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Emergency Preparedness

An emergency can happen at any time, often without warning – that’s why emergency preparedness is essential. Being prepared and knowing how to respond during an emergency is critical to your personal safety and the wellbeing of those around you.

Be informed. We can’t warn you if we can’t reach you. Make sure you are signed up to receive TCC Alerts and your information is up to date.

Sign up for TCC Alerts

Be aware Protecting yourself means paying attention to your surroundings. If you see something, say something! Report any suspicious activity to Campus Security and call 911 in a life-threatening emergency.

Your safety depends on you. Follow all instructions in TCC Alert messages and stay informed about developing situations. TCC’s’ website, Twitter account and Facebook page are the authoritative sources in the event of an emergency.

During an emergency

Learn about the steps to follow in a variety of different emergencies:

  • Shelter in the lowest level of the building
  • Stay away from windows and move to interior hallways
  • Don’t walk or drive through flooded areas

If someone requires immediate medical attention:

  • Call 911 right away and report the emergency
  • Provide first aid and medical assistance as necessary, if trained
  • Follow instructions of the emergency dispatcher. Do not hang up until the dispatcher ends the call.
  • Do not move the victim unless they are in immediate danger
  • If the victim is conscious, try to comfort them and obtain medical information (e.g. medical problems, medications, etc.). Any medical information will assist emergency personnel if the victim loses consciousness.
  • Have someone meet the ambulance at the building entrance and direct emergency personnel to the victim
  • Contact TCC Security to advise them of the situation
  • Smell or see smoke? Call TCC Campus Security at one of the numbers listed at the bottom of this page or dial 911 with location of the fire
  • Activate the fire alarm. If there are no fire alarms, knock on doors and yell “Fire!” as you exit the building.
  • Use the stairs to evacuate the building. Do not take the elevator.
  • Feel doors with the back of your hand before opening. Do not open if doors are hot.
  • If there is smoke stay low to the ground, hold your breath, and move quickly
  • If your clothing catches fire, Stop, Drop, and Roll
  • Once outside, move away from the building to a designated Assembly Area
  • Do not re-enter buildings until instructed to do so
  • Do not physically confront the person or block their access to an exit.
  • Call Campus Security at one of the numbers listed at the bottom of this page or dial 911. Remain calm and provide as much information as possible about the person.
  • Do not let anyone into the building without proper authority
  • Remain calm. Stay away from the package and do not allow anyone near it.
  • Do not use a cell phone or other electronic device around the package
  • Do not handle or touch the suspicious package
  • Retreat to a safe location and call Campus Security at one of the numbers listed at the bottom of this page
  • Be prepared to evacuate quickly

AVOID

  • Evacuate and escape if you can. Have an escape route in mind.
  • Call 911
  • Leave your belongings behind.
  • Keep your hands visible.

DELAY

  • Hide in an area outside the shooter’s view.
  • Block entry to your hdiing place.
  • Silence your cell phone.
  • Do not let anyone into a secure area.

DEFEND

  • As a last resort and only when your life is in imminent danger, attempt to incapacitate the shooter.
  • Act with physical aggression and throw objects at the aggressor.
  • Commit to your actions… your life depends on it.
  • Move away from the site of the hazard to a safe location (upwind if possible)
  • Call 911
  • Follow instructions of emergency personnel
  • Alert others to stay clear of the area
  • Notify emergency personnel if you have been exposed to the hazard or have information about its release

Resources

Here are important resources to help you with emergency preparedness:

Campus Security

In an emergency, dial 911. Criminal incidents or emergencies are to be reported to campus security staff, local police or to the Campus Dean of Student Services.

Chesapeake

George C. Pass
Building 1428 Cedar Rd., Chesapeake, VA 23322

Norfolk

Andrews Science Building,
315 Granby St.,
Norfolk, VA 23510

Portsmouth

Building A
120 Campus Dr.,
Portsmouth, VA 23701

Virginia Beach

Princess Anne Building, A-100G
1700 College Crescent,
Virginia Beach, VA 23453