Emergency Response Guide

The safety and security of our students, faculty, staff, and visitors is always a priority, and we must all be prepared to keep our campus safe. We hope you find this Emergency Response Guidebook to be a valuable reference of each of our roles and responsibilities in the event of an incident. We urge you to familiarize yourself with the information and procedures in this guidebook, and we thank you for all you do to keep our campus safe.

If possible it is always best to contact the following parties in the event of an emergency (you can always dial 911).

Business Hours Campus Safety Contacts

• Police & Fire……………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 911
• Campus Safety & Security Office………………………………………………………………. (661) 763-7774
• Vice President of Human Resources Office ………………………………………….. (661) 763-7809

After-Hours Campus Safety Contacts

• After-hours Campus Safety Office…………………………………………………………….. (661) 763-7774
• Evening Administrator on duty…………………………………………………………………. (661) 865-8855

Other Numbers

• Police non-emergency……………………………………………………………………………. (661) 763-3101
• Fire non-emergency………………………………………………………………………………. (661) 765-2155

For evening parking lot assistance/escort please call (661) 747-3258

Other Law Enforcement Numbers

• Sheriff’s Department……………………………………………………………………………… (661) 861-3110
• California Highway Patrol (Buttonwillow)…………………………………………………… (661) 764-5580

Community Resources

• Taft Union High School……………………………………………………… (661) 763-2300/(661) 763-2310
• Buena Vista Continuation HS…………………………………………………………………… (661) 763-2383
• Roosevelt School…………………………………………………………………………………… (661) 763-3113
• Lincoln Jr. High School……………………………………………………………………………. (661) 765-2127
• Taft City School District………………………………………………………………………….. (661) 763-1521

• If someone is injured or seriously ill
• If you see or smell smoke or fire, or become aware of a chemical spill or gas leak
• If you see someone being hurt, harassed, or bullied
• If you see a crime in progress such as someone stealing, causing damage, driving while under the influence of any substance that impairs their ability to safely operate a vehicle, or any illegal activity
• If you see something or someone suspicious

Do not assume someone else has made or will make the call. Provide the officer(s) or dispatcher(s) with accurate, detailed information about the situation so it can be relayed to the emergency personnel who are responding to assist.

If you are reporting a medical problem, ask someone to monitor the affected person’s condition so you can relay the information to the responders.

Campus Security Authorities (CSAs) must report an incident or crime by federal law, the Clery Act passed in 1998.

CSAs are defined by function and not by title. If you are an employee of the college and have been designated as a CSA, you must report a crime if witnessed by you or reported to you.

(Source: http://www.securityoncampus.org/)

Campus Security Authorities

According to the federal law known as the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Police and Campus Crime Statistics Act, a “Campus Security Authority“ is defined as “an official of an institution who has significant responsibility for student and campus activities, including, but not limited to, student discipline and campus judicial proceedings.”

The following is a partial list of Taft College Campus Security Authorities

• Vice President of Student Services
• Director of Campus Safety and Security
• Campus Safety Officers
• Student Life Coordinator
• ASO Advisor
• Athletic Director
• Athletic Coaches and Assistant Coaches
• Residence Hall Supervisor
• Resident Assistants
• Academic Counselors
• Club Advisors
• TIL Life Skills Aids

Immediately report utility failures during regular work hours (Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m.- 5:00 p.m.) to the Maintenance Department.

Immediately report utility failures after regular work hours, on weekends, and on holidays to Campus Safety.

Gas leaks

• Evacuate the area immediately
• DO NOT attempt to shut off or manipulate valves
• Activate building emergency notification procedures to ensure everyone in the building is notified
• Call the Maintenance Department and the Kern County Fire/Taft Police Department to report the problem
• DO NOT switch on lights or any other electrical equipment; do not smoke in the area
• Account for all building personnel once outside and wait for further instructions from Fire and/or Police Department personnel
• If leak is outside, DO NOT remove any vehicles from the immediate area until cleared by Fire and/or Police Department personnel

Power Outage

• Report the outage to the Maintenance Department and Campus Safety & Security
• Help co-workers in darkened areas move to safer locations
• Secure current experimental work and keep refrigerators and freezers closed
• Unplug personal computers, appliances and non-essential electrical equipment
• Open windows for additional light and ventilation. Secure the windows if you leave the building
• Follow the instructions given by Fire and/or Police personnel if they are on scene

In the event an evacuation is needed due to a fire or other emergency:

• Please remain calm
• Evacuate your building at the nearest exit
• Do not run or use elevators
• Once evacuated, please go to the assembly area assigned to your building and await further instructions

If someone needs assistance leaving the building and you can do so safely, please assist this person out of the building and to your assigned meeting area.

• Do not return to an evacuated building unless told to do so by Campus Safety and/or other authorized personnel

Listen carefully to instructions — some evacuations may require everyone to leave campus (rather than gather in assembly areas). These instructions will be relayed via Taft College mass notification systems.

In the event of a medical emergency

• Please remain calm and contact Campus Safety, if necessary dial 911
• Do not move the injured person unless there is an immediate threat to them. If it is safe to do so, comfort them and reassure them that help is on the way
• Provide the emergency dispatcher with your name, location, number of people injured, and a description of the medical emergency
• Stay on the phone for instructions of how you can assist
• Send a responsible person to meet first responders outside of the building on the street to lead the emergency responders back to the injured individual(s)
• Do not touch the person if you are not certified in first aid and/or do not have personal protection gear if there is danger of coming in contact with bodily fluids
• If you are certified in first aid and it is safe to do so, provide care to the person to the extent you are capable
• Follow all directions given to you by Campus Safety and/or other authorized personnel
• Report the medical injury to your supervisor and/or Campus Safety once the victim receives professional medical attention

Seizure

The primary role of a bystander when someone is having a seizure is to prevent injuries. This can be accomplished by following the steps below:

• Call 911
• Cushion the head of the person having the seizure
• Loosen any tight neckwear
• Do not attempt to hold down or restrain the person
• Do not place anything in the person’s mouth or try to pry the teeth apart
• Remove sharp objects from around the person to prevent injury
• Reassure bystanders who may be panicking and ask them to give the person room
• Turn the person on his or her side after the convulsion ceases. This may help drain any moisture or secretions from the person’s mouth
• Observe these items: length of seizure, type of movements, direction of any head or eye turning, and the amount of time to return to alertness and full consciousness
• Report the information above to EMS personnel when they arrive

If you come across or learn of an intruder or someone who is threatening the safety of individuals on campus

• Immediately contact Campus Safety or call 911 as soon as you can do so safely
• Remove yourself from danger, if safe to do so, get to a safe area
• Do not approach the person
• Be prepared to give a full description of the suspect, as well as the suspect’s location

If you observe a person(s) with a weapon on campus

• Remain calm and immediately contact Campus Safety or call 911
• Initiate lockdown procedures if a potential threat exists
• Do not touch the weapon
• If the situation warrants, remove yourself from the area in which the weapon is located
• Advise Campus Safety and/or Taft Police of your exact location and a description of the weapon
• Follow all instructions given to you by Campus Safety and/or other authorized personnel
• Do not approach the person(s) with the weapon

Provide all available information to Campus Safety and/or Taft Police including:

• Your name
• Phone number
• A description of yourself
• A description of the person with the weapon
• The types of weapon and the number of weapons (if you know)
• Any other pertinent information

An “active shooter” is defined as one or more subjects who participate in a random or systematic action demonstrating their intent to harm others (shooting or other means of inflicting serious injuries and/or death).

Identify Problem

• Notify 911 and Campus Safety. If possible, contact the campus switchboard at 763-7900 and/or Information Technology at 763-7737
• As soon as reasonably possible, the early warning mass notification system will be activated

Police Response

• It is the duty of responding police officers to protect the lives of innocent people by any legal means necessary, including the use of deadly force against the suspect(s)

If you are involved in a situation where someone has entered the area and has started shooting, or is threatening to do so, or otherwise cause bodily injury, the following is a list of recommended actions:

If you believe you can safely do so, exit the building immediately and seek shelter

• Notify anyone you may encounter to also exit the building
• As soon as possible, call 911
• Do not pull the fire alarm to alert others of an active shooter as this may put others in danger
• Give emergency dispatcher the following information:
  
  • Type and location (building/room) of incident
  • Your name and location (marked on outer windows)
  • Number and identity of shooter(s) if known
  • Other information as requested.
• Remain in a safe place until the threat is over

If you are in a place where you may become more directly threatened or involved, the following steps are recommended:

• Go to the nearest room or office
• Close and lock or barricade the door by any possible means
• Stay away from doors or windows where you might be seen. Turn off radios, computers or anything else that might draw attention
• Leave interior room lights off
• Get into the most secure place/position you can find
• Remain quiet and hidden
• Do not answer the door unless you know it is emergency personnel
• Notify 911

Give the emergency dispatcher the following information:

• Type and location (building/room) of incident
• Your name and location (marked on outer windows)
• Number and identity of shooter(s) if known
• Other information as requested
• Remain in a safe place unless the situation changes and it is no longer safe. If this occurs you will need to consider changing locations
• Re-contact the emergency dispatcher and give updated information
• Remain in place until an “all clear” is given by law enforcement

In the event an emergency situation requires a lockdown, Campus Safety and/or other personnel will lock down some or all buildings on campus. You will be notified of a lockdown by the Emergency Notification system, which includes a variety of modalities to provide swift and accurate information to the community.

In the event of a lockdown

• Remain calm
• Lock the doors, close and lock windows and shut blinds (if available)
• If you can do so SAFELY, inform others in your area of the lockdown
• If someone needs assistance, and you can do so SAFELY, help them to the lockdown area
• If you are in an area that does not lock, use all available items including desks, dressers, tables, chairs, etc. to barricade doors
• Stay low on the floor away from windows and doors and under desks if possible
• Do not leave the area until you are told to do so by Campus Safety and/or other authorized personnel

In the event of severe weather, the National Weather Station will issue a warning or advisory. Weather alerts can include, but are not limited to, ice storms, snowstorms, thunderstorms, or tornado watches and warnings. Do not use your cell phone or any type of portable phone during a thunderstorm

If possible, stay inside your building, away from windows and other areas with glass. If you are outside, immediately go into a building to avoid possible falling tree limbs and other debris

In the event of an earthquake/severe weather warning:

• Give drop, cover, and hold on command – stay low and cover head
• After shaking stops, check for injuries, and render first aid
• Contact 911 and/or Campus Safety to notify them of your location
• If you exit the building, DO NOT return to the building unless cleared by emergency personnel and/or Campus Safety
• DO NOT light any fires
• Keep at least 200 feet from building or any downed power lines
• Check attendance whether or not evacuation takes place; report any missing students to
• Campus Safety and/or Emergency personnel
• Stay alert for aftershocks
• Emergency Personnel and/or Campus Safety will issue further instructions

Drop, Cover, and Hold On Procedures

Indoors:

If you are able, DROP to the ground immediately; take COVER by getting under a sturdy desk or table; HOLD ON to it until the shaking stops. If you use a wheelchair or have mobility impairments and cannot Drop, Cover, and Hold On, protect your head and neck with your arms, and bend over to protect yourself if you are able. If you cannot Drop, Cover, and Hold On, you should immediately take action to protect your head and neck with a pillow or your arms, and bend over to protect yourself if you are able.

Outdoors:

Move to a clear area away from wires, buildings, and anything else that could fall and hurt you, but only if you can safely do so. Otherwise stay where you are. If you are able, Drop, Cover, and Hold On or protect your head and neck as best possible. If you use a wheelchair or have other mobility impairments and cannot Drop, Cover, and Hold On, protect your head and neck with your arms, and bend over to protect yourself if you are able. Stay where you are until the shaking stops. Only move indoors when it is clear that it is safe to do so; do not re-enter buildings until it is determined to be safe by emergency personnel.

• If the fire alarm sounds, remain calm. Look for secondary signs of fire, such as smoke, burning or chemical smells, or heat. If you observe any of these, evacuate the building immediately by the nearest exit. Also evacuate if an announcement is broadcast via our mass communication systems
• If you observe smoke or a fire and the alarm is not sounding, leave the building IMMEDIATELY and while doing so attempt to find the nearest pull station and ACTIVATE the fire alarm if it is SAFE to do so
• Notify others as you leave
• Close doors behind you if possible and SAFE to do so
• DO NOT use elevators
• Always use the stairs to exit upper floors and if smoke is present, stay low to the ground
• If it is not safe to use the nearest exit, go to the next nearest available exit
• Take your personal belongings (purse, wallet, keys, etc.) as long as these items do not hinder your ability to exit the building quickly
• Contact Campus Safety 661-763-7872 or Kern County Fire Department by dialing 911 as soon as possible
• Remain calm, DO NOT RUN
• Follow directions given by your buildings emergency coordinator, fire department or the police
• Assist individuals who may need assistance to move to a safe area
• Meet with students and staff at an established outside evacuation location
• If you know of anyone who may possibly be trapped inside, notify Campus Safety and provide the trapped person(s) last known location
• DO NOT re-enter the building until authorized to do so by emergency personnel

• DO NOT open the suspicious item. If you have opened it, remain calm
• Notify Taft Police at 911 immediately
• DO NOT move the letter or package or examine it further
• Keep others out of the area. Close off the area if possible
• If possible, limit the use of two-way radios and cell phones near the suspicious item
• If the package is leaking a substance or powder and you come into contact with the substance, keep your hands away from your eyes, nose, mouth, or any part of your face; do not touch others or let others touch you
• Wash your hands and arms from the elbow down with soap and hot water
• DO NOT attempt to clean or cover anything that might have spilled from a package
• Follow all instructions given by the Taft Police Department

In the event you receive or overhear a bomb threat or other mass threat, contact Campus Safety at 661-763-7872 and/or 911.

If you learn of a threat via a social media post, take a screen shot or photo of the threat.

For security reasons it is best when possible to avoid using a cell phone or two-way radio near a suspected bomb or suspicious package when reporting the threat.

In the event the threat is received by phone (employee):

• DO NOT activate any fire alarms
• Keep the caller talking as long as possible
• Listen carefully — try to determine the caller(s) sex, age, accent, speech pattern and whether he or she sounds drunk or drugged
• Listen for any background noises

Questions to ask:

• When is the bomb going to explode?
• Where is it right now?
• What does it look like?
• What kind of bomb?
• Did you place the bomb?
• Why?
• What is your address?
• What is your name?

Please Print the checklist on the following PDF, complete and submit it to the Office of the Vice President of Student Services as soon as possible.

BombThreat (PDF)

If there is an explosion:

• Take immediate cover under tables, desks or other objects that will give you protection from falling glass and debris
• REMAIN CALM and once it is SAFE to do so, evacuate the buildings and respond to your assigned meeting place so an accurate account of the building’s occupants can be made
• If others around you need assistance and you can SAFELY do so, assist them in exiting the building
• Use caution when opening doors or exiting the windows of the building
• As soon as possible, dial 911 or call Campus Safety and tell them as much information as possible including the location of the explosion, other locations in the building where injured people may be, and any injuries you have observed
• Follow all instructions given to you by Campus Safety and/or other authorized personnel

What some may perceive as “just a fight” is actually a violation of the Taft College Standards of Student Conduct Policy.

All members of the Taft College community are urged to notify Campus Safety and/or the Vice President of Student Services office if you observe or are involved in a physical altercation.

An altercation will be followed with an investigation by a representative from the college, and if deemed necessary by the complainant, the Taft Police will be notified. Individuals can be held accountable through the Criminal Justice System.

In the event of a physical altercation, take the following actions:

• Contact Campus Safety and/or Vice President of Student Services or if necessary, dial 911
• Provide detailed information including the location of the altercation, the number of combatants involved and whether anyone is injured
• DO NOT become involved in the altercation if at all possible
• If you do choose to become involved, know you may be injured and/or may be implicated as an assailant or mutual combatant when the police arrive
• Be able to provide information on the names of the combatants, if known, and any direction of flight and physical description

If a student/staff member reports to you that he/she believes that he/she is in an abusive relationship or is being stalked, he/she may be in either imminent danger or not immediately at risk.

Stalking and IPV is a serious crime and is so often minimized. College campuses are open environments and for that reason pose a great risk to victims of intimate partner violence/stalking.

If the victim believes he/she is in imminent danger:

Locate a safe place; Police station, residence unknown to assailant, domestic violence shelter, church, or public place. Call 911 or Campus Safety

If the victim believes he/she is not immediately at risk:

Offer options to call Campus Safety, victim services/ counseling on–campus and off campus victim service agency; these entities will explain protection/restraining orders, stalking laws (vary state by state), documentation of events, contingency/escape planning

If a student/staff believes that he/she is being stalked;

Explain to him/her to maintain a log recording all stalking-related behaviors including, but not limited to, electronic mail, phone calls, text messaging and in-person events

If a student in your class has a protection/restraining order, contact the Campus Safety & Security Office or the Vice President of Student Services office so you can follow campus policy.

In the event a student/staff member discloses they were the victim of a sexual assault, listen and do not be judgmental.

This person is telling you because you are trusted. Reassure the victim/survivor that what happened is not their fault and encourage the victim/survivor to do what is best for them; it’s an individual choice.

Offer options so the victim can make an informed decision about what is best for them. Do not make choices for the victim/survivor.

Options can include:

• Report the assault to local Police
• See a trained professional in the counseling center/sexual assault services
• See a trained counselor at an off-campus victim service center (services are free)
• Call a hotline to have questions answered

If there is a Student, Faculty, Staff or other person missing:

• Immediately contact Campus Safety or 911
  
  • Be prepared to give your name and phone number as well as provide all information possible regarding the missing person including a physical description such as:
• What they were wearing when they were last seen
• Where they were last seen
• The physical condition they were in when last seen
• If they were driving
  
  • Vehicle description
  • Who they may be with
• Be prepared to provide information on any medical or other special conditions you know about

If the missing person lives in on-campus housing, the Clery Act has specific mandates to follow:

If a member of the College community has reason to believe a student who resides in on-campus housing (dorms) is missing, that information should be reported immediately to the Dorm Supervisor at (661) 763-7832 or the Vice President of Student Services at (661) 763-7854. Any College employee receiving a missing student report should immediately notify Campus Safety & Security at (661) 763-7872 so an investigation can be initiated.

Students residing in on-campus housing have the option to identify confidentially an individual to be contacted by the College only in the event the student is determined to be missing for more than 24 hours. If a student has identified such an individual, the College will notify that individual no later than 24 hours after the student is determined to be missing. The option to identify a contact person in the event the student is determined missing is in addition to identifying a general emergency contact person, but they can be the same individual for both purposes. A student’s confidential contact information will be accessible only by authorized campus officials, and it will only be disclosed to law enforcement personnel in furtherance of a missing student investigation.

A student who wishes to designate a confidential contact may do so by completing the appropriate portion in the Dorm Contract and submitting it to the Dorm Supervisor.

After investigating a missing person report, if it is determined the student has been missing for 24 hours, the College will notify local police authorities unless it was local law enforcement that made the determination the student is missing. If the missing student is under the age of 18 and is not emancipated, the College will also notify the student’s custodial parent or legal guardian within 24 hours after determining the student is missing, in addition to notifying any additional contact person designated by the student.

If you see or hear of a possible hostage situation:

• Immediately remove yourself from any danger
• Remain calm and contact Campus Safety at 661-763-7872 or Taft Police Department by dialing 911 as soon as you can do so SAFELY
• Be prepared to give as much information as possible to Campus Safety and/or the Taft Police Department including your name and phone number, the location, number of possible hostages, number of possible hostage takers, physical descriptions of the hostage takers, any possible injuries and the types of weapon being used

If you are taken hostage:

• Remain calm and cooperate with your captors
• DO NOT attempt to escape unless there is NO danger in doing so
• If possible, call Taft Police by dialing 911 and leave the line open
• DO NOT draw attention to yourself
• Do what you are told to do
• DO NOT speak unless spoken to and DO NOT try to intimidate the captors
• Stay low below windows and behind cover if possible

In the event a person expresses suicidal thoughts or attempts suicide:

• DO NOT leave the person alone if you can remain with them SAFELY
• Dial 911 immediately and contact Campus Safety
• Remain calm
• If weapons are present, leave the area immediately
• DO NOT touch any weapons or other items the person may consider using, or has used, to ensure your personal safety
• Advise Taft Police and/or Campus Safety of all possible weapons or other items if you can do so SAFELY
• Show support to the person without being judgmental
• Follow all directions given to you by Campus Safety and/or other authorized personnel

If there is a possible suicide:

• DO NOT touch anything in the area
• IMMEDIATELY dial 911 and/or contact Campus Safety and report the situation
• Remain calm and be prepared to give all information possible to Campus Safety and/or Taft Police including your name, phone number, location, name of victim(s) if known and any other pertinent information

Hazardous material is material that, because of its quantity, concentration, or physical or chemical characteristics, may pose a real hazard to human health or the environment.

Hazardous materials include the following categories:

• Flammable and Combustible Material
• Toxic Material
• Corrosive Material Oxidizers
• Aerosols
• Compressed Gases

The accidental spill of hazardous material must be handled by qualified personnel only. Trained Laboratory technician/instructors maintain their own procedure on chemical spills based on the type of chemical.

Employees must contact Campus Safety at 661-763-7872 immediately and advise them of the type of spill (if known), location and if anyone is injured by the spill and take the following steps:

• Instruct the student(s) to vacate the contaminated area immediately; do not attempt to clean the spill as the chemical could be hazardous
• Evacuate the area and move to an area away from the spill area
• If the spill occurs outside, proceed immediately upwind from the spill location
• Instruct student(s) to carefully remove any contaminated clothing
• Attempt to seal off the area to prevent entry
• DO NOT turn on anything electrical, smoke in the area, or light a match/lighter in the area
• Provide fresh air and water to any victims of exposure until medical personnel arrive
• Await direction from Campus Safety or other Emergency personnel; DO NOT return to the spill area until instructed the area is safe

If there is a chemical spill:

• Notify the Taft Police at 911 immediately
• DO NOT attempt to clean up the spill
• Remove yourself and others from the area
• Cordon off the area and do not let others enter the area
• If anyone had contact with the hazardous material, they should be isolated and await treatment by emergency personnel
• DO NOT pull the fire alarm unless there is a fire
• Provide first responders with information about the spill, chemical and the spill area
• Evacuate the building if first responders issue the evacuation order
• DO NOT re-enter the building until an “all clear” is provided by first responders

Blood-borne pathogens are contained in any bodily fluid including urine, semen, blood, saliva, vomit or fecal matter.

Action Steps for Buildings:

• For any situation of this nature, call the Maintenance and Operations department immediately and provide details (where, what is the issue, etc.)
• DO NOT handle or touch anything
• Seal off the area immediately and keep people away; if possible cover the substance with a towel or paper towels
• In the event a community area is contaminated (i.e. bathroom, stairwell, etc.) direct students and faculty to another community facility, until Campus Safety or Maintenance Department can block off and secure the area

In the event of a burglary or robbery in a classroom, dormitory, office, or other campus property, contact Campus Safety and/or Taft Police immediately so members of the campus community can be warned.

A robbery is the attempt to take something by using force. If a robbery occurs, report items missing along with a description of the perpetrator(s). If a student reports a mugging or robbery to you, contact Campus Safety and/or Taft Police immediately. On college campuses, most perpetrators of robberies are serial and will continue to prey on the community.

A burglary occurs when no one is present or no force is used while belongings are taken from a dormitory, office, classroom, or other campus property. Report items missing and suspicious persons to Campus Safety and/or Taft Police.

In the event of a car break-in, contact Campus Safety as soon as possible. Try to refrain from touching any potential evidence in or around your vehicle.

If members of the media are on campus covering an emergency of any kind, the President or Vice President will answer all questions from the media.

Please direct all questions from the media to the President’s office.

IMPORTANT TIP – You don’t have to talk to the reporter, but don’t say “No comment,” as this can be interpreted to mean you know something but won’t tell them. Instead say something like, “I don’t have enough information to talk about that issue” or words to that effect.

To ensure the campus is aware of potentially dangerous situations, you are asked to report incidents that may suggest something more serious. These reports will be maintained in the office of the Vice President of Student Services to track patterns of behavior that indicate a potential risk for members of the campus community.

Immediately report by phone any aggressive physical contact to the Campus Safety Office at 661-763-7872 or the Office of the Vice President of Student Services at 661-763-7854 or 661-763-7810. Any other behaviors listed below may be severe enough to warrant police intervention.

Please print the PDF below, complete it and submit it to the Office of the Vice President of Student Services as soon as possible.

Taft College Incident Report Form