Earthquake
If you are indoors when shaking starts:

“DROP, COVER AND HOLD ON.” If you are not near a strong table or desk, drop to the floor against an interior wall and cover your head and neck with your arms.
Avoid windows, hanging objects, mirrors, tall furniture, large appliances and cabinets filled with heavy objects.
Do not try to run out of the structure during strong shaking.
Stay away from buildings. Glass from tall buildings does not always fall straight down; it can catch a wind current and travel great distances.
If you are in bed, stay there and cover your head with a pillow.
Do not use elevators.
If you use a wheelchair, lock the wheels and cover your head.

If you are outdoors when shaking starts:

Move to a clear area if you can safely walk. Avoid power lines, buildings and trees.
If you’re driving, pull to the side of the road and stop. Avoid stopping under overhead hazards
If you are on the beach, move to higher ground. An earthquake can cause a tsunami.

Once the earthquake shaking stops:

Check the people around you for injuries; provide first aid. Do not move seriously injured persons unless they are in immediate danger.
Check around you for dangerous conditions, such as fires, downed power lines and structure damage.
If you have fire extinguishers and are trained to use them, put out small fires immediately.
Turn off the gas only if you smell gas.
Check your phones to be sure they have not shaken off the hook and are tying up a line.
Inspect your home for damage.

If you are trapped in debris:

Move as little as possible so that you don’t kick up dust. Cover your nose and mouth with a handkerchief or clothing.
Tap on a pipe or wall so that rescuers can hear where you are. Use a whistle if one is available. Shout only as a last resort.

Fire
If your smoke detector goes off or you see a fire:

Remain calm and get out.
If you see smoke under the door, find another way out.
Feel the door with the back of your hand before you open it. If it is hot, find another way out.
Drop to the floor to avoid smoke and fumes. Crawl to safety.
If your clothes catch on fire, STOP where you are, DROP to the ground, and ROLL over and over to smother the flames.
Call 9-1-1 from a campus phone.
If you are trapped in a burning building, stay near a window and close to the floor. If possible, signal for help.

Storm / Flooding
Winter rains can cause floods, landslides, uprooted trees, and downed or broken utility lines in almost any neighborhood.

During the Storm:

If water has entered a garage or basement, do not walk through it – it may contain hazardous materials.
Do not try to drive over a flooded road. If your car stalls, abandon it immediately. Attempting to move a stalled vehicle in flood conditions can be fatal.
Tune to KOGO/AM 600, KPOP/AM 1360 and KSDO/AM 1130 or local TV channels for emergency advisories and instructions.
If you are asked to leave your property, disconnect all electrical appliances.
Avoid downed power lines and broken gas lines.

Terrorism

Terrorism may involve devastating acts using weapons of mass destruction. These weapons range from chemical agents, biological hazards, a radiological or nuclear device, and other explosives. The primary objective of a terrorist is to create widespread fear.

If there is a Terrorist Attack:

Stay calm.
Be vigilant. Look out for secondary hazards such as falling debris or additional attacks.
Follow the instructions of emergency service personnel.

If you receive a Bomb Threat:

Ask the caller the following questions: When is the bomb going to explode? Where is the bomb right now? What kind of bomb is it? What does the bomb look like? Why did you place the bomb? Where are you calling from?
Record the exact time and length of the call.
Write down the exact words of the caller.
Listen carefully to the caller's voice and background noise.
After you hang up, call 9-1-1 immediately from a hard-wired telephone – do not use cell phones to report a bomb threat.

Contagious Disease

Health Emergencies & Pandemic Influenza

See the campus Avian Flu Business Continuity Plan

A contagious disease emergency could affect many people. It could cause mild illness, hospitalization, or death in rare cases. In the event of an infectious disease emergency, the San Diego Department of Public Health will provide up-to-date information and instructions to the public through media and public outreach sources.

To find out how to prepare yourself and your family for a contagious disease emergency, visit the San Diego County Health & Human Services site - http://www2.sdcounty.ca.gov/hhsa/

This site also provides information on what San Diego is doing to prepare for an avian or pandemic flu emergency, including mass distribution of medications or vaccines.

Evacuation

Immediate risk:
If you smell gas, smoke or see fire or otherwise fear for your safety, evacuate household occupants immediately. From a safe location, call 9-1-1 and report the incident.

General evacuation orders:
If local officials issue evacuation orders, use the evacuation routes and methods specified; carpool whenever possible. If time allows:

Wear sturdy shoes, long-sleeve shirts and pants.
Bring car keys, credit cards, road maps, cell phone, charger and important phone numbers.
Bring your Go-bag.
If you have a pet, make sure it is wearing a collar, bring it in a pet carrier labeled with your name and the pet’s name. Bring your pet’s Go-bag.
Lock your home and shut off the water and electricity, but leave gas on unless instructed otherwise.
Leave a note or tell a neighbor where you are going.
Once you arrive at a safe location, call your out-of-area emergency contact.

Disaster Shelters
Immediately following a large disaster, suitable shelter sites will be selected from a predesignated list based on areas of need and estimated numbers of displaced persons. Each site must be inspected for safety prior to being opened to the public. Therefore, it is not possible to say with advance certainty which sites will actually operate as disaster shelters. As soon as disaster sites have been formally designated, this list will be announced through local media to the public. If it is unsafe to shelter-in-place, and you do not have an alternative, evacuate to a designated emergency shelter.

Tell your out-of area-contact where you are going.
Take your Go-bag with you to the shelter.
Initially, emergency shelters may not be able to provide basic supplies and materials. Consider bringing extra items (e.g. blanket, pillow, air mattress, towel, washcloth, diapers, food and supplies for infants.)
Provide for your pet: only service animals are allowed in “human” shelters. If you cannot make other plans for your pets, Animal Care and Control staff will be available at “human” shelters to help with pet sheltering needs.

Power Outage

Power cuts can occur due to rolling blackouts, extreme weather conditions, or can accompany other disasters such as earthquakes. If there is no power in your neighborhood:

Turn off and unplug appliances and computers. Leave one light on to indicate when power has been restored.
Avoid using candles, as they are fire hazards.
Do not use a gas stove for heating or operate generators indoors (including the garage.) Both could cause carbon monoxide poisoning.
If a traffic signal is not working, treat it as a stop sign.
See the Food section to learn about food safety when your refrigerator’s power is off.

Shelter-in-Place

One of the instructions you may be given in an emergency is to shelter-in-place. This means you should stay indoors until authorities tell you it is safe or you are told to evacuate.

In case of a biological event:

Select a small, interior room, with no or few windows.
Close and lock all windows and exterior doors.
Turn off all fans, heating and air conditioning systems. Close the fireplace damper.
Bring your family disaster supply kit and make sure the radio is working.
It is ideal to have a hard-wired telephone in the room you select (cellular telephone equipment may be overwhelmed or damaged during an emergency)
Use duct tape and plastic sheeting (heavier than food wrap) to seal all cracks around the door and any vents into the room.
Listen to your radio or television for further instructions or updates.
If you are in your car, close windows and turn off vents and air conditioning.

Tsunami

A local earthquake may generate tsunami waves that can reach shore in minutes. If you are on the beach or other low-lying area close to the ocean or bay, immediately evacuate by walking to higher ground if:

Officials issue a tsunami warning and order evacuations;
You hear the Outdoor Warning System;
The earth shakes so much that you can’t stand;
Shaking lasts longer than 20 seconds; and/or
You notice water receding from the shoreline.

Transit Safety

Mass transit systems may be vulnerable to both accidents and terrorist incidents. Mass transit customers should be aware and vigilant. Be well informed and know your surroundings.

Review emergency exit information on the vehicle.
If you see something, say something! Report all suspicious parcels, bags or containers to the nearest police officer or transit employee. Never touch a suspicious object.
In the event of an emergency, remain calm and follow the instructions of transit or rescue personnel.
Only use cell phones if you absolutely must as they could interfere with emergency equipment.
If you’re instructed to evacuate, take your belongings.
If you are traveling with others, stay together.