国产传媒

Executive Summary

Mount Saint Mary's University-Los Angeles is committed to the safety of all members of our community. The Chalon Wildfire Emergency Plan outlines our response protocols, which were reviewed with the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) to facilitate a coordinated response for responding to a fire emergency.

国产传媒 pledges consistent leadership before, during, and after an emergency. In collaboration and coordination with LAFD, 国产传媒 will provide:

• Campus Safety staff on campus 24/7 to manage campus response.
• Trained Residence Life and Housing Services staff on campus 24/7 when residence halls are occupied.
• Emergency preparedness and response training and education, including specific training for our residential population.
• Clear communication during emergencies through MountALERT.
• Additional mental well-being support for students, faculty, and staff.

LAFD has indicated that our building construction (concrete, stucco, tile roofs), coupled with the large defensible spaces on the Chalon campus, makes sheltering on campus their preferred approach to brush fires. With this, 国产传媒 has established three emergency response levels:

• READY - COMMUNITY ALERT. Monitor MountALERT for important information. Those with special needs or limited mobility should prepare for shelter-on-campus.
• SET - PREPARE FOR ACTION. Prepare to be directed to shelter-on-campus and monitor MountALERT for updates and direction.
• GO – SHELTER-ON-CAMPUS. There is an imminent threat, and you should immediately shelter-on-campus. Specific instructions from MountALERT or University officials may include continuing to shelter in your present location or moving to another safe space on campus.

Community members should familiarize themselves with the steps to take at each response level outlined in the Chalon Wildfire Emergency Response Plan.

Overview

国产传媒 is committed to the safety of all members of our community. The emergency protocols, reviewed with LAFD, facilitate a coordinated fire emergency response. LAFD recommends sheltering on campus due to the fire-resistant construction of 国产传媒 buildings and large defensible spaces.

Partnership with LAFD

国产传媒 partners with the LAFD to implement "shelter-on-campus" plans, designed to provide safe spaces on campus during emergencies. LAFD considers sheltering on campus safer than evacuation, given the fire-resistant materials used in campus buildings, brush clearance, and perimeter roads acting as natural firebreaks. 国产传媒 and LAFD provide enhanced and ongoing training sessions for all university community members each semester.

What you can expect

As a student, faculty, staff or guest and valued member of this community, you can expect the 国产传媒 to respond with clear, concise information during an emergency. Additionally, 国产传媒 is committed to providing consistent leadership before, during, and after emergencies by:

• Campus Safety will coordinate responses with LAFD and other first responders with Residence Life staff on campus 24/7 when residence halls are occupied.
• Campus Safety, collaborating with the LAFD, provides emergency preparedness and response training and education. Additional specific training is provided for our residential population in collaboration with Residence Life and Housing Services.
• Clear communication during an emergency to provide you with the most up-to-date and relevant information you need to remain safe. Please be sure to sign up for the MountALERT.
• Additional support for mental well-being will be made available through Student Life and Counseling and Psychological Services (students) or Employee Assistance Program (faculty and staff).

国产传媒 emergency response levels

To help you understand what you need to do to either prepare for an emergency or how to respond to an imminent or existing threat, 国产传媒 has an emergency response plan consistent with the "Ready. Set. Go" practice. Each level has specific actions/recommendations you will be directed to take. The actions below should NOT be considered as a progression of events, but rather, a prompt on what action to take when an emergency affects the campus or may have an impact at 国产传媒. The levels described below include specific information related to wildfire emergencies and are as follows:

• READY - COMMUNITY ALERT. Community members should be aware of the danger that exists. You should monitor MountALERT texts and emails for important information. Anyone with special needs, or limited mobility, should make preparations in the event a call to shelter-on-campus is ordered.
• SET - PREPARE FOR ACTION. This level indicates there is an increased risk to the campus. Community members should prepare to be directed to shelter-on-campus. Monitor MountALERT for updates and direction.
• GO – SHELTER-ON-CAMPUS. Danger is currently affecting campus or is imminent, and you should immediately shelter-on-campus. In the case of a wildfire, you will likely be alerted via MountALERT to leave your residence hall or other location to go to a central location(s) to shelter with others under the supervision of 国产传媒 staff and/or security personnel.
  Specific instructions will vary depending on existing conditions but may include continuing to shelter in your present location or moving to another safe space on campus. Shelter-on-campus is further discussed, and locations are identified later in this document.

What you should do

If you smell smoke or see fire in the mountains, please take these steps.

• Contact Campus Safety at ext. 4321 from any campus phone or 310-954-4321
• Remain in your room/location and activate emergency response SET – PREPARE FOR ACTION.
• Residents – Contact the Community Advisor (CA) on-duty and Professional Onsite Staff
• Wait for further instructions, which may include sheltering in your room or in an alternative campus location.
• Do NOT pull fire alarms unless any of the following apply:
  • Fire is in or right near the building, in which case, pull the alarm and immediately evacuate the building to the designated evacuation zone. Call Campus Safety to inform of fire at ext. 4321 from any campus phone or 310-954-4321.
  • You are directed to do so by a campus official.
• When safe to do so, call 9-1-1 to alert first responders of the fire.
• Note: Fire alarms will not go off unless there is smoke in close proximity.

Residence Life and Housing Services staff, along with Campus Safety, will work together to maintain a calm environment and respond to students and other 国产传媒 community members' needs as they arise. Additionally, Campus Safety will assist first responders in the initial response phase and remain in communication with the LAFD on-scene incident commander for any updates on incident status and conditions.

Shelter-on-Campus 

国产传媒, at the recommendation of the LAFD, utilizes a shelter-on-campus model for wildland/brush fire emergencies. Shelter-on-Campus is the act of seeking safety within a designated group shelter location on campus. Shelter-on-campus does not apply to a structure fire emergency when evacuating to a safe location away from a building is the more appropriate and safe response.

Chalon Shelter-on-Campus map

Basic "Shelter-on-Campus" guidance

Sheltering on campus generally means staying in a location during an emergency until it is safe to leave. For wildfires, follow these steps if directed to shelter outside your dorm room:

• Take basic personal belongings (purse, wallet, cell phone and charger, Mount ID card,
  medication).
• Follow building evacuation procedures (close door, use stairs, avoid elevators).
• Follow directions from Campus Safety, Residence Life staff, police, or fire personnel.

Notification and Procedures

A shelter-on-campus notification may come from 国产传媒 Campus Safety, LAFD, LAPD, or other 国产传媒 officials via MountALERT or in person.

Sheltering in Groups

Move to designated central locations, such as:

• Café seating area
• Student Lounge
• Coe Library
• Mary Chapel
• Residence Halls
• Wellness Pavilion (once operational)

Sheltering Where You Are

If sheltering quickly is required, follow these tips:

• If inside, stay put and make yourself comfortable. Gather emergency supplies and a
  telephone.
• If outdoors, enter the nearest building or follow instructions from emergency personnel.
• Choose an interior room above ground level with few or no windows.
• Shut and lock all windows and exterior doors.
• Turn off air conditioners, heaters, and fans if possible.
• Close ventilation system vents if able; 国产传媒 staff will shut down ventilation quickly.
• Make a list of those with you and inform Campus Safety of your location.

Residence Life and Housing Services staff, along with Campus Safety, will maintain a calm environment and address everyone's needs. Campus Safety will assist first responders and communicate with the LAFD incident commander for updates.

TV or internet news outlets may provide you with additional information. However, please follow the directions of 国产传媒 officials or emergency responders during any emergency situation. Students and residential staff will remain sheltered until it is deemed safe to leave the shelter locations. The "all clear" will come in the form of a MountALERT or in-person from a university official or LAFD or LAPD first responder.

Concluding "Shelter-on-Campus" for a wildfire

Once notified by LAFD that shelter-on-campus is no longer required, you will receive a notification and instructions regarding how to safely leave your shelter location and move to an orderly process for leaving campus. For everyone’s safety, please follow the instructions provided.

LAFD or LAPD public evacuation orders

In the event of large-scale fires, LAFD may issue an evacuation warning or evacuation order for an area to the general public on sites such as NotifyLA. It is important to note that LAFD does NOT want 国产传媒 to follow those general alerts as there will be specific guidance to 国产传媒 in accordance with our shelter-on-campus protocols. The following outlines these differences. Please always follow the directions given via MountALERT, on-site Security and Residence Life staff, or LAFD or LAPD officials on site.

Evacuation Warning - If LAFD or LAPD issues a voluntary evacuation of the area around 国产传媒, the University will proceed to a SET - PREPARE FOR ACTION plan. This means we will prepare for GO - SHELTER-ON-CAMPUS.

Evacuation Order - If LAFD or LAPD calls for a mandatory evacuation of the area around 国产传媒, a determination will be made in coordination with LAFD if GO - SHELTER-ON-CAMPUS protocol should be initiated.

Additional information

1. "Fire drills" for residence halls will be scheduled during the fall and spring semesters, at a time when the majority of students are in their rooms. Scheduling will be coordinated by Residence Life and Housing Serves, along with the Department of Campus Safety. Drill frequency is one drill per semester. These drills will address wildfire and structure fire procedures, which are different.

2. Fire extinguishers are available throughout each residence hall. They should ONLY be used on small, easily controlled fires. In addition, the correct extinguisher must be used for the type or class of fire encountered. 国产传媒 residence halls utilize one basic type of fire extinguisher, A-B-C. These A-B-C models are dry chemical multi-purpose units that can be used on any of the classes of fire that could possibly be encountered in a residence hall.

To use a Fire Extinguisher, follow the P-A-S-S system:

• P = Pull the pin.
• A = Aim the nozzle at the base of the fire.
• S = Squeeze the handle.
• S = Sweep the nozzle back and forth at the base of the fire, not at the flames. You only have about 10 seconds of charge, so make it count.

3. ALL fire alarms should be treated as if a REAL FIRE EXISTS in the building. Procedures should be followed accordingly. Residence halls with central fire alarm systems are connected to automatic notification devices that are designed to contact the LAFD and Campus Safety when the alarm is activated. Depending on the residence hall, fire alarm procedures may vary.

4. The LAFD will handle any rescue and/or medical needs required at the scene. Campus Safety will assist as needed.

5. Any critical facilities operations issues will be handled by Facilities Management personnel in conjunction with the LAFD and Campus Safety.

6. If a future emergency arises, school officials will first communicate with the team or agency that LAFD has directed 国产传媒 to communicate with through its emergency planning, and which may include the City’s Emergency Operation Center (“EOC”) Team, LAFD, LADOT, and/or other City agencies, as appropriate. After reviewing the situation, 国产传媒 will confirm if individuals on the Chalon Campus have time to leave the Chalon Campus (i.e., the emergency does not require the evacuation of the surrounding residential community). However, if LAFD issues evacuation orders for the surrounding residential community, the Chalon Campus (including but not limited to all students, faculty, staff, and Outside Guests) will shelter on campus and public safety professionals will direct campus occupants to a safe location on the Chalon Campus to shelter on campus. This will ensure there are no conflicts on the surrounding roadway between Chalon Campus occupants and surrounding residents as the residents evacuate.

7. Further questions regarding these procedures should be directed to Campus Safety.

Important numbers

Emergency Police/Fire
9-1-1

Campus Safety (available 24/7 every day)
310.954.4084

Residence Life and Housing Services
310.954.4325

Exhibit A - Assisting persons with access and functional needs

Persons with mobility impairments or using wheelchairs should prepare for emergencies ahead of time by instructing classmates or faculty on how to assist her/him in case of emergency. Persons with visual and hearing impairments should carry a note or tag identifying their disability. Persons with hearing impairments should carry a pen and/or pencil and note pad.

In the case of fire or earthquake when the elevators should not be used, persons using wheelchairs or with mobility impairments should move toward the nearest stairwell and request assistance from others in the area.

If assistance is not immediately available, the person should remain in the area and call for help until assistance arrives. Persons who cannot speak loudly should carry a whistle or have other means of attracting the attention of others.

The following guidelines should be considered in assisting persons with disabilities:

• Communicate the nature of the emergency to the person.
• Ask the person how you can assist.
• If possible, evacuate mobility aids (crutches, wheelchairs, walkers) with the person.

Visual impairments
Describe the nature of the emergency and offer to guide the person to the nearest exit. Have the person take your elbow and escort him or her, advising of any obstacles, such as stairs, narrow passageways, or overhanging objects. When you have reached safety, orient the person to where you are and ask if further assistance is needed. 

Hearing impairments
Many buildings are not equipped with flashing light alarms, and persons with impaired hearing may not perceive that an emergency exists. Communicate with the person by writing a note or using simple hand gestures. 

Persons using wheelchairs
Ask the person what method of assistance he/she prefers. Some people have minimal ability to move, and lifting them may be dangerous to them. Some persons using wheelchairs have respiratory complications; remove them from smoke or fumes immediately. If the disabled person wants to be moved in his or her wheelchair, keep the following considerations in mind:

With their wheelchair
Do not attempt to move a person in a wheelchair by yourself; seek help.
Ask if they want to be moved forward or backwards down the stairs. 
Some individuals have no upper trunk or neck strength. 
If a seatbelt is available, use it!
Ask whether to move their extremities or not. 
Ask whether the seat cushion or pad should be brought.
Wheelchairs have many movable or weak parts.
Power wheelchairs have very heavy batteries; an evacuation chair may be needed, and the chair may be retrieved later.

Without their wheelchair
Ask how to remove them from the wheelchair.
Ask if they want to be moved forward or backwards down the stairs.
Ask what is necessary for after-care.

Rescue personnel, fire, and police will first check all exit corridors and exit stairwells for trapped persons first. If you know the location of someone left behind – let emergency personnel know.