Campus Safety

Superheroes not required

Immediate Assistance

For life-threatening emergencies, dial 911.

If you need immediate, non-life threatening assistance, call Campus Services at 408.824.7703.

USV Emergency Procedure Guide

Little things can make a huge difference. This guide is just the beginning as you prepare yourself for what to do in an emergency.

Why not learn how to use a fire extinguisher, or perform basic first aid? Get trained in CPR or the even simpler hands-only CPR, which could help save someone’s life even when you least expect it. Become familiar with the information on this page and make sure you participate and cooperate during any drills.

Think ahead. Talk to your peers and colleagues about how you can help one another in a disaster, and check on each other in case of an emergency.

Receiving an Automated Alert from USV:

Follow the instructions given in the alert message.
Do not come to campus if you have been instructed to stay away.
Wait for follow-up instructions indicating the unsafe condition has been corrected.

Suspect a Crime or Observe Suspicious Activity:

DIAL 911.

Stay on the line until answered.
Report the nature of the incident.
Report the location of the incident.
Describe the person(s) involved.
Describe the property involved.

THEN:

As soon as safely possible, report the incident to your immediate supervisor and/or Campus Services at 408-824-7703.

Walk to the Evacuation Assembly Area

Remain calm.
Do not waste time gathering your belongings.
Do not return to the campus until told to do so.

If notified of a Bomb Threat:

Turn all cell phones OFF.
DO NOT pull the fire alarm.
Exit the building in an orderly fashion using the nearest safest route.
Close, BUT DO NOT LOCK, the door as you leave.
Avoid any area of the campus you have been told might present a danger.
Walk to the designated Evacuation Assembly Area.
Report department or class attendance when asked.
Do not leave the Evacuation Assembly Area until released.

In the event of a Weather-Related Hazard:

If instructed to shelter in place:

Close the door.
Remain calm and stay in the room.
Do not leave until you have been told it is safe to do so.

If instructed to leave the campus:

Exit the building in an orderly fashion using the nearest safe route.
Close, BUT DO NOT LOCK, the door as you leave.

Avoid possible hazards:

Wide-spread flooding in the campus parking lot, and on roadways.
Contact with any electrical hazard, such as downed electrical power lines.
Falling or flying debris, such as tree branches.

In the event of a medical emergency:

DIAL 911.

Stay on the line until answered.
Report the nature of the medical emergency.
Report the medical emergency.
Describe the person(s) requiring medical assistance.

THEN:

Remain with the person requiring medical assistance until emergency medical services arrive.
If possible, ask another person to report the incident to a supervisor, Campus Services, and/or the front desk in the lobby.
Render first aid to the level that you have been officially trained to do so.
Provide any updated information to emergency medical services personnel upon their arrival.

When the Shaking Starts:

Immediately seek cover under desks or other furniture, if possible; OR sit on the floor covering your head with your hands and arms.

Once the shaking has stopped:

Exit the building in an orderly fashion using the nearest safe route.
Be aware of possible falling debris as you evacuate.
Be aware of possible gas leaks–DO NOT use any device or material that can create a spark or flame.
Walk to the designated Evacuation Assembly Area.
Dial 911 to report the incident after you are safely away from the campus.
Report department or class attendance when asked.
Do not leave the Evacuation Assembly Area until released.

If notified of a Hazardous Material Incident:

If instructed to evacuate:

Exit the building in an orderly fashion using the nearest safe route.
Close, but do not lock, the door as you leave.
Avoid any area of the campus you have been told might present a danger.
Walk to the designated Evacuation Assembly Area.
Report department or class attendance when asked.
Do not leave the Evacuation Assembly Area until released.

If instructed to shelter in place:

Close the door.
Remain calm and stay in the room.
If necessary, cover nose and mouth with available clothing to avoid breathing in airborne contaminants.
Do not leave until you have been told it is safe to do so.

In the event of sudden Utility Failure or Power Outage:

If instructed to shelter in place:

Close the door.
Remain calm and stay in the room.
Unplug the computer and any other classroom electrical devices.
Be aware of possible gas leaks–DO NOT use any device or material that can create a spark or flame.
Do not leave until you have been told it is safe to do so.

If instructed to leave the campus:

Exit the building in an orderly fashion using the nearest safe route.
Close, BUT DO NOT LOCK, the door as you leave.
Be aware of possible gas leaks–DO NOT use any device or material that can create a spark or flame.

Avoid possible hazards:

Wide-spread flooding in the campus parking lot, and on roadways.
Contact with any electrical hazard, such as downed electrical power lines.

If the Fire Alarm goes off, you See Fire, or See or Smell Smoke:

If you can evacuate:

Exit the building in an orderly fashion using the nearest safe route.
Close, BUT DO NOT LOCK, the door as you leave.
Cover your nose and mouth with available clothing, if necessary, to avoid breathing smoke.
Walk to the designated Evacuation Assembly Area.
Dial 911 to report the fire after you have left the building.
Report department or class attendance when asked.
Do not leave the Evacuation Assembly Area until released.

If you are trapped:

Dial 911 to report your location in the building.
Close the door.
Use excess clothing to seal the door from smoke entering.
Stay close to the floor and away from the door.
Cover nose and mouth with available clothing, if necessary, to avoid breathing smoke.
If your room has a window with access to outside the building, attempt to break the window, and safely exit and walk to the Evacuation Assembly Area .

If you Suspect or See an Armed Intruder, or Hear Gun Shots:

If you can, run:

Exit the building in an orderly fashion using the nearest safe route away from the intruder or the sound of gun shots.
Keep your hands free of any objects and in plain view above your head while exiting.
Quickly go away from the campus area.
Dial 911 to report the incident after you are safely away from the campus.
If law enforcement officers have already arrived, follow their instructions.

If you can’t run, hide:

Close the door.
Close window blinds, if available.
Prevent entry by locking the door, barricading the door with furniture, or other means available.
Take cover along the inner walls away from the door.
Turn out the lights.
Remain silent, and silence your cell phone ringer and vibrate modes.
If it is safe to do so, dial 911 and report the incident and your locations.

DO NOT LEAVE THE ROOM UNTIL INSTRUCTED TO DO SO BY LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIALS.

Prepare to defend:

Determine if there are items in the room that can be used as a weapon.
If there are other people present, ask who is prepared to take defensive action.
If the intruder gains entry, act with aggression to restrain the intruder.

Calmly Exit the Building

Identify your zone:

Stay calm, determine which route your zone area corresponds to, and make your way to the appropriate exit.