Emergency Procedures

This Manual is designed to give general guidance in case of an emergency. The procedures outlined, together with common sense, are intended to prevent injury and handle emergencies that may occur on TCC property. In the event of an emergency, immediately notify Security for assistance. Of course in certain instances, it will be more prudent to call 911 first, and then Security. In any case, do not hang up immediately as more information may be needed. Security will take complete charge upon arrival. Students and employees should support or assist as needed or directed.

Emergency Phone Numbers
Assault, Sexual Assault, Physical Violence, and Threats
Bomb Threat
Chemical Spills
Earthquake
Fire
Medical Emergency
Power Failure
Volcanic Eruption

Emergency Phone Numbers

POLICE/FIRE/MEDICAL – 911

Tell the emergency 911 operator or dispatcher where you are on campus otherwise, they will not know how to locate you. Follow the operator's instructions, then call Security at 253.566.5111/5111 from any campus phone.

Please remain on the line to provide information to emergency personnel.

Tacoma Community College
6501 South 19th Street
Tacoma WA 98466
Security: 253.566.5111. (5111 from any campus phone)
Facility Helpline: 253.566.5152. (5152 from any campus phone)

Gig Harbor Campus
6406 38th Ave NW.
Gig Harbor, WA 98335
253.851.2424

Tacoma Mall Learning Center
4202 South Steel, Suite 1105
Tacoma, WA 98409
253.565.9610

Assault, Sexual Assault, Physical Violence, and Threats

Immediately after an assault occurs, focus first on providing for the medical and psychological needs of affected employees and/or students. Other immediate steps include:

Report the incident to Security, 253.566.5111 (5111 from any campus phone) and the Tacoma Police Department.
Secure work areas where the disturbances occurred.
Account for all employees and others and ensure the physical safety of those remaining in the area as soon as possible.
Provide for site security, and ensure that no work area is left short-staffed while others assist the victim or help in securing the area.
Quickly assess the work area, if it was disturbed or damaged during an incident, to determine if it is safe.
Provide critical incident debriefing to victims, witnesses, and other affected employees (these conversations must be strictly confidential).
Provide accurate communication to law enforcement.

Once the above steps have been completed, make yourself available to Security or Tacoma Police so that they can begin their investigation.

Bomb Threat

BE CALM, COURTEOUS AND LISTEN. DO NOT INTERRUPT THE CALLER.

Immediately after the call, notify your supervisor and the Security Office at 253.566.5111. (5111 from any campus phone)

If you find a bomb or suspicious package, do not attempt to touch, inspect, move, or otherwise tamper with the object. Keep others away from the suspected device or package.

Record the following:

Date received:
Time received:
Person receiving call:
Number call received on:
Address:
Telephone:
How reported:
Exact words of caller:

Questions to ask caller:

When is the bomb going to explode?
Where is the bomb right now?
What kind of bomb is it?
What does it look like?
Why did you place the bomb?
Where are you calling from?
What is your name?
What is your address?

Description of caller's voice:

Male
Female
Young
Old
Accent
Race
Estimated age

Speech:

Slow
Excited
Disguised
Angry
Rapid
Loud
Broken
Crying
Normal
Lisp
Sincere
Slurred
Familiar ( If voice is familiar, whom did it sound like? )

Background sounds:

Street noises
House noises
Voices
Clear
Static
Local
Music
Office machinery
Factory machinery
Other:

Threat language:

Well spoken
Irrational
Incoherent
Taped
Other:

Chemical Spills

Should a spill of a dangerous or caustic chemical occur in your area:

Prevent it from going down drains if you have been trained to do so
Follow procedures set by your department
Phone 911 to report the spill, then make a follow up call to 253.566.5111. (5111 from any campus phone)

Should chemicals come in contact with your skin, splashed into your eyes or ingested, follow instructions listed on the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) and the procedures set by your department, which may include utilizing an eye-wash or shower station provided in some areas.

Earthquake

If an earthquake occurs – keep calm. Do not run or panic. REMAIN WHERE YOU ARE.
If you are indoors, stay indoors. Take shelter under a desk or table, along an inner wall or in a doorway. Stay away from windows, glass walls, and outside doors; these are danger areas.
If you happen to be outdoors, stay outdoors. Do not attempt to enter or leave buildings until you are advised it is safe to do so. Stay away from overhead electric wires, poles, or anything that may shake loose and fall.
Remain in your sheltered area until advised otherwise. After the initial earthquake shock, be prepared for additional aftershocks. Generally, these are smaller in intensity than the main quake; however, they may cause great damage due to structures weakened by the quake.

After the earthquake:

Use extreme caution in entering buildings.
Do not use lanterns, torches, or matches until you are advised it is safe to do so.
Stay away from fallen or damaged electrical wires and from windows.
If a fire or serious injury results, follow procedures in the “Fire” and “Medical Emergency” section of this booklet.
The safety of handicapped persons shall be insured by the faculty member and/or supervisor until Security, Police or Fire Department personnel can take over.

Fire

Before a fire occurs, make yourself familiar with all fire extinguisher locations in or near your normal workplace.

Fire extinguishers are located in hallways and/or in classrooms.

In the event of fire:

Pull the nearest Fire alarm to evacuate the building. This will also simultaneously contact the Fire Department.
Call Security, 253.566.5111. (5111 from any campus phone). Give the following information
- The building name or number
- Classroom number
- Location of the fire
- Extent of the fire: e.g., waste basket, storeroom
- Your telephone number
If possible, attempt to extinguish the fire, avoiding possible injury to you or others.
If the building is involved in a fire and there is possible danger to you and others, DO NOT ATTEMPT TO FIGHT THE FIRE.
If, for any reason, you are unable to evacuate a handicapped person, Security and the Fire Department personnel must be notified immediately.

Medical Emergency

IF A SERIOUS MEDICAL EMERGENCY OCCURS CALL 911 IMMEDIATELY.

For all other cases:

Call Security at 253.566.5111 (5111 from any campus phone) and state that medical aid is needed. Security will notify the appropriate emergency agency.
Be prepared to give the following information:
- Name or number of building
- Type of problem or injury
- Individual's present condition
- Sequence of events leading to emergency
Administer first aid as directed by Security or consistent with your first aid training.
Be available for the Security Officer who will conduct an investigation.

Power Failure

Notify the Facilities Helpline, 253.566.5152. After office hours, on weekends and holidays, call Security, 253.566.5111 (5111 from any campus phone). If there is no other emergency (fire, explosion, etc.), remain where you are and await instructions.

Stay away from exposed or downed power lines. Similarly, avoid contact with metal or water which may be in contact with an electrical source such as a downed power line, electronic device, electrical outlet or switchboard.
Turn off ALL computers, monitors, televisions and other electronic equipment until after the power has been restored for 15 consecutive minutes.

Volcanic Eruption

Advance Warning of Eruption and Ash fall:

Alert staff and students to prepare for dismissal if time permits.
Alert facilities staff so heating, cooling and ventilation systems can be shut off. Keep electricity on.
Instruct staff and students to cover mouths and noses with handkerchiefs or some other article of clothing should they encounter ash fall.
Follow instructions given to clear the college of all students and unnecessary personnel.

If Time Does Not Permit Dismissal:

Have all staff and students seek shelter inside the college buildings until fallout wanes (do not seek shelter in buildings with skylights, i.e., building 7).
Advise staff to close windows and shut all doors.
Follow instructions for covering of mouths and noses if this becomes necessary.
Facilities staff will shut off heating, cooling and ventilation systems. Keep electricity on.