Detailed Procedures
APU remains steadfast in its commitment to provide a safe and secure living, learning, and working environment for its community. Because of its location in Southern California, APU is particularly susceptible to earthquakes and wildfires. Specific plans have been made for these types of emergencies in conjunction with the Los Angeles County Fire Department and the Azusa Police Department. The university maintains an excellent working relationship with both of these agencies.
Building, Campus, and Room Lockdown
The Building, Campus, and Room Lockdown procedures are used when it may be more dangerous to evacuate a location than to stay in the assigned area. Examples: violent or potentially violent incident by an angry or deranged person or persons threatening with a gun or other deadly weapon, robbery in progress, police pursuit, etc.
A building and campus lockdown consists of moving all students, faculty, staff, and visitors off the grounds and into the buildings, securing all entrances, and denying access to any unauthorized persons.
A room lockdown occurs when the danger may already be inside a building and requires that all students, faculty, staff, or visitors remain in rooms, offices, classrooms, etc. within the building; or requires people to move from hallways or general open areas into enclosed rooms for safety, securing entrances and denying access to unauthorized persons. This is also referred to as a “shelter-in-place” procedure where inhabitants of the room are advised to stay away from windows and doors, and “shelter” close to objects (tables, chairs, etc.) near the center of the room.
Remember to notify Campus Safety (811 from a campus phone, or (626) 815-3898 from off campus) as soon as possible, without endangering yourself, in the case of a threatening person or persons on APU campus.
Earthquakes
During the shaking:
REMEMBER: DUCK, COVER, and HOLD. Keep calm. Do not run or panic. If the earthquake strikes while you are indoors, take cover under a piece of furniture or stand in a doorway. Stay away from glass, windows, and overhead light fixtures. If the tremor occurs while you are outside, move away from buildings and utility wires. Move to an open area and stay there until the shaking stops. If the earthquake strikes while you are in a crowded public place, remain calm and seek shelter from falling debris. Do not rush for the exits - other people will have the same idea. If the tremor occurs while you are in a car, pull to the side of the road, away from overhead power lines. Remain in the vehicle, and turn on the radio. When leaving the automobile, move to an open area away from other cars.
After the shaking stops:
Prepare for possible aftershocks. Check for injuries. Do not attempt to
move persons who may be seriously injured unless they are in danger
of further injury. Notify a university authority immediately. Take an
inventory of the area you are in and notify the authorities present of
any dangers so that an evacuation can be conducted if necessary.
Evacuation of buildings is not automatic and depends on surrounding
circumstances (i.e., gas leak, fire, or severe structural damage). If
buildings are evacuated, stay out of them until directed to re-enter by
a university official.
Fires
If you discover a fire:Remain calm.
Pull one of the fire alarms located in the corridors or along the outside walls, or call 911. Then call the Department of Campus Safety at Ext. 811. If off campus, call 911 and then Campus Safety at (626) 815-3898.
Fire Evacuations
Exit all persons from the building immediately. ALL ALARMS SHOULD BE TAKEN SERIOUSLY. If you hear an alarm, it is MANDATORY that you exit the building. Evacuate the area, walking as quickly as possible, closing all doors (but do not lock them) as you exit so that the spread of the fire is slowed down. Use stairways and NOT elevators. On stairways, use handrails and keep to the right. Check all doors for heat (top and bottom) with back of hand. If hot, do not open.
RAs will go from room to room in residence facilities to ensure complete evacuation.If you are caught in heavy smoke, drop to hands and knees and crawl; hold your breath as much as possible; breathe shallowly through your nose; and use a blouse, shirt, or jacket as filter. When all people have been evacuated, move to a designated evacuation area and wait for an "All Clear" from the proper authorities before returning to the building.
If your clothing catches on fire, DO NOT RUN. STOP, DROP, and ROLL.
Fire Drills
Unannounced fire drills will be held each year to test the system and familiarize occupants with the sounds of the alarm sounds. Pulling a false alarm as a prank or joke is a serious offense that could lead to disciplinary proceedings through the Office of the Vice President for Student Life, including a $500 fine. California Penal Code section 148.4 provides a misdemeanor/felony charge (fine and/or imprisonment) for those who willfully tamper with fire protection equipment. Further, it is a violation of university regulations, and reason for prosecution.
Look around the room now to see where exits are located. You should also note the location of fire extinguishers in rooms and in hallways.
Obtaining Crisis Information
In the event of a crisis on campus, the primary conduit of information will be the toll-free emergency hotline and website. Please call (888) 451-5583 or refer to this website at www.apu.edu/response/.
Parents and friends should be informed about the emergency Web page and phone number for contact during emergency. They will be able to find out what is occurring on the Azusa campus as well as regional sites.
Questions and concerns are encouraged and should be referred to Jeff Birch, chair of the Incident Command Team, at (626) 815-2008 or jbirch@apu.edu.
