Emergency Preparedness
The basic emergency procedures outlined here are designed to inform and prepare you in the event of an emergency.
Active Shooter
Active shooter situations are dynamic and evolve rapidly, demanding immediate deployment of law enforcement resources to stop the shooting and mitigate harm to innocent victims. Past experience shows us that these situations are usually over very quickly, and you need to be prepared to protect yourself before law enforcement can get there. In general, how you respond to an armed intruder/active shooter will be dictated by the specific circumstances of the encounter, bearing in mind there could be more than one shooter involved in the same situation. If you find yourself involved in an armed intruder/active shooter situation, try to remain calm and focused. The following information will aid you in deciding which course of action might be the best option depending on your situation. Use these strategies to help form a plan for survival.
If you hear what sounds like gunshots or popping, immediately assume they are gunshots and don’t investigate; quickly decide one of three courses of action:
- Can you stay where you are and secure yourself from the shooter?
If so, take action to secure your position, and if it is safe, immediately call 911 (9-911 from a campus phone). Shelter in place. - Can you escape the building or get to an area where you are secure from the shooter
(or at least some place where the shooter can't see you)?
Get to a secure area if possible, and immediately call 911 (9-911 from a campus phone). Shelter in place. If outside, run away from the gunshots or armed intruder. - Are you unable to escape from the shooter?
If you can't escape, you need to assess the situation to see if you can shield yourself, or if you need to prepare to take aggressive action to protect yourself.
As a last resort:
You may need to physically confront an armed intruder.
Videos
To further prepare you, we have instructive Active Shooter videos to improve public awareness, safety and response. Videos are both in English & Spanish and courtesy of California State University.
Shelter in Place
No matter where you are on campus, if you are instructed to shelter in place, the basic steps will generally remain the same:
- If possible, proceed to a room that can be locked.
- Close and lock all windows and doors, and turn off all of the lights.
- If the room cannot be locked, barricade the door with heavy furniture such as desks, tables and bookcases, or whatever is available.
- Attempt to get everyone down on the floor and ensure that no one is visible from outside the room, cover windows if possible.
- Stay quiet and silence radios, cell phones and other audio devices.
- One person in the room should call 911 (9-911 from a campus phone); advise the dispatcher of what is taking place and inform him/her of your location.
- Remain in place until police or a campus administrator known to you gives the "all clear." Do not trust unfamiliar voices, and do not respond to any voice commands until you can verify with certainty that they are being issued by a police officer or known campus authority.
Fire
If the fire is small and extinguishable:
- Extinguish the fire using a fire extinguisher, if possible.
- Never put yourself in harms way - evacuate the room where the fire is located to maintain your safety.
- Confine the fire by shutting the room door.
- Notify CBC Security at ext. 7777 from campus phones, 509-542-4819 from cell phones.
If the fire is large, very smoky or rapidly spreading:
- Immediately sound the building fire alarm and evacuate the building.
- Call 911 (9-911 from a campus phone).
- Notify CBC Security at ext. 7777 from campus phones, 509-542-4819 from cell phones.
- Inform others in the building, who may not have responded to the alarm, to evacuate immediately.
- Walk, do not run, to the nearest exit.
- Assure that persons with disabilities are assisted in evacuations.
- Secure entrances and warn others who may try to enter the building after the alarm stops.
- Do not use an elevator, which may become inoperative.
Bomb Threat
What to do if you receive a bomb threat telephone call:
- Be calm.
- Be courteous.
- Listen. Do not interrupt the caller.
- Write the message as precise as possible.
- Note date, time of call.
- If possible, ask the following questions.When will the bomb go off?
- Where is it located?
- What kind is it?
- Why was it placed?
- How do you know so much about it?
- Who put it there?
- Where are you calling from?
- What is your name, phone number and address?
- After the caller hangs up, immediately call 911 (9-911 from a campus phone), then notify CBC Security at ext. 7777 from campus phones, 509-542-4819 from cell phones.
