Emergency Preparedness Information

At University of the Pacific, we believe that preparation for a response is the key to minimizing any emergency. Listed below are resources you could use to prepare for a potential emergency.

The United States Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) has produced a useful video that explains the “Run, Hide, Fight” response plan. This video offers useful advice for individuals and groups if they are involved in an active shooter incident. Please note that this video shows dramatic scenes of simulated violence.

According to the United States Department of Homeland Security, if you are in a situation where there is an active shooter in your area, it is best to follow three basic steps.  These include:

Run

If there is an accessible escape path, attempt to evacuate the premises. Be sure to:

• Have an escape route and plan in mind.  Know where the exits are located.
• Evacuate regardless of whether others agree to follow
• Do not attempt to engage the individual
• Leave your belongings behind
• Help others escape, if possible
• Prevent individuals from entering an area where the active shooter may be
• Keep your hands visible
• Follow the instructions of any public safety officers
• Do not attempt to move wounded people
• Call 911 when you are safe.  While their average response time is 2 minutes, it may take longer for Public Safety to reach your location depending on the situation.

Hide

If evacuation is not possible, find a place to hide where the active shooter is less likely to find you. Your hiding place should:

• Be out of the active shooter’s view
• Provide protection if shots are fired in your direction (e.g., an office with a closed and locked door)
• Not trap you or restrict your options for movement

To prevent an active shooter from entering your hiding place:

• Lock the door
• Blockade the door with heavy furniture

If the active shooter is nearby:

• Lock the door
• Silence your cell phone and/or pager
• Turn off any source of noise (e.g., radios, televisions)
• Hide behind large items (e.g., cabinets, desks)
• Remain quiet

If evacuation and hiding out are not possible:

• Remain calm
• Dial 911, if possible, to alert police to the active shooter’s location
• If you cannot speak, leave the line open and allow the dispatcher to listen

Fight

As a last resort, and only when your life is in imminent danger, attempt to disrupt and/or incapacitate the active shooter:

• Act as aggressively as possible against him/her
• Throw items and improvising weapons
• Yell
• Commit to your actions

In the event of a bomb threat on campus, the following procedures should be followed:

If you notice a suspicious-looking package on campus:

1. DO NOT TOUCH THE OBJECT. Clear the area and immediately contact Public Safety via any “Blue” emergency phone or by calling 9-3911 or 209-946-2537
2. Evacuate the area surrounding the suspicious package and await instructions for emergency personnel.

If you receive a bomb threat made by phone:

1. Remain calm, listen carefully and keep the caller on the line as long as possible.

2. Identify and record the caller’s number from the phone if it is available.

3. If the caller remains on line, ask:

• When is the bomb going to explode?
• Where is the bomb located?
• What kind of bomb is it?
• What does it look like?
• What is the reason for the bomb threat?

4. Record every word spoken by the person and gather as much information as possible such as:

• Time of call
• Estimated age and gender of the caller
• Any speech pattern or dialect
• Emotional state of the caller
• Any background noise you might hear

5. Contact Public Safety via any “Blue” emergency phone or by calling 9-3911or 209.946.2537.

6. Do not activate any fire alarms and avoid using cell phones due to the possibility of their electrical current activating a potential bomb.

7. Follow all instructions from emergency personnel.

If you receive a bomb threat by written communication:

1. Contact Public Safety via any “Blue” emergency phone or by calling 9-3911or 209.945.2537.

2. Hand the written communication to Public Safety along with the following information:

• Who found it?
• Where was it found?
• When was it found or delivered?
• Who touched it?

During an earthquake:

Drop, Cover and Hold On. Minimize your movements to a few steps to a nearby safe place and if you are indoors, stay there until the shaking has stopped and you are sure exiting is safe.

If indoors

• DROP to the ground; take COVER by getting under a sturdy table or other piece of furniture; and HOLD ON until the shaking stops. If there isn’t a table or desk near you, cover your face and head with your arms and crouch in an inside corner of the building.
• For those who are in university housing, stay in bed if you are there when the earthquake strikes. Hold on and protect your head with a pillow, unless you are under a heavy light fixture that could fall. In that case, move to the nearest safe place.
• Stay away from glass, windows, outside doors and walls, and anything that could fall, such as lighting fixtures or furniture.
• Do not get in a doorway as this does not provide protection from falling or flying objects, and you may not be able to remain standing
• Stay inside until the shaking stops and it is safe to go outside. Do not exit a building during the shaking. Research has shown that most injuries occur when people inside buildings attempt to move to a different location inside the building or try to leave.
• DO NOT use the elevators.
• Be aware that the electricity may go out or the sprinkler systems or fire alarms may turn on.

If outdoors

• Stay there.
• Move away from buildings, streetlights, and utility wires.
• Once in the open, stay there until the shaking stops. The greatest danger exists directly outside buildings, at exits and alongside exterior walls. Most earthquake-related casualties result from collapsing walls, flying glass and falling objects.

If in a moving vehicle

• Stop as quickly as safety permits and stay in the vehicle. Avoid stopping near or under buildings, trees, overpasses, and utility wires.
• Proceed cautiously once the earthquake has stopped. Avoid roads, bridges, or ramps that might have been damaged by the earthquake.

If trapped under debris

• Do not light a match.
• Do not move about or kick up dust.
• Cover your mouth with a handkerchief or clothing.
• Tap on a pipe or wall so rescuers can locate you. Use a whistle if one is available. Shout only as a last resort. Shouting can cause you to inhale dangerous amounts of dust.

After an earthquake:

• Follow instructions of emergency personnel.
• Meet with your Building Team Leader in order for them to conduct a roll call of building personnel and students.
• Do not reenter buildings unless informed by emergency personnel that it is safe to do so.

Source: US Federal Government Recommendations

In the event of a building evacuation:

1. Remain calm.
2. Walk; do not push or crowd.
3. Take the safest way out of the building.
4. Use stairwells and stay to the right. Do NOT use elevators.
5. Move away from the building. Look out for falling objects. Keep roadways and walkways clear. Move to your assembly point and assist people with disabilities to safety.
6. Follow instructions of emergency personnel.
7. Do not return to the building until notified that it is safe to do so by emergency personnel.

In the event of a campus evacuation:

1. The president (or her/his designee) will make the decision if the campus is to be evacuated, the length of the campus evacuation/closure, and when classes and normal university operations will resume.
2. Once a decision has been made to evacuate or close the campus, notification will be sent to the university community via Pacific Connect (email, voice mail, and text), campus IP phones and an email sent to the entire university.
3. Remain calm and evacuate campus as quickly and effectively as possible. Students who live on campus will be bused to an off-campus location.
4. Do NOT return to campus until informed to do so.

In the event of building fire and/or explosion:

1. Remain calm.
2. Check doors for heat before opening. If the door is hot, do NOT open it!
3. Activate the nearest fire alarm pull station. Do not underestimate any fire.
4. Warn the people in your area so they evacuate safely.
5. Walk, do not push or crowd. If smoke is present, stay close to the ground as you evacuate the building.
6. Use stairwells and stay to the right. Do NOT use elevators.
7. Move away from the building. Look out for falling objects. Keep roadways and walkways clear. Move to your assembly point and assist people with disabilities to safety.
8. Stand by and follow instructions of emergency personnel.
9. Do not return to the building until notified that it is safe to do so by emergency personnel.

In the event of an imminent on-campus flood, the extent and time of a flood warning will largely dictate the course of action. University of the Pacific’s Flood Plan provides guidelines and establishes protocols to offices and departments for an organized response to a flood.

Initial Contact Response:

1. Upon notification of a potential flood by the San Joaquin County Office of Emergency Services, one of the co-chairs of the Pacific Alert Team will activate the team and monitor the situation and initiative flood response plans. If a flood were to occur, the president (or her/his designee) will decide if the campus is to be evacuated, the length of the campus evacuation/closure, and when classes and normal university operations will resume.
2. Once a decision has been made to evacuate or close the campus, notification will be sent to the university community via Pacific Connect (email, voice mail, and text), campus IP phones and an email sent to the entire university.
3. Do NOT return to campus until informed to do so.

In the event hazardous chemicals or radioactive materials are spilled on or near the campus, these procedures should be followed:

1. Be aware of any hazardous materials in your area and where the material is located.
2. If any hazardous chemicals or radioactive materials are spilled, immediately notify Public Safety via any “Blue Light” emergency phone or by calling 6-9311 or 209.946.2537.
   • Inform Public Safety of the nature of the involved material (if known)
   • Location of the spill or affected area
3. Identify any possible injuries of those who may be contaminated by the spill. Vacate the affected building/area immediately by pulling the fire alarm. Seal off area to prevent further contamination until the arrival of Public Safety and/or emergency personnel.
4. Move to your assembly point and assist people with disabilities to safety.
5. Anyone contaminated by the spill should avoid contact with others as much as possible and remain in the vicinity to give one’s name and information to Public Safety.
6. Provide first aid and/or CPR if you are trained to do so while being cautious of possible additional contamination of others.
7. Clean up will start immediately by authorized personnel who have proper equipment and training.
8. Do not return to an evacuated building unless authorized by Public Safety.

Should a person need any medical assistance, please do the following:

1. Ensure the safety of yourself and the victim(s) and that everyone is out of harm’s way.
2. Contact Public Safety using any “Blue Light” emergency phone or by calling 6-3911 or 209.946.2537 and reporting the facts and important information
   • Identify yourself and your location, the location of the victim and his/her identity if known.
   • Describe the condition of the victim(s) (breathing, alert, bleeding, etc.).
   • Send someone to the facility entrance doors to open them and direct emergency response personnel.
   • Do NOT hang up until told to do so.
3. Stabilize the victim’s neck and/or injured back.
4. Maintain victim’s body temperature with blankets. Be sure the victim does not become overheated.
5. Administer first aid and CPR if you are trained to do so.

In the event of a robbery:

1. Remain calm and avoid any action that may incite the suspect to act violently.
2. Obey the suspect’s instructions. Your safety is worth more than money or property.
3. Contact Public Safety via any “Blue” emergency phone or by calling 9-3911 or 209.946.2537.