Revised 07/14
Emergency Procedures
&
Information
New Westminster & Coquitlam Campuses
BE PREPARED
EMERGENCY PHONE NUMBERS
On Douglas College internal phones, for all emergencies:
CALL
FIRE
POLICE
AMBULANCE
FIRST AID
(fire, major chemical spills)
(criminal acts)
(serious injuries)
(minor and serious injuries)
2400
From cell phones call: 604-527-5405 (NW)
604-777-6254 (COQ)
Be ready with:
type of emergency, location, number of people involved and
your name.
Be prepared! Fill in the details on the back of this booklet now! Keep this information
close to your phone for use in emergency situations.
The main switchboard telephone number for both campuses is 604-527-5400.
New Westminster Campus: 700 Royal Avenue, New Westminster, BC
Coquitlam Campus:
1250 Pinetree Way, Coquitlam, BC, Buildings A & B
1240 Pinetree Way, Coquitlam, BC, Buildings C & D
Other important numbers:
EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE
POISON CONTROL
DANGEROUS GOODS SPILLS
CANUTEC
Emergency Phone Numbers
911
604-682-5050 (St. Paul’s Hospital)
1-800-663-3456
1-613-996-6666
FIRST AID
2400
Call:
on Douglas College internal phones
Call: From cell phone: 604-527-5405 (NW)
604-777-6254 (COQ)
¤ Stay on the line and be ready to give details.
¤ Do not move a patient unless there is high risk of further injury.
¤ Do not leave a patient unattended.
If hazardous materials are involved, refer to Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS).
MSDS master files are in the Health and Safety Office, room B3114 at the
Coquitlam Campus and room 4800P at the New West Campus.
If first aid attendant is not available, Security will call an ambulance if required.
The New Westminster Security booth is at the east end of the concourse on Level 2.
The Coquitlam Security booth is at the south end of the atrium on Level 1.
Note: The first aid rooms 2202 (NWC) and B1200 (COQ) have no resident attendants.
Be prepared! Take CPR or other first aid training. Emergency eyewash and showers
must be unobstructed and tested frequently with date of testing and initials noted on tag.
FIRE
Douglas College has a comprehensive sprinkler system throughout the buildings.
There are also many fire hose cabinets and fire extinguishers at key locations.
If you discover a fire:
Shout to warn others to evacuate the room or area immediately, activate the red alarm
pull station situated at all exits from the building, and close any doors behind you. The
fire department will be notified automatically. Inform Security at 2400 or your Floor
Warden of the exact location and nature of the fire.
Do not use elevators.
Follow instructions from emergency personnel (wearing orange vests.)
Check doors for heat before opening. If you ever have to open a closed door and you
are suspicious that a fire condition may be present, feel the door with the back of your
hand first to see if it is hot. If it is hot to the touch, do not open that door.
Proceed down the nearest safe stairwell and out to the assembly area.
Do not run. If you encounter heavy smoke, keep low (crawl), use the wall to guide you
to the nearest exit.
Be prepared!
Familiarize yourself with the location of fire extinguishers and emergency exits in your
immediate work area. Enroll in fire extinguisher training.
First Aid
Fire
BUILDING EVACUATION
The ringing of the fire alarm bells signals that you must evacuate the building
immediately. Even if the alarm stops after a short while, evacuation must continue until
emergency response personnel give an all clear signal. Building evacuations may be
necessary for emergencies such as fire, smoke, bomb threat, flood, violence or
hazardous material spills. If there is a practice drill or false alarm, we will allow you to
re-enter the building as soon as the evacuation is completed, floor warden and Security
confirmations are received and all alarm system re-sets are completed.
Follow shutdown procedures in areas where there are hazards such as natural gas lines,
compressed gases and electrical equipment.
Leave calmly by the routes designated on the emergency procedures signs, closing
doors behind you. Use the stairs and not the elevators. You must never prop fire doors
open.
Do not go to the underground parkade to get your car. If you are in your car when fire
alarm bells signal, turn engine off, leave car and exit on foot.
If exits are blocked, your Floor Warden will supervise alternate evacuation routes.
Alert visually and hearing impaired persons and escort them from the building.
Assist wheelchair users and other persons with disabilities to the closest street access
point, or to an area of refuge (marked stairwell behind a fire door) and advise Security
or your Floor Warden of your location.
Report missing persons to Security or your Floor Warden.
If there is smoke, stay close to the floor and breathe shallowly through your nose, using
a blouse, shirt or jacket as a filter.
Do not exit onto balconies. Assemble in groups at street level, away from the building
and the danger of shattering glass. Stay with your group and inform others if you decide
to leave the site.
Do not re-enter the building for any reason until the all-clear signal is given by
emergency response personnel.
BUILDING EVACUATION - Role of Key Personnel
The Director of Safety, Security & Risk Management, Director, Facilities Services,
Manager, Health and Safety & Emergency Management, or the Manager, Facilities
Services, (Incident Commanders, wearing green vests) are in command of the building
during an emergency building evacuation. If the Fire Department is requested to attend,
the Fire Chief has overall authority. A designate will assist the Incident Commander and
perform necessary duties in his/her absence. They may require other personnel to
assist in supervisory capacities.
Floor Wardens and Deputies (wearing orange vests) are required to supervise the
orderly evacuation of all occupants from their designed areas. Floor Wardens must
report in person or by two-way radio to the Incident Commander when their areas have
been evacuated. They must not allow anyone back into the building until the all clear
signal is given. Deputy Floor Wardens (pre-appointed) will assume the duties of Floor
Wardens in their absence.
Security staff is responsible for identifying problem areas, relaying information to the
Incident Commander and monitoring/resetting safety systems. Building Service
Workers (BSW’s) provide assistance as directed by the Incident Commander.
Building Evacuation
POWER FAILURE
Stay calm and remain in your area unless notified to leave the building.
Switch off electrical equipment with manual switches and unplug other equipment to
avoid power surge damage. Extinguish flames and switch off gas supply at a main valve
in your area. Exhaust and ventilation systems may not be functioning and there may be
flammable vapors in some areas.
The building has emergency power generators and lighting to help in exiting the building.
Emergency response personnel will be dispatched to assist anyone inside elevators.
If you are directed to leave the building, lock your office/work area, shout to contact
everyone in the area, and leave as a group.
Be prepared! Keep comfortable walking shoes and a sweater or jacket at the College
for emergency use
GAS/COMPRESSED GAS LEAK
1.
2.
3.
4.
Do not pull fire alarm. This could cause an explosion.
Call 2400
Shut down equipment if safe to do so.
Evacuate building, closing doors as you leave
BUILDING CLOSURE
In the event of severe weather conditions, for safety reasons or building emergencies,
the College President, Director of Safety, Security & Risk Management, Director,
Facilities Services or Vice President Finance and Administration are responsible for the
decision to close the building. Every reasonable effort will be made to notify students
and employees. Subscribe to DC Alerts to receive urgent notifications via text, email
and/or voicemail message.
To find out if any College facilities are closed visit the college website
at www.douglascollege.ca, or tune into local radio broadcasts. Tune into CKNW 980AM,
CBC 690AM or CKWX 1130AM to find out if the College is closed and if classes are
cancelled.
You may also call the College’s emergency information line at 1-877-679- 0823. Do not
call the college switchboard.
CHEMICAL SPILLS
Shut down equipment; evacuate immediate area, call Security 2400 immediately and
report the location, injuries, chemical name, hazards, and amount of the spill. Request
medical assistance if required.
Isolate the area, prevent re-entry and wait for assistance. Get a copy of the appropriate
Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) on line, from your area file or master file in the
Health and Safety Office, room B3114 (COQ) and room 4800P (NWC).
If the spill is toxic, corrosive or large volume (greater than 4L), the building may
require evacuation. Once the decision has been made, the fire alarm will be activated
and everyone must leave. If possible, give a copy of the MSDS to the emergency
response team.
For minor spills, barricade the area, wear appropriate protective equipment, contain
the spill with Kitty Litter or Spill Kit absorbent, or a boom (socks) to form a dike around
the spill and call Security at 2400 for assistance. Transfer the material to a suitable
container and label as hazardous waste. Assistance for minor spills is also available by
calling New Westminster Facilities Services at 5800 or Chemistry (spill cart) at 5240 or
Coquitlam Facilities Services at 6262.
If the spill is outside the college building or involves transportation, notify Security at
2400 or dial 911 if calling from outside of Douglas College. They can reach Canadian
Transport Emergency Center, Canutec, at 1- (613) 996-6666.
Accidental discharges of hazardous materials into drains, and other water courses and
the air must be reported to Facilities Services. Details of reportable quantities can be
obtained from the Health and Safety office, local 5337.
Be prepared! Read MSDSs for the products you handle and make sure you have
supplies and protective equipment available to deal with minor spills in your area. Make
sure that you are familiar with WHMIS (Workplace Hazardous Materials Information
System) symbols and the risks they represent.
Power Failure/Gas Leak/Building Closure
Chemical Spills
BOMB THREATS
Treat all bomb threats seriously. If the threat is received by telephone, stay calm,
ask as many questions as possible, and take notes.
When is the bomb going to explode?
Where the bomb is and what does it look like?
Did you place the bomb? Why? What will cause it to explode?
What is your name? Where do you live?
Be alert to the caller’s voice, his/her age, state of mind, voice characteristics, and
background sounds.
CALL SECURITY AT 2400
Wait by your phone for instructions. Warn others and quickly look around your area for
suspicious objects but touch nothing. You will be notified if the decision is made to
evacuate the building.
If the threat is received by note or letter, take it to Security immediately.
If you notice suspicious objects in your area, do not touch the object. Question others
about its presence and clear the immediate area of employees and students. Post “keep
out” notices. Contact Security at 2400 and await instructions.
CRIME IN PROGRESS
Crimes such as theft, vandalism, or assault could occur in the building. Do not approach
or interfere with the perpetrator except to protect yourself. Observe as much as you can
from a safe distance and call Security immediately at 2400.
CRIME PREVENTION
Be prepared! Keep pencil and paper close to the phone. Keep your area tidy and
organized and report any suspicious objects or missing items immediately. Report
suspicious individuals to Security and be ready to give a detailed description.
If you are alone in your area, keep doors locked, and initiate the Working Alone
Check-in procedure by informing Security of your location, phone number and your
intended leaving time. Lock your car and do not leave your valuables on display. Late
at night or on weekends, have someone accompany you to your car and check the
backseat before entering. If requested, Security will escort anyone to their vehicle in the
Parkade. The non emergency Security number is 5405(NWC) and 6254(COQ).
VIOLENCE
Any person observing, or the victim of violence requiring immediate intervention must
promptly inform Campus Security (or the responsible administrator and police at
locations where there are no College security staff).
Security or the responsible administrator will take immediate action (see policies
A10.01.05 – Violence Prevention Involving College Employees and A10.01.06 –
Violence prevention involving Students/Users).
Bomb Threats / Crimes in Progress / Crime Prevention / Violence
EMOTIONAL DISTRESS / CRISIS
Signs of emotional distress which require immediate attention:
• Expressions of suicidal thoughts or intent
• Expression of violence towards others
• Severe loss of emotional control
• Bizarre behaviour or gross impairment in thinking ability
1. Call Security first (2400 from internal phone or 604-527-5405 from cell at NW and
604-777-6254 from cell at COQ.)
2. Advise Security you have a person in emotional crisis and need emergency
assistance.
3. Security will call 911 and then proceed to your location to provide support.
4. Stay with the person needing assistance unless your safety is threatened.
5. Once emergency responders are on the scene, they will evaluate the situation
and determine the appropriate course of action.
After Hours Emergency
If it's after hours and you want some help with a personal emergency, here are names
and telephone numbers of some community agencies that may be able to assist you
after 4:30 pm and on weekends and holidays. If the first line you try is busy, you can try
any of the other numbers - even if they are not in your area.
General Crisis Counseling & Suicide Prevention
Vancouver: 24-hour distress line: 604-872-3311
BC-wide toll-free: 1-800-SUICIDE (784-2433)
Coquitlam 604-540-2221 (24 hrs)
Serving Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam, Port Moody, Pitt Meadows, New Westminster,
Belcarra, Anmore
South Fraser Region 604-951-8855 (24 hrs)
Serving Surrey, White Rock, Langley, North Delta
BEHAVIOURS OF POTENTIAL CONCERN
Behaviours of potential concern to bring forward to the Threat Assessment Team are
those that cause concern for members of the College community that may indicate that
an individual is moving toward a greater risk of violent behavior. Examples of such
behaviors may include, but are not limited to:
• Acts of violence
• Threats
• Excessive or intimidating expressions of violence, death or weapons in drawings,
artwork, writings, spoken words, videos, personal websites or blogs
• Weapons (or replica weapons) on campus or recent acquisition of firearms
• Fascination or preoccupation with violence, themes of violence, or weapons
• Expressions of approval of the use of violence to resolve conflict and
identification with perpetrators of violence;
• Excessive or intimidating references to workplace or campus violence incidents
or other mass murders;
• Belligerent or angry outbursts, uncontrolled anger for seemingly minor reasons,
depression;
• Expressions of extreme anger towards self, students, employees or Douglas
College;
• Indications of hatred towards any particular group;
• Drastic changes in behaviour including absenteeism, mood swings, diminished
self care and personal hygiene;
• Drastic changes in academic or work performance;
• Evidence of drug or alcohol abuse;
• Numerous conflicts with supervisors, other students or employees;
• Victim of violence or bullying.
To report behaviors of potential concern, employees, students and users of the College
should contact Security at local 2400, any member of the Threat Assessment Team
(TAT) or the responsible Administrator for the unit.
Douglas College has established a Threat Assessment Team (TAT) to assist in
creating and maintaining a working and learning environment where students,
employees and users feel safe and secure. The purpose of the TAT is to assess,
investigate and determine an appropriate level of response to reports of behaviours of
potential concern and/or threats with the potential to result in harm to the campus
community.
Emotional Distress / Crisis
Behaviors of Potential Concern
DC ALERTS
DC Alerts is emergency communication to your email and mobile phone.
Safety of students and employees is a top priority for Douglas College. And good
communication is essential in any urgent or emergency situation on campus. That’s why
the College has established DC Alerts, a system that will send you emergency
notifications quickly.
If there is an emergency that could affect people’s safety on campus, or a serious event
that affects College operations, DC Alerts can tell you what’s happening. And it can tell
you what to do, for example: take cover on campus, leave the campus or avoid the
campus.
The College will use DC Alerts:
• To notify you of events that could affect your safety on campus, such as a
chemical spill, bomb threat, or a dangerous person.
• To notify you of a campus closure due to extreme weather, power outage, or
other serious event.
• To notify you of any safety or security situation that requires you to take
protection on campus, leave, or avoid a campus.
• To inform you when a situation is resolved.
DC Alerts is one part of the College’s overall Emergency Notification System. In an
emergency situation, important information may also be posted on the
douglascollege.ca website, sent via myDouglas email to students and via College email
to employees, or distributed to local media outlets.
Subscribe to DC Alerts at douglascollege.ca/ens
.
LOCKDOWN PROCEDURES
Upon receiving a lockdown alert the following procedures apply:
1. Immediately Shelter-in-Place In A Secure Area
• Stay in or quickly go to the nearest office, room, field base, classroom or lab.
• Quickly warn others nearby.
• Do not hide in washrooms.
• Do not assemble in large open areas (e.g. cafeterias)
• Immediately lock and barricade all doors with furniture or heavy objects.
• Close and lock windows.
• Close blinds/cover windows.
• Turn off all lights and audio equipment.
• Move away from doors and windows. Stay low to make yourself less
visible.
• Turn your cell phone to silent mode. Do not make non essential calls.
• If you send text messages please do not communicate misinformation.
• Stay quiet and try to remain calm.
2. Sheltering In An Open Area
If you are in an open area and cannot exit, attempt to put an obstacle or barrier
in front of yourself for concealment and protection. Use desks, tables, chairs,
bookcases or other furniture or equipment. Lie down or stay as low as possible
behind the barrier.
If the violent Intruder is causing harm or injury to others nearby and you can not
run or hide you may choose to play dead, lying as still as possible.
As an absolute last resort, if you are in close proximity and exposed to the
violent Intruder and certain you are about to be harmed, your last option may
be to use force to attempt to overpower and disarm the intruder. This is
extremely dangerous and is only a last resort.
3. Stay In Your Place Of Shelter
Do not leave your place of shelter or open your door until you have been
advised it is safe to do so by Police, Emergency Response Personnel, Campus
Security and/or Campus Administrators.
If the fire alarm sounds do not leave unless advised to do so by Police,
Emergency Response Personnel, Campus Security and/or Campus
Administrators or unless you detect fire.
4. Police Response & Termination of Lockdown
When the Police arrive their priority is to arrest the intruder as quickly as
possible. When the intruder is arrested, Police will coordinate with Campus
Administration and Campus Security to systematically terminate the lockdown.
Cooperate with instructions given by Police, Emergency Response Personnel
and College Authorities upon termination of a lockdown.
5. Information Updates Following a Lockdown Procedure
When able to do so, College Administration will communicate with employees
and students.
Information will be broadcast through DC Alerts (text/SMS, voice message, email), posted on the College website www.douglascollege.ca, College email
and press releases.
Information will be available on the College InfoLine 1.877.679.0823.
If approached by the media, please refer all Douglas College related media
questions to the Director, Marketing and Communications.
Lockdown Procedures
DC Alerts
EARTHQUAKES
A major earthquake could occur at anytime in British Columbia. Careful planning and
preparation can reduce injuries, prevent panic, and facilitate rescues and recovery.
BEFORE THE EARTHQUAKE:
Minimize risks by eliminating hazards such as heavy, sharp or pointed objects on high
shelves, large hanging plants, tall unsecured furniture and shelving units. Chemicals
should be stored securely and never above eye level.
Plan safe cover for yourself under a desk or table away from glass or other potential
flying objects.
Practice emergency shutdown and evacuation procedures in your area. Know
where the Emergency Response cabinet and fire extinguishers are. The area could be
isolated for some time after an earthquake. Keep bottled water, non perishable food
items, a whistle, sturdy walking shoes and a jacket at your workplace. A 72-hour survival
kit at work, in your car and at home is advisable.
Prepare your home and family for emergencies. You may have to remain at the
workplace for up to 72 hours if damage is severe. Arrange an out of area contact and
point of rendezvous with family members in case you cannot get home.
DURING THE EARTHQUAKE:
Stay calm and DROP – COVER – HOLD ON! Protect yourself by dropping to the floor
and taking cover under your desk, sturdy table or other piece of furniture. Hold on to
whatever you are under. If taking cover under a sturdy piece of furniture is not possible,
e.g., in the concourse, get into a corner or against a wall and facing out, bring your
knees up, cover the sides of your head with your elbows and clasp your hands firmly
behind your neck, protecting your head and the back of your neck from flying glass and
metal debris. Stay away (and face away) from windows. Do not stand in a doorway
because you are more exposed to flying debris and slamming doors. Stay away
from anything that can shatter or fall on you. Do not try to run outside; you may fall
and/or be hit by flying and falling debris. If you are in an elevator, stay there. The
elevator will not fall down the shaft and help will be dispatched if the doors jam.
Do not leave your shelter until at least 10 seconds after the shaking stops.
Follow instructions from emergency personnel, including announcements over the
public announce system and urgent notifications sent via DC Alerts. Your Floor Warden
will communicate with Security or the Incident Commander by two-way radio for
instructions.
AFTER THE EARTHQUAKE:
Stay calm, take your time, think, and look for hazards before you move.
Be prepared for aftershocks. You may have to take cover again.
In case of fire, activate the alarm if possible and warn others. Use a fire extinguisher,
remembering to stay between the fire and the exit. If the fire is uncontrollable, everyone
must leave the area, closing doors behind them. Shut off gas and electrical power if
possible. Do not use any sources of flame or spark. No smoking.
Injuries should be reported to the Floor Warden or directly to Security. First aid should
be initiated for serious injuries. Do not move victims unless absolutely necessary.
Beware of broken glass, electrical hazards, and gas or chemical leaks. Replace any
telephone handsets shaken off and do not use the telephone lines except to report
fires or medical emergencies.
Wait for and follow instructions from your Floor Warden and/or via DC Alerts and the
Public Announce system or you may become a casualty yourself. If no instructions are
provided use your best judgment. The Incident Commander or designate will assume
control of the building and will advise Wardens of the status of their floors. The Wardens
will direct you if, when and where to evacuate.
You will be given directions as soon as the damage is assessed.
Many areas of the College have Emergency Response cabinets containing emergency
supplies, i.e., food, water, blankets, first aid supplies, radio, flashlights, hard hats,
shovel, gloves, etc. to be used if you are unable to leave the building.
An evacuation of your space will be ordered only if the building safety systems have
been compromised, the structural integrity of the building has been compromised or the
building is on fire. Exterior evacuation onto the street should be discouraged, as it is
more dangerous outside the building following an earthquake than within it because of
potential falling debris.
Be prepared before an earthquake by planning both at home and at work. Have a
discussion with family members and make an emergency plan in case you are
separated.
Earthquakes–Before/During/After
EMERGENCY RESPONSE INFORMATION
Room:
Floor:
Building:
Your telephone number: 604-
Department:
Floor Warden:
Deputy:
Nearest fire extinguishers:
Fire alarm pulls:
Exit routes:
Assembly area at street level:
Easiest street access for emergency vehicles:
Revised July 2014