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Earthquake Safety

What happens during an Earthquake?

• An earthquake in the Bay Area will produce strong shaking that may last up to 60 seconds.
• Be prepared for after-shocks – these are similar events with shaking that may be as strong as the initial earthquake.
• Most injuries are sustained from falling objects.
• If indoors, find shelter under a desk, table, or bed.
• If outdoors, stay away from buildings and glass.  Be mindful of falling objects.
• Do not enter a building until it has been structurally evaluated.
• Do not use elevators. Use the stairs.

Preparing for an Earthquake

• Place mirrors and pictures in areas where falling will cause minimal damage.
• Do not hang items from the ceiling.
• Heavy objects such as TVs and stereos should be as close to the floor as possible.
• Keep spaces under tables, desks, and counters clear for shelter in case of an earthquake.
• Familiarize yourself with emergency exits.

After an Earthquake

• Check for injuries.
• Do not attempt to move seriously injured people unless they are in danger of further injury.  If you know first aid, help others by using it.
• Do not use matches, candles, or open flames as there may be gas leaks.
• Do not operate electrical devices or switches.
• Stay away from downed power lines.
• In the Bay Area, KGO 810, KCBS 740, and KNBR 680 carry regular news updates and are set up to run emergency information broadcasts from local authorities.
• Do not use your phone except for emergency calls as bandwidth may be limited and needed by first responders.
• Assist those who are disabled with evacuation.

Evacuation

If an evacuation is required, move out of the building and follow the escape route to the rally point as indicated.  If you are in a classroom, a faculty member will assemble with your class; if you are in a residential hall, move to the assembly point designated to group with your Resident Advisor or designee; if you are in another campus building, move to the assembly area as outlined on the evacuation plans.

Alert notifications will be sent out via Gael Safe. If a shelter in place is required, the assembly point will be the Recreation Center, unless an alternate location is identified.

Evacuation of Persons with Disabilities

Always ASK someone with a disability how you can help BEFORE attempting to provide

assistance. Ask how they can best be assisted and whether there are any special

considerations or items that need to come with that person.

Individuals who are blind or have a Visual Impairment

• Ask the person who is blind if s/he would like assistance or guidance in leading her/him out of the building to the Emergency Evacuation Meeting Location.

• Give verbal instructions to the person who is blind regarding the safest exit route by using compass directions, estimated distances, and directional terms. (i.e. “from where we are standing, the exit door leading to the main floor of the dorm 10-20 feet down the hall on the right. There is a stairwell leading to the side exit.”

• Do not walk up and grasp the arm of a visually impaired person and attempt to lead her/him out of the building. First ask if the person would like to hold onto your arm as you exit, especially if there is debris in the area or you need to exit through a crowd.
• Give other relevant verbal instructions or information (e.g., “elevators cannot be used”, “door handle is on the left and the door opens outward”, etc.).

Individuals who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing

• Get the attention of a person with a hearing disability by either touching or by making eye contact.
• Clearly state the situation and reason for evacuation. Have a pen and paper handy to write a brief statement if the person does not seem to understand. 

• Offer visual instructions by pointing toward exits, or evacuation maps showing the safest exit routes.
• If there is no immediate danger, persons with disability/mobility limitations should shelter in place and call Campus Safety at 925-631-4282 to report the location and number of people needing assistance.
• If you are unable to evacuate, call Campus Safety at 925-631-4282 and report your location.
• As you make your way out, encourage those you encounter to exit as well
• Follow instructions of Campus Safety or other identified emergency personnel
• Wait for instructions before returning to your building after an evacuation.

Persons with mobility disabilities

• Two or more trained persons, if available, should conduct the evacuation.
• DO NOT evacuate people with disabilities in their wheelchairs - evacuate the person NOT the wheelchair. This is standard practice to ensure the safety of disabled people and volunteers. Wheelchairs will be evacuated later if possible.
• Always ASK people with a disability 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.
• Before attempting an evacuation, volunteers and the people being assisted should discuss how any lifting will be done and where they are going.
• Proper lifting techniques (e.g., bending at the knees, keeping the back straight, holding the person close before lifting, and using leg muscles to lift) should be used to avoid injury to rescuers' backs.
• Never lift or pick up a person with a mobility disability from their wheelchair or assisting device without obtaining prior permission from the person to do so. Only trained caretakers or emergency responders may lift or pick up mobility-impaired persons.
• It may be necessary to help clear the exit route of debris (if possible) so that the person with the mobility disability can move to a safer area. If people with mobility disabilities cannot exit, they should move to a safer area, such as an enclosed and fire-rated stairwell, or an office with a door shut which is a good distance from the hazard (and away from falling debris in the case of an earthquake).
• If people are in immediate danger and cannot be moved to a safer area to wait for assistance, it may be necessary to evacuate them using a carry technique or, if available, an evacuation chair. Notify police or fire personnel immediately about any people remaining in the building and their locations. Police or fire personnel will decide whether people are safe where they are, and will evacuate them as necessary. The Fire Department may determine that it is safe to override the rule against using elevators.
• Evacuating a person with a disability yourself is the LAST resort. Consider your options and the risks of injuring yourself and others in an evacuation attempt. DO NOT make an emergency situation worse.

Evacuation is difficult and uncomfortable for both the rescuers and the people being assisted. Some people may have conditions that can be aggravated or triggered if they are moved incorrectly. Or, they may be attached to other life-supporting devices that may need to be either disconnected or moved by trained caretakers or emergency responders. Remember that environmental conditions (smoke, debris, loss of electricity) may also complicate evacuation efforts. The following guidelines are general and may not apply in every circumstance:

• If people with mobility disabilities cannot exit, they should be moved to a safer area, such as an enclosed and fire-rated stairwell, or an office with a door shut which is a good distance from the hazard (and away from falling debris in the case of an earthquake) to wait for assistance. It may be necessary to help clear the exit route of debris (if possible) so that the mobility disabled person can be moved.

• If people with mobility disabilities are in immediate danger and cannot be moved to a safer area, it may be necessary to evacuate them using a carry technique or, if available, an evacuation chair. College personnel, however, may not be trained in the carry technique or in the use of evacuation chairs, therefore, College personnel or Building Coordinators must notify police, fire personnel, or other emergency responders immediately of any people remaining in the building and their locations. Trained responders (or personal assistants or caretakers, if any) can then transfer the people with mobility disabilities to evacuation chairs and evacuate them with assistance from College personnel or decide to keep them safe where they are. The Fire Department may determine that it is safe to override the rule against using elevators. Building Coordinators can facilitate the availability of evacuation chairs and assist in deploying them.

Evacuation chairs are located in the stairwells of the following buildings:

• St. Albert Library – third floor
• Garaventa Hall – second floor
• Galileo Hall – third floor
• Dante Hall – third floor
• Brousseau Hall – third floor