This page describes steps to take to prepare for and respond to an earthquake, fire or hazardous material leak. Many of the preparedness tips here also apply to other types of emergencies. Take time to familiarize yourself - it may save your life!

Earthquake General earthquake information A. Earthquake preparedness B. Earthquake response-During the shaking C. Earthquake response-after the shaking stops	Fire General fire information A. Fire extinguisher information B. How to operate a fire extinguisher C. General fire safety precautions
Hazardous leak or spill

Earthquake | top of page |

General earthquake information | top of page |

1. Principles of Psychological First Aid

a. Following an earthquake there may be persons who are overwhelmed by the event and have difficulty coping with the situation and their emotions. You may be able to help those persons make it through the first few difficult hours.
b. Attempt to calm the victim to relieve the anxiety and stress.
c. Communicate confidence in yourself, as well as concern for the victim. Show you care by your attitude.
d. Accept a person's limitations as real.
e. Encourage the person to speak freely about whatever is on their mind. Be very patient.
f. When the person begins talking, interrupt as little as possible.
g. Do not argue with the person if he disagrees with you and do not impose your ideas upon him. His own solution will be the most successful for him.
h. Accept your own limitations in a relief role. Do not attempt to be all things to all people. Do what you can and obtain additional help from a qualified counselor.

2. Emotional and Psychological Considerations in an Emergency
Emergency is a crisis in itself. However, disaster increases the crisis situation when it is accompanied by job and/or financial difficulties, illness, loss of personal belongings, death, injury, or family problems.
3. Factors in dealing with crisis, with your own or that of family or friends include:
To be able to talk about the experience and express the feelings accompanying the experience
a. To face and be fully aware of the reality of what has happened, and to be assured that you are with caring people.
4. To resume concrete activity and be able to reconstruct the pre-disaster life routine as soon as possible.
Remember: An emergency telephone hot-line will be available after a major earthquake or other disaster to provide information to those off campus, or out of state who need to know. A recorded message will be given with pertinent information of conditions on campus as well as reports of injuries or damage. That number is 619.849.2626.

A. Earthquake preparedness | top of page |

1. Familiarize yourself with emergency plans and procedures.

2. Take time to identify evacuation routes, and potential hazards to avoid.

3. Take first aid and CPR courses when they are offered by Human Resources. Identify a contact person outside this immediate area to act as a communication link with your family.
4. Put together a personal emergency kit, to include the following: Food and water to last three days, eating utensils, basic first aid supplies, flashlight, radio, spare batteries, change of clothes, sturdy shoes, gloves, plastic garbage bags, a blanket, and personal items as necessary, such as spare eyeglasses, prescription medicine and personal hygiene item
5. Keep an emergency kit in your car as well as in your work place. Maintain a reserve of cash in case bank services are disrupted. Keep adequate fuel in your car in case gas stations are inoperable.
6. Remove nonstructural earthquake hazards from your workplace:

a. Remove heavy objects from high shelves.
b. Secure bookcases, storage cabinets and file cabinets to the wall.
c. File cabinets that allow more than one drawer to open at a time should be replaced with files that have a self-locking feature.
d. Anchor desktop computers and other equipment with anchor bolts or Velcro fasteners.
e. Cover glass windows with protective film.
f. Relocate office desks and chairs away from windows.
g. Remove hanging plants from above work areas.
h. Secure water heaters to the wall.
i. Replace makeshift shelving (cinder blocks, etc.) with permanently secured shelving.
j. Secure glass aquariums and make sure they are firmly mounted.
k. Chemicals should be stored properly to prevent falling as well as to prevent intermingling.
l. Make sure objects of any kind are not stored in aisles or buildings exit paths

7. Prepare your family

If you are at work during an earthquake, you may be separated from your family for a period of time. They should be equipped with proper emergency supplies and be familiar with appropriate emergency procedures. Remember, in most cases, your children at school are well trained and will be properly taken care of during an earthquake.

B. Earthquake Response-During the shaking | top of page |

1. Stay calm and reassure others. Do not rush outside. Many earthquake injuries occur due to falling debris just outside doorways or near outside walls.
2. Duck, cover, and hold. If indoors, get under a desk or table and hold on. Stay away from windows, tall objects and overhead lights. If no cover is available, duck and hold near an interior wall or interior doorway. Shield your head and face from falling debris. Do not go outside!
3. If outside, stay away from buildings, trees, power lines, poles and all other overhead obstructions. Do not attempt to go inside!
4. In a vehicle, pull over to the side of the road and stop in a safe place in an open area. Avoid overpasses and power lines and stay inside vehicle. If you continue driving, watch for hazards such as damaged roadways, fallen objects, and downed power lines.

C. Earthquake response-after the shaking stops | top of page |

1. Be prepared for after shocks. Move cautiously, and wear enclosed, sturdy shoes to avoid injury from broken glass or other debris.
2. Check for injuries. Administer first aid if necessary. Do not move seriously injured individuals unless absolutely necessary.
3. Check for fires, and if safe to do so, extinguish small fires. Do not turn on light switches or appliances and do no light a match. If you smell gas, report it to your building coordinator.
4. Check for facility damage. Report all problems to your building coordinator or to university emergency response personnel.
5. Telephones must be restricted to emergency use only, provided they are working at all. Do not use the telephone except for a lifesaving emergency.
6. Evacuate the building if it is badly damaged, if there are gas leaks or fires, or if directed to do so. During evacuation, close all doors, and turn off all electrical equipment. Bring your personal emergency kit with you and use the stairway. Do not use the elevator. Assist all individuals with disabilities.
7. Move away from the building to an open area free from overhead hazards. Do not return to the building until it has been determined to be safe by someone in authority. Keep streets and walkways clear for emergency equipment and personnel. Use extreme caution in rescue attempts if others are trapped. If possible, wait for trained university personnel to guide rescue efforts.
8. Make note of any individuals who are missing. Provide all requested information to your building coordinator, security, and other emergency response personnel.Turn on radio for emergency information.

Fire | top of page |

General fire information | top of page |

If you discover fire or smoke: R.A.C.E. to Safety
RESCUE- Get out of the room where the fire is located as quickly as possible, and make sure others are out. Do not use elevators.
ALERT- Pull the nearest fire alarm to alert occupants, or use the nearest phone and dial 2525.
CONFINE- Close the door to the room where the fire is located. Do not attempt to retrieve valuables.
EXTINGUISH- If the fire is very small and you know how to use an extinguisher, you may want to fight the fire yourself, but you should also call for help first. Make sure you are using the proper extinguisher. Otherwise, leave the fire to trained fire fighters.

A. Fire extinguisher information | top of page |

When used correctly, fire extinguishers can keep small fires from becoming major ones, provide an escape route through a small fire, and help fight a small fire until the fire department arrives. There are three major classes of fire:

1. Ordinary combustibles (paper, cloth, wood, many plastics). Use an extinguisher with the green A symbol on the label.
2. Flammable liquids (oils, gasoline, grease, paint, solvents). Use an extinguisher with the red B symbol on the label.
3. Electrical equipment (wiring, motors, power tools, appliances). Use an extinguisher with the blue C symbol on the label.

To be safe and effective, you must use the right kind of extinguisher for each type of fire. A multi-purpose A-B-C extinguisher will put out most types of fires. However, a dry chemical or CO2 extinguisher should not be used on computers or other electronic equipment. In those chases use only Halon fire extinguishers.
Also, a water extinguisher with the symbol A on the label should not be used on electrical fires or flammable liquids. That will only create a more dangerous situation.
Fire extinguishers are located throughout campus in many strategic locations. Learn to identify the extinguishers and find out where they are located in your area. If you have any questions about the operation of extinguishers, contact Campus Safety at extension. 4877.

B. How to operate a fire extinguisher | top of page |

Learn how to operate an extinguisher now, before there's a fire. Read the label and periodically review instructions and operations.
Learn how to P.A.S.S.
· PULL- the pin or ring, or release the lock latch.
· AIM- The extinguisher nozzle at the base of the fire.
· SQUEEZE- or press the handle.
· SWEEP- from side to side slowly at the base of the fire until it goes out.

C. General fire safety precautions | top of page |

1. The safety of individuals is most important. If you suspect someone is trapped inside a building, notify fire fighters on the scene. Do not re-enter a burning building.
2. If you are trapped in a fire, keep very low as you attempt to leave the building. If a door is hot, do not open it, but find another exit or window. Place wet towels or clothing in the cracks around the door. Jumping from a window is an extreme measure and is only to be considered when you are in immediate danger.
3. If the door is not hot, open it carefully and exit the building with caution. Use a wet towel or blanket to protect yourself from flames and smoke. If there is smoke, stay close to the floor.
4. Many fires are of electrical origin. Check for frayed cords, broken plugs and avoid using too many appliances on one circuit.
5. Know your emergency exits and the location of fire extinguishers. Don't block doors or use stairways for storage.
6. If requested, assist emergency crews as necessary.

A campus Emergency Command Center may be set up near the emergency site. Keep clear of the Command Center unless you have official business. Before returning, campus response teams should consult with appropriate emergency officials (fire, hazmat, police) when determining whether it is safe to resume operations.

Hazardous leak or spill | top of page |

TAKE THE FOLLOWING STEPS IMMEDIATELY:

· Confine the spill, leak or fire by shutting the door to the affected room.

· Pull the building fire alarm to alert occupants of the building that an evacuation is necessary.

· Call Public Safety- dial 2525.
· Give your name, department, and location of the emergency and nature of the hazard.
· If there is a fire, follow fire safety procedures on previous page.
· Evacuate to a safe area at least 500 feet away and up-wind from the building.
· Do not return to the building until instructed to do so by Public Safety.