Be Prepared

Emergency Preparedness Guides

Emergency Procedures Guides (yellow booklets) with additional instructions have been posted in every campus classroom and office.  Students and employees should be familiar with all campus emergency procedures.  The Student Handbook also includes detailed information about campus policies and procedures.

Fire Evacuation Procedures

Leave the building via the nearest stairway or exit if the fire alarm sounds, you smell gas, you see fire or smoke, or you are instructed to evacuate.  Do not use elevators. Do not return to the evacuated building until instructed that it is safe to do so.

Always:

• Assist those with disabilities to exit the building
• Gather at the evacuation assembly area so that you can be accounted for
• Before leaving campus during or after an emergency, be sure that the route to your destination is passable and inform a campus official, such as a residence hall assistant, security guard, or staff member, of your destination and contact information.

Earthquake Procedures

Indoors: Drop, cover, and hold on. Drop to the floor, take cover under a sturdy desk or table, and hold on to it firmly. Be prepared to move with it until the shaking stops. If you are not near a desk or table, drop to the floor against the interior wall and protect your head and neck with your arms.

In bed: If you are in bed, hold on and stay there, protecting your head with a pillow. You are less likely to be injured staying where you are.
Outdoors: Move to a clear area if you can safely do so; avoid power lines, trees, signs, buildings, vehicles, and other hazards.

Driving: Pull over to the side of the road, stop, and set the parking brake. Avoid overpasses, bridges, power lines, signs and other hazards. Stay inside the vehicle until the shaking is over. If a power line falls on the car, stay inside until a trained person removes the wire.

Build A Kit, Make a Plan

Dominican strongly recommends that students and employees follow the emergency preparedness guidance of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) found at http://www.ready.gov which includes preparing an emergency kit and keeping it in your room, office or car.  The kit should include: 

• bottled water
• food, such as power bars or non-perishable snacks
• moist towelettes
• garbage bags
• flashlight and batteries
• 3-day supply of prescription medication
• spare glasses/contacts if possible
• card with family/emergency contact numbers (out of state numbers may be easier to dial during emergencies)

Meet with your family or roommates to discuss the types of disasters that could occur and plan how you will get to a safe place, how you will contact one another, and how you will get back together. Choose an out-of-state friend as a check-in contact for everyone to call.  Before leaving campus during or after an emergency, be sure that the route to your destination is passable and inform a campus official, such as a residence hall assistant, security guard, or staff member, of your destination and contact information.

Training

Disaster preparedness training programs are available through Get Ready Marin and CERT (Community Emergency Response Teams).  First Aid and CPR classes are available through the Red Cross and other organizations throughout the county.