Safety & Security

All students, staff, faculty, and visitors must leave the affected building immediately in an evacuation. The building fire alarm typically initiates an evacuation.

Use the nearest safe exit, closing office, and classroom doors behind you. Walk, do not run. The ADA area of refuge is located at the East stairwell.

Take personal belongings such as keys, purses, and backpacks with you if possible. You may not be able to return to collect these items in an emergency. However, do not delay your evacuation or return to a dangerous area to gather personal effects. Personnel working with hazardous chemicals or equipment should ensure the materials are safe before evacuating.

1. Do not use elevators. They may become inoperative, trapping you.
2. If you encounter others not evacuating, inform them of the danger, but do not delay your evacuation.
3. If you encounter persons who need assistance evacuating, you may offer assistance at your discretion if you can do so safely. If you cannot assist, immediately notify campus security so emergency responders can help them.
4. Proceed to your building assembly area and report to your supervisor or instructor. Gather in the South Courtyard by the Blue-Light Emergency pole. Do not leave campus until you have been accounted for and released.

Department managers should ensure that all faculty and staff are familiar with evacuation routes and procedures and know the locations of fire alarm pull stations and evacuation assembly areas. Instructors should review this information with students at the start of each semester.

In a lockdown, all personnel are to secure themselves in a room, denying entry to their area until authorities determine the building to be safe. Examples of situations that may require lockdown include an active shooter, a sighting of someone with a gun or weapon on campus, a severe crime in progress on campus or in very close proximity, or the pursuit of a dangerous suspect by law enforcement personnel. Lockdown will be initiated by broadcast on the campus public address system, transmitted by telephone, e-mail, or text message, or by a combination of these methods. A lockdown may also be initiated locally, without notification, if dangerous circumstances exist in a particular area unknown to campus authorities.

When the order for a lockdown is given, the following procedures are to be implemented immediately:

If you are in a classroom, laboratory, or office

1. Immediately close and lock the door. If it cannot be locked, wedge or barricade it to prevent it from opening. Once closed, do not open the door for anyone.
2. Turn off lights and close or cover any windows.
3. Move away from doors and windows. Hide under or behind furniture or other solid objects to remain out of sight. Stay as close to the floor as possible.
4. Silence all cell phones. Call 911 if safe to do so, notify them of the situation, and provide any information you have about the incident and any suspects. Tell the emergency operator where you are located and how many people are with you.
5. Instructors or supervisors should record attendance within the room without attracting attention, by name if possible, but at a minimum, by making a head count. This will help ensure everyone is accounted for once the situation is resolved.
6. Do not leave the room unless it becomes unsafe to stay there. Wait quietly in your location until law enforcement and/or campus officials notify you it is safe to leave. Depending on the circumstances, this could take several hours.

If you are in hallways or other common areas

1. Immediately enter an open room and follow the procedure described above. Do not expect people in barricaded rooms to allow you inside. If you cannot find an open room, seek any available object that will provide concealment.
2. Silence cell phones. Call 911 if it is safe to notify them of the situation, and provide any information you have about the incident and any suspects. Tell the emergency operator where you are located and how many people are with you.
3. Remain in your concealed location until law enforcement and/or campus officials notify you it is safe to leave unless it becomes unsafe to stay there.

If you are outside of a building

1. Hide behind any substantial object: cars, trees, rocks, etc. Stay where you are unless it becomes unsafe.
2. Do not approach the buildings. If you can safely leave the area, do so, keeping obstructions between you and the building(s) as much as possible.
3. Call 911 if it is safe to do so. Notify them of the situation and provide any information you have about the incident and any suspects. Tell the emergency operator where you are located and if other people are with you.

When Law Enforcement Arrives

• Follow instructions.
• Keep your hands up and visible. Do not point toward people or objects, and do not make sudden movements.
• Stay close to the ground until instructed to stand up. Following a lockdown, an all-clear signal will be delivered using the same method(s) as the original alert.

Active Shooter Situation

WSU teaches a Run, Hide, Fight protocol in the event of an active shooter situation. In this situation, you must determine which option will provide the greatest security.

All students, staff, faculty, and visitors must leave the affected building immediately in an evacuation. The building fire alarm typicall

A “Shelter in Place” is a modified lockdown in which people may continue to move about inside a building but are unsafe to go outdoors. Examples of situations that might require a Shelter-in-place order include severe weather, such as strong thunderstorms, nearby transportation accidents, or fires that release contaminants into the air around campus. Shelter in Place will be initiated by broadcasting on the campus public address system and transmitted by telephone, e-mail, text message, or a combination of these methods.

When a Shelter in Place order is given, the following procedures are to be implemented immediately:

If you are inside a building

• Remain indoors until an “All Clear” message is sent.
• Follow the directions of campus administration and emergency responders. Depending on the circumstances that caused the Shelter in Place, other actions may be needed to ensure the safety of the campus community (for example, in severe weather, you may be directed to stay away from exterior windows).
• Do not leave the room unless it becomes unsafe to stay there. Wait quietly in your location until law enforcement and/or campus officials notify you it is safe to leave. Depending on the circumstances, this could take several hours.

If you are outside of a building

• Get inside the closest building and remain there.

In the event of an earthquake, here are steps you should take to protect yourself:

• Take cover under a sturdy desk
• Avoid windows, hanging objects, and tall furniture
• Hold your position until the ground stops shaking
• Evacuate the building if it is safe to do so
• Do not re-enter the building until told to do so by building staff or emergency responders

Everett Community College and Washington State University Everett have established an All-Hazards Emergency Response Plan to minimize the impact of an emergency on students, employees, visitors, and facilities. The plan is designed to provide procedures and assign roles to effectively respond to an emergency.