PLU may initiate a full or partial campus evacuation when it is either unsafe for students, guests, or employees to remain on site or basic services, such as sewer or power, cannot be provided over an extended period of time. PLU will also follow evacuation orders initiated by local response agencies.
Be prepared to evacuate. Take clothing, food, water, flashlight, and a first aid kit with you. Do not return until directed to do so by a recognized authority.
Tell the resident assistant or emergency building coordinator where you are going before you leave.
PLU may designate a reunification site for students and employees to meet family members after there has been a campus evacuation. The site location will depend on the scope of the incident that has caused the campus evacuation. See Notification and Information Resources section to learn how you can get reunification information.
DROP under a desk or sturdy table. Stay away from windows, outside walls or doors, filing cabinets, bookcases, overhead fixtures or objects that may fall or collapse. Alternatively, stand along an interior wall or in a doorframe.
COVER your head and neck with one arm until the shaking stops.
HOLD ON to the desk or table. If it moves, move with it. Close your eyes to protect them. Wait for the motion to cease and for any falling objects to land before you attempt to move.
If OutdoorsMove away from buildings, trees, street lights, and utility wires. Beware of falling debris from buildings and trees.
If you are driving, slowly pull over to the side of the road and stop. Avoid stopping near or under buildings, trees, overpasses, and utility wires. Stay in the vehicle until the shaking stops.
Gather your belongings, such as keys, coat, medication, emergency and first aid kits. Replace the telephone receiver in its cradle. Look around to see if others are in need of assistance.
Exit the building and check in at the evacuation assembly area, which can be found on the Emergency Assembly Area Map on the Documents and Forms Page. Do NOT use the elevator. Wait for instructions from emergency responders, emergency building coordinators, or resident assistants. Do NOT re-enter until directed to do so by recognized responders.
Be prepared for aftershocks, which can cause further damage. Be aware that electricity, gas, and phones may not work. Broken gas and electrical lines may pose a hazard. Refrain from making calls to free up lines for emergency workers.
Check in with your instructor, conference leader, resident assistant (RA), emergency building coordinator (EBC), or Campus Safety personnel during emergencies and remain in place until instructed otherwise. EBCs and RAs may be in a green vest and/or holding an emergency assembly area sign. Inform this person of others who you know did not escape the building or who left campus.
Cover your mouth with a handkerchief or clothing. Tap on a pipe or wall so rescuers can locate you. Use a whistle, if one is available. Use a flashlight to signal rescuers. Shout only as a last resort. Shouting can cause you to inhale dangerous amounts of dust. Do NOT light a match. Do NOT move about or kick up dust.
In extreme weather situations, classes may be canceled and/or the university closed. A determination will be made by 6 a.m. for morning and afternoon classes and activities, and by 1 p.m. for evening classes and activities.
Weather-induced closure or schedule change information is available three ways: 1) on-line at the PLU homepage and at School Report.Org, 2) by calling 1.877.322.0872, and 3) by following local broadcast news reports.
Faculty who are unable to travel safely to campus when classes are NOT canceled should communicate quickly with students by leaving an alternate greeting on your voice-mail extension. Please inform your students beforehand, if you will be communicating this way.
All faculty, staff and student commuters are encouraged to keep emergency kits in their vehicles, including a sleeping bag and overnight bag. It is also a good idea to keep a flashlight and other supplies handy in your resident hall room or office.
Non-residential students or employees needing temporary housing during hazardous weather may contact Campus Safety at 253-535-7441. Students or employees will be offered a temporary stay in an empty residence hall room or lounge. Bedding is NOT available.
Campus Safety may initiate an emergency lock down of one or more buildings when there is an imminent threat to the PLU community. Occupants may also initiate a lock down to protect themselves from perceived threat.
Campus Safety will remotely activate networked key card access locks on entrance doors. Occupants in some buildings can activate the key card locks on entrance doors by using the lock down pull station. In buildings without key card locks, designated occupants will lock the entrance doors during normal business hours. Know the lock down system and limitations in your building.
What To Do If Outside Or Exposed To Immediate Threat
Close sources of fresh air, such as windows, fireplace dampers, and ventilation systems, when possible, and do not use the elevator. Do NOT move in and out of building. If the threat is severe, relocate within the building to an upper floor away from exterior doors and windows. Select a room(s) which is easy to seal and, if possible, has a water supply and access to restrooms. If you smell gas or vapor, hold a wet cloth loosely over your nose and mouth and breathe through it in as normal a fashion as possible.
If available, take a radio or television to the selected shelter room to track emergency status. Keep telephone lines free for emergency responders. For instance, do NOT call 911 to find out what is going on. Maintain secure position until notified by recognized emergency responders that it is safe to move.
Stay indoors until the ash has settled, unless there is a danger of the roof collapsing from the load of ash. If possible, close doors, windows, and ventilation (chimney vents, furnaces, air conditioners, fans, and other vents).
Use a dust mask or hold a damp cloth over your face to help with breathing. Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants. Use goggles and wear eyeglasses instead of contact lenses.
Be prepared to evacuate. PLU will follow evacuation orders initiated by local response agencies. Take clothing, food, water, flashlight, and a first aid kit with you. Avoid river valleys and low-lying areas. Stay away from areas downwind from the volcano to avoid volcanic ash. Avoid driving in heavy ashfall unless absolutely required. If you have to drive, keep speed down to 35 MPH or slower.
Tell the resident assistant or emergency building coordinator where you are going before you leave campus.