Below, summarized from the website for the Office of Emergency Preparedness, is information on how to respond to a variety of campus emergencies. Please consult the website for more detailed instructions and prevention tips.

Earthquake. The Hayward fault passes through the eastern side of our campus, and earth scientists have estimated a high probability for an earthquake on that fault in the next 20 years. UC Berkeley is strengthening many of its buildings to reduce casualties and damages in a future quake, but you can do much yourself to secure your office or lab and to preserve your valuable research, specimen collections, books, and papers. Detailed information on steps you can take for your office or lab is contained in the earthquake preparedness website. See "How do I handle classroom emergencies?" above and the online brochure "Protecting Your Academic Resources: Faculty Guidelines for Avoiding Earthquake Losses" for more information about how to respond to earthquakes, or consult the Office of Emergency Preparedness website.

Power Outage. A power outage does not necessarily call for evacuation of a building. The overall safety of the building must first be evaluated: lighting, hazardous materials, ventilation systems, and other hazardous operations. If the building can be safely occupied, evacuation is not necessary. If evacuation is ordered, follow these procedures:

* Stay calm, do not rush, and do not panic.

* Safely stop your work.

* Gather your personal belongings if it is safe to do so. (Reminder: take prescription medications out with you if at all possible; it may be hours before you are allowed back in the building.)

* If safe, close your office door and window, but do not lock them.

* Use the nearest safe stairs and proceed to the nearest exit. Do not use the elevator.

* Proceed to the designated Emergency Assembly Area (EAA) and report to your roll taker.

* Wait for any instructions from emergency responders.

* Do not re-enter the building or work area until you have been instructed to do so by the emergency responders.

Bomb Threat. A suspicious-looking box, package, object, or container in or near your work area may be a bomb or explosive material. Do not handle or touch the object. Move to a safe area and call the University Police immediately at 642-6760. Use a telephone in a safe area. Do not operate any power switch, and do not activate the fire alarm. For detailed instructions on how to handle explosions or bomb threats, consult the explosion or bomb threat website.

Fire. A building occupant is required by law to evacuate the building when the fire alarm sounds.

If there is a fire in your work area:

* If you have been trained and are able to safely extinguish the fire, do so. However, make sure that you have a safe exit from the fire area.

* If you are unable to extinguish the fire, leave the area immediately and pull the fire alarm. From a safe location, call 911 (from a public telephone; no coins are needed) and report the fire.

* Evacuate the building as soon as the alarm sounds and proceed to the designated Emergency Assembly Area (EAA).

* On your way out, warn others nearby.

* Move away from fire and smoke. Close doors and windows if time permits.

* Touch closed doors. Do not open them if they are hot.

* Use stairs only; do not use elevators.

* Move well away from the building and go to your building's designated Emergency Assembly Area.

* Do not re-enter the building or work area until you have been instructed to do so by the emergency responders.

If there is a fire in your building, follow evacuation procedures as soon as you hear the fire alarm sound.

last updated on 5/8/07