Disaster planning at SCU

By Mary Chamaki

In light of the recent, massive destruction in Japan, the entire Santa Clara community including faculty, staff and students, should be more aware of emergency prevention and emergency response procedures.

"Often times, college students disregard the notion that an emergency event can take place at any time. However, we need to communicate with our peers to raise awareness, lowering the risk of potential injury or misunderstandings in the case of an emergency occurrence." said sophomore Tani Pozirekides.

The location of Santa Clara unfortunately falls directly near three major fault lines; the San Andreas Fault, the Calaveras Fault and the Hayward Fault. With this in mind, each and every individual in the community should place a high priority on earthquake protection procedures.

"The school has systems in place for both a shelter-in-place response and an evacuation response," said Mike Taheny, the emergency planning manager for Santa Clara University. "If students are not aware of the designated assembly locations, or are not set up to receive electronic safety alerts, then there will be visible set-backs in our ability to respond to the event as a community."

One of the fastest and most direct mechanisms used by the school's Emergency Planning Board is the Connect ED system.

According to Sean Collins, the environmental, health and safety director at Santa Clara, Connect ED is the system which supports SCU Campus Alert and allows campus leaders to send short, timely safety alerts to people on a mass scale within minutes.

Access to Connect ED is located through eCampus, under the Personal Portfolio tab, and every member of the community is highly encouraged to link the system with their cell phone numbers, home phone numbers, and e-mails, so that contact can be made through several sources.

According to Joe Sugg, assistant vice president of university operations, a similar safety alert message provider named AlertSCC is also highly recommended for students, especially those living at off-campus housing.

The system allows for county officials in the Santa Clara County to send alerts and messages that apply to the off-campus community in case of natural disasters or potential risks outside the campus parameters. Individuals can be linked to the AlertSCC system by visiting alertscc.com.

In case of an earthquake, the Federal Emergency Management Agency recommends students drop, cover, and hold on, getting underneath the nearest study table or desk available.

Emergency escape routes and assembly points for every building can be found posted near elevators in every building along campus and "students should be informed about these routes before a disaster rather then after, in order to remain calm and orderly during the actual emergency."

Every individual in the community should make preparations in order to be Red Cross Ready for emergency procedures. Three basic procedures are emphasized for basic levels of preparation in any emergency situation; these include getting a kit, making a plan, and becoming informed.

An emergency kit is a key element needed for survival in the aftermath of a destructive event such as an earthquake. People are encouraged to store and maintain three kits, one in their home, one for their car, and one for their office or workspace. Kits need to include enough material to last for approximately three days, assuming an individual is displaced and must endure on their own.

Kits should hold water, food, a first-aid kit, medications, change of clothing, an emergency radio, sanitary supplies, contact information, and money. Further information regarding specific amounts and items needed in the kit can be found at 72hours.org or at redcross.org.

A plan is necessary in order for family members and housemates to keep in touch with each other. People are encouraged to set up a meeting location and also to designate a long distance contact, preferably out of state, for everyone to call in case local phone lines are all tied up.

Being informed plays a large role in the overall preparation plan. Members of the Santa Clara community need to learn what disasters or emergencies may occur where they live and work. Students should identify how local authorities will notify the public and get linked in to those sources, and ask a local Red Cross chapter about first aid, CPR, and disaster training.

"These skills will help you become a resource and not a victim in a time of crises," said Taheny. "This is not a one day process, it takes us actively gaining knowledge about emergency prevention in order to prevent victimizing ourselves and others in the future."

Contact Mary at mchamaki@scu.edu or call (408) 554-4546.