Home >> About PHCC >> Emergency response information

Emergency response information

If this is an emergency
Dial 9-1-1 from a cell or pay phone.
Dial 9-911 from a campus phone.

Injury or sudden illness

• Do not attempt to move an injured person.
• Call 911.
• After the 911 call is complete, call the campus emergency response line and report that you have called 911 and what has happened.
• Make sure the injured person is not left unattended until the EMS arrives.
• Keep the injured person talking to maintain alertness.
• Remain calm.

Heart attack and AEDs

• In addition to the steps above, if you have been trained to used an AED, it may save the life of a stricken person.
• AEDs are located on each campus as indicated on the room evacuation maps.
• Retrieve the AED from its storage box and follow the directions on the unit to operate.

Bomb or biological threat

• Package on campus
• If you observe a suspicious object, package or what you believe could be a bomb or contaminated package on campus, do not touch it.
• Remain calm.
• Call the campus emergency response line. State your name and location (building and room number).
• Threat on Telephone
• If you receive a bomb threat by telephone, try to remain calm and keep the caller on the line. Also, ask someone nearby to report the call to the campus emergency response line.
• Write down as much information as possible. If the caller will engage in conversation, refer to the bomb threat check list located under your telephone.
• Call the campus emergency response line as soon as the call has ended.
• Any suspected bomb or reported threat
• Do not touch anything.
• Do not open or close any drawers or doors.
• Do not turn any lights on or off.
• Do not activate the fire alarm for evacuation.
• Employees
• Employees are asked only to make a cursory inspection of their areas for suspicious objects and report the location of objects to the administration.

Hazardous materials spill

• If persons are injured or there is an immediate threat to life, evacuate the area and call 911.
• After the 911 call is complete, call the campus emergency response line and report that you have called 911 and what has happened.
• Treat unidentified substances or vapors as hazardous until it can be determined they are not hazardous.
• Remain calm.
• Evacuate all persons from the spill area (see evacuation procedures). Assist any handicapped individuals to a safe location.
• Close doors and secure the area. Do not re-enter the area and prohibit entry by others not involved in handling the emergency.
• Call the campus emergency response line. Stand by to provide information to PHCC staff and emergency services personnel.
• Do not attempt to initiate spill clean-up or containment actions. These actions are to be performed only by trained HAZMAT responders who are equipped to perform this work.

Evacuation of the mobility impaired

• Ambulatory individuals
• Ambulatory individuals are those with disabilities that might impair building evacuation. Examples include those who are blind or deaf, or whose mobility is restricted by use of walkers or crutches. Assistance to ambulatory individuals can be provided by guiding them to a stairwell, waiting until a clear passage is established, and helping them up or down the stairs to the designated meeting area.
• Non-ambulatory individuals
• Non-ambulatory individuals are those with disabilities that require the use of wheelchairs. Call the campus emergency response line, provide the person’s location and as much information as possible.
• Note: In case of fire or emergency situations that might affect electricity, do not use elevators for evacuation.
• Move the impaired individual near the stairwell, out of the traffic path, and await assistance if there is no immediate danger within the vicinity of the stairs.
• If the hazard becomes life threatening, move the individual into a room and close the door. If evacuation is deemed necessary, attempt to gain volunteer assistance and proceed to evacuate by way of the established route. Inform the campus emergency response line immediately of the new location.

Fire

• Remain calm.
• If the fire alarm system was not automatically activated, go to the nearest pull station and activate the alarm.
• Evacuate the area. Go to the designated assembly area identified on the evacuation sign posted in the room. Since smoke is the greatest danger in a fire, stay low where there is more visibility and less toxic air. Crawl along an outside wall where the smoke is usually less heavy. Assist those who need help to evacuate as well.
• Instructors should take the class roster and take roll once students are in a safe location.
• Assist injured persons to the best of your ability. Take class roster and pen, and leave the building or area.
• Report any missing persons to emergency personnel or security.
• Provide fire officials with information regarding the origin of the fire or explosion (chemical reaction, gas leak, etc.)
• If you become trapped
• If a phone is available, call 911 to report your location and situation.
• After the 911 call is complete, call the campus emergency response line and report that you have called 911 and what has happened.
• If a window is available, place an article of clothing outside the window as a marker for rescue crews. Stay near the floor and shout at regular intervals.
• Remain calm.
• If there is no window, stay low to the floor and shout at regular intervals to alert rescuers.

Campus violence

• Disturbance or altercation
• When a disturbance occurs, immediately call 911 and the campus emergency response line.
• Do not try to separate combatants.
• Await the arrival of security/administration and/or local police.
• Person with a weapon
• Do not try to engage combatants.
• Take cover, instruct others to do so and stay out of sight until you are certain the area is secure.
• Remain calm.
• Call 911.
• After the 911 call is complete, call the campus emergency response line and report that you have called 911 and what has happened.
• Follow all instructions of the administration and/or police.
• Do not chase anyone fleeing the scene. Observe as much as possible and report your observations to the police and security.

Tornado watch

• If alerted that a tornado is threatening the campus, take the following steps.
• Close outside doors and windows.
• Keep away from windows.
• If the storm is eminent, take cover under tables, crouch down and cover your head with your arms.
• Wait for instructions from the administration.

Utility failure

• In the event of a major utility failure, immediately notify the campus emergency response line. These utility failures could be:
  • Electrical or light
  • Elevator failure - use the emergency phone in the elevator
  • Water failure or flooding - Turn source off immediately.
  • Gas leak - vacate the area.
  • Ventilation problem

Emergency phone numbers

If this is an emergency
Dial 9-1-1 from a cell or pay phone.
Dial 9-911 from a campus phone.

If you need to report a medical emergency situation on campus, dial 9-911 from a campus phone. If you are calling from a cell phone or pay phone on campus, dial 911. Refer to the non-emergency law enforcement and fire/rescue numbers below for the appropriate non-emergency contact.

College closing

As emergencies occur or severe weather approaches, questions arise as to if and when the college will cancel classes and close. If necessary, the following actions will be taken to inform students, faculty and staff about canceled classes, the closing of the college, and when the college will reopen:

1. Dr. Johnson, or her designee, will notify college faculty and staff regarding the day and time when the college will cancel classes and close and the day and time when the college will reopen and resume classes.
2. The college website, www.phcc.edu, will contain pertinent information regarding the cancellation of classes, closing of the college, and reopening of the college.
3. Urgent announcements will be sent using our QuistaAlert emergency notification system, so please ensure your contact information is updated in our system.
4. Announcements will be made on local radio and television stations regarding the cancellation of classes, closing of the college, and reopening of the college.

Unless officially notified, classes will be held and the college will remain open during its normal hours of operation.

The safety of students, faculty and staff is of utmost importance. Efforts will be made to release announcements about the cancellation of classes and closing of the college as soon as possible so that you can take appropriate action.

College personnel are reminded that personal possessions on college property are not covered by the college’s insurance policy. In the event of a hurricane warning or other emergency, it is recommended that personal property be removed by its owners to prevent loss or damage if time allows. The college will not assume any liability at any time for personal property left in college facilities or on its property.

Emergency agency links

Local resources

• Hernando County Emergency Management
• Hillsborough County Office of Emergency Management
• Pasco County Office of Emergency Management
• Pinellas County Office of Emergency Management

State resources

• FHP road status report
• Florida Department of Law Enforcement
• Florida Emergency Management
• FloridaDisaster.org
• Florida Severe Weather Awareness Guide
• Hurricane preparedness from Broward County Emergency Management

Federal government resources

• Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
• USA.gov
• U.S. Department of Education - Emergency planning
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• Homeland Security
• Hurricane awareness from NOAA
• Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
• National Hurricane Center
• National Weather Service
• Ready.gov

NGO resources

• American Red Cross
• Emergency “dash” kits
• Wikipedia: Hurricane preparedness