Emergency Response Plan For Faculty and Staff

The Role of Faculty and Staff

Faculty and staff members are seen as leaders by students and should be prepared to direct their students to assembly areas in the event of an emergency and account for every student.  Faculty and staff should review classroom evacuation and shelter-in-place procedures with students at the beginning of each semester.  Faculty and staff also need to provide emergency information to guests and visitors who are unlikely to be familiar with emergency procedures. 

Every member of the faculty and staff should read and be familiar with applicable emergency plans and familiarize themselves with emergency procedures and evacuation routes, and should also be able to execute shelter-in-place/emergency lockdown and other safety procedures.  Faculty and staff must be prepared to assess situations quickly but thoroughly, and use common sense in determining a course of action.

After any emergency it is important for everyone to provide the University with their location and status information.  All faculty and staff are to contact their supervisor or the Human Resources department to confirm their location, future contact information and any personal or family problems that have occurred as a result of the disaster.

Communications

• Plan Activation. In case of any type of emergency, individuals making the discovery should first move to a safe location and then call Public Safety x3502 and/or 911 (from internal lines, dial 9, then 911). Initial responders should never intervene in any crime or dangerous event. The Public Safety Officer should follow standard operating procedures while contacting civil authorities (Police, Fire, etc.) as necessary. If the emergency warrants, he/she should also communicate immediately with the University Incident Commander. The University Incident Commander will assess the situation and direct Public Safety to contact and summon the necessary university and other resources required to contain and control the emergency.

• Emergency Situation. Emergency information is communicated by a fire alarm (indicating the need to perform a facility evacuation) or by intercom.

• Media Communications. Individuals authorized to speak with the news media have been designated by University. No one else is authorized to speak with the news media.

• Information. Emergency information regarding events that are affecting or that may impact normal University operations are recorded on the University emergency hotline (650) 508-3502 and posted on the University website. This information is updated at 6:00 am and 6:00 pm, or more frequently if necessary, during emergency periods.

Emergency Situations

• If an Accident or Medical Emergency is discovered, the individual making the discovery shall immediately contact Public Safety and provide as much information as possible.  If possible, stay with the injured person and keep the victim calm and comfortable.  Do not move any seriously injured person.  Administer CPR or first aid only if qualified to do so.
• If a Criminal Activity is discovered, the individual making the discovery shall immediately contact Public Safety and provide as much information as possible.  Do not approach the intruder or intervene in any ongoing crime. 
• If a Hazardous Substance is discovered, the individual shall immediately contact Public Safety and provide as much information as possible.  At a minimum, the individual should provide a description of the substance (color and texture) and any specific characteristics (odor, smoke, etc.).   Close off and evacuate any contaminated areas.  Exposed individuals should quarantine themselves at a safe location.
• If a Hostile Intruder, Violent Student or Violent Employee is discovered, the individual making the discovery shall immediately contact Public Safety and provide as much information as possible.  Do not approach the intruder or intervene in a dangerous situation.
• Any individual thought to be under the influence of a controlled substance, alcohol, prescription or non-prescription drug whose behavior is disruptive to the educational process will be requested to leave.
  • If the individual refuses to leave/continues to stay in the area:
    • Dismiss the class if in a classroom.
    • Leave the area if possible.
    • Note the description of the individual and his/her location, provide the name if possible.
    • Notify Public Safety immediately.
    • After resolution, document the incident in writing and supply a copy to the appropriate administrator.
• If individual is not disruptive but suspected of being under the influence of a controlled substance, immediately report the individual to the appropriate administrator.

Faculty and Staff Responsibilities

• Every faculty and staff member should familiarize themselves with the emergency procedures and evacuation routes of areas in which they work or that they use frequently. 
• Faculty and staff should also be able to execute shelter-in-place/emergency lockdown procedures.
• Faculty and staff should be prepared to assess situations quickly but thoroughly, and use common sense in determining a course of action. 
• Faculty should review classroom evacuation and shelter-in-place procedures with students at the beginning of each semester.
• Faculty and staff also need to provide emergency information to guests and visitors who are unlikely to be familiar with emergency procedures. 
• In the event of a crisis, faculty and staff are responsible for securing work areas before being released.  Faculty and staff also are responsible for maintaining contact with the university during the emergency and recovery periods.