Campus Emergency Preparedness
• Students, staff and faculty can register their cell phone numbers with HSU’s Emergency Alert Text Messaging System. By logging into WebReg and opting into the system, users will be alerted the next time an emergency happens on or near campus. “If there’s an emergency or incident that may cause an imminent danger to your safety, you’ll be notified by text messaging,” says HSU’s Emergency Services Coordinator Jan Marnell.
More information on how to use this system is available as a download (PDF).
• Campus community members are also encouraged to dial 707-826-INFO (4636), from any phone, for current conditions on campus. Additionally, the Emergency Conditions Web site lists any situations that might pose a threat on campus.
• HSU’s Clock Tower, located on the University Center Quad, also serves as a warning signal. In the event of an emergency, the bells will ring continuously in a unique pattern for as long as two minutes. An audio example is available online as an MP3.
• The campus radio station, KHSU-FM, broadcasting at 90.5 FM, will provide updates as information becomes available in the case of an emergency.
• Finally, if an incident does occur, be on the look out for signage on and around campus that will state the current conditions. Red signs indicate that all activities are canceled and campus is closed. Yellow signs indicate that all activities are canceled but campus is open, while green signs indicate that campus is open and all situations have returned to normal. An orange sign serves as a safety advisory in the event of tsunamis, earthquakes, fires or other such incidents and, unless otherwise noted, campus will remain open and all activities will remain in session.
Red Cross Disaster Training
And at the end of the month, Humboldt State pairs with the American Red Cross to host a free mini-institute designed to help participants gain the skills needed to assist in any disaster relief, either on campus or in the community.
The courses are broken into three tracks with a minimum course for deployment, which is also required for advanced classes, training for interviewing and recording and a final track for disaster assessment.
All courses are held Saturday Sept. 27 and 28 and are located in Founders and Siemens halls.
Campus Response
HSU Campus Emergency Response Teams (CERT) are self-contained, multi-purpose, 12-person units comprised of trained volunteer staff, faculty & students from many different departments and divisions. Following a major campus emergency (e.g. earthquake) each team’s members automatically come together to meet and deploy as a unit, working in coordination with HSU’s Emergency Plan.
Currently there is a team of 30 active CERT members on campus with the plan for another session by the spring of 2009. The University is seeking applications from staff, faculty & student members to join CERT.
To learn more or sign up, go to CERT’s homepage.