Emergency Information + Procedures

IF THIS IS AN EMERGENCY – DIAL 911

Closest hospital:
Retreat Doctor’s Hospital
2621 Grove Avenue
804-254-5100

Closest police station:
Richmond Police Department 3rd Precinct
301 South Meadow Street
Non-emergency phone number: 804-646-1412

A list of non-emergency community resources is also available at our front desk.

MINOR FIRST AID

  1. HELP YOURSELF to first aid items located in each studio, at our front desk and at safety stations placed throughout the building.
  2. ALERT STAFF if you need assistance or if we need to refill items in a kit. Many members of VisArts staff are CPR/First Aid/Epi-Pen certified and we’re happy to help.
  3. IF YOU NEED EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE do not hesitate to call 911 immediately or ask a staff member to do this for you.

ALL MEDICAL EMERGENCIES – Call 911

You will only be billed by EMS if you are transported from VisArts.

IF YOU CALL 911 for yourself or somebody else:

  • Provide as much specific information as you can.
  • Identify your location:1812 West Main Street and the room you’re in.
  • Stay on the line with the dispatcher to ensure they have all the information they need; have them repeat it back to you.
  • Send a helper to the main entrance to meet EMS and direct them to where they’re needed.
  • Alert VisArts staff if you haven’t already to assist you and complete an incident report.

MENTAL + BEHAVIORAL HEALTH EMERGENCIES – DIAL 988

This will connect you to Marcus Alert, a statewide behavioral health framework designed with protocols that emergency responders use to respond to individuals experiencing a behavioral health crisis.

IN CASE OF POWER OUTAGE

  1. STOP WHAT YOU’RE DOING.
  2. WAIT 15 MINUTES to see if power can be quickly restored.
  3. FOLLOW STAFF GUIDANCE AND EVACUATE IF POWER IS NOT RESTORED. Clean up the studio if safe to do so and gather your personal items. Do not use the elevator.

IN CASE OF FIRE

  1. EVACUATE AND CALL 911. Egress routes are posted in each studio and at safety stations. Do not use the elevator.
  2. NEVER RE-ENTER a building that is on fire.
  3. ONLY IF IT IS SAFE TO DO SO: Activate pull alarms upon exit, shut off any studio gas upon exit, alert others to evacuate.
  4. CALMLY WALK a safe distance from the building.
  5. MEET OTHER EVACUEES at the safest meet-up location: parking lot behind VisArts, parking lot on corner of Main + Allen Avenue, across from VisArts on Main Street.

FIRE EXTINGUISHER USAGE

  • If there is a building alarm, immediately evacuate.
  • Only use a fire extinguisher if you’ve been trained to do so.
  • Only use a fire extinguisher on manageable fires.
  • CALL 911. A fire extinguisher is not a substitute for EMS.

IN CASE OF A TORNADO, HURRICANE, OR OTHER SEVERE STORM WARNING

  1. QUICKLY SEEK SHELTER. Evacuate to the True F. Luck Gallery on the main floor; multi-stall and single stall bathrooms can be a secondary shelter. Don’t use the elevator.
  2. FOLLOW STAFF DIRECTIONS and continue to shelter-in-place until warning has subsided. In case of severe flooding, staff may direct individuals upstairs.
  3. ONLY LEAVE THE FACILITY WHEN THE WARNING LIFTS and when you feel safe to travel.

IN CASE OF AN ACTIVE SHOOTER

  1. FOLLOW STAFF DIRECTIONS.
  2. EVACUATE only if it feels safe to do so.
  3. HIDE out of view.
  4. IF YOU’RE ABLE, TAKE STEPS TO PROTECT YOURSELF: Get behind a locked door. Blockade the door with heavy furniture. Turn off lights and any source of noise.
  5. REMAIN QUIET.
  6. IF ITS SAFE TO DO SO CALL 911. If you can’t make noise, keep the line open so the dispatcher can hear you.
  7. TAKE ACTION AGAINST THE SHOOTER ONLY AS A LAST RESORT.
  8. WHEN POLICE OR OTHER HELP ARRIVES: Keep your hands visible at all times. Remain calm and follow directions. Provide as much information as possible.

IN CASE OF AN EARTHQUAKE

  1. IF YOU ARE INSIDE, STAY INSIDE. Do not exit the building.
  2. DO NOT USE THE ELEVATOR.
  3. IF YOU’RE ABLE: Move away from glass, hanging objects or large furniture that could fall. Turn off studio gas. Shelter under a table OR take cover and grab something to shield your head and face from falling debris and glass.
  4. IF YOU’RE OUTSIDE, STAY OUTSIDE. Move to an open area away from trees, telephone poles, and buildings.