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Information & Policies

Emergency Procedures >> Earthquake

Bomb threats | Building evacuations | Civil disturbance | Earthquake | Fire | Hazardous materials | Media | Utility failure | Violent or criminal behavior

Earthquakes strike suddenly and without warning. They are sudden, rapid shaking of the earth caused by breaking and shifting rock beneath the earth's surface. Earthquakes can cause the collapse of buildings and bridges; disrupt gas, electric, and phone service; and trigger landslides, avalanches, flash floods, fires, and tsunamis along coastal areas.

What To Do During an Earthquake
What To Do After an Earthquake
Checking Buildings After an Earthquake

What To Do During an Earthquake

• Remain calm
• Do not move around
  The shorter distance you move to safety the less likely you will be injured (Statistics show the persons moving more than 10 feet are more likely to be injured).
• Drop, cover and hold on.
  Seek refuge under a strong table or desk, hold on, and protect your eyes and face by pressing your face into your arms.
• Avoid areas around windows, shelves, and heavy objects or equipment.
• If outdoors, move away from buildings, utility poles, power lines, gas lines, and trees.
• Stay in one place until the earthquake stops.

What To Do After an Earthquake

• Check yourself first for any injuries before attempting to help others.
• Set up a command post. If operable, the Greywood Building will be the command post for the college and the community safety office.
• Protect yourself from further injury by wearing long pants, long-sleeved shirts, sturdy shoes, and gloves.
• Move carefully.
• Help others who are injured or trapped.
• Help the handicapped.
• Obtain fire extinguishers and be on the lookout for fires. Fire is the most common hazard after an earthquake, due to broken gas lines, damaged electrical lines or appliances, and release of previously contained fires (fireplace fires and candles) or sparks.
• Be cautious of chemical and flammable liquid spills.
• Open doors and cabinets cautiously.
• Use stairs and not elevators to exit buildings.
• Stay away from buildings, trees, power poles, streetlights, and power lines.
• Call 9-1-1 if emergency help is necessary. Use existing phone lines if phone lines are operable. If phone lines are down, use cell phone lines available on our Nextel system.
• Call in off-duty personnel to assist.
• Monitor a battery-operated portable AM-FM radio. If electricity is out, this may be your only source of information. Local radio and officials provide the most appropriate advice.
• Avoid smoking around or inside buildings.
• Expect aftershocks.

Checking Buildings After an Earthquake

• Use extreme caution when entering.
• Examine walls, floors, doors, staircases, and windows to make sure that the building is not in danger of collapsing.
• Check for gas leaks. If you smell gas or hear a blowing or hissing sound, open a window and quickly leave the building. Turn off the gas, using the outside main valve if you can.
• Watch for electrical system damage.
• Check for water system damage. Expect to find the fire sprinkler system going off after an earthquake.
• Evacuate non-injured people.
• Administer first aid to injured people and help those with minor injuries in their evacuation from the building. Give first aid where appropriate. Do not move seriously injured people unless they are in immediate danger of further injury.

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