Emergency Preparedness and Response
Be Prepared
Azusa Pacific University seeks to foster a safe and secure living-learning environment for its students, faculty, and staff. In times of crisis, the university activates its Critical Incident Response Team to ensure the well-being of the campus community.
However, creating a safe environment requires the efforts of everyone on campus. It is important to know how to respond to any number of situations. Please review information about APU’s emergency procedures, notification systems, and ways you can be prepared.
About Emergency Preparedness and Response
Azusa Pacific University is committed to the safety and security of the campus community. In the event of an emergency, we ask that those at the Azusa main campus and six Regional Campuses remain calm and follow emergency procedures. For those outside the immediate community, we covet your prayers and support as the university works to respond efficiently to the situation at hand.
APU has plans in place to respond to crises which may impact the university. The following are highlights of that plan:
- Should a natural disaster, terrorist attack, or other emergency arise, the university’s Emergency Operations Center is activated. At that time, leaders of each critical operational department meet to execute operational decisions. Each member of this team is on-call around the clock.
- Residential students receive instruction regarding safe evacuation of campus housing as part of their initial orientation in September. Annual fire drills in the residence halls test plan effectiveness.
- The Richard and Vivian Felix Event Center and Upper Turner Campus Center provide alternative housing spaces for the residential population of the university.
- The university’s athletic fields serve as needed as a helicopter landing site for the greater Azusa area.
For additional information on APU’s preparedness plan, contact the safety manager at (626) 815-4525.
Preparation
Being prepared and staying calm are critical in any emergency. Panic can be the greatest hazard.
Adequate planning saves lives, reduces suffering, and preserves property by enabling individuals to respond calmly and effectively in emergency situations.
Azusa Pacific University’s Emergency Preparedness Plan depends on the cooperation of the entire campus community for its effectiveness. Stay calm and follow emergency procedures designated in your building, for your department, and across campus. Adhering to the plan will save lives and minimize damage.
Your first responsibility is to determine the closest escape route from your residence or work location. Escape routes are posted in building hallways. The university has implemented an Emergency Action Plan and designates and trains building and floor coordinators on evacuation plans and procedures. The coordinators assist in the orderly evacuation of all individuals from structures if such action is warranted.
If you have medications, always have extra medications with written instructions for emergencies. Every individual should have an emergency supply of food and water to last three days. If you have special needs, let others know in an emergency so that they can assist you.
For additional information on APU’s preparedness plan or Critical Incident Response Team, contact the safety manager at (626) 815-4525.
View additional emergency resources and information.
Emergency Notification Systems
The ability to quickly and effectively notify students, faculty, and staff of situations in progress is crucial to the safety and security of our community. In the event of a campus emergency, Azusa Pacific has systems in place to help notify the APU community about the situation and how they may need to respond.
During emergency situations on or near campus, Azusa Pacific will use a mass emergency notification system to provide students, faculty, and staff critical notification updates and instructions via text message, email, and voicemail.
This system allows APU administrators, Campus Safety, and the university’s Critical Incident Response Team to rapidly communicate with the entire campus population during a major event, providing real-time emergency alerts and instructions for the community.
Because of this, all employees and students are automatically enrolled in the system. Contact information is determined by what the university has on file.
Updating Your Information
Students, faculty, and staff are encouraged to review their contact information and keep it up to date. The university will reserve this system for emergencies only. Each year, the campus community will receive an email from the Critical Incident Response Team as a reminder to update contact information to ensure messages are sent to active phones and email addresses.
You can also update your information any time you have a phone number or email address change.
The APU public address system includes a siren and verbal instructions to help the community know how to respond in the event of an emergency. When you hear the siren, listen carefully for instructions on what to do next before reacting. For example, the message may include instructions to evacuate immediately, in the case of an earthquake or fire, or shelter-in-place, in the event of situations such as an active shooter or armed suspect on campus.
Installed in July 2009, APU’s public address system has speakers located on East Campus, West Campus, and Administration West. These speakers can be heard outdoors and in most buildings throughout the campus, and by APU’s immediate neighbors as well. The university tests the public address system on a regular basis.
After a Major Emergency
APU’s Facilities Management staff will assess buildings for re-entry. Buildings must not be re-entered until permission is given. Campus Safety and/or maintenance personnel will be dispatched to assist in evaluating damaged buildings, and to check and/or turn off water, gas, and electrical mains.
In any emergency or situation impacting the campus and its community, the university covets prayer and support for those involved. APU remains steadfast in its commitment to provide a safe and secure living, learning, and working environment for its community.
Resources
The following external resources may also offer information in the event of an emergency:Emergency Phone Numbers
| Fire/Police/Paramedics Phone: 911 |
Emergency Message Hotline Phone: 1-888-451-5583 |
During normal business hours, M-F, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. PST
Spiritual Life
Phone: (626) 815-3855
apu.edu/spiritual-life/
Student Health Services
Phone: (626) 815-2100
apu.edu/healthcenter/
Counseling Center
Phone: (626) 815-2109
apu.edu/counselingcenter/
International Center
apu.edu/international/
Office of Student Affairs
Phone: (626) 815-2078
apu.edu/student-affairs/
Office of Residence Life
Phone: (626) 812-3056
apu.edu/housing/
Media Relations
Phone: (626) 815-4502
apu.edu/media/
Azusa Police Department
Phone: (626) 812-3200
azusapd.org
Azusa Fire Department — Station 32
Phone: (626) 334-0011 (non-emergency line)
Azusa Fire Department — Station 97
Phone: (626) 334-5602 (non-emergency line)
https://locator.lacounty.gov
Foothill Presbyterian Hospital
Phone: (626) 963-8411
https://www.emanatehealth.org/
Red Cross (Los Angeles)
Phone: (213) 739-5200
redcross.org
Glendora Police Department
Phone: (626) 914-8250
cityofglendora.org/departments/police/
Covina Police Department
Phone: (626) 967-6444
covinapd.org
Alcoholics Anonymous
Phone: (626) 914-1861
Al-Anon and Alateen
Phone: (213) 387-3158
Project Sister (Rape Crisis)
Phone: (909) 626-4357
Toll-free in L.A. County
Phone: (877) 727-4747
Toll-free nationwide
Phone: (800) 784-2433
