国产传媒

NOTE: An individual must use his/her own discretion during an active shooter event as to whether he/she chooses to run to safety or remain in place. However, best practices for surviving an active shooter event are listed below.

Develop a survival mindset

Awareness and Preparation: Take time to understand your surroundings and environment before an emergency occurs. Ask yourself, “What if?” questions and develop a plan.

In an active shooter emergency

Make a decision, trusting your instincts, to take action to protect yourself to survive the situation. You generally will have three options:

Run

• If you can and you deem it safe, get out and get to a safe place.
• You will have to rely partially on instinct.
• Leave belongings behind, but take your cell phone if it is handy.

Hide

• Find a hidden location.
• Find protection behind furniture if possible.
• Find a room that locks if you can.
• If possible, close and lock the outside door to the room. Blockade the door with furniture or other heavy objects.
• Close the blinds, turn off the lights, remain quiet, silence cell phones, spread out away from other individuals, and move behind available cover. Stay on the floor, away from doors or windows, and do not peek out to see what may be happening.
• Make a plan with others in the room about what you will do if the shooter enters. Make a total commitment to action and act as a team with others.
• Do whatever is necessary to survive the situation.
• If possible and safe to do so, report the assailant's location.

Fight if the perpetrator is near

• An individual must use his/her discretion about when he or she must engage a shooter for survival.
• Generally, one can lie motionless and pretend to be unconscious or confront the individual.
• Make a plan as to how you will survive the situation.
• Make a total commitment to action and act as a team with others if possible.
• Do whatever is necessary to survive the situation.

If outside when a shooting occurs

• Drop to the ground immediately, face down as flat as possible.
  • If within 15-20 feet of a safe place or cover, duck and run to it.
• Move or crawl away from gunfire, trying to utilize any obstructions between you and the gunfire. Remember that many objects of cover may conceal you from sight but may not be bulletproof.
• When you reach a place of relative safety, stay down and do not move. Do not peek or raise your head to see what may be happening.
• Wait and listen for directions from Campus Safety and/or law enforcement personnel.

Help out

• Warn others.
• Help others escape.
• Keep others away from the danger area.
• Help the injured.
• Help others stay calm

Calling for help

If it is safe to do so, call the appropriate authorities. Do not assume that someone else has reported the incident.

• At the Chalon campus, call 911, then call Campus Safety at (310) 954.4123.
• At the Doheny campus, call 911, then call Campus Safety at (213) 477.2502.
  • Be persistent; phones may be jammed.
• Calmly identify yourself and your exact location. Remain calm and answer the dispatcher’s questions. The dispatcher is trained to obtain the necessary and required information for an appropriate emergency response.
• If it is safe to do so, stop and take time to get a good description of the criminal.
  • Note height, weight, sex, race, approximate age, clothing, method and direction of travel, and his/her name, if known.
  • If the suspect is entering a vehicle
    • Note the license plate number, make and model, color, and outstanding characteristics.
  • All of this takes only a few seconds and is of the utmost help to the responding officers.

When law enforcement arrives

• When law enforcement reaches you, do not run at them or make sudden movements.
• The priority of the first responders will be to identify the shooter. Law enforcement will need to ensure that you are not the shooter.
• Do not scream, yell, point, or wave your arms.
• Do not hold anything in your hands that could be mistaken for a weapon (including cell phones).
• Be quiet and compliant.
• Show the officers your empty hands and follow their instructions.
• Give the number of shooters.
• Give the location and physical description of the shooter(s).
• Give the number and description of the weapons.
• When it is safe to do so, you will be given instructions as to how to safely exit your location.

Bomb threats usually occur by telephone. If you receive a bomb threat:

• At Chalon campus, call 911 then call Campus Safety at (310) 954.4123.
• At Doheny campus, call 911 then call Campus Safety at (213) 477.2502.
  • Give your name, location, and telephone number.
  • Inform the dispatcher of the situation, including any information you may have as to the location of the bomb, the time it is set to explode, and the time when you received the call.
  • Do not hang up until instructed to do so by the dispatcher.
• Inform your supervisor and/or department head regarding the threat and the instructions provided by the dispatcher.

If you notice a suspicious object or package:

• At Chalon campus, call 911 then call Campus Safety at (310) 954.4123.
• At Doheny campus, call 911 then call Campus Safety at (213) 477.2502.
• Under NO circumstances should you touch, tamper with, or move the package/object in any way.
• University authorities will be responsible for building evacuation.
• If instructed to evacuate your building, proceed to your designated emergency staging locations as calmly and quickly as possible.
• Do not reenter the evacuated building until instructed that it is safe to do so by Campus Safety or public agency personnel.

What is a wildfire/brush fire?

When dry brush ignites, flames can spread quickly to surrounding dry vegetation, buildings, and infrastructure creating a wildfire. If left unchecked, these fires can burn for days, weeks, or even months. When a wildfire threatens property, California firefighters respond by prioritizing the life safety of citizens before focusing on property protection.

Why do some wildfires grow so large? 

The weather has a significant impact on how quickly a wildfire can spread. In California’s hot dry summer months, vegetation loses moisture, allowing it to catch fire more easily. When paired with Santa Ana winds, which blow from the northeast at more than 25 MPH, a fire can grow rapidly. Historically, fires that have impacted Mount Saint Mary’s campuses have occurred on hot, windy days, typically marked by Red Flag Warnings, which is why the University takes special precautions on these days.

What are Red Flag Warnings and how do they impact wildfire risk?

Red Flag Warnings issued by the National Weather Service identify time periods when conditions are ideal for wildfires, typically with higher winds and lower humidities. During Red Flag warnings it is especially important to:

• Report any signs of smoke immediately to emergency responders
  • At Chalon campus, call 911 then call Campus Safety at (310) 954.4123
  • At Doheny campus, call 911 then call Campus Safety at (213) 477.2502
  • Remember that Chalon is a non-smoking campus.
• Minimize any use of open flame in outdoor settings.
• Consider taking down umbrellas and moving patio furniture inside.

During Red Flag conditions, Southern California Edison (SCE) may issue a Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS), a preemptive de-energization of electrical circuits in an attempt to prevent power lines from starting a potential wildfire. This may result in the loss of power for Mount Saint Mary’s campus. While SCE has promised to advise the community in advance, and University officials are in regular communication with SCE representatives, the community should nevertheless be prepared for the possibility of a PSPS. 

Can wildfires impact Mount Saint Mary’s campuses even if their flames are not visible from campus?

Yes, there are times wildfires burning in the region may impact traffic flow to 国产传媒  campuses due to road closures. When possible, Campus Safety will use MountAlert to communicate road closures to roads leading to 国产传媒 campuses.

Additionally, smoke and debris from the fire may impact air quality in the area close to the fire and, depending on weather conditions, could impact air quality throughout Los Angeles County. The University’s EOC closely monitors the air quality at university campuses and takes proactive steps to advise the community, accordingly. These steps could include encouraging the campus community to refrain from strenuous exercise, remain indoors, or even issuing N95 masks to the community to filter particulate matter from the air.

How does 国产传媒 respond to a wildfire?

Because 国产传媒 experiences wildfires with some frequency, the University has developed a detailed shelter-in-place plan, which is reviewed annually. 

When a wildfire may impact a University campus, most likely either at Chalon or Doheny, 国产传媒’s EOC is activated to lead the University’s response and may activate the shelter-in-place plan.

What is it like on the Chalon campus during a shelter in place order?

Those in the University community sheltering in place on the Chalon campus may smell smoke in the air, imagine a campfire smell, and see flames on the campus’s hillsides. Historically, the flames have burned around the campus, stopping at the brush clearance lines around campus buildings, which provides defensible space for L.A. County firefighters to battle the flames and prevent them from spreading to campus buildings.

Those inside an 国产传媒 shelter-in-place location will find caring staff, food, and other supplies to provide for their basic needs. 

Additional Information

• To report a brush fire
  • On Chalon campus, call 911 then call Campus Safety at (310) 954.4123.
  • On Doheny campus, call 911 then call Campus Safety at (213) 477.2502.
• Give your name and the location of the fire. Do not hang up until the dispatcher tells you to do so.
• If you are outdoors, seek shelter in a safe nearby building.
• If you are indoors, close all windows and doors; open all curtains and blinds. Relocate all combustibles away from windows. If time permits, back up important files from your computer hard drive to a disk that you can take with you. Turn off and unplug all electrical equipment.
• If the fire is large, you may be instructed at the Chalon campus to proceed to a designated relocation area. At the relocation area, report to your Residential Directors or Campus Assistants for attendance and further instructions.
• Because of road closures, traffic congestion, and the possibility that the fire may outrun you, it is normally not advisable to leave the Chalon campus during a brush fire. This is referred to as “sheltering-in-place.”
• If instructed to relocate, do not return to the vacated location until instructed to do so by Campus Safety or public agency personnel.

Mount Saint Mary’s University’s Chalon campus is uniquely situated in the Santa Monica Mountains and is part of the wildlife urban interface. As such, a variety of wildlife may be found on campus in both the wildland and developed areas of campus. 

While most animals do not pose a threat to the campus community, please contact Campus Safety at 310.954.4123 if you encounter rattlesnakes or mountain lions on campus. Please remember all wild animals should be respected, not considered as pets, and should not be fed. 

Rattlesnakes

Rattlesnakes are venomous snakes named for the rattle located at the end of their tails, which is used as a warning device when the snake feels threatened. Rattlesnakes are more commonly seen during warmer weather in Southern California, typically May through October each year. 

Although adult rattlesnakes can control the amount of venom they release when they bite, young snakes cannot control how much venom they release, making them even more dangerous than adult snakes.

If you encounter a rattlesnake:

• Stay calm. Freeze, back away slowly, and allow the snake to pass.
• When coiled, snakes can strike to half their body length. Allow enough distance between you and the snake that it will not be able to reach you.
• Do not disturb the snake. Do not poke it with sticks, throw rocks at it, or attempt to pick it up.
• For incidents on Chalon campus, call Campus Safety at (310) 954.4123.
  • On Doheny campus, call Campus Safety at (213) 477.2502.
• In the event of a rattlesnake bite:
  • Stay calm.
  • Get to a hospital as soon as you can. If you are bitten, allow someone else to drive.
  • Call 911 to receive instructions on how to treat the bite on the way to the hospital.
  • If you are more than 30 minutes from a hospital, be sure the victim elevates the body part where the bite is located above his or her heart.
  • Remove any restrictive clothing or jewelry from the area of the bite.
  • Watch for signs of shock from the victim.
• In the event of a rattlesnake bite, do NOT do the following:
  • Cut into the wound.
  • Suck out the venom.
  • Use a tourniquet.
  • Use ice to cool the wound.

Coyotes

Coyotes are a medium-sized member of the dog family and are smaller than their close relative, the wolf. Coyotes are scavengers that look for easy meals, including other animals and trash or food discarded by humans. They are most active during dusk and dawn hours.

If you encounter a coyote:

• Do not feed the animal.
• Maintain eye contact and move away slowly.
• Do NOT run. Running will trigger the coyote’s instinct to chase you.
• Make yourself as big as possible while waving your arms.
• Make loud noises; yell or use a noise-making device such as an air horn or whistle.
• Throw rocks, sticks, or anything else you can find toward the coyote.
• If there are small children or pets present, pick them up immediately. Additionally, do NOT leave them unattended outside.
• Leave space for the coyote to escape.
• For incidents on the Chalon campus, call Campus Safety at (310) 954.4123.
  • On the Doheny campus, call Campus Safety at (213) 477.2502.

Mountain Lions

Mountain lions, also known as pumas or cougars, are large, predatory cats. Mountain lions prefer habitats with dense underbrush and rocky areas for stalking, but they can live in open areas, and several live within the Santa Monica Mountains. If you encounter a mountain lion:

• Maintain eye contact and move away slowly.
• Do NOT run. Running will trigger the mountain lion’s instinct to chase you.
• Appear as large, loud, and powerful as possible.
• If there are small children or pets present, pick them up immediately. Additionally, do NOT leave them unattended outside.
• Do not approach the mountain lion; leave space for the cat to escape.
• For incidents on the Chalon campus, call Campus Safety at (310) 954.4123.
  • On the Doheny campus, call Campus Safety at (213) 477.2502.
• In the unlikely event of an attack, fight back. Do not fall to the ground or roll into the fetal position.

• To report a crime in progress or a civil disturbance:
  • On Chalon campus, call 911, then call Campus Safety at 310.954.4123.
  • On Doheny Campus, call 911, then call Campus Safety at 213.477.2502.
  • Give your name, location, and telephone number. Do not hang up until the dispatcher tells you to do so. Advise the dispatcher of the situation and remain where you are until contacted by an officer unless you deem your location unsafe.

If a hostile intruder is discovered in your immediate area, and you deem it unsafe to evacuate, retreat to a secure location such as an office or room that can be locked. Turn off lights, remain quiet, keep low to the ground, and hide behind a desk or other furniture.

If it is safe to do so, stop and take time to get a good description of the individual. Note height, weight, sex, race, approximate age, clothing, method and direction of travel, and his/her name, if known. If the suspect is entering a vehicle, note the license plate number, make and model, color, and outstanding characteristics. All of this takes only a few seconds and is of the utmost help to the investigating officers.

In the event of civil disturbance, continue inasmuch as possible with your normal routine. If the disturbance is outside, stay away from doors and windows. Do not interfere with those people creating the disturbance or with authorities on the scene.

• If indoors:
  • Stay there.
  • Get under a desk or table and hold on, or stand in a corner (do not go in a doorway with doors; they can swing back and forth violently). Protect your head, neck, and face.
• If outdoors:
  • Move to a clear area if you can safely do it. Avoid power lines, trees, signs, buildings, and vehicles.
• If driving:
  • Pull over to the side of the road and stop. Avoid overpasses and power lines. Stay in the vehicle until the shaking is over.
• If in a high-rise building:
  • Stay away from windows and outside walls. Get under a desk or table and hold on. Do not attempt to use elevators.
• If in a crowded public place or store:
  • Drop and take cover under anything that can provide protection, a shopping cart or inside clothing racks are good examples.
• If in a theater or stadium:
  • Stay in your seat or drop to the floor between rows, and protect your head, neck, and arms. Don’t try to leave until the shaking is over.
• After the shaking subsides:
  • Turn off computers
  • Unplug electrical equipment
  • Replace telephone handsets
  • Go outdoors and stay clear of buildings, walls, power lines, and trees.
• Follow the procedures on this website for Fire, Hazardous Materials, and Serious Injuries as necessary.
• Identify and assist the injured.
• At Chalon, in the event of major damage or disruption, Campus Safety will announce and implement relocation procedures.
• To report serious hazards or injuries:
  • At Chalon campus, call 911, then call the Campus Safety at (310) 954.4123.
  • At Doheny campus, call 911 then call Campus Safety at (213) 477.2502
• Keep phone lines clear except when necessary to report serious hazards or injuries.
• Do not return to an evacuated building unless directed to do so by Campus Safety or public agency personnel.
• It is possible that roads will be blocked and impassable. Be prepared to stay where you are for a few hours or for several days (at Chalon).
• Emergency Management recommends keeping basic emergency supplies available in your car in case of an earthquake. Please see the list of Personal Preparedness items on this website for suggestions of what to keep on hand.

Serious water damage can occur from several sources: broken pipes, clogged drains, broken skylights or windows, construction oversights, or inclement weather.

If a water leak occurs:

• At Chalon, call Campus Safety at (310) 954-4123.
• At Doheny, call Campus Safety at (213) 477.2502.
• Advise Campus Safety of the location and severity of the leak. Indicate whether any valuables, art collections, or books are involved or are in imminent danger. Campus Safety will notify the appropriate authorities and dispatch officers to assist.
• If there are electrical appliances or electrical outlets near the leak, use extreme caution. If there is any possible danger, evacuate the area.
• If you know the source of the water and are confident of your ability to stop it (i.e., unclog the drain, turn off water, etc.), do so cautiously.
• Be prepared to assist, as directed, in protecting the University and personal property that is in jeopardy.
  • Take only those steps that are needed to avoid or reduce immediate water damage:
    • Cover large objects with plastic sheeting
    • Carefully move small or light objects out of the emergency area.

If a hazardous material spill occurs:

• If toxic chemicals come in contact with your skin, immediately flush the affected area with clear water for at least 15 minutes. Use chemical showers if available.
• On the Chalon campus, call 911, then call Campus Safety at (310) 954.4123.
• On the Doheny campus, call 911, then call Campus Safety at (213) 477.2502.
• If you can give responders information as to the chemicals involved or stored in the affected area, it will help them respond more quickly.
• If possible, notify your professor of the extent and location of the spill.
• If there is any possible danger, evacuate your area immediately.

If a chemical fire occurs:

• Remain calm.
• If time permits, close windows in the room where the fire is located. Close the door behind you as you leave, and immediately sound the building fire alarm.
• On the Chalon campus, call 911, then call Campus Safety at (310) 954.4123.
• On the Doheny campus, call 911, then call Campus Safety at (213) 477.2502.
• If you can give responders information as to the chemicals involved or stored in the affected areas, it will help them respond more quickly.
• If the fire is large, very smoky, or rapidly spreading, evacuate the building immediately. Inform others in the building who may not have responded to the alarm to evacuate immediately. The alarm may not sound continuously. If the alarm stops, continue to evacuate. Warn others who may attempt to enter the building after the alarm stops. ALWAYS EVACUATE A BUILDING IF THE ALARM IS SOUNDING.
• When fire alarms sound, do not use the elevators. An elevator may become a trap. Assist (help carry, if necessary) all disabled persons using the stairs.
• Relocate to your designated assembly area, which should be at least 500 feet from the building, and stay out of the way of emergency personnel. Do not return to the building until instructed to do so by Campus Safety or public agency personnel.
• Notify either Campus Safety personnel or firefighters on the scene if you suspect that someone may be trapped inside the building.
• Unless you have been trained specifically in fighting hazardous material fires, do not attempt to extinguish the fire.

• Do not move a seriously injured person unless there is a life-threatening situation.
• On the Chalon campus, call 911, then call Campus Safety at (310) 954.4123.
• On the Doheny campus, call 911, then call Campus Safety at (213) 477.2502.
• Give your name, location, and telephone number. Give as much information as possible regarding the nature of the injury or illness, whether the victim is conscious, etc. Do not hang up until directed to do so by the emergency operator.
• Return to the victim, administer first aid, and keep the victim as calm and comfortable as possible.
• Remain with the victim until emergency personnel arrive.

While many missing resident Student reports at universities are the result of a Student changing
their normal routine and neglecting to inform roommates, friends and/or family of their
whereabouts, Mount Saint Mary’s University takes reports of missing resident Students
seriously. The University handles missing resident Student reports pursuant to the following
procedures.

The University defines a missing resident Student as any currently enrolled Student who
resides in on-campus student housing and who has not been in contact with roommates,
friends, family, faculty or staff for a reasonable period of time (usually a period of 24-hours) and
whose whereabouts have been questioned and brought to the attention of a University official.
Any member of the University community who has reason to believe a Student residing in on-
campus housing has been missing for 24-hours should immediately contact the Department of
Campus Safety at 310.954.4123 (Chalon) or 213.477.2502 (Doheny).

Students residing in on-campus housing have the option to confidentially identify one or more
individuals to be contacted by the University in the event the Student has been determined to be
missing for 24-hours or is otherwise determined to be missing (“Missing Person Contact”). A
Student who wishes to designate a Missing Person Contact may do so at the same time they
provide general emergency contact information or by contacting Residence Life and Housing
Services. The Missing Person Contact information will be kept confidential and will be
accessible only to authorized University officials and law enforcement in furtherance of a
missing person investigation. A Student may withdraw or change their identified Missing Person
Contact at any time by contacting Residence Life and Housing Services.

When the Department of Campus Safety receives a missing resident Student report, it will
promptly initiate an investigation and notify the Dean of Students or designee of the
investigation. The Department of Campus Safety will also notify the appropriate law
enforcement agencies within 24-hours of the determination that the Student is missing. If a
Student has designated a Missing Person Contact, the Dean of Students or designee will notify
the Missing Person Contact(s) within 24-hours of the determination that the Student is missing.
In the event the missing resident Student is a minor (under the age of 18 years) and is not
emancipated, the custodial parent or legal guardian, if different than the designated Missing
Person Contact, will also be notified within 24-hours of the determination that the Student is
missing.

In the event the University is notified of a missing Student who resides off campus, the
Department of Campus Safety will refer the reporting party to the appropriate local law
enforcement agency, or if necessary, refer the case directly to the appropriate local law
enforcement agency.

Consider These Things Before a Disaster:

• Become familiar with your community and street names. Download maps of your city for offline access on your mobile or smart device to use the navigation service when cell service is down.
• Discuss your plans with friends/roommates/local family members.
• Identify alternate meeting places in case of separation.
• Establish a contact person from outside the Southern California area.
• Make sure all family members carry the telephone number of the contact and understand the importance of checking with that person if the family is separated during a disaster.
• Alert family members outside the area of your plans.
• Plan for special needs.
• Store sufficient personal survival supplies (see suggested list below).
• Store supplies to sustain you during relocation (see suggested list below).

Suggested Personal Survival Supplies for your Vehicle:

• Food and water for up to three days.
• Blankets
• First Aid Kit
• Flashlight and batteries
• A change of clothes
• Comfortable walking shoes
• Car charger for cell phones
• Nonperishable, high-energy foods, such as unsalted nuts, dried fruits, hard candy, and drinking water

Suggested Items for Relocation:

• Bedding
• Flashlights
• Batteries
• Games, books
• Medications
• Special dietary foods
• Valuable papers
• Treasured photographs
• Telephone lists
• Photo ID with home address/University ID
• Pens and paper
• Personal hygiene supplies (e.g., toothbrush, soap, contact lens solution, sunscreen)
• Change of clothes
• Comfortable walking shoes

Do NOT Bring to Relocation Shelter:

• Candles
• Heating devices
• Beds or furniture

After a Disaster:

• Locate any missing friend/roommate/family member.
• Advise out-of-area contacts of your status.
• Use safety glasses, leather gloves, etc., when working.
• Exercise extreme caution when entering damaged buildings.
• Exercise extreme care with fire.
• Do not ignite matches or candles if a gas leak may be possible.
• Avoid electrical appliances where there is water.
• Stay away from power lines.
• Check water and food before consumption.
• Monitor and obey directives from government and campus officials.
• If you have telephone service, use it only for emergencies.
• For residential students: contact the University if you are not at a campus-operated shelter.

University officials will remain in direct contact with Southern California Edison, along with other governmental agencies, and will provide updates to the University community as they become available. Additionally, the University has emergency lighting that activates during a power outage to provide limited emergency lighting to assist in properly evacuating facilities. If either of our campuses loses power for some time, you will receive MountAlerts with updates and guidance.

If a power outage occurs:

• Remain calm.
• At the Chalon campus, call Campus Safety at (310) 954.4123. 
• At the Doheny campus, call Campus Safety at (213) 477.2502.
• Give your name, location, and telephone number. Advise Campus Safety of the situation and of any additional locations that are without power. Campus Safety will immediately notify the appropriate department or agency of the outage.
• Assist other individuals in your immediate area.
• If you are in an unlit area, proceed cautiously to an area with emergency lights.
• If you are trapped in an elevator, remain calm. Use the intercom, emergency telephone, or emergency call button. Campus Safety officers or the fire department will be dispatched to your location for assistance.
• If necessary, Campus Emergency Response Team (CERT) or Building Emergency Response Team (BERT) personnel and/or Campus Safety will move through all public areas with flashlights, escorting people to safety.
• When you are safe, stand by for instruction from University officials or Campus Safety personnel. If instructed to relocate, proceed to one of the designated areas.
• Unless otherwise directed or it is unsafe to do so, employees are expected to remain at work until their scheduled shift ends, and students are expected to attend their classes as scheduled.