Emergency preparedness and response
Emergency situations pose a significant threat to the health, safety, and well-being of those nearby. These incidents can occur at any time, anywhere, with little or no warning. While the Department of Public Safety is committed to providing a safe and secure environment, it is important to remember that safety is a shared responsibility of everyone at Portland Community College (PCC). Help prevent and reduce the harmful effects of emergencies by following these simple steps: be vigilant; sign up for PCC Alerts, review campus safety procedures; and report any hazardous, suspicious, and criminal behavior.
In case of emergency call: 971-722-4444 or 911.
For TTY, Voice Carry Over (VCO), Hearing Carry Over (HCO), Speech-to-Speech (STS), Spanish and CapTel®, call 711. Learn more about 711 information.
Emergency procedures
Check out our Active Threat Presentation [pdf] and the video below for more information on how to respond to an active threat on campus.
Know the hazards and start preparing
Every day an infinite number of crisis situations occur, such as motor vehicle accidents, structural fires, medical emergencies, etc. Typically these incidents are managed by local first responders and affect only a small segment of the population. Occasionally, however, emergencies occur that exceed local capabilities and require additional assistance from neighboring jurisdictions, or even state and federal governments. Because these incidents are much larger in scale, it is often time-consuming to determine, 1) exactly where emergency assistance is needed, 2) what type of emergency assistance is needed, and 3) how to physically acquire and disseminate emergency resources. As a result, many individuals spend an indefinite period of time being self-reliant. Hence, it is wise to prepare for emergencies before they strike.
So, how do you go about preparing for the worst? The best advice is to keep it simple. First, familiarize yourself with the hazards most likely to occur in your area. Then, make a list of the essential items you cannot live without and the specific actions you would take if you are ever impacted by an emergency. The third step is to take action; sign up for emergency notifications, develop your plan, and create a “go bag” by assembling as many items as possible from the list you developed above. Finally, commit to developing your emergency preparedness skills now rather than later. You do not have to become a prepper or create an overnight go bag. The important thing is to take emergency preparedness seriously and develop your state of readiness when you can.
Let’s get started… Here in the Pacific Northwest, a number of natural, technological, and man-made emergencies can occur. Click on the various hazard types listed below for more information including tips to help you prepare.
Pacific Northwest hazards
Floods
Floods are the most common and costliest natural disaster to occur. Each year, billions of dollars are spent in the U.S. on flood-related damages. Fortunately, most floods take hours or even days to develop, allowing residents sufficient time to prepare and/or evacuate. Flash floods, however, occur suddenly when heavy rainfall exceeds the absorption capacity of the soil.
Earthquakes
Earthquakes are caused by the sudden lateral or vertical movement of colliding rock within the Earth’s crust. This abrupt release of friction causes the earth’s surface to shake, sometimes violently. As a result, this can cause structures to collapse, objects to fall and break, gas and power lines to rupture, dams and levees to fail, liquefaction to occur, and tsunamis to take place. Needless to say, earthquakes can be very dangerous!
Extreme heat
Extreme heat becomes a concern when external temperatures hinder the body’s ability to regulate internal temperatures. Excessive heat is not only discomforting, it can cause significant health concerns, which in extreme cases, can lead to unconsciousness or even death. Climate scientists have shown that the temperature in the Pacific Northwest has been on the rise and that this trend is expected to continue. These stagnant atmospheric conditions occur when climatic temperatures of 10 degrees or more above average are sustained for a significant period of time. Additionally, in humid conditions evaporation is slowed and the body must work harder to maintain a safe internal temperature. Extreme heat can also occur in enclosed environments such as a confined space where machinery or equipment is generating a large amount of heat, or when confined areas are subjected to radiant or solar heat in which individuals are unable to relocate to cooler conditions.
Landslides and debris flows
Landslides and debris flows are the downward movement of water, rock, soil, clay, and other debris which can not only block roads and highways and sweep cars and homes away, the tremendously heavy river of ground matter can trap and sweep individuals away as well. Most people correlate landslides with rainy conditions occurring over sloping land with little or no vegetation to stabilize the ground and hold it in place. Snowmelt over porous soil also triggers landslides which can travel miles from the source of the melting ice. Warming climatic conditions and greenhouse gasses also contribute to the changes that leave the earth vulnerable in much the same way. Thawing permafrost resulting from the loss of ice below these frozen land masses results in ground that is unstable and more likely to move during heavy downpours, or when earthquakes, volcanoes, or avalanches occur.
Tsunamis
A tsunami is a series of large, vertical waves caused by a massive disturbance to ocean water. Tsunamis are caused by volcanic eruptions, underwater earthquakes or landslides, and meteor impacts.
Fires (structural fires and wildfires)
Both structural and environmental fires can impact people living in the Portland Metro area. Structural fires are those involving residential, commercial, or industrial buildings. Wildfires typically consume combustible vegetation and are frequently fanned by strong winds allowing them to spread over large areas of land before being contained. Smoke, heat, and reduced visibility can easily hinder an individual’s efforts to escape from a fire. Likewise, the quality of air in and around these fires can irritate a person’s eyes and cause serious respiratory concerns.
Inclement weather, severe storms, and tornadoes
HAZMAT incidents
Communicable diseases
Utility disruptions and failures
Bomb Threats and Suspicious Packages
Sign up for emergency notifications
Use the appropriate link below to sign up for emergency notifications in your area:
- Portland Community College
- Clackamas County
- Columbia County
- Multnomah County
- Washington County
- Yamhill County
Additional preparedness information
Use the appropriate link(s) below for topic-specific information:
- Preparedness for everyone
- Preparedness for individuals with access and functional needs
- Preparedness for children
- Preparedness for older adults
- Preparedness for pet owners
Individuals with access and functional needs
The Department of Public Safety is committed to providing equal access to emergency services. This includes relevant emergency preparedness information, timely emergency notifications, and reasonable mobility accommodations. If for any reason you are unable to participate in emergency evacuation drills or activities please contact Accessible Ed and Disability Resources to arrange accommodations. For those who cannot exit PCC facilities during an evacuation, please attempt to move to the nearest enclosed stairwell so first responders can readily find you. Moreover, public safety staff and PCC evacuation team members will be directing first responders to these locations.
Accessible Ed and Disability Resources can also be reached at 971-722-4341 or aedr@pcc.edu [opens in new window].
Finally, all PCC buildings should have a one-page “Emergency Guide” located near each stairwell and exit doorway. This guide provides emergency contact information and recommended procedures to follow in the event of an emergency. Please utilize this guide as necessary. Download an electronic copy of the Emergency Guide [pdf].