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Emergency Procedures

SMCCCD Home Emergency Management Emergency Procedures Power Outages

Power Outages

After a power outage, emergency lighting is activated in all District buildings for a short period of time to allow for safe evacuation. Because emergency lighting is only available briefly, areas with no natural lighting will need to evacuate immediately during an outage. Public Safety Officers and Building Captains have been trained to respond automatically during a power outage and assist all faculty, staff, and students with any necessary evacuation.

Be prepared

  • Keep a flashlight with spare batteries immediately accessible
  • Know where the nearest exit is, and any possible obstacles that may inhibit your exit

If a power outage occurs

  • Remain calm
  • Assess the extent of the outage in your area
  • Report the outage to Public Safety Dispatch at (650) 738-7000
  • Help persons in darkened work areas move to safety
  • Unplug personal computers and non-essential equipment, and turn off light switches
  • Open windows for additional light and ventilation
  • Do not light candles or other types of flames 
  • If you are in an elevator that stops working, remain calm. The elevator should return to a predesignated floor and the doors will open automatically. Use the intercom or the emergency button inside the elevator to notify the Public Safety Department if you are not able to exit the elevator. Consult the Elevator Malfunction section for further information.
  • If asked to evacuate, secure any hazardous materials if it is safe to do so, and proceed directly to the designated Emergency Assembly Point (EAP) for your building and check in. Consult Evacuation Procedures for additional information.
  • Public Safety Officers and Building Captains will move through all spaces helping faculty, staff, and students to safety and ensuring that all areas have been evacuated.

Emergency generators

Some buildings on campus are equipped with emergency generators that activate automatically in the event of an outage. If your building has a generator:

  • Become familiar with the location of electrical outlets provided with emergency power
  • Ensure that critical equipment is plugged in to emergency outlets
  • Do not use emergency power outlets for non-critical equipment