Fire Drills and Active Shooter drills are being planned for after Spring Break (March, April, May).

Why do we do drills?
Most of us have participated in safety drills through our educational or employment institutions. Practicing these drills makes us better prepared, and preparation makes our campus safer. In addition, federal and state mandates require us to conduct at least one fire drill and one active shooter drill a year.

It is important for all of our students, faculty, and staff to know what to do to keep themselves, and each other, safe in the event of an emergency. We have planned for these drills to take place after Spring Break this semester.

How do you know what to do? 
The Chesapeake College Emergency Procedures Guide is your handbook for information on how to respond in the event of an emergency on campus. Please take time to locate a copy and review the mapped locations of nearby safe rooms, fire extinguishers, AEDs and First Aid kits in each building. If you can, attend an upcoming CRASE training (Civilian Response to Active Shooter Events) in Wye Mills or Cambridge for even more ways to prepare. These events are generally held at the beginning of each semester. Check student bulletin boards for more information.

A shorter version of the Emergency Procedures Guide can be located on the website here, where you can view what to do in an active shooter event, fire, or weather related events. You can find a quick reference guide below, relevant to our upcoming drills.

Fire drill details:

1.  Audible fire alarms will sound, and lights will flash throughout all buildings on campus.
2. Identify your evacuation routes.
3. Proceed in a calm, orderly fashion to a distance of at least 500 ft away from the building.
   On Wye Mills, this puts everyone outside of the main circle drive. In Cambridge, you’ll want to get about 2 blocks away, or as far as possible.
4. DO NOT use elevators! If you need assistance on stairs, contact Public Safety.
5. DO NOT return to buildings until the “ALL CLEAR” is issued.

Active shooter drill details:

1. Public Safety will issue an alert over phones, building speakers, and computer monitors. Drills will be identified as such in the alert message.
2. Scan your surroundings, stay alert, note building exits, and locate the nearest safe room.
3. Seek refuge in the nearest possible location (a classroom, office, or safe room with a door).
4. Lock doors.
5. Turn off lights.
6. Remain out of sight.
7. Remain quiet.
8. DO NOT use cell phones to call or post on social media.
9. Wait for arrival of law enforcement and further directions from officers.
10. An “ALL CLEAR” message will be issued when it is safe to exit your location*During an actual active shooter event on campus, the “Avoid, Deny, Defend” mantra is useful. This video provides additional information. 

Thank you in advance for your cooperation, and active preparation for these important activities designed to keep our campus safe. 

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the Director of Public Safety at [email protected] or call 410-758-7275.