Emergency Preparedness

Yuma On-Campus Numbers:

Off-Campus Numbers:

When an active assailant is in your vicinity, quickly determine the most reasonable way to protect your own life. Students, employees and visitors are likely to follow the directions of instructors, supervisors and administrators during an active assailant situation. AWC leadership will provide instructions to shelter in place, lockdown or evacuate as well as give the all clear once the situation is under control and no danger continues to be present. 

Evacuate (RUN)
Have an escape route and plan in mind 
Leave your belongings behind (take keys and phones only if it does not delay your escape) 
Keep your hands visible 

Hide
Hide in an area out of the assailant’s view 
Block entry to your hiding place and lock the doors if possible
 

Take action (FIGHT)
As a last resort and only when your life is in danger 
Attempt to incapacitate the active assailant 
Act with physical aggression and throw items at the assailant

Call 911 when it is safe to do so 

How to respond when law enforcement arrives:
Remain calm and follow instructions from officers 
Immediately raise hands and spread fingers when instructed by officers 
Keep hands visible at all times 
Avoid making quick movements toward officers, such as attempting to go to them for safety. 
Avoid pointing, screaming, or yelling. 
Do not stop to ask officers for help or direction when evacuating; proceed in the direction from which officers are entering the building/area and toward the location designated by officers 

Information you should provide to law enforcement and 911:
Location of the active assailant 
Number of assailants 
Physical description of the assailant/s 
Number and type of weapons possessed by the assailant/s 
Number of potential victims and their locations at the incident scene 

Recognizing signs of potential workplace violence:
An active assailant may be a current or former employee or student. If you believe an employee/student is an immediate threat or exhibits potentially violent behavior, call Human Resources at 928-344-7504 if the individual is an employee. Call the Dean of Campus Life office at 928-344-7580 if the individual is a student. If the individual is not affiliated with the College, call Campus Police at 928-314-9500 or 911.

Indications of potentially violent behavior may include:
Increased use of alcohol and/or drugs 
Unexplained increase in absenteeism and/or vague physical complaints 
Depression/withdrawal 
Increased severe mood swings and noticeably unstable or emotional responses 
Increasing mentions of problems at home, school or work 
Increase in unsolicited comments about violence, firearms and other dangerous weapons, and violent crime 
 

BY TELPHONE:
DO NOT HANG UP!!!!!! REMAIN CALM!!!!!!!

The excitement generated by a bomb threat often causes the individual receiving the call to terminate the call prematurely.  Unless you feel an immediate threat, try to prolong the conversation and extract as much information as possible.

Take the caller seriously.

Notify Arizona Western College Campus Police immediately at 314-9500 or 344-5555.

Ask a lot of questions, using the checklist below as a guide:

Time of call:        Sex of caller      M    or    F        Age        Race        

QUESTIONS TO ASK:
When is the bomb going to explode?            
Where is it?                    
What does it look like?                
What kind of bomb is it?                
How is the bomb wrapped?                
Why did you place the bomb?            
Are you part of a group or organization?        
Did you place the bomb? What is your name?        
What will cause the bomb to explode?        

• If known-name of caller: ____________________
• Number from which call originated: _____________
• Male/Female: _________________________
• Race: ____________________
• Approximate. Age: ______________
• Number at which call was received:                            
• Time: ________________________________
• Date: ____________________________

Caller’s voice:

Is the caller incoherent?        
Is the caller irrational?        

BACKGROUND SOUNDS:

Was the message taped?        
Was the message read?        
 

Any campus location may have a need to close and evacuate the campus.  The decision to close a campus location comes from the Arizona Western College President or designee. Notification of campus closure and evacuation will go out by our phone emergency alert system, the emergency notification text system, local media and social media.  Once the notification sounds, cancel class immediately and dismiss students, shut down offices, and leave campus immediately.  Arizona Western College Campus Police and Facilities will be checking buildings and putting up closure signs.  

Please note that a situation might occur with a decision to close a single Arizona Western College location but not all locations, which will be relayed in the announcement. Decisions to close Arizona Western College might come from a situation on that particular campus or be due to a condition in the immediate area around the campus. 

Civil disturbance is a disruptive event that requires intervention to maintain public safety.

If a gathering becomes disruptive, threatening, violent or blocks your entrance or egress from a classroom or building, please call Campus Police.  Campus Police will monitor the gatherings.  If the gathering becomes unlawful, then Campus Police will respond accordingly.

Campus Life monitors Freedom of Speech activities.  The College will always take a neutral position in speech activities. Reasonable time, place, and manner restrictions may be imposed on Freedom of Speech activities. 

Freedom of Speech means all speech, excluding Breaches of the Peace, Commercial speech, Fighting words, Gratuitous Violence, Harassment, Hecklers’ Veto, Obscenity, Prohibited Discrimination or True Threats conducted in a public area including but not limited to protest, demonstrations, assemblies, rallies, speeches, forums, and the collection of signatures for petitions and includes all activities related to an individual's right to peacefully assemble and/or petition the government for a redress of grievances.   Activities must ensure ordinary College functions are not disrupted and to protect the safety and security of the College Community and College Property.  

Breach of the Peace is the criminal offense of creating a public disturbance or engaging in disruptive behavior as prohibited by Arizona’s disorderly conduct statute A.R.S. § 13-2904, including but not limited to acts of violence, gathering, procession, and refusing to obey a lawful order to disperse.  

IN CASE OF CIVIL DISTURBANCE: Call Arizona Western College Police Department at (928) 314-9500 or (928) 344-5555
Avoid provoking or obstructing demonstrators.
If the disturbance moves inside, secure your area (lock doors, safes, files, vital records, and expensive equipment).
Avoid area of disturbance.
Continue with normal routines as much as possible.
If the disturbance is outside, stay away from doors or windows. STAY INSIDE.

Even with strong preventive measures in place, organizations need to prepare for the eventuality of a security incident. Because each security incident is different, the following information is not overly specific or prescriptive regarding the precise nature of the response.  Employees should be diligent and aware of the information covered in the cyber security training.  

Identify and Report

If unusual activity or communication is received, suspected, or observed, report immediately to ITSS.  

Documentation

Document where the communication originated, if any links were clicked, or action was taken based on the communication.  If a ransomware demand was received, what was the demand or threat and did it specify a particular system? 

Exfiltration

Was there a possible unauthorized access or data transfer out of the system? If so, document the details.  

Data

Was any financial, medical, or Personally Identifiable Information (PII) accessed or breached?

If you suspect you are a victim of a cyber security attack, your primary responsibility is to report the incident to the IT department immediately.  Provide as much detail as possible about the suspicious activity you encountered, and then follow any instructions given to help contain the potential damage; this includes not clicking on suspicious links, downloading unknown files, or sharing sensitive information until the situation is assessed.
 

The potential for an earthquake does exist in Yuma.  If a major earthquake were to occur, Arizona Western College must be prepared to provide its own resources for an unlimited period of time.  Most earthquake-related injuries and casualties result from collapsing walls, flying glass and falling objects.

Smaller earthquakes might require no action or campus disruption.  If a larger quake occurs, please follow directions below and listen for Emergency Notification instructions.

IF INSIDE:
Stay inside!!!! Do not run outside during the quake. (DO NOT USE ELEVATORS).
Take cover underneath a desk or table, protecting your head and neck.
Stay away from glass, windows and anything that could fall such as lights, fixtures, bookcases and filing cabinets.
Stay inside until shaking stops.  
Be prepared for aftershocks.

IF OUTSIDE:
Stay outside.  Move to an open area away from buildings, walls, power lines and streetlights and stay there.
Drop to your knees and get into a fetal position, close your eyes and cross your arms over the back of your neck for protection. Stay there until shaking stops.
Stay outside and do not reenter any buildings. 
    
IF TRAPPED UNDER DEBRIS:
Do not light a match
Do not move about or kick up dust
Cover your mouth with a cloth, handkerchief or clothing.
Tap on a pipe or wall so rescuers can locate you. Use anything that makes noise to get attention. Shout as a last resort as shouting causes you to inhale large amounts of dust.

AFTER SHAKING STOPS:
Expect aftershocks. 
Stay away from damaged areas and debris.
Use phones only for emergency calls.
Assist in the building evacuation of persons with special needs.
Tune portable radios to an Emergency Broadcast Station and follow the instructions given. 

Arizona Western College Campus Police or authorized personnel will provide instructions for immediate action.
Do not enter any building for any reason unless authorized to do so by a member of the Emergency Response team.
College leadership will determine and announce that a building(s) is safe to re-enter.
 

Natural causes include, but are not limited to, severe storms, chemical release, gas leak, flood, earthquake, power outage.

In advance of an emergency, determine the nearest exit to your location and the best route to follow. 

In the event of an emergency during which one or more buildings must be evacuated, the Emergency Notification System or personal notification will be implemented. Follow directions and leave as quickly as you can.  See Campus Closure instructions for evacuation procedures.

Assist anyone with special needs.
If time permits during evacuation, secure your workplace and take personal items such as keys, purse, medication, and glasses.  In fire conditions, evacuate immediately leaving personal items behind. 

In most emergencies, complete evacuation of the campus is not necessary.  If, however, there is a major hazardous materials release, flood, or other MAJOR incident, it may be necessary to relocate all College personnel to a safer location.

EVACUATION FROM A BUILDING:
Walk, do not run. Do not panic.
Do not use elevators.
Assist people with special needs. An EVACUTRAC is located in multistory buildings near the stairs to assist people with special needs when the elevator is not an option. Remove the device and follow the pictorial directions.     

If you cannot return to your building, wait for instructions from Arizona Western College Campus Police.
 

All employees, especially those in certain occupations, should learn to use a fire extinguisher. Contact Risk Management at risk.management@azwestern.edu to schedule
 a session. 

IF YOU DISCOVER FIRE IN YOUR BUILDING OR ROOM:
Manually activate the fire alarm system if alarm has not sounded. Yell fire and evacuate area.   Do not use the elevators.
In buildings that do not have fire sprinkler suppression systems, the fire alarm pull stations are located in hallways and in each classroom. 
In buildings with fire suppression systems, the smoke heads will activate the fire alarm. 
Immediately exit the building, closing doors behind you. 

ONCE FIRE ALARMS ARE ACTIVATED:
Walk to the nearest exit (DO NOT USE ELEVATORS!!!!).
Leave building immediately by the closest exit.  Do not go back to your office or area to retrieve belongings. Call 911 or Campus Police at 314-9500 or 344-5555.
Assist persons with special needs.
Notify fire personnel if you suspect someone is trapped inside the building.
Gather outside at the designated safe zone, do not attempt to re-enter the building until instructed to do so by Arizona Western College Campus Police.

IF TRAPPED IN A ROOM:
Check closed doors for heat before you open them.  Use the back of your hand to feel heat, never use the palm of your hand or fingers to feel heat.
If unable to escape due to door being hot, place a cloth material around or under the door to prevent smoke from entering the room.  If able, escape through a window or if unable hang a light-colored cloth at the window to alert fire fighters to your presence.
Close as many doors as possible between you and the fire.

IF CAUGHT IN SMOKE:
Drop to hands and knees and crawl toward exit.
Stay low, as smoke will rise to ceiling level.
Hold your breath as much as possible.
Breathe shallowly through nose and use a filter such as a shirt or towel.

IF FORCED TO ADVANCE THROUGH FLAMES:
Hold your breath.
Move quickly.
Cover your head and hair.
Keep your head down and your eyes closed as much as possible.

USING A FIRE EXTINGUISHER:
If you have been trained and it is safe to do so, you may fight small, contained fires
with a fire extinguisher.
 

Source: FEMA

If water is detected in the buildings or there is a threat of water entering any buildings, contact the Arizona Western College Police Department at 314-9500 or 344-5555. 

IF INSIDE:
If you are on dry ground, turn off power and electrical equipment.  If standing in water, do not touch electrical equipment.
Do not attempt to move any equipment.  
Leave the area and await further instructions from the Arizona Western College Police Department or other authorized personnel.

IF OUTDOORS:
Move to higher ground.  Do not walk through moving water.  Six inches or more of water can cause you to fall.  Do not drive into flooded areas.  If floodwater rises around your vehicle, abandon your vehicle and move to higher ground if you can do so safely.

Source: FEMA

In case of a major hazardous spill:
Immediately call the Arizona Western College Police Department at 314-9500 or 344-5555.
Provide the dispatcher with information regarding the spill, injuries, and type of chemical flammability of the substance, if possible.

DANGER
Only trained and authorized personnel are permitted to respond to hazardous materials incidents!!!

FOR A MAJOR SPILL OR LEAK
Activate the nearest fire alarm.
Immediately evacuate the area, closing doors behind you.
Do not attempt to clean up the spill yourself.
Provide clean-up/rescue personnel with appropriate Safety Data Sheet and other pertinent information.

FOR A MINOR/NON-HAZARDOUS SPILL OR LEAK
Attempt to contain the spill- do not allow anything to leak into the drains.
Wear proper personal protective equipment while cleaning up.
Notify the Campus Police of the spill.

FOR AN OUTDOORS SPILL
Stay upstream and upwind of the spill.  
Move as far away from the accident scene as possible and help keep others away.

Do not walk into or touch any spilled liquids, airborne mists or condensed solid chemical deposits.  Try not to inhale gases, fumes or smoke. If possible, cover mouth with a cloth while leaving the area.

The Arizona Western College Facilities Management and Risk Management has personnel trained in the proper cleanup and containment of minor hazardous spills or releases. The
Emergency Response team will determine the need to call in other agencies.

Source: FEMA

DON’T SECOND GUESS, ALWAYS CALL 911 FOR ASSISTANCE.

HANDS ONLY CPR:
Hands-only CPR can be as effective as conventional CPR and can double that person’s chance of survival.
When an adult collapses, a person near the victim should call 911. 
Push hard and fast in the center of the chest.  Do not be afraid to help, as your actions can only help. Locate the nearest AED and follow instructions.

TO GIVE CONVENTIONAL CPR:  
Call 911
Call Arizona Western College Campus Police at 314-9500 or 344-5555.
Find the notch where the lower ribs meet the breastbone. Place the heel of your hand on the breastbone.  Place your other hand on top of the first.
Position shoulders over hands.  Compress the chest 15 times using a smooth, even rhythm.
Give two slow breaths.
Do three more sets of 15 compressions and two breaths.
Re-check pulse and breathing for about 5 seconds.
If there is no pulse, continue sets of 15 compressions and 2 breaths.
Continue until medical assistance arrives; or until victim starts breathing and has a pulse.

TO STOP BLEEDING:
Lay the person down and elevate their legs. If possible, elevate the site of the bleeding.

Remove obvious dirt and debris from the wound. Do not remove any objects pierced into the victim. Apply pressure directly on the wound with a sterile bandage, clean cloth or a piece of clothing.  Maintain pressure until bleeding stops then bind wound with dressing or cloth.

Apply pressure, use cold packs, elevate the extremity, constrict pressure points and, finally if the bleeding does not stop or is life threatening, apply a tourniquet to the extremity above the bleeding wound.

You can apply a tourniquet to bare skin or over clothing. Place the tourniquet high and tight on the extremity (arm or leg), near the armpit or groin. Pull the “tail" strap of the tourniquet tight and twist the windlass until the bleeding stops. Secure the windlass to keep the tourniquet tight and in place.

Shirt sleeves, pant legs, scarves and bandanas are all potential options to make a tourniquet. Whatever you use, be sure it is wide and thick enough to prevent injury to the limb. It should be two to four inches wide to evenly distribute the pressure around the limb. To tighten the tourniquet, use scissors or any sturdy stick or rod as a windlass.

HEAT RELATED ILLNESS:
Get the victim to a shady place or an air-conditioned place or fan the victim.
Loosen tight clothing and apply cool, wet cloths to the skin.
If victim is conscious, give cool (NOT COLD) water to drink.
Call 911 if the victim refuses water, vomits, or loses consciousness.

ABDOMINAL TRUSTS FOR CHOKING VICTIM:
Get behind the victim. Wrap your arms around the person’s waist, just above their navel.
Clasp your hands together in a double fist. PRESS IN AND UP IN QUICK THRUSTS.
Be Careful not to exert pressure against the victim’s rib cage with forearms.
Repeat procedure until choking stops.
 

Source: American Heart Association

Natural gas lines exist throughout the Arizona Western College campus to provide fuel to a variety of sources.  While natural gas is colorless and odorless, an additive gives it a distinct odor when released into the atmosphere.  Do not call Southwest Gas.
Facilities personnel will call the gas company.

IN CASE OF A GAS LEAK INSIDE A BUILDING:
Remain calm. Evacuate the building immediately. 
Do not operate any electric switches or appliances.
Do not use the ANY phone inside the building.
Do not use matches, cigarettes, or possible sources of ignition.
Do not use the elevators.

Using a phone in another building, call Arizona Western College Campus Police at (928) 314-9500. Do not reenter until instructed to do so by Campus Police or College Administration.

IN CASE OF A GAS LEAK OUTSIDE A BUILDING:
Evacuate the area immediately.
Call Arizona Western College Campus Police at (928) 314-9500 and provide location information. Stay clear of the area until the area is deemed safe for reentry.

The inherent danger during a major power outage is panic; therefore, all college personnel should attempt to remain calm.  Call Facilities Management at (928) 314-9470 to report a minor localized power outage.

Do NOT Call Arizona Public Service

IN CASE OF A CAMPUS-WIDE POWER OUTAGE DURING DAY HOURS:
Remain calm.  Follow directions from Arizona Western College leadership, Campus Police, or Facilities Personnel for immediate action. 
If an evacuation is ordered, seek out persons with special needs and aid if necessary.  Laboratory personnel should secure all experiments and unplug electrical equipment before evacuating.

All chemicals should be stored in their original locations.  Provide natural ventilation by opening all windows and/or doors.  If this is not possible, or natural ventilation is inadequate, evacuate the laboratory until the power is returned.

IN CASE OF A CAMPUS-WIDE POWER OUTAGE DURING EVENING
HOURS:  Exit the classrooms and buildings and leave campus.  Any students on campus without transportation will remain with Campus Police to make transportation arrangements.

IF PEOPLE ARE TRAPPED IN AN ELEVATOR:
Tell passengers to stay calm and that you are getting help. If you are in the elevator, use the emergency phone located in each elevator to notify Campus Police.  Do not attempt to open doors manually or exit until assistance arrives.
 

IF INSIDE WHEN A STORM HITS:
Stay indoors with the doors closed. 
Do not try to leave building/campus during the storm.
Move away from windows and glass doors.
If you hear thunder, you are close enough to the storm to be struck by lightning-stay indoors.
Do not use phones, computers, or other equipment that conduct electricity during storms.
If power goes out during a storm, remain indoors until the storm subsides.
Wait for instructions from Arizona Western College leadership, the Police Department, or authorized personnel.

IF OUTDOORS:
Seek shelter immediately.
Stay away from water sources.
If unable to get indoors, go to a low-lying open place away from trees, poles or metal objects.
Be a very small target.  Squat low to the ground, place hands on your knees with your head between them.  Do not lie flat on the ground.

Source: American Red Cross

IMMINENT THREAT:
Notify Arizona Western College Campus Police immediately at 314-9500 or 344-5555.

Mental Health Situation

• If a person starts exhibiting irrational behavior or threatens themselves or others, call the Arizona Western College Police Department immediately at 314-9500 or 344-5555. 
• Clear as many people from the area as possible.
• If unable to leave the area, stay calm and try to keep the individual calm.

When Arizona Western College Police, follow their instructions and leave the immediate area as soon as practical.
 

Immediately call the Arizona Western College Police Department at 314-9500 or 344-5555 

What should I do if I receive a suspicious parcel in the mail?
Do NOT try to open the parcel.
Isolate the parcel.
Evacuate the immediate area.
Call Campus Police to notify them that you have received a “suspicious” parcel.

Characteristics that should trigger suspicion include letters or parcels that:
Are unexpected or from someone unfamiliar to you.
Are addressed to someone no longer with your organization or are otherwise outdated.
Have no return address.
Have a return address that cannot be verified as legitimate.
Are of unusual weight, given their size, or are lopsided or oddly shaped.
Are marked with restrictive endorsements, such as “Personal or Confidential.”
Have protruding wires, strange odors or stains.
Show a city or state in the postmark that does not match the return address.

If you notice any unattended backpack, briefcase, or bag. Do NOT touch and notify the Arizona Western College Police Department immediately and describe the location found and the item's description.

If you have any further questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact the Campus Police Department.