Classroom Emergency Procedures

Discussion Points for Classes

Earthquake

When shaking begins, drop, cover & hold onto something. Most immediate danger is from falling debris, light fixtures, ceiling tiles, glass or concrete. Tables will protect you from those hazards. As soon as the shaking stops, begin an orderly evacuation to your designated assembly area. Be alert to aftershocks.

Fire Alarm or Fire

When the alarm sounds, immediately begin evacuation to your designated evacuation assembly area. If you have a key, lock the door. Do not attempt to extinguish a fire without first contacting emergency responders (911) and Security at (206) 934-3636 and evacuating others in the area. Do not try to extinguish the fire unless you have been properly trained in the use of a fire extinguisher and you feel safe doing so.

Notification in a Life-Threatening Emergency

Ask students if anyone has a cell phone, delegate that person to call 911 while another calls Campus Security at (206) 934-3636. To save time in an emergency, ask the students to program the Security number to their cell phone.

Evacuation Routes and Procedures

Point to the map on the wall, physically point out the route, or in more complicated or isolated areas walk the route with your students. Show them the assembly area. Instruct them to assemble at their designated assembly area and await further instructions. Mobility impaired should assemble at the “areas of rescue assistance” locations. 

Area of Rescue Assistance Locations   

  • College Center, Third floor south end  
  • College Center, Second floor south end  
  • Instruction Building, third floor, south end  
  • Instruction Building, third floor, north end
  • Instruction Building, second floor, north end
  • Top floor of the Education Building
  • Top floor of the Wellness Center 

Student Conduct Code

Point out that harassment, stalking, threats and other disruptive behaviors are prohibited by WAC 132 F and not tolerated. See Chapter 132F-121 WAC: Links to an external site.  See the Student Conduct page in this section of the Faculty Handbook for additional information. 

Intruder/Campus Lockdown Information

The information below provides detailed guidelines for lockdowns on North Seattle College campus. However, every incident varies, making it impossible to provide an absolute answer for every situation. Trust your judgment for the best course of action. Your own safety is your top priority. Always notify the police department as soon as it is safe to do so:  Call 911.

In a classroom or office

  • If you are in a classroom or office, STAY THERE. Secure the door.
  • If the door has no lock and the door opens in, a heavy door wedge should be kept on hand and driven in as hard as you can, or use heavy furniture to barricade the door.
  • If the door has a window, cover it if you can. Depending on the shooter’s location, consideration may also be made to exit through windows. Have someone watch the door as you get as many students out the windows (ground floor) as calmly and quietly as possible.
  • If the windows do not open or you cannot break them or you are not on a ground floor, get out of sight from the door and stay low and quiet.
  • If no law enforcement are on scene, move well away from the incident and find safe cover positions and wait for the police to arrive.
  • When officers arrive on scene, community members should attempt to move toward any police vehicle when safe to do so, while keeping their hands on top of their head. Follow the directions of the police.
  • Do not leave the area entirely; you may have information that responding police officers will need. Once in a safe place, stay put.

In hallways or corridors

If in the hallways, get in a room and secure it. Unless you are close to an exit, do not run through a long hallway to get to an exit as you may encounter the shooter. Do not hide in restrooms you can’t secure!

In large rooms or auditorium

If in a gym or theater area and the shooter is not present, move to and out external exits and move toward any police unit keeping your hands on your head. Do what the police tell you!

Trapped with the shooter

  • If you are trapped, do not do anything to provoke the shooter. If no shooting is occurring, do what the shooter says and do not move suddenly. Only you can draw the line on what you will or will not do to preserve your life and the lives of others.

  • If the shooter does start shooting people, you need to make a choice (at this point it is your choice): (1) stay still and hope they do not shoot you, (2) run for an exit while zigzagging, or (3) attack the shooter. Attacking the shooter is very dangerous, but certainly no more so than doing nothing in some cases. A moving target is much harder to hit than a stationary one and the last thing the shooter will expect is to be attacked by an unarmed person. Any option chosen may still result in a negative consequence.

  • This is not a recommendation to attack the shooter but rather a choice to fight when there is no other option.

Open Spaces

Stay alert and look for appropriate cover locations. Brick walls, large trees, retaining walls, parked vehicles or any other object that may stop firearm ammunition penetrations may be used as cover.

Where to Find More Information

This information can be found on the college website at: https://northseattle.edu/emergency-action-plan/intruder-shooting-incidents Links to an external site.
You can navigate to this page by searching "Safety and Security."

Additional Procedures

Stalkers/sexual/verbal harassment

Report all incidents to Campus Safety and local law enforcement. Campus Safety will assist in documenting the incident and forwarding information to Vice President of Student Services.

Protection orders

If you choose, please provide a copy to Campus Safety and discuss any special situations, concerns or security needs. Bring a photo of the respondent.

Campus crime statistics/Registered Sex Offenders

Please refer to the Campus Security web site for campus crime statistics and information on the student right to know and other crime prevention information. Links to campus reports are included below.

Link to Clery Report (Crime Statistics) Links to an external site.
Link to Sex and Kidnap Offender Information Links to an external site.

 

Full URLs

Full URL - Clery Report: https://northseattle.edu/safety-and-security/clery-report Links to an external site.
Full URL - Offender Information: https://northseattle.edu/safety-and-security/sex-and-kidnap-offender-information Links to an external site.

 

 

 

Updated 7/25/2024