Emergency Preparedness
The responsibility of the emergency management component of DSSEP is to strengthen the resilience of Broward College through ensuring that the College is prepared to respond to, prevent, recover from, and mitigate against the effects of a wide variety of disasters that could adversely affect the health, safety, and/or general welfare of the students, faculty, staff, and visitors.
The Director of Emergency Management is responsible for directing, planning, organizing and overseeing College-wide emergency management operations and activities. To accomplish this, various partnerships and collaborative relationships have been cultivated to support the continuity of the College's ability to accomplish its core mission.
Broward College's emergency management approach is designed around an all-hazards and whole community concept which expounds upon national preparedness efforts, planning frameworks and mission areas to charge protection, mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery functions.
Prepare
Efforts of preparation involve preliminary actions, before an emergency or disaster, which focuses on long-term solutions to reducing risk and the ability to be in a ready state to respond. Click to find information for BEFORE an emergency.
Respond
It is important to understand the "How To" when responding to emergency situations. Use this section to learn what to do during an emergency.
Recover
Efforts to recover from incidents focuses on coordinated and directed actions taken to return to normal and safe operations in an effective and efficient manner. Recovery doesn't just occur, it’s an element that has been strategically organized.
Emergency Plans
Broward College Emergency Plans Suite provides information and direction on the emergency management functions of the College through all hazards.
Hurricane Preparation
Understand how you may be better prepared for a potential severe weather situation.
Active Shooter Preparation
Learn various steps to take if you are faced in an active shooter situation.
Prepare
It is critical that you take the time to invest in preparedness efforts prior to findings yourself in an emergency or disaster situation. Below are several resources and activities that are designed to improve your ability to respond in times of emergencies. Designed around the three "P's" take time to Prepare, Plan, and Practice.
PREPARING
Invest in pre-emergency situation elements as they will help you navigate emergency situations much better than if you hadn't.
- Active Shooter Preparedness
- Preparación para tiradores activos
- Hurricane Preparedness
- Safety Information: "If You See Something, Say Something" and Crime Prevention Videos
PLANNING
Emergencies may come in many forms and from various directions. Planning responses is an important measure in developing an effective and efficient response.
PRACTICING
Practice makes perfect. By practicing, training, exercising, and conducting drills, Broward College can provide and effective and efficient response in times of emergency situations.
Respond
In any emergency, the first thing you should do is call 911 and then afterwards, if it is safe to do so, call Campus Safety at 954-201-HELP (4357). Use the guide below to help you understand how to respond during emergencies that could affect the campus. Please also review our emergency quick guide & evacuation procedures for more information
Follow all directives issued by BC Alert, Campus Safety, and Emergency Responders.
- Close all doors and stay away from windows.
- Duck and cover if necessary.
- If persons are injured, call 911 by any available communications system. If no communications are available, an uninjured person should be sent to find assistance when safe to do so.
- All should remain sheltered until an "All Clear" announcement is given, or a messenger reports the same.
Call 911.
If Safe to do so, call Campus Safety at 954-201-HELP (4357).
- if vapor cloud threatens building or campus, Shelter in Place.
- Shut down air handling system/HVAC.
- Restrict access to the affected area to all but authorized personnel.
- Maintain perimeter security until help arrives.
- Coordinate accountability until help arrives.
Call 911.
If safe to do so, call Campus Safety at 954-201-HELP (4357).
- Report the type of emergency, name of the ill/injured person, and the exact location of the incident.
- If trained, provide first aid.
- Send another employee to the doorway of the work are to direct EMS personnel from hallways to the ill/injured person
- Anyone who is aware of a dangerous individual on or in the vicinity of the Campus should immediately call 911.
- Call Campus Safety at 954-201-HELP (4357) or if it is safe to do so, go to the nearest Emergency Call Box on Campus and inform Campus Safety.
- Follow all directives issued by BC Alert, Campus Safety, and Emergency Responders.
IF SAFE TO DO SO:
- Close and lock interior doors and windows.
- Move to a safe corner to reduce visibility.
- Turn off lights (including computer monitors).
- Verify attendance.
- Shelter in place until all clear has been given.
For Fire:
Call 911
If safe to do so, call Campus Safety at 954-201-HELP (4357).
- DO NOT assume that it is a false alarm or drill.
- LEAVE WORK AREA immediately. Follow the posted exit pathway map (either primary or secondary routes).
- Close doors as you exit your work area.
- Assist others down the stairs (elevators will be shut down during alarms).
- Meet your group at a rally point, when designated.
- Account for all persons present; determine persons not present.
- Report any persons not accounted for to Campus Safety and/or law enforcement personnel.
For Bomb Threat:
Call 911.
If safe to do so, call Campus Safety at 954-201-HELP (4357).
- Follow all directives issued by BC Alert, Campus Safety, and Emergency Responders.
- Evacuate, if appropriate.
Call 911.
If safe to do so, call Campus Safety at 954-201-HELP (4357).
Follow all directives issued by BC Alert, Campus Safety, and Emergency Responders.
In the absence of directives by BC Alert, Campus Safety, and/or Emergency Responders, do one or more of the following when appropriate.
- Check halls and restrooms.
- Close and lock interior doors and windows.
- Turn-off lights (including computer monitors).
- Verify attendance.
- Shelter in place until all clear has been given.
- Evacuate
Procedures for Reporting a Crime or Incident
- Call: 911 (for Police, Fire, or Medical Emergency)
- Call: 954-201-HELP (4357)
All students, faculty/staff members, and guests of Broward College are encouraged to report criminal activity, activity of a suspicious nature, and emergencies of any sort that occur at any of Broward College’s campuses or learning centers directly to the Campus Safety Department as soon as possible to ensure inclusion in the annual crime statistics and to aid in providing timely warning notices to the College community, when appropriate. Students, faculty/staff, and guests should immediately report crimes in progress and other emergencies by dialing 911.
Campus Safety is available 24 hours a day/7 days a week to respond to service calls. Campus Safety Officers will meet a caller anywhere on campus to investigate a reported incident and/or assist with notifying local law enforcement.
TIPS FOR REPORTING CRIMES OR EMERGENCIES:
Be prepared to give your location. Take time to learn the campuses, centers, and especially those areas you frequent regularly. Take note of building numbers, names, and landmarks which will help Campus Safety and Law Enforcement respond.
Give as much detail as possible. When reporting a suspicious situation, incident, or emergency, please give as much detail as possible about an individual or vehicle. When giving descriptions about individuals include gender, race, approximate height and weight, physical features, clothing, accessories, and anything else that would help responders to recognize the individual. When describing a vehicle include make, model, color, license plate, unique features, visible damage, and a description of the driver and passengers if any.
CAMPUS SECURITY AUTHORITY (CSA)
For those who would prefer to report a specific incident or crime to someone other than Campus Safety or local law enforcement officers, Broward College has designated certain members of its faculty and staff to serve as Campus Security Authorities (CSAs). Persons designated by the College as CSAs include: Academic Deans and Associate Deans, Campus Life Directors and Administrators, The Athletic Director and Assistant Director, Athletic Coaches and Assistant Coaches, Faculty Advisors to student groups/clubs, and Student Affairs Officials. All CSAs receive training and directives in accordance to their participation within the program and are capable of responding to your report. For the purpose of Clery Act reporting, all crimes reported to a CSA are forwarded to Campus Safety for inclusion in the Annual Security Report.
- If there is a major emergency that requires a building evacuation, people with disabilities may not be able to evacuate without help. There are designated areas of refuge in each building that provide protection where they may go. In any instance when an Area of Refuge has not been identified, the stairwell will serve as it.
- During emergencies, people with disabilities may need assistance with evacuating a building. If there is someone in your class that is blind, deaf, or whose mobility is restricted by the use of crutches or a walker, simply ask them if they need help. Classmates may use the buddy system when evacuating the building. A workmate can assist these individuals by guiding them to a stairwell, waiting until clear passage is established, and helping them down the stairs.
- Elevators should not be used during an emergency, so people who cannot travel down the stairs should move to the outside area of the stairwell identified as an area of refuge.
- Individuals should wait in the designated area of refuge outside the stairwell, away from the path of traffic. Emergency responders may ascend to the areas of refuge to assist with evacuation down the stairs if the situation warrants.
- If the hazard becomes life-threatening before emergency responders arrive, people with disabilities should immediately move into the stairwell and close all doors.
- Your safety is our priority. In the event of an evacuation, please help your fellow students evacuate safely. Look for the Emergency Evacuation Routes posted throughout the College.
Recover
After an incident having response plans in place play a critical role in ensuring coordinated and directed actions that ensure a return to safe and normal operations. The current plan provides for timely direction, control, and coordination and establishes time-phased implementation procedures to activate various components and units.
Broward College Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP)
The Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP) establishes the policy and guidance to ensure the execution of the mission-essential functions for Broward College in the event that an emergency threatens or incapacitates operations; and the relocation of selected personnel and functions of any essential facilities of Broward College are required. In efforts to ensure the integrity and protection of the COOP, it is disseminated only to District/Campus Incident Management Team members.
Emergency Plans
Hurricane Preparedness
Tropical cyclones are one of the most dangerous natural disasters South Florida is at risk of. South Florida's hurricane season runs from June 1st and ends November 30th and a key to being safe is preparing for these devastating weather incidents prior to their potential. By knowing what actions to take, you drastically reduce the effects of a hurricane.
The Department of Safety, Security & Emergency Preparedness has worked to put together a Broward College Hurricane Safety Action Guide which is designed to serve as a quick reference guide for you. This printable PDF document contains hurricane safety tips, a tracking chart, safety information, as well as checklists to ensure you are prepared not only at Broward College but also in your personal lives at home.
BEFORE THE STORM
- Educate yourself and remained informed. When Broward College is threatened by a Tropical Storm students, faculty, and staff will be notified of cancellations and closures by BC Alert.
- Take time to make an emergency plan. Ready.gov features the ability to make your very own plan which includes templates.
- Gather supplies and build an emergency kit. You should be prepared and have on hand supplies to last up to 48-72 hours. Supplies you should include are: Water, work gloves, Non-perishable Food, NOAA weather radio: battery or hand crank, extra batteries for both, Flashlight w/ extra batteries, First aid kit, Tool-kit and/or multi-tool, Sanitation and personal hygiene items, Personal and important documents, Cell phone and charger, Emergency contact information, Cash, Specialty items to include Medical, baby ,and pet supplies.
DURING THE STORM
- Listen to the radio or watch TV for information.
- Be sure to remain indoors, stay away from windows, glass doors, and find a safe room (typically interior room with no windows.
- Do not go outside and understand that as the eye of the storm passes there will usually be a short period of calmness. Note though, waiting on the other side is rapidly increasing wind speeds and other hurricane forces.
WHEN THE STORM PASSES
- Listen to the radio or watch TV to ensure confirmation that the storm has in fact passed.
- Be careful of debris, standing water, downed power lines, and other hazards.
- If you have to drive or travel, do so carefully and cautiously. Do not drive through any standing water as they may deeper than they appear.
Additional hurricane preparedness information and resources include:
National Hurricane Center | Federal Emergency Management Agency | Florida Division of Emergency Management | Broward County Emergency Management | Miami Dade Emergency Management
Active Shooter Preparedness
The Department hopes to enhance preparedness by providing and directing you to information, resources, and tools to be better prepared for incidents such as an active shooter. In most incidents, there is no pattern or method to the actions taken by an active shooter and in these moments it is often unpredictable and quickly evolve. In order to help you better prepared and to deal with these types of incidents, Broward College has compiled information provided by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and other partners in order to raise awareness and response actions.
Options for considerations is an active shooter preparedness video developed by the Department of Homeland Security which demonstrates possible actions to take if confronted with an active shooter incident.