September 2010
Clover Park Technical College takes very seriously the need for continual emergency preparedness training, ongoing investments in emergency communications technology, and regular communication within the College about the need for emergency preparedness.
In conjunction with our Opening Day speaker, we thought it would be appropriate to share some of the progress that has been made toward emergency preparedness as well as a checklist to take with you for future personal and classroom preparedness.
Below is a quick summary of the College’s efforts to date regarding emergency preparedness:
All Hazards Committee (convened 2006): Led by Carol Orr and Mike Anderson to update College emergency preparedness policies. The complete policy can be found online at the College’s preparedness site, www.cptc.edu/prepare.
Emergency Communications: CPTC Alert is the College’s instant notification system that is up and running with 552 staff and faculty in the system and 460 students enrolled. The Alert system is now synchronized with the College’s website for communication consistency.
An emergency communications team comprised of College Relations, Information Technology, and Facilities is now in place to get critical incident information out to the College community.
All College emergency preparedness information is on the college prepare website: www.cptc.edu/prepare.
Executive Training: The College Cabinet is now trained in the National Incident Management System (NIMS) –Incident Command Systems levels 100 and 200. All Cabinet members also have emergency “go kits” intended to get the College through the first critical minutes of any emergency.
Health and Safety: During the 2009-10 flu season, the College Cabinet, All Hazards Team, and Facilities led the funding and dissemination of hand sanitizers and antibacterial wipes across the campus.
Coordination with Police and Fire: In August, the College signed both Mutual-Aid Agreements and Shelter-In-Place Agreements with the City of Lakewood and the Lakewood Police Department.
Future training: The College is working with Lakewood Police to be engaged in an “active shooter” response exercise as well as with Lakewood Fire to plan a fire drill. In addition, the All Hazards Committee will be identifying building co-captains who will receive additional emergency training.
Personal preparedness checklist:
1. Do you know how to lock/barricade your classroom/office doors and windows in the event of a lockdown?
2. Do you know at least two ways out of your area?
3. Have you discussed with your students where to evacuate to in the event of an emergency?
4. Do you and do your students have a personal emergency kit in your work area or car?
5. Do you have a way to communicate with loved ones when cell phone networks are overloaded (ie: long distance relative/email)
6. Do you know how to recommend disturbing student behaviors to the college Behavioral Intervention Team on campus?
7. Have you updated all of your cell/voicemail information on CPTC Alert?
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