Evacuation Drills and Lessons Learned

By 
Amy Rasmussen

Each year facilitators activate evacuation and lockdown drills on the Hillsboro and Forest Grove campuses. The most recent evacuation drills have provided a lot of critical information that will be used by Emergency Management, Campus Public Safety and Facilities in future improvement planning. 

If you would like to provide feedback regarding the recent drills please fill out the appropriate survey. All information collected is included in an after action report and recommendations are included in the comprehensive improvement plan managed by Business Continuity/Emergency Management (BCEM). If you are unable to open the form please email Amy Rasmussen for a word document version.

Forest Grove Campus Evacuation Survey
Hillsboro Campus Evacuation Survey

BOXER ALERTS

  • All current Pacific University students and employees with a PUNetID are automatically enrolled into Boxer Alerts.
  • If you are NOT receiving these alerts on both your phone and in email please sign in to Boxer Alerts to set up or edit your alert settings.
  • When you receive a Boxer Alert, assist by informing those around you who may not have seen, heard or received the alert.
  • Boxer Alerts are currently received via email, cell phone and computer desktop.

KNOW WHAT TO DO 

During an evacuation, all occupants are expected to exit the building and move to their designated assembly area.

Please review evacuation plans and assembly areas regularly. It also recommenced to download evacuation maps for your various locations to your phone or other electronic devices for quick reference. Not every location has maps prominently posted but previewing digital online maps before emergencies occur is a preferred method and proves to be more accessible.  You can find evacuation maps and assembly areas on the Building Safety Program webpage.

During a Drill
Individuals with mobility limitations may find it difficult to exit the building during a dril. If you are unable to evacuate during a drill, please inform a drill facilitator of the situation. Drill facilitators, which include Building Emergency Response Team (BERT) members are usually wearing bright, high visibility orange or yellow safety vests. At no time during a drill is anyone expected to put themselves at risk by navigating stairs or manipulating elevators gates/doors if they are unable to do so safely.

In an Actual Emergency
Anyone with mobility limitations should communicate with those around them to either safely request assistance or ensure that someone can report their location and needs to first responders immediately for evacuation assistance.

Questions regarding accessibility and mobility should be relayed to the Business Continuity/Emergency Management (BCEM) office via the online Evacuation Surveys or communicated directly to your programs or supervisor for follow-up.

BE AN ACTIVE PARTICIPANT IN DRILLS

It is very important for faculty, staff and students to model a culture of preparedness with their peers. When we are under stress and navigating a crisis is when we will depend on each other most.

  • If you receive an alert, share that information with everyone in your space.
  • Assist others who may be unsure of what actions to take.
  • Ask for assistance or direction during drills and events.
  • Encourage others to participate.
  • Communicate with your teams, peers, roommates, etc. regarding what you should do in a variety of emergency situations.
Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2023