SCampus Student Guidebook

Safety

Emergency Safety Plan

Major Emergency Information

For information about the Career and Protective Services Division’s emergency response and preparation plans, visit capsnet.usc.edu/EmergencyPlanning.

In the event of a major emergency, USC has a special Web site (www.usc.edu/emergency), which will include updates and information for the USC community, family and friends. An emergency hotline is also available for updates and information at (213) 740-9233.

Callers will receive critical information about the status of the university, academic schedules and key services. These services are for students, parents, faculty and staff to access campus safety information after a major emergency.

For specific inquiries about students, call (213) 740-2421.

Emergency Services

Emergency services are intended for students who genuinely require immediate assistance. A professional staff member is on call at Student Counseling Services during weekday business hours or via the Department of Public Safety after business hours and weekends at (213) 740-6000 for the University Park campus and (323) 442-1200 for the Health Sciences campus.

Preparing for the Unexpected

Earthquakes, civil disturbances and other emergencies can occur without warning and create serious risks to the USC community. The USC Emergency Operations Plan is designed for any campus-wide emergency. The goals of the Emergency Operations Plan are to:

• Ensure the safety and security of students, faculty, staff and visitors.
• Minimize disruption of the academic program.
• Minimize university losses.
• Assist the community in disaster recovery.

Specifically, in the event of an imminent earthquake warning, campus-wide power outage or other mid-level emergency, the objective will be to ensure a return to normal operations within hours. In the event of a major civil disturbance, moderate earthquake with significant damage or other major emergency, the objective will be to restore essential programs within one to three days. In the event of a large-scale disaster, the objective will be to ensure that essential programs are reestablished as soon as possible.

The Plan

In the event of any campus-wide emergency requiring coordinated response by multiple departments (from power outage to major earthquake), Public Safety staff will activate the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) in Topping Student Center. Campus activity by hundreds of trained staff will be coordinated from the EOC, which has been equipped with emergency power and communications equipment.

Emergency teams will be dispatched to various areas of the campus, depending on the nature of the emergency. Teams have been trained in emergency response skills such as medical first aid, damage inspection, fire fighting, security assistance, search and rescue. Residence halls and university-owned apartments will be the first priority for USC teams.

Reporting an Emergency

All emergencies should be reported to Public Safety at (213) 740-4321 or by picking up an emergency telephone.

If, in a major emergency situation, telephone communications are out, report emergencies to any USC staff member equipped with a hand-held radio, directly to Public Safety or to the EOC in Topping Student Center.

Evacuation Procedures

Evacuation of specific buildings or all buildings may be necessary in a major emergency. Groups in every building should agree in advance on an outdoor meeting place away from the structure if evacuation is necessary. If buildings are damaged in an earthquake, facilities staff will inspect all structures, posting each with either red “CLOSED” or green “OPEN” signs. If extended evacuation is necessary, all personnel should report to the evacuation assembly areas where information and assistance will be provided.

The assembly areas include: Cromwell Field, Intramural Field, Trousdale Parkway, the park area adjacent to Parking Structure C and the lawn area adjacent to Marks and Pardee Residential Halls. If off-campus areas must be evacuated, trams will assist evacuees. If trams are unavailable, residents should follow specified routes to campus, walking together in groups. In the event of extended night-time evacuation, assemble at Cromwell Field.

Evacuation Instructions for Residents

In a major emergency, evacuation of some or all residential buildings may be necessary. In a fire or earthquake, do not use elevators. You should discuss the location of building evacuation routes and meeting points outside the building with your Resident Advisor or Customer Service Representative.

Civil Disturbance Procedures

In the event of a major civil disturbance, university emergency plans will be activated and all resident students will be instructed to remain indoors. Security patrols will be increased and staff volunteers will establish emergency watches around the campus, including the North University Park residential area. All students will be advised of emergency instructions and may be relocated, depending on circumstances.

Role of Faculty Members

If a major emergency occurs during classroom instruction, the responsibility of faculty members will be to provide emergency guidance to students in their classrooms. For example, in a major earthquake, faculty should instruct students to duck and cover until the end of the shaking and provide assistance in safe evacuation to designated assembly areas.