Emergency Procedures on Campus
Role of Students
Students should familiarize themselves with the emergency procedures and evacuation routes in buildings. Students should evacuate buildings in an orderly manner when an alarm sounds or when directed to do so by emergency personnel.
Important Steps to Take
Following these simple steps can help you stay safe during an emergency.
- Keep your Photo ID with you at all times.
- Be familiar with the campus landscape and surrounding streets.
- Know where the emergency telephones are on campus and in the buildings.
- Provide emergency contact information to those who would need it.
- Know what you would do in a crisis and be prepared to help others.
- Store a personal emergency kit in your car.
- Report suspicious activities to the Campus Safety Department.
- Comply quickly and calmly with instructions from emergency responders including campus safety, police, floor and building marshals.
Procedures
Active Shooter
The active shooter will dictate the circumstances of the encounter. Hide or conceal yourself from the
suspect(s). DO NOT hide in the restroom.
- Close and lock all doors classrooms,
- If you door cannot be locked from the inside, stack desk, tables, and chairs to form a barricade.
- Have everyone get down and against a solid interior wall, and shelter in place.
- Place cell phone on vibrate.
If it is safe to do so, provide the following information to Campus Safety or the Police:
- A description of the suspect(s), sex, race, clothing.
- Type of weapon.
- Location last seen, and direction of travel.
- Identify of the shooter– if known.
- When the police arrive, DO NOT approach the police, keep your hands up.
Earthquake
If you are indoors when the shaking starts:
- Drop, Cover and Hold on under a table or desk, drop to the floor against an interior wall and
- cover your head and neck with your arms.
- If you use a wheelchair, lock the wheels and cover your head and vital organs.
- Avoid windows, hanging objects
- Do not try to run out of your building during strong shaking,
- Evacuate the building, follow instructions of first responders
- Do not use elevators
- If you are outdoors when shaking starts:
- Move to a clear area and avoid overhead power lines buildings, and trees.
- If you are driving, pull your vehicle to the side of the road and stop
- Avoid overhead hazards or near buildings and wait until the shaking stops
Emergency Communications
Cypress College has a variety of modalities it can use in the event of an emergency or crisis on
campus.
NOCCCD myGateway system will send emergency messages to registered users on mobile and
home telephone, and email. Students may register on myGateway by “opting in” for
emergencies under the Text Alert Preferences section.
- Person-to-Person contact
- Public Address System
- Fire alarms
- Campus Marquee
- Campus Signs
- Timely Warnings
- Emergency Notifications
Evacuation
- Take personal belongings
- Leave the classroom, office or building
- Advise others of the need to evacuate
- Do not use the elevator
- Go to the Emergency Assembly points or Emergency Assembly Zones
- Wait for Instructions from Campus Authorities
Shelter-In-Place
Shelter-in-place is a process to make a shelter in the area where you are located. It is a way for
you to make the building as safe as possible to protect yourself and others until first responders
arrive.
Lockdown
Upon request by college officials, lock your classroom, office, or building. In the event of a campus or building lockdown, campus officials will communicate information using one of the following methods: mobile radio, myGateway, or word of mouth. Staff should remain in the lockdown state until police secure the area, and/or capture the suspect(s).
Fire
- If you observe smoke in the building, activate the fire alarm.
- If an alarm sounds, do not assume the alarm is false. Immediately evacuate by the nearest exit.
- Do not use elevators.
- If unable to exit the building, go to the nearest exit stairwell or safe area of refuge and call Campus safety at (714)484-7387 or 911 to report your location.
- Persons trained with the Stryker Chair may assist persons with mobility limitations as a last resort.
- Call Campus Safety (714) 4847455 or 911 when safe to do so.
- Evacuate the building.
- Reenter the building only when instructed by first responders or campus officials.
Flood
If your building has a flood:
- Evacuate the building.
- Report the incident to Campus Safety (714) 484-7387.
Gas Leak
Gas leaks, when unreported, could result in an explosion and subsequent injuries or death to members of the Cypress Community. If you smell gas:
- Remain calm and notify Campus Safety at ext. 47387.
- Evacuate the building.
- Do not activate the fire alarms, unless there is a fire.
- Evacuate the building and remain in the designated assembly area and wait for further instructions from Campus Safety, police, or fire department personnel.
Hazardous Spill
If you encounter a hazardous material spill or hazardous materials:
- Notify Campus Safety or dial 911.
- Evacuate the area or shelter-in-place, if asked to do so by campus authorities.
- Do not exit or reenter the area until authorized by campus officials.
Power Failure
In the event of a power failure:
- Call Campus Safety at (714) 484-7387.
- Do not use elevators.
- If unable to exit the building, go to the nearest exit stairwell or safe area of refuge and call Campus safety at (714) 484-7387 or 911 to report your location.
- Persons trained with the Stryker Chair may assist persons with mobility limitations as a last resort.
- Evacuate the building.
- Use the closest exit.
- Reenter the building only when instructed by officials.
Medical Emergency
In the event of a medical emergency:
- Contact Campus Safety at (714) 484-7387.
- Provide the location, nature of injury or illness, current condition of the victim, and other requested information.
- Remain on the phone until directed to hang up.
- If you are with the victim, stay with the victim.
- Do not move the victim unless he/she is in immediate danger.