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Emergency Response and Evacuation Procedures

Each school year Pasadena City College conducts a campus-wide evacuation drill to enhance emergency preparedness for the entire campus community. If building alarms are activated, or when police order a building evacuated, take your valuables and walk quickly to the nearest marked exit and proceed to assembly point designated by officials evacuating your facility.  These assembly points will vary according to the type of emergency, weather conditions, wind direction, and other factors that are considered in designating a safe location to assemble.

In an emergency it is important to remember three important things: do not take unnecessary risks; there is no substitute for remaining calm; and always use common sense.

When a serious incident occurs that causes an immediate threat, the first responders to the scene at Pasadena City College and the Community Education Center will be the Pasadena City College Police Department, Pasadena Police Department, and the Pasadena Fire Department; as well as other jurisdictions, as applicable. These agencies work together to manage the incident.

Pasadena City College will notify the campus community of its emergency notification, emergency response, and evacuation procedures via email. Visit the PCC Police Department web page for more information on emergency preparedness.  You may also view Pasadena City College’s emergency procedures plan at http://www.pasadena.edu/police/index.cfm under the Emergency Response and evacuation procedures tab.

What Does it Mean to Shelter-in-Place?

If an incident occurs and the buildings or areas around you become unstable, or if the air outdoors becomes dangerous due to toxic or irritating substances, it is usually safer to stay indoors, because leaving the area may expose you to that danger. Thus, to shelter-in-place means to make a shelter of the building that you are in, and with a few adjustments this location can be made even safer and more comfortable until it is safe to go outside.

Basic Shelter-in-Place Guidance

If an incident occurs and the building you are in is not damaged, stay inside in an interior room until you are told it is safe to come out. If your building is damaged, take only your personal belongings (purse, wallet, etc.) and follow the evacuation procedures for your building (close your door, proceed to the nearest exit, and use the stairs instead of elevators). Once you have evacuated, seek shelter at the location designated by police, fire department, or other first responder personnel on the scene.

How You Will Know to Shelter-in-Place

A shelter-in-place notification may come from several sources, including the Pasadena City College Police Department, campus employees, or other authorities. An Alert U text message will be the primary means of disseminating the notification; however other means of communication such as changeable message boards may also be employed.

How to Shelter-in-Place

No matter where you are, the basic steps of shelter-in-place will generally remain the same. Should the need ever arise; follow these steps, unless instructed otherwise by local emergency personnel:

  1. If you are inside, stay where you are. Collect any emergency shelter-in-place supplies and a telephone to be used in case of emergency. If you are outdoors, proceed to a wide open area or follow instructions from emergency personnel on the scene.
  2. Locate a room to shelter inside. It should be:
    1. An interior room;
    2. Above ground level; and
    3. Without windows or with the least number of windows.  If there is a large group of people inside a particular building, several rooms may be necessary.
  3. Shut and lock all windows (tighter seal) and close exterior doors.
  4. Turn off air conditioners, heaters, and fans.
  5. Close vents to ventilation systems as you are able. Campus staff will turn off the ventilation as quickly as possible.
  6. Make a list of the people with you and ask someone (faculty, or other staff) to call the list into the Pasadena City College Police Department so they know where you are sheltering.  If only students are present, one of the students should call in the list.
  7. Turn on a radio or TV and listen for further instructions.
  8. Make yourself comfortable.