EARTHQUAKES AND OTHER DISASTERS
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The college has published an Emergency Preparedness Manual. All department chairs have a copy. Your students are likely to look to you for guidance in an emergency situation. It's a good idea to spend a few minutes in class discussing what to do if an emergency situation develops. For most emergencies, the basic procedure is to get your students away from the site of the disaster once it is safe to do so and then call campus police. Obviously, in the case of a major disaster that affects the entire campus, the campus police will already be aware of it. If you are in a building during an earthquake you are advised to stay in the building and seek refuge in a doorway or under a desk or table. Stay away from glass windows, shelves and heavy equipment. After the initial shock evaluate the situation and decide if it is appropriate to leave the building. Protect yourself at all times and be ready for aftershocks. If you are in a lab and it is possible to do so, have the students turn off any gas stopcocks and water before you leave the building. If you are already outdoors, move quickly away from buildings, utility poles and other structures. Once outside, if possible move to a clear area at least 500 feet away from any affected buildings. Keep streets, fire lanes, hydrants and walkways clear for emergency vehicles and crews. Do not return to an evacuated building unless told to do so by a college official. Locked boxes, located throughout the campus, contain supplies that will be useful in the event of an earthquake.
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