Preparing for emergencies on campus is a shared responsibility. We strongly encourage all researchers and laboratory personnel to review these preparedness and continuity resources.
Resources for Research
Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) manages the following programs at PSU: Laboratory Safety, Field Work Safety, Evacuation, Fire & Life Safety, and Waste Management and Laboratory and Field Safety Training.
Emergency Management and EHS are currently working on updating our research-specific emergency preparedness and continuity materials. In the meantime, please refer to the following resources provided by our partner institutions and agencies to help ensure the safety of research activities, laboratories, and field work during emergencies.
Research Preparedness Checklist
Faculty, teaching assistants (TA’s), PI’s, and lab managers should have a plan for emergencies and be ready to implement it at any time. Your students or employees will look to you for leadership and advice. Share your plan with them at least once, preferably at the beginning of the term.
- Sign up for PSUAlert and/or confirm your existing registered number via Banweb (Employees) and myPSU (students)
- Have a list of all who work in the lab (students, faculty, staff).
- Identify emergency exits, evacuation routes, meeting locations, shelter-in-place locations and make them known to all who work in the lab.
- Have procedures in place to ensure that researchers and lab employees can leave at a moment’s notice.
- Never remain in your lab during a fire alarm or any emergency that requires immediate evacuation.
- People working in labs should keep their phone ringers “on” so that they can receive PSU alert notifications. If that is not possible, lab managers and pi’s need to determine how others in the lab will receive emergency notifications.
- Develop a shelter-in-place procedure. Look to see how you can lock and secure your lab. If it is not a good place to shelter in place, identify other more suitable spaces nearby. If the lab covers multiple spaces, develop a plan for each location and determine the best way to communicate during an emergency. Having a group text or group e-mail prepared in advance is helpful for sending messages to your lab.
- If possible given the situation and life safety, turn off any open flames or hot plates after securing the lab. Immediately proceed to the designated evacuation or shelter-in-place location within the lab or other identified location in your plan.
- Be personally prepared for an emergency at home or on campus
- Get Informed: Review the PSU Emergency Procedures Guide, Campus Closure Guidance and OAI's Instructional Continuity During Closures.
- Make a Plan: With your class, department, friends and family, discuss how to prepare and respond to emergencies where you live, learn, work and play. Don’t forget to practice the plan!
- Build a Kit: Work on a personal and department emergency supply kit.
- Build Community: Collaborate with colleagues to discuss departmental emergency plans, evacuation routes, and communication methods. hare preparedness resources and encourage participation in campus safety initiatives. Creating a dialogue about readiness helps reduce fear and improves response in emergencies.
Additional Resources and Links
- Campus Closure Guidance - Detailed campus guidance for closures and delays. Make sure to also visit OAI's Instructional Continuity During Closures.
- PSU Emergency Procedures Guide – Learn what to do in an emergency
- Mental Health Support - Student Health and Counseling (SHAC) maintains a list of emergency and crisis resources for students, faculty and staff experiencing a mental health emergency.
- Personal Preparedness - Visit PSU Emergency Management’s Website to learn how to get informed, make a plan, build a kit and build community.
- CPSO Awareness and Prevention Resources – Protect Yourself and Protect Your Property. Learn more about crime prevention tips and resources.
- PSU Alert - Receive timely, emergency messages via text and personal email. Update your Alert preferences today.
- University Place Hotel Emergency Stay Policy: Departments can arrange stays for essential staff, and PSU faculty, staff, and students facing life/safety concerns (e.g., burst pipes, power outage, failed heater) at their residences can inquire directly. For more information and required documentation, contact UPH at 503-221-0140.
- Regional Preparedness Resources - City of Portland, Multnomah County, State of Oregon
Campus Emergency Contacts
Immediate Threat or Medical Emergency Call or Text 9-1-1 Situation that poses an immediate threat to health, safety, or property (e..g, medical emergency, fire or smoke, violent crime, and active threats). |
Campus Safety Call CPSO at 503-725-5911 or visit 633 SW Montgomery St Safety concerns that do not require immediate police, fire, or medical response (e.g., vandalism, on campus disturbance, suspicious person, theft, suspicious package, or access control). |
Emergency Procedures Learn more on our website or email us at emr-mgmt@pdx.edu. |
Mental Health Support Emergency & Crisis Resources Student Health and Counseling (SHAC) maintains a list of campus and community resources for students, faculty and staff experiencing a mental health emergency. |
Student Concerns Make a referral online, by email (askdos@pdx.edu) or in person (UCB, Suite 300) For after hours response, call CPSO (503-725-5911) PSU CARES connects students with resources when they are experiencing distress or other concerns that might impact their personal or academic success. Office Hours: Monday - Friday 9am-5pm. |
Emergency Preparedness and Planning Learn more on our website or email us at emr-mgmt@pdx.edu. Non emergency questions about emergency procedures, campus emergency plans, personal preparedness or department planning. |