Cypress College Emergency Preparation

Over the past several years, communities across the nation have remained vigilant in response to incidents involving active shooters in workplaces, educational settings, and public spaces. Cypress College takes these concerns seriously. Our Campus Safety team regularly trains and coordinates with local law enforcement to ensure a timely and coordinated response to emergencies. Equally important, however, is ensuring that our entire college community is informed and prepared.

On Thursday, April 16, 2026, at 10 a.m., Cypress College Campus Safety will conduct a test of the emergency alert system using an Active Shooter scenario.

This Active Shooter Drill will be a test only. During the exercise, three separate alerts will be sent over a 15‑minute period:

1. First Alert: Notification that this is a test, that there is an active shooter on campus, and instructions to shelter in place using the Run – Hide – Fight method.
2. Second Alert: Notification that the shooter has been contained, with instructions to continue sheltering in place.
3. Final Alert: Notification that it is safe to resume normal activities.

Run – Hide – Fight

The Run – Hide – Fight strategy was developed by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to help increase survival during an active threat situation. We strongly encourage you to become familiar with this method by watching the brief 6‑minute video linked here.

RUN

• If possible, get away from the attacker immediately.
• Leave your belongings behind and prioritize your safety.
• Once safe, call 9‑1‑1 and provide information about the location, attacker, and weapons.

HIDE

• If evacuation is not possible, find a place out of view and place solid barriers between you and the threat.
• Lock and block doors, close blinds, and turn off lights.
• Remain quiet and silence electronic devices.

FIGHT

• Fighting is a last resort when running or hiding is not possible.
• Act decisively to disrupt or stop the attacker.
• Work together if possible and use available objects to defend yourself.

Being prepared at every level helps reduce harm and strengthens the safety of the Charger Community. Campus Safety works 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. We are out on patrol and we are just a phone call away. Our Campus Safety number is (714) 484-7387. Please put this number in your phone for easy access. Students are encouraged to utilize myGateway to update their personal information for text alert messaging in the event of an emergency. Students must provide their personal information in myGateway to receive these text notifications.

Follow these steps to verify that your cell phone and email address are entered and current:

• Sign into myGateway.
• Go to the “Personal Information” channel under the “Student” tab.
• Click on the item “Set Text Message Alert Preferences.”
• When clicking on “Set Text Message Alert Preferences,” the next screen will allow you to enter your cell phone information, the cellular service provider, the level of messages you wish to receive and the campus or campuses you want to be notified about.
• After entering your information, click on the “Submit” button.

Our experience has proven X (formerly Twitter) to be a reliable method of emergency communication. In addition to asking you to sign up for text messages (see above), please help out by signing up to follow the college on X. You can do so by visiting x.com/CypressCollege and clicking on the “follow” button.

If you SEE something, SAY something. If it doesn’t look right, call us to check it out. We all play a part in keeping the Charger Community safe.