Maricopa Emergency Management System Alert

Due to building damage caused by weather, the Deer Valley location (29th Ave. & Bell Road) is closed until further notice. Students attending that location will receive further direction from their instructors. Visit the News page for details and updates or follow us on social media.

  1. Campus Life
  2. College Police & Emergency Info
  3. Emergencies: What You Should Do

Emergencies: What You Should Do

What is an Emergency?

An emergency is any immediate threat to life and/or property that requires immediate response from police, fire, or ambulance personnel. Your judgment often determines whether an incident is an emergency. If you consider a situation to be an emergency, then it is an emergency and the procedures in this booklet should be followed. If in doubt, err on the side of safety!

You Should Call (480) 784-0911 in ALL Emergency Situations.

What To Do If...

  1. Dial (480) 784-0911 (or 4-0-9-1-1 from a campus phone) if an unauthorized weapon is suspected to be in on site.
  2. DO NOT APPROACH SUSPECT.
  3. If suspect threatens you with a weapon, do not try to disarm them. Back away with your arms up.
  4. Remain calm.

In the event of fire or smoke:

  1. Activate fire alarm. (Fire Department/Public Safety respond to all fire alarms.)
  2. Evacuate to an assembly area (See map, back page).
  3. Follow normal evacuation drill route. Follow alternate route if normal route is too dangerous.
  4. Supervisors and faculty take a head count after being evacuated.
  5. Report missing personnel/students to evacuation team/Public Safety Department. The last known location of personnel/students will be relayed.
  6. No one may re-enter building(s) until entire building(s) is/are declared safe by fire/police.
  7. Evacuation team/Director of Public Safety Department notifies employees/students when situation is clear and normal operations may resume.

If gas odor has been detected in the building:

  1. Notify Facilities (602) 286-8240 or (623) 242-3428 (College: also Notify the Public Safety Department - (480) 784-0900 or 4-0900 from a campus phone)
  2. Do not pull fire alarm.
  3. When advised, evacuate employees/students to a safe distance outside of building.
  4. Follow normal fire drill route. Follow alternate route if normal route is too dangerous.
  5. Supervisors/faculty take headcount.
  6. Missing personnel and last known location will be relayed to Evacuation Team/emergency personnel.
  7. No one may re-enter building(s) until fire or police personnel declare entire building(s) safe.
  8. Facilities notifies employees/students upon termination of emergency. Normal operations may resume.

If gas odor has been detected outside the building:

  1. Notify Facilities (602) 286-8240 or (623) 242-3428 (College: also Notify the Public Safety Department - (480) 784-0900 or 4-0900 from a campus phone)

  2. Notification will be made whether to shelter-in-place or evacuate at fire/police direction.
  3. If evacuated, no one may re-enter building(s) until fire/police declare entire building(s) safe.
  4. Facilities notifies employees/students upon termination of emergency. Normal operations may resume.

If the fire alarm is activated, follow evacuation procedures; otherwise:

  1. If in a meeting room or class, remain in the room until directive is clear (alarm, bullhorn, text, etc.) Then follow directive (evacuate, shelter-in-place, lockdown, etc.)
  2. If in an elevator, use the emergency phone to notify facilities/fire/Public Safety.
  3. Provide assistance to those in need (i.e. visitors, handicapped).

Incident occurred on site/campus:

  1. Dial (480) 784-0911 (or 4-0-9-1-1 from a campus phone)
  2. Notify Facilities (602) 286-8240 or (623) 242-3428.
  3. As directed by authorities: evacuate, lockdown or shelter-in-place.
  4. Fire officer in charge will recommend shelter or evacuation actions.
  5. Follow normal evacuation or sheltering procedure.
  6. Supervisors/faculty take headcount.
  7. Missing personnel and last known location will be relayed to fire/police.
  8. Resume normal operations only after approval from fire officials.

Incident occurred near site/college property:

  1. Fire or police will Notify the Public Safety Department/Facilities/Chancellors Office.
  2. Fire officer in charge of scene will recommend shelter or evacuation actions.
  3. Follow procedures for sheltering or evacuation.
  4. Resume normal operations only after approval from fire officials.
  1. All staff must refer media to MEMS PIO: (602) 286-8227. Only authorized individuals may provide public comment on behalf of the institution.
  2. MEMS PIO assumes responsibility for issuing public statements during an emergency.
  3. MEMS PIO serves as college spokesperson unless he/she designates a spokesperson. If spokesperson is unavailable, an alternate will be designated.
  4. Designated liaison* acts as contact for emergency responders and assists Evacuation Team/MEMS Team with coordinating media communications.

During an emergency, adhere to the following procedures:

  1. Present all factual information to MEMS PIO.
  2. Do not argue with media.
  3. Maintain log of all telephone inquiries.
  4. Respect privacy of victim(s) and family of victim(s). Do not release names to media.
  5. Only authorized individuals may provide public comment on behalf of the institution. Refrain from exaggerating or sensationalizing crisis.

* Liaison Officer is a federal designation for an in-house delegated person to coordinate activities with outside agencies

Medical Employee

In the event that an employee needs first aid or medical assistance:

  1. Dial (480) 784-0911 (or 4-0-9-1-1 from a campus phone) if necessary. Advise if blood or bodily fluids are involved.
  2. Notify Facilities (602) 286-8240.
  3. Keep the ill or injured person as comfortable as possible.
  4. Do not perform any first aid beyond your certified training.
  5. Do not move a person that has fallen or appears in pain.
  6. Report any details leading to the injury to responding officers and emergency services.
  7. Supervisor prepares necessary industrial report forms.
  8. If needed, Supervisor provides transportation to nearest healthcare facility:

Maricopa Medical Center
2601 East Roosevelt Street
Phoenix, AZ 85008
Phone: (602) 344-5011

Medical - Student/Visitor

In the event that a student or visitor is ill or injured:

  1. Dial (480) 784-0911 (or 4-0-9-1-1 from a campus phone) if needed. Advise if blood or bodily fluids are involved.
  2. Notify Facilities (602) 286-8240.
  3. Keep the ill or injured person as comfortable as possible.
  4. Do not perform any first aid beyond your certified training.
  5. Do not move a person that has fallen or appears in pain.
  6. Report any details leading to the injury to responding authorities and emergency services.
  7. Do not discuss possible cause of an accident or condition that may have contributed to the accident.
  8. Document or report to supervisor to which healthcare facility student/visitor was taken or if released.

Medical - Serious Injury/Death

If incident occurred on site/campus:

  1. Dial (480) 784-0911 (or 4-0-9-1-1 from a campus phone)
  2. If possible, isolate affected student/staff member.
  3. The Public Safety Department will make necessary notifications.
  4. Refer media to MEMS PIO.

If incident occurred off site/campus:

  1. Dial (480) 784-0911 (or 4-0-9-1-1 from a campus phone)
  2. Follow directions of Risk Manager/Legal.
  3. Announce availability of counseling services for those who need assistance.
  4. Refer media to MEMS PIO.

Medical - Suicide

Suicide attempt on site/campus:

  1. Verify information.
  2. Notify the Public Safety Department: (480) 784-0911 (40911 from a campus phone).
  3. Follow directions of Risk Manager/Legal.

Suicidal death/Serious injury:

  1. Verify information.
  2. Dial (480) 784-0911 (or 4-0-9-1-1 from a campus phone)
  3. Notify the Public Safety Department: (480) 784-0911 (40911 from a campus phone).
  4. Follow directions of police/fire.

Post-crisis Intervention:

  1. Meet with the Public Safety Department to determine appropriate resources.
  2. Assess stress level of staff. Recommend counseling to overly stressed staff.
  3. Refer media to MEMS PIO. Do not let media question employees or students.
  4. Supervisors/faculty should follow-up with employees/students who received counseling.
  5. Resume normal routines as soon as possible.
  1. Remain calm.
  2. Do not let anyone handle item or go near it.
  3. Notify the Public Safety Department: (480) 784-0911 (4-0-9-1-1 from a campus phone).
  4. The Public Safety Department Director will make the determination to call emergency services.
  5. Write down any pertinent information concerning the package (i.e. how received, when, how found)
  6. Follow evacuation procedures if told to do so.
  7. Do not shut off lights, close doors or windows.

Severe Weather Watch has been issued in an area near site/college:

  • Reverse evacuation.
  • Bring all people inside building(s).
  • Close windows and blinds.
  • Severe weather safe areas are under desks and in hallways away from windows and large rooms.
  • If possible, watch www.gatewaycc.edu/alert and/or local media for updates.

Severe Weather Warning has been issued in an area near site/college or severe weather has been spotted near site/college:

  • Move employees/students/visitors to safe areas.
  • Supervisors/faculty account for all students/staff. (Faculty takes class rosters.)
  • Report missing personnel to Public Safety Department: (480) 784-0911 (4-0-9-1-1 from a campus phone). Relay the last known location of missing personnel.
  • Remain in safe area until warning expires or until emergency personnel have issued an all-clear signal.
  • If possible, watch www.gatewaycc.edu/alert and/or local media for updates.