Safety & Security
Disasters
A disaster is any incident that is so large that it overwhelms the normal day-to-day emergency services capabilities for a given location. At Evergreen, the most likely disaster is an earthquake, but our chances of survival are excellent if we all are prepared. The most important thing you can do is learn to be prepared.
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Additional Information
Housing Disaster Plan
Earthquake Safety at Evergreen
Thurston County Emergency Management
Washington State Emergency Management Division
USGA Earthquake Hazards Program
Preparing Yourself
Know the evacuation plans for all buildings you use on campus. This is important for fires as well. Know where to go after a disaster happens. Establish an out-of-Puget-Sound-region contact phone number. Give that number to everyone who would want to know you are okay.
Have an emergency pack in your room near your bed. In the pack keep a flashlight, extra batteries, extra glasses/contacts, medication, raingear/poncho, warm hat, gloves and food and water for three days. Next to your emergency pack keep a pair of sturdy shoes to prevent injuries to your feet from broken glass.
Consider joining the Housing Search and Rescue Team to learn first aid and rescue skills.
During an Earthquake
Drop, Cover, and Hold On! When an earthquake occurs you have only seconds to react. If you are inside drop to your knees and take cover under any piece of sturdy furniture or next to an interior wall to reduce the chance of being struck by falling objects. Hold on and ride the shaking out. When the shaking stops, make sure you have shoes and clothes on before heading outside and take any emergency packs/equipment with you. Chances are the lighting system will fail within seconds after a earthquake.
Take time to orient yourself and think about the best exit. Once you are outside, move as far away as you can from buildings where broken glass or debris could possibly fall on you.
Go to the designated Housing evacuation sites on playing field number three next to the Pavilion. At the site inform staff of your status. They will know when you’ll be able to call your out-of-region contact.
Housing Search and Rescue Team
The Housing Search and Rescue team is a sponsored student group dedicated to assisting those in need during a disaster and/or major emergency. The team is a hands-on group with first-aid and search-and-rescue skills.
The Housing Search and Rescue team meets for three hours, four times per quarter on Monday afternoons during governance times (3 to 6 p.m.) in the Mod Social Space located in M 309 A. Currently we are limited to 20 volunteers.
Housing Search and Rescue sponsors an Orientation Week event “Disasters and You?” in the Housing Community Center. It teaches you about the earthquake history of the Pacific Northwest, Olympia and Evergreen.