Emergencies and Disasters
In the event of a serious emergency or local area disaster (floods, earthquake), the College Administrative staff will take steps to activate one or more of the following Los Rios Community College Emergency Preparedness Centers:
Emergency Operation Center. The EOC will assume responsibility for management of the situation and coordination with local police, fire and medical units that will be responding to the emergency.
For emergency call the campus police department or use any of the blue emergency telephones located throughout each campus.
It is highly recommended that faculty familiarize themselves with these procedures and bring the procedures to the attention of students during initial class meetings for a semester.
In the event of a(n):
Accident (Hazmat) or Severe Illness
Don't Panic
Call the campus police department. Administer first aid using American Red Cross Standord Procedures.
NOTE: College Police are trained in this area and should be immediately notified regardless of who else is notified.
First Aide Kits and Emergency Care Procedure Pamphlets have been supplied to many locations on campus. All employees of the college should familiarize themselves with the location and contents of the first aid kit, and the procedures in the emergency pamphlet. In the event that first aid kit supplies are used, replacement refills should be requested from the College Health Center.
If the accident involves any hazardous material (Hazmat), known or suspected, make every effort to cordon off the area and make this fact known to responding personnel. Contact the College Police department.
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Accident Reports
Forms for students and non-employees must be completed by the attendant staff member or responsible staff member and filed as soon as possible with the College Heath Center, but no later than the next duty day. The report should include the following:
- Name of the injured or ill person
- Date of the accident
- A description of what happened
- The nature of injury of sudden illness
- How the person was cared for
- What referral, if any, was made
All employees injured while on duty must notify their supervisor, complete the Employee Accident Report available in the area offices or Vice President of Administration's (VPA) office, and send it to the VPA's office within 24 hours after the accident. If the injured person is unable to complete the form, an LRCCD employee may complete it.
NOTE: The Employee Accident Report activates the Worker's Compensation process and may require OSHA reporting.
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Assault, Battery, and Miscellaneous Threats
Immediately contact the College Police Department. Ask the persons involved and withnesses to remain at the scene. User verbal commands and caution when attempting to break up fights. Do not engage in physical contact with another person involved in a fight. College Police Officers will take necessary action to deal with the situation.
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Bomb Threat Procedures
If you recieve a threat of a bomb, DON'T PANIC! Try to obtain as much information from the caller as possible: Exact location of the bomb, time set for detonation, what it looks like, what is the explosive, why was it placed there and record exact wording of the caller and time call was made. Attempt to ascertain the number from where the call was placed. Take notes about any voice characteristics you can recall.
Administrative Actions: The EOC and College Police will coordinate actions including determining if an evacuation is needed.
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Civil Defense and Disturbances
Civil Defense Procedures
The Municipal Air Raid Signal Systems will alert staff and students to take cover. Individuals should shelter away from windows and await further instructions from College Administrative staff or the College Police, including building clearance instructions.
Employees, other than Police, Maintenance, and Custodial, should not report to campus during "Civil Defense" emergencies
Civil Disturbance/Riots
In the event of a riot or other civil disturbance that threatens campus property or personnel, buildings will be "locked down" by college police and custodial personnel.
The EOC will be activated. Follow instructions of police, custodial and administrative personnel in your area.
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Crisis Situations/Acts of Violence
Stay Calm
Call the Campus College Police Department. Provide the dispatcher with all available iformation including suspect(s) description, location, type(s) of wapons, and any other critical information. Avoid verbal exchanges or arguments when a disturbance is escalating. Refrain from touching students. Do not negotiate with the violator(s). Numerous hostage situations have ended in tragedy when untrained civilians attempted to help with negotiations.
A Crisis Response is to be utilized for situations where an actual crisis situation has occurred. An appropriate response should be implemented for ny situation involving the following scenarios:
- Shots being fired on or adjacent to a campus.
- Report of weapon(s) on campus.
- A stabbing at a campus.
- An explosion near, but not on campus.
- A hostage situation or barricaded subject on or adjacent to campus.
- A natural disaster, hazardous materials incident, or threats involving weapons of mass destruction which would indicate immediate danger to those on campus.
- Fight that involvefs numerous individuals, weapons, or is gang related.
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Earthquake
In the event of an earthquake, stay in the building until the tremor stops. Take cover under furniture or in doorways. Keep away from windows, overhead fixtures or objects that may fall on you. Await building clearance notice or instructions to evacuate from the College Administrative staff, College Police, or Custodial personnel.
In the event of a major earthquake with major structural damage apparent on the campus or in the local area, follow the above procedures until the q uake has stopped. Decisions to evacuate our building and/or the campus will be made by the College Administrative staff or by College Police. If time and circumstances permit, the EOC will be activated and will direct rescue, recovery and evacuation actions for the campus as necessary.
NOTE: If a major regional earthquake occurs and campus evacuation is directed, students and faculty should remain home or in shelters until directed to return to campus via the news media, the EOC or through responsible campus personnel.
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Evacuation
Building Evacuations:
If required, will be directed by College Police, Custodial or College Administrative staff. Follow directions closely. Building evacuation routes are posted in hallways of all multistory buildings. Assembly areas following evacuation will be directed based on the nature of the emergency or threat. Follow instructions carefully.
Evacuation Prepardness for Disabled Students
Staff shall make every effort to follow guidelines concerning disabled students who are attending class at the time of an emergency situation:
- Visually impaired: Tell the student the nature of the emergency; guide him/her to the emergency exit; inform the student where youl are and advise of any obstacles. After reaching the safety area, orient the student to where he/she is and ask if further help is needed.
- Hearing impaired: The student may not perceive emergency sound alarms and an alternative warning technique is necessary. One suggestion is to turn the light switch on and off to gain attention, then indicate on the chalkboard or by written note what the emergency is and the nearest evacuation route.
- Students using crutches, canes, or walkers: These students should be treatetd as if they were injured for evacuation purposes. Carrying techniques include using a two-person loc arm position or having the person sit in a sturdy chair, preferabley one with arms.
- Non-ambulatory: Some have minimal ability to move and lifting them may b e dangerous to their well-being. Consult with the student about being removed from the wheelchair. In any eventy, determine:(a) The number of people necessary for assistance. (b) Whether to bend extremities when lifting due to pain, catherder, leg bags, spasticity, braces, etc. (c) Whether to carry forward or backward on a flight of stairs. Some may have no upper trunk or neck strength.
The following items are guidelines to be considered during evacuation of non-ambulatory persons:
- Wheelchairs have movable parts which are not constructed to withstand the stress of lifting (e.g. foot plates, arm rests, wheels and leg rests).
- If seat belt is attached to the wheelchair, secure the person in the chair.
- Emergency devices for moving disabled persons on stairs have been provided in multistory buildings. Please see the area staff for location and proper use of these devices.
Campus Evacuation
If required, the campus can be evacuated by order of the College Administrative staff, College Police, or the Director of the Emergency Operations Center to deal with a threat or emergency situation. If directed, College Police and Custodial personnel will work their way through all campus buildings and spaces. In addition to directing the evacuation, to the maximum extent possible, they will also advise as to the nature of the threat, recommended evacuation routes or assembly areas and suggested protective measures, as necessary or required. Pay careful attention and follow instructions carefully.
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Fire
Call Fire Department: 911
Call the College Police Department
Extinguish fire if possible.
If necessary, pull fire alarm and evacuate building.
Do not use elevators for building evacuations.
"All Clear" will be sounded by College Police as necessary.
Staff scheduled on second and third floor locations should conduct a brief fire orientation in each class section during the beginning of each semester. This orientation should include identification of fire extinguishers, fire alarms, stairwell exits, location/use of stair chairs, and the need for student assistance in transporting disabled persons to a safe location in case of fire.
NOTE: Evacuation routes from multistory buildings are located in the hallways near stairwells. Familiarize yourself with these routes.
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Hostage or Terrorist Situation
In the event of a hostile action against a facility or personnel, the College Police should be notified immediately. They will take necessary action to deal with the situation.
If possible, evacuate the area where the event is taking place. Avoid panic in the area, but advise as many people as possible of the situation so that they can avoid the area too. Make careful mental notes of as much factual information as possible. This should include information like:
- Location of incident.
- Number and identity of hostages or perpetrators.
- Type and number of weapons or communications devices that are apparent.
- As much descriptive information as possible concerning the perpetrators.
If time and circumstances permit, the EOC will be convened. Campus Police will assume on-scene command of the situation and will take necessary action to deal with the situation.
Follow all instructions carefully.
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Power Failure Procedures
Notify the College Police. Buildings will not normally be evacuated during powerfailures. A decision to evacuate a building will be made by College Police or College Administrative staff in consultation with faculty and instruction.
- NOTE 1: Most of our buildings are equipped with emergency lighting that will go on automatically.
- NOTE 2: Building elevators are equipped with devices that will lower cars to the next lower level and open doors for safe egress in the event of a power failure.
Elevator Malfunction
Call College Police
If occupants are trapped in the elevator, make this fact known when you call, so College Police and Custodians can rescue and assist all persons requiring assistance, including those disabled individuals who need help from the upper floors.
Contact occupants and reassure them t hat help is on the way and they are going to be rescued.
- NOTE 1: Elevators are equipped with emergency lowering devices that will allow the car to descend to the next lower level and open the doors in the e vent of power failure.
- NOTE 2: Elevators should NOT be used for evacuations during fires, power failures and other similar emergencies.
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Severe Weather or Floods
Upon receipt of a forecast or actual warning of severe weather or the potential for serious flooding in the area, the EOC may convene to direct necessary preparations to secure the campus to the maximum extent possible.
If the college is in session, campus evacuation will be considered by the EOC and directed as necessary.
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