Explosions

EMERGENCIES - EXPLOSIONS

OVERVIEW

Provides procedures for dealing with explosions of any origination.

FORMS USED

None

CODES, REGULATIONS, AND DISTRICT POLICIES RELATED TO THIS PROCEDURE

Governing Board Policy #804, Civil Defense and Disaster Preparedness

PRIMARY STAKEHOLDERS

The Department of Public Safety

Risk Management

Evening Division and Night Administrators

COMMENTS

Explosions can be caused by a number of things - electrical malfunctions, gas leaks, pressure buildup in equipment, bombs, etc. This procedure assumes that an explosion has occurred, along with damage to people, equipment, or facilities.

The Department of Public Safety must be notified for all situations requiring emergency response units. They will call 911 and will escort emergency response units to the site. Public Safety is open 24 hours and can be reached on campus by dialing "#1" from public telephones equipped with speed dialing. If "911" is utilized and Public Safety is not notified, emergency response units may not know how to find the emergency site.

As with any emergency, the Department of Public Safety is the coordinating department and the Chancellor's Office is the Commanding Office. If the Chancellor cannot be reached, the descending line of authority is as follows: Vice Chancellor-Business, Vice Chancellor Human Resources and Administrative Services, President of the college where the incident occurred, Vice President of the college where the incident occurred, President of the other college.

STEP	TASK PERFORMED BY	DESCRIPTION
1	Faculty, Staff and Students	Call Public Safety In the event of an explosion, notify the Department of Public Safety and provide all details. Stay calm and be precise (e.g. "an explosion at the north door of building "X"). Let the operator ask the questions. Department of Public Safety Phone Number (open 24 hrs): Grossmont: Ext 7654 Cuyamaca: Ext. 4456 "#1" from college speed dialing public phones Inform the immediate area supervisor and college President as soon as possible.

2	Immediate Area Supervisor or Evening Division/Night Supervisor	Contact Department of Public Safety Coordinate with Public Safety first. Then call: The site Line of Authority Health Services Risk Management Maintenance and Operations Public Information Student Affairs Establish and enforce security around the explosion area until police, fire, or utility department personnel arrive.

3	Health Services	Provide Emergency First Aid Services Check for injuries and administer first aid as required. Move seriously injured persons who are in immediate danger of further injury. Evaluate the situation to determine if an ambulance and/or Emergency Medical Technician Services are required. Call 911 if required, and immediately notify Public Safety that emergency medical units have been called in.

4	Faculty, Staff, and Students Senior Site Administrator	Assess Surroundings Check for additional environmental dangers such as leaking gas, chemical spills, fire, or downed wires. Conduct a roll call of all employees and/or students who may have been in the area at the time of the explosion. Be aware of the possibility of secondary explosions. Stay away from the damaged area until advised by the senior site Administrator or Department of Public Safety that it is safe to re-enter.

5	Department of Public Safety	Coordinate Area Security Dispatch Security Officers to the explosion site. Establish who is the ranking District official (usually the Chancellor) and establish direct communications with that administrator. If the Chancellor cannot be contacted, the descending line of authority is as follows: Vice Chancellor-Business Vice Chancellor Human Resources and Administrative Services President of the college where the incident occurred Vice President(s) of the college where the incident occurred President of the other college Confer with the District Line of Authority to determine which areas, if any, should be cleared, locked, and closed. Ensure that all necessary communications occur between the site and District Line of Authority, Public Information, Risk Management, and Student Affairs. Coordinate as necessary with the appropriate emergency departments including ambulance/emergency medical, Police, Fire Department, and utility officials.

6	Maintenance and Operations	Check Utilities Check for gas leakage, electrical wiring shorts, or downed wires. If the odor of gas is detected, shut off the main gas valve and open windows and exterior doors of the effected building. Clear the facility of all persons and report the leakage to the Department of Public Safety and the site Administrator. If electrical wiring is shorting out or if wires are down, shut off current at the main box. Contact the Department of Public Safety. If the phones are not functioning, go to a public pay phone equipped with speed dialing and dial "#1" or 465-0751. do not re-enter until the senior Administrator present says it is safe to do so. Check the facility for structural damage and evacuate the facility if significant damage is detected. When possible, check gas, electrical, water and oil systems for damage. Have damaged or potentially damaged utilities shut off at main controls.

7	Operations/Security Officers	Secure Explosion Area Close, lock, and clear the explosion area as well as any of the following facilities that are near the explosion area: Admissions and Records Information Systems Rm 526 (Grossmont) Computer Labs Cafe 200 (Grossmont) Coyote's Den (Cuyamaca) Student Center Bookstore Library Classrooms Communications Service areas (Switchboard, Mailroom, Administration Building)
8	Risk Management	Assist Area Evaluation and Cleanup Provide assistance to the site Administration, Department of Public Safety, Operations, and Maintenance in evaluating and securing damaged areas. Coordinate Hazardous Materials Cleanup as required.

9	Director Public Safety/Senior Administrator/Evening Division	Make Evacuation Determination The decision to evacuate is the responsibility of the Senior Administrator. Coordinate as necessary with the appropriate Police, Fire and Utility officials.

10	Faculty, Staff and Students	Evacuate When Directed All persons on site must immediately leave the area upon receipt of an evacuation order from either the Department of Public Safety, the senior Administrator present, the El Cajon Police Department or County Sheriff, or the El Cajon or San Miguel Fire Departments. Failure to leave the area when ordered could lead to arrest.

11	Public Information	Coordinate Press Communications Field media calls. Prepare and follow up with press releases or fact sheets as necessary. Provide necessary facts or information to media or to designated District spokesperson.