected by an internal stairwell, they are counted as a single floor when involved in a fire evacuation. Safe Refuge would be the 31st floor
Plaza Lower lobby and floors 2, 3, 4 and 5 go to the SunTrust Food Ct.
For the SunTrust Plaza Garden Offices, the Safe Refuge area for all three north stairwell exits is the surface parking lot.
For the SunTrust Plaza Garden Offices, the Safe Refuge area for all three south stairwell exits is Marriott Marquis main lobby.
If the alarm is a confirmed or suspected to be an actual fire emergency, a second Audio/Visual alarm will be activated
An immediate evacuation should begin on the second alarm
If the alarm is found not to be an actual emergency, a PA announcement will be made advising that no emergency exists
Should you discover a fire, follow the three “ C’s “ of fire response
CLEAR – Anyone from the area of the fire
CONFINE – Close all doors leading to the area of the fire
CALL – 911 and Security at 404-223-1070 for the Plaza or 404-586-0666 for the Garden Offices
After the three “ C’s “, pull the handle on the fire alarm station located at any of the exit stairwells
Located at the stairwells are fire extinguishers for use. Always have a partner present with you.
Building supplied fire extinguishers are “ ABC “ type that can be used on any type of fire
With your partner nearby, follow the directions for use of the extinguisher
Usually the “ PASS “ method will suffice
Pass stands for: Pull – remove retainer pin on handle Aim – point the extinguisher nozzle
at the base of the fire or top of the fire if in a trashcan or other container
Squeeze – bring the two handles of the extinguisher together
Sweep – spray the entire width of the fire with the extinguisher contents.
Bomb Threats are designed to spread uncertainty, fear and to disrupt business activity
Around 98% of all bomb threats are hoaxes but all threats require a response
Bomb threats possess varying levels of credibility and may or may not warrant an evacuation of the buildings but will always prompt a search.
The Security staff are trained in proper search techniques on an annual basis
All tenants need to have a Pre-Selected “ off-site assembly area “ that is a minimum of 1500 feet away from the buildings should evacuation become necessary
Call 911 and Security at 404-223-1070 (Plaza) or 404-586-0666 (Garden) if your company receives a bomb threat call
Be prepared to evacuate to your company’s “ Off Site Assembly Area “ if an evacuation is announced
Take briefcases, purses and keys if evacuating the buildings
Be prepared to stay at your Off Site Assembly Area for several hours if needed
Idea ! – Have a “ go bag “ in your desk. Keep it light, small bottle of water, food bar, required medications, etc. Don’t forget your shoes!
Members of the security department are First Aid, AED, CPR and Bloodborne Pathogen Certified
Building supplied First Aid Kits are located at each security lobby desk and the dock office
The Automated External Difibulator ( AED ) for the Plaza is located in the lobby
The AED’s for the Garden Offices are located in the south elevator lobby areas on the Atrium and third floor.
If your office has a First Aid Kit and AED, be sure all employees know the location of these items
Call 911 and the security emergency number to report injuries and illness
Send co-workers to the passenger and service elevator landings to assist responding security and EMS personnel
Make victim as comfortable as possible until help arrives
Clear path to victim to aid responders once they have arrived
Tornadoes and other severe weather conditions can affect building operations
“ Tornado Alley “ includes Georgia and tornadoes do strike metropolitan areas
The Security desks are equipped with Weather Alert Radios for monitoring and reporting severe weather conditions
Both buildings are equipped with Public Address Systems to announce tornado warnings for the Downtown Area.
Each office should have pre-selected “ Shelter In Place “ area(s) if needed for a tornado event
If a Tornado Warning is issued for the Downtown Area a PA announcement will be made
Immediately proceed to interior offices, meeting rooms, stairwell or restroom
Flying debris is the main cause of injuries so stay low on the floor near an interior wall
Once the tornado has passed, a second PA announcement will be made
Check and report injuries and damage to the area
Events can include workplace, relational ( Domestic ) or random acts of violence
Early detection through pre-employment screening and deterrence by reporting and handling of aggressive behavior are key steps to prevention
Security presence at High Risk terminations is recommended
Early security notification of domestic issues and threats against employees is vital to any response plan
A Police Officer is on-site during business hours along with a limited number of armed security personnel
If faced with an Event of Extreme Violence, DHS recommends three Responses: Evacuate, Hide Out and Take Action.
Evacuate – Quickly and quietly leave the floor or area and encourage others to leave with you
Once out of danger, contact 911 and the security emergency number to report the event
Give the police and security a description of the attacker(s), type of weapon(s) used and last known location
Report location of any victims and their injuries to 911 & security
Do not return to the buildings, proceed to your Off-Site –Assembly Area
Provide the police with information after the event.
Hide Out – Secure yourself and others in an office or other area. secure the doors, lights and noises
Place cell phone on silent mode
Block doors with heavy furniture but leave a path of escape if possible
Find a place of concealment/cover within the room if possible
Take Action Against The Attacker - When all other options are not available and if your life is in danger, it’s time to take action
Alone or with others, engage the attacker with items nearby.
Chairs and office equipment can be effective weapons to stop an attacker
Develop a “Survival “ mindset and commit to a course of action
Most attackers will surrender or commit suicide when confronted
No matter which option is taken, there are serious Do’s and Don'ts when police arrive
The arriving officer’s job is to stop the attacker, not assist with evacuation or treat the injured
Do – Obey instructions from police officers, raise your hands and spread your fingers
Don’t – Make any sudden movements, point, yell or grab the officers
Officers will be in a “Shoot/Don’t Shoot“ mode and will have to treat everyone as a possible threat
If you discover a fire, what are the three C’s ? Where is your fire safe refuge floor(s) or area? Can elevators be used for fire evacuation ? What percentage of bombs threats are hoaxes ? Where is your company’s Off-Site Assembly Area
? Do tornadoes occur in metropolitan areas ? How should you respond to a Tornado Warning
PA announcement? Who should be called for a medical emergency ? Where should co-workers be placed to assist the
responding security and EMS teams ?
Are events of extreme violence always caused by domestic issues?
How can you help to prevent an event of extreme violence situation?
What are the three DHS recommended responses to an Active Shooter Event?
When the police arrive in your area during an Active Shooter Event, should you point out victims for treatment?
QUESTIONS ???
Contact :
Greg Wellborn, CPP
Director of Security
404-614-5000