Emergency Procedures

Earthquakes in the Bay Area may be inevitable, but damage from them is not. The steps you take before, during, and after an earthquake can help ensure your safety and reduce injuries, damage, and losses. First and foremost, plan for the personal safety of yourself and your loved ones. By having a sensible personal safety plan in place, you will be better able to help the District once the safety of your loved ones has been secured. The resource section of this guide contains links to various materials that can help you better prepare for an earthquake.

Building Captain/Floor Manager Earthquake Evacuation Checklist

Before an Earthquake:

• Make a note of the location of fire extinguishers and emergency supplies in your area
• Identify what equipment you may  need to shut down to reduce potential hazards during an earthquake
• Determine the safest areas (e.g., under sturdy tables, desks, or against inside walls). Ensure these areas are located away from windows and shelves with heavy objects. 
• Always store flammable and hazardous chemicals in secondary containment trays and approved cabinets
• Keep breakables and heavy objects on lower shelves whenever possible 
• Ensure seismic restraints and latches on shelves and cabinets are secured
• Secure valuable equipment, process tanks, storage tanks, gas cylinders, closets, and materials to prevent loss
• Consult the Personal Preparedness section of this manual for more information
• Familiarize yourself with the location of your Emergency Assembly Area (EAA)

During an Earthquake: If you are inside

• Immediately “Drop, cover, and hold on.”
  • Cover: Under a desk, table, or chair, or if unable to do so, between seating rows in classrooms or against a corridor wall 
  • If unable to do the above, cover your head with your arms to help protect against falling objects.
  • Note to wheelchair users: Apply the brakes. Cover your head with your arms to help protect against falling objects. Ask for assistance.

• Do not go into a doorway. 
• Do not run or panic.
• Move away from the danger areas: near windows, hanging objects, tall unsecured furniture (bookcases, cabinets, and appliances), and research or process equipment containing hazardous chemicals. Most casualties in earthquakes result from falling materials.
• Stay inside under cover until the shaking ceases.
• Watch for falling objects.
• As you leave the area, and if safe to do so, turn off and disconnect power to equipment containing hazardous materials unless power is needed to keep the process or experiment safe.
• Make a note of any unsafe conditions, trapped personnel, or other hazards to be reported when you evacuate to your Emergency Assembly Point. 

During an Earthquake: If you are outside

• Stay outside.
• Move to an open area, away from buildings, trees, electrical/overhead wires, and other hazards.
• If forced to stand near a building, watch for falling objects.

During an Earthquake: If you are in an automobile

• Stop your vehicle in the nearest open area without blocking the roadway.
• Do not stop under bridges, overpasses, trees, or overhead wires.
• Stay in the vehicle until the shaking ceases.

After an Earthquake: Evacuation

• In the event of any of the following situations, and if safe, evacuate to the designated Emergency Assembly Point (EAP) for your building.
  • Smoke and/or fire
  • Activation of fire and/or sprinkler alarm 
  • A significant amount of fallen objects
  • Glass breakage
  • Wall cracking/damage
  • Other life-threatening hazards
• When in doubt, evacuate the building and assess the situation before taking further action.
• Take your emergency supplies, car keys, purse and/or wallet with you. You may not be able to re-enter the building.
• Leave doors unlocked.
• DO NOT USE ELEVATORS – they likely will not be functional.
• Do not move seriously injured people unless they are in obvious, immediate danger from fire, building collapse, etc. Instead, note their locations and report them at the designated Emergency Assembly Point. 
• Do not re-enter buildings until emergency management personnel has given clearance to return.
• Await instructions, be patient and calm, and help others.
• Be prepared for aftershocks; these may occur seconds, minutes, hours, or days after the initial shock
• Report serious injuries, fires, or other hazards to the Response Team member at your EAP. Provide the following information:
  • Your name
  • Location of the problem (building, floor, room number, etc.)
  • The severity of the situation
  • Indicate whether any people or equipment are involved or are in imminent danger.
• Note: Only activate the Fire Alarm if there is a fire in your building

After an Earthquake: Additional instructions

• Open doors carefully.
• Do not use plumbing, light switches, or gas until utility lines have been checked.
• Do not use matches, lighters, or candles.
• Replace telephone handsets on cradles and avoid using phones for non-emergency purposes.
• Stay on campus until you have been accounted for and been advised that it is safe to leave (roads may have been damaged or blocked by debris, so that travel may be dangerous)

After an Earthquake: If you are trapped in a building

• Remain calm.
• If a window is available, place an article of clothing (shirt, coat, scarf, etc.) outside the window as a marker for rescue crews.
• If there is no window, regularly tap on a pipe or wall so that rescuers can hear where you are.
• If possible, use a flashlight or whistle to signal your location to rescuers.
• If available, pull the alarm at a manual fire alarm pull station.
• Shout only as a last resort (to prevent dust inhalation, tiring too quickly, or losing your voice)
• Avoid unnecessary movement to prevent kicking up dust.
• Cover your nose and mouth with anything you have on hand to prevent breathing in dust and other debris (dense-weave cotton material can act as a good filter. Breathe through the material).