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Emergency Action Plan

1.0 Policy

It is the policy of California State University, Fullerton to provide for a consistent and adequate means of handling a variety of emergencies. Furthermore, it is the policy of the University to provide a program that will ensure preservation of life, protection of property and continuity of campus operations. University personnel, students and the public must be kept informed of, and included in, the preparedness and response strategy of the campus.

2.0 Regulatory Authority

California Code of Regulations, Title 8, Section 3220.

3.0 Program

3.1 Emergency Operations Plan

The Emergency Operations Plan has been developed by collaboration of University Police and Environmental Health and Instructional Safety and outlines the actions to be taken by the University in response to emergency situations. It is a multi-hazard plan and is compatible with the State Office of Emergency Services and local agency plans. It is placed into operation by the President of the University whenever an extraordinary emergency reaches proportions beyond the capacity of routine procedures.

3.2 Emergency Operations Procedures

This information guide for the campus community has been prepared by the University Police. Its intent is to make members of the campus aware of the what, where, why, when and how an emergency is handled in the event of a disaster. The information contained in this guide includes probable staging areas, evacuation procedures, warning, notification and general safety procedures. Also included in the guide are the specific responses for each particular type of emergency. These are included as a section within the Emergency Operations Plan.

3.3 Building Marshal Program

The University realizes that during an emergency, such as an earthquake, Police Officers will not be able to respond to all requests for assistance. The University has, therefore, set up a voluntary building marshal program that is open to interested members of the campus community. They will be used to assist University Police in the following duties:

  1. Evacuation of building occupants.
  2. Crowd control.
  3. Administer first aid and CPR, as necessary.

Other than the primary duty of helping with evacuations, other duties needed during an emergency are assigned by the Incident Commander.

Building Marshals are given CPR and first aid training along with instructions on evacuation procedures and other emergency-related information.

4.0 Emergency Communications

The University has several means for communicating to the campus community about emergency preparedness, emergency response, etc. The following is how information is disseminated throughout the campus.

4.1 Emergency Information Procedures poster

These posters are located throughout the campus in classrooms, department offices and other locations accessible to the general public (near elevators and stairs). Information included on this poster is the following:

  1. 911 emergency notification procedures.
  2. First response actions to fire, earthquakes and medical emergencies.
  3. Building evacuation procedures and response to the building alarms.

4.2 Emergency Procedures flipchart

Flipcharts are posted throughout the campus in department offices, laboratories and locations accessible to students and employees. They provide detailed emergency procedures on the following:

  1. Building Evacuation
  2. Fires
  3. Explosions and Aircraft Crashes
  4. Violent or Criminal Behavior
  5. Bomb Threats
  6. Civil Disturbance or Demonstration
  7. Chemical Spills
  8. Earthquakes
  9. Radiation Incidents
  10. Utility Failures
  11. Medical and First Aid Instructions

4.3 Floor Maps

Building floor plan maps (You Are Here signs) are located throughout each building that identify exits, fire fighting equipment, building alarms, pull stations, and other information pertinent to building evacuation.

Evacuation maps will be placed in classrooms to help direct occupants out of that room and to the nearest Evacuation Assembly areas.

The Computer-Aided Design wing of Design and Construction is responsible for creating and updating these maps.

4.4 Safety Watch

The Safety Watch bulletin is published as needed by the Environmental Health and Instructional Safety Office giving updated information and tips regarding campus and home emergency procedures.

4.5 General Safety training

During EH&IS's General Safety training, which is required for all new employees, emergency preparedness is discussed. Information is also given on injury reporting, asbestos, hazard communication, work place violence, and fire extinguisher use. Long time employees are encouraged to attend this training.

4.6 Department Responsibilities

Departments are responsible for informing employees of the following information:

  1. Emergency escape routes from the building.
  2. Procedures to account for all department employees following an emergency evacuation. There are designated assembly points where it is suggested that department employees meet following an evacuation.

4.7 Other

The University Police and other campus publications periodically provide information memos pertaining to emergency procedures.

5.0 Alarm Systems

The University has several systems for notifying employees and building occupants of an emergency. They include the following:

5.1 Building Alarms

All buildings on campus except temporary structures have building alarm systems activated by pull stations. These alarms are supervised by University Police Dispatch. Alarms are speaker/strobes and are audible throughout the buildings they serve.

5.2 Fire Drills

In March/April and September/October, the alarm system of each building is tested and occupants are asked to evacuate according to the building evacuation procedures. The Spring drill occurs during the day and the Fall drill is an evening drill. These drills are accomplished by conducting a full campus evacuation coordinated by Police, EH&IS, Physical Plant, and Parking. Langsdorf Hall and Humanities are considered high-rise buildings and the alarms should be tested twice a year.

5.3 Emergency Notification System

An external speaker system has been installed around the building in the main campus to provide external notification to the campus community. University Police can control the speaker function to give a variety of alert messages.

5.4 Radio Station

The University has a small AM radio station (1620) with a 3 mile radius and broadcasts information pertinent to the campus in an emergency. During normal operation, the station broadcasts information on parking, ridesharing etc.

5.5 Emergency Telephone

278-4444 can be accessed for information regarding the campus.

5.6 Other Notification Methods

Emergency notification and information can be sent to all campus employees via the electronic mail and by voicemail.  The campus also has a telephone mass communication system which can send text messages, phone calls, and email addresses to all employees and student that sign up for the service.

6.0 Additional Information

Additional information concerning the University's Emergency Procedures can be obtained by calling the the Emergency Management Coordinator at x 3572 or EH&IS at x 7233.

Revised: 11/2008/TW/ EHIS