Emergency Procedures

At Phoenix College, the safety and well-being of our students, faculty, and staff is of primary importance. It is our hope that you will familiarize yourself with all of the Emergency Procedures outlined in the Maricopa Emergency Management System (MEMs) website. In the event of an emergency or crisis situation, the College Police Department will make timely warnings to the campus community.

IMMEDIATELY CALL 9-1-1 IN ANY LIFE-THREATENING SITUATION

What Is An Emergency?

An emergency is any immediate threat to life and/or property that requires immediate response from police, fire, or ambulance personnel. Your judgment often determines whether an incident is an emergency. If you consider a situation to be an emergency, then it is an emergency and the procedures in this booklet should be followed. If in doubt, err on the side of safety!

Be Prepared

Emergencies, accidents, injuries and other unexpected events can occur at any time and in any place. Being prepared both mentally and physically for the unexpected is the first and best defense to minimize an incident. Each of us must take a pro-active approach to providing a safe environment and, although no guide can cover all situations, the procedures outlined in this website will help prepare you should an emergency arise.

Know the locations of all exits from your area or building in case fire or debris should block one.
Know the location of fire alarm pull stations, fire extinguishers and first-aid cabinets.
Know where to find the nearest phone or emergency call box to notify the College Police
in case of an emergency.
Lock your car and conceal valuable items.
Never leave personal property unattended.
Don't hesitate to call 9-1-1 immediately if you believe an emergency exists. Then contact the College Police at your location.

Contact the College Police at (602) 285-7254 if you have any questions concerning emergency procedures.

Timely Notification Policy

Phoenix College has created a multi-modal crisis communications plan in an effort to maximize communication efforts during an emergency. Upon confirmation of a significant emergency or dangerous situation involving an immediate threat to the health or safety of the campus population, the Public Safety Department will initiate the campus Mass Notification System (MNS). Communication modalities may include text messages, email alerts, classroom workstation intercoms, bull horns, or public address systems. The decision on an appropriate course of action and the type of instructions given to the campus will be made by the Public Safety Director, a campus police officer or other college official based upon the information available at the time.

Emergency Text & Email Alerts (RAVE)

Students should update their contact information in the Maricopa Online Student Center at My.maricopa.edu in order to receive a PC Alert notification in the event of an emergency. All current students and employees are automatically enrolled in this emergency alert system.

How Does The PC Alert Notification System Work?

During an urgent situation, the PC Alert system will begin cycling through the points of contact listed in your My.Maricopa.edu account to deliver the alert. The order of contact is as follows:

Text message (SMS) to mobile device
Call to cell phone
Call to home phone number
Call to emergency contact number
E-mail to listed email address

Media Contacts

During any crisis on campus, it is critical that accurate and timely information be given to the news media. All media inquiries should be directed to the Public Information Officers (Institutional Advancement) at 602.285.7870. During absence of IA/Media personnel, administrative staff will handle media inquiries. All information released will take into consideration applicable legalities and the confidentiality of information both during and after a situation.

General Emergency

Notify District College Police at 480-784-0911, and then notify 911 (if necessary).
If evacuation is required, pull fire alarm.
Follow normal evacuation route. Follow alternate route if normal route is too dangerous.
Missing personnel and last known location will be relayed to College Police.

Medical Emergency

Remain calm.
Notify District College Police at 480-784-0911 and then call 9-1-1.
Provide building name and room number.
Keep the ill or injured person as comfortable as possible while waiting for the officer or medical assistance to respond. Do not attempt to move a person who has fallen and appears to be in pain.
Report any details leading to the injury to responding personnel.

Fire

Be familiar with the location of fire alarm pull stations, as well as the location of every fire extinguisher in your building.

Develop a mental plan of what you will do if there is a fire in your area and rehearse it.

Know where you will exit, including an alternate in case your first choice is blocked.

Know how to use a fire extinguisher. (Pull the safety pin, aim at the vase of the fire, squeeze the trigger handle and move it from side to side as it discharges at the base of the fire.)

The First few seconds of a fire are critical as to whether it spreads or is controlled, but never allow a fire to cut you off from the exit while attempting to control it.

Campus community members may deal with small, extinguishable fires as long as personal safety is not compromised and they are trained in the use of fire extinguishers. However, always remember that personal safety should be your first concern. Never place yourself in a position where the fire is between you and the exit.

Notify District College Police at 480-784-0911 and then call 9-1-1.
Activate fire alarm as you leave the building.
Alert all occupants in your area.
Evacuate to an assembly area. Follow normal evacuation drill route. Follow alternate route if normal route is too dangerous.
Assist those requiring help to the exterior or to an area of rescue assistance.
Take only your car keys and purse with you.
Shut all doors behind you as you go. Closed doors tend to slow the spread of fire, smoke, and water.
DO NOT use elevators.
DO NOT allow the fire to come between you and the exit.
Notify District College Police at 480-784-0911 or 9-1-1 from a safe location. Watch for the responding officer and provide information on the fire location and extent.
No one may re-enter buildings until all buildings are declared safe by fire/police.
College Police notifies employees/students when situation is clear and normal operations may resume.
Report persons with disabilities to the College Police for assistance.

Emergency evacuation of people requiring assistance from multi-story buildings

Always ASK a person requiring assistance how you can help BEFORE attempting any rescue technique or giving assistance; ask how they can best be assisted or moved, and if there are any special considerations, or items that need to come with them.
Immediately notify District Public Safety at 480-784-0911 or 9-1-1 that there is a person(s) with a disability that requires assistance.

Power Outage

Power failures are usually of short duration and have minimal impact on the campus. However, there is always the chance that a power outage can last for a long period of time. The college does maintain auxiliary power units to provide emergency power. During a power outage, please remain in your room until advised to leave the building. Generally, the power will come back on after a few minutes. If the fire alarm is activated, follow evacuation procedures; otherwise remain in the room until directive is clear (alarm, bullhorn, text). Then follow directive to either evacuate or shelter-in-place.