Emergency Procedures
Emergency Information Placards
Emergency information cards are located across campus in most corridors, classrooms, labs and other public venues. They are mounted to the walls in clear acrylic frames and consist of red and white cards, printed front and back with the following information: Emergency Evacuation Plan (by building/floor), Emergency Evacuation Procedures, Emergency Evacuation Plan Designated Evacuation Areas, Emergency Response Checklist, Emergency Levels, Emergency Medical Protocols. Please familiarize yourselves with the information on these cards and the evacuation routes for the locations on campus that you visit.
Building Evacuation
A building should be evacuated immediately whenever notification is received personally, when the building fire alarm sounds, or when instructed to do so over the public address system. When notified to evacuate the building, walk quickly to the nearest marked exit and alert others to do the same. Be sure to close office and classroom doors before you leave. Employees Are to notify students and visitors in their respective areas to assemble in designated areas outside and away from buildings. Once outside the building, report to the designated meeting area for your building.
At the beginning of each semester, individuals potentially requiring assistance exiting buildings in emergency situations should self-identify with their instructor and with the Campus Police Department. This will include wheelchair bound individuals, those with any condition limiting mobility, visually- or hearing-impaired individuals, and anyone else who might have difficulty following directions in an emergency. Campus Police will assist in developing a plan for safely evacuating these individuals.
Generally, building elevators are not available for use and those individuals with limited mobility may require assistance from WCC staff in using the stairs. If assistance is required by any individual who has not self-identified, please notify the Campus Police Department at 919-739-7050 or 7050 from an internal phone, or the switchboard at ext. 0, and someone will be dispatched to assist in the evacuation.
Accident and Medical Emergencies Procedure
In general, accidents occurring during WCC-sponsored activities will be covered by student and/or college insurance. The College generally will not be responsible for medical transport or any hospital or medical provider fees for personal illnesses. All accidents involving students must be reported to the Student Activities Coordinator or to Campus Police after hours. Accidents involving guests must also be reported to the Business Office during business hours, and to the Campus Police Department after hours. It is important that these notifications be made prior to transport if possible so that appropriate insurance documents may be prepared and related agencies notified. Failure to follow procedure could result in claims not being covered.
- Should a medical emergency requiring more than basic first aid arise, the procedures posted on the red Emergency Medical Cards located throughout the campus, should be followed: Call EMS immediately at 9-1-1 and then call Campus Police at 919-739-7050 or 7050 on a college telephone to notify them of the situation, location, and nature of the accident or illness. Campus Police will escort the ambulance to the scene.
- Do not move injured persons unless:
- You are certain about their condition; or
- The person is in more danger if they remain where they are.
- In the event of a seizure, do not restrain the victim. Clear the area around the victim of everything that could be a hazard. If possible, put the victim on their side. Never force the victim’s mouth open.
Campus “Lock Down”
If ever a dangerous situation develops that poses a serious threat to the College and jeopardizes the safety of students or employees, a campus “Lock Down” will be initiated. “Lock Down” will be announced either by college personnel in a building, over the public address system, and/or by WCC Alert message, and will remain in effect until terminated by law enforcement. If you are in a classroom when you hear the “Lock Down” announcement, close the classroom door, move away from the door and close the window blinds. Keep low to the floor, quiet, and out of line of sight with the door. Stay there until instructed to do otherwise by law enforcement or until the “ALL CLEAR” is sounded.
If you are in a hallway or outside when “LOCK DOWN” is announced, please take cover immediately by getting into a building and into a room. If you can’t do either, take cover behind any object you can find. Stay there until instructed otherwise by law enforcement.
Campus Evacuation
When a “campus state of emergency” is declared, all nonessential personnel, students, and visitors must immediately begin an orderly evacuation of the campus. The Campus Police Department and emergency response teams will assist in directing traffic to ensure the safest and quickest evacuation.
Severe Weather Alert
If a severe weather warning indicates an immediate threat to individuals on the WCC campus, the campus will be alerted through the public address system, the Campus Police Department, and/or WCC Alert message, and the plan below will be activated. Please close all windows and doors before you leave your area. If time permits, disconnect all electrical and computer equipment before you leave your area. Everyone is to remain in the designated safe area(s) until notified by the Campus Police Department that all is clear.
Azalea Building, Dogwood Building, Holly Building, Magnolia Building, Pine Building, Spruce Building and Walnut Building – Everyone on the first floor should remain on that level; individuals located on second floors should immediately proceed to the first floor, and all should assemble in safe shelter areas away from outside doors and windows. People located on the third and fourth floors should shelter on the second floor away from outside doors and windows.
- Ash Building – Occupants should immediately proceed to the first floor of the building and assemble on the first floor in the Storage Room 126, 103, or Break Room 118. Stay away from glass walls and windows and wait for further instructions from the Campus Police Department.
- Aviation Building – All individuals should immediately proceed to the Aviation classroom building interior hallway, rest rooms, kitchenette, offices, etc. Stay away from outside doors and windows and wait for further instructions from the Campus Police Department.
- Hocutt Building – Occupants should immediately proceed to the first floor of their respective building and assemble in the interior rooms, hallways, or stairs away from any outside doors and windows and wait for further instructions from the Campus Police Department.
- Maple Building – All individuals should immediately proceed to the Prep Booth, Room 102, or to the Storage Room 101, stay away from outside doors, and wait for further instructions from the Campus Police Department.
- Oak and Cedar Buildings – All individuals should immediately proceed to the interior hallway or rooms with no outside doors or windows. Stay as far as possible away from windows and exterior doors. Individuals should wait there for further instructions from the Campus Police Department.
- WLC Building – All individuals on the first floor should immediately proceed to Moffatt Auditorium and move to the front row and fill in from the middle of the row in the center or inside out on the right and left wings so everyone can find a seat as quickly as possible. If the Moffatt Auditorium is already at capacity, go to the interior hallways, rest rooms, break rooms, kitchenettes, office areas, and other interior spaces with no outside doors or windows on the first and second floors, and wait for further instructions from the Campus Police Department. On the second and third floors, avoid outside doors and windows, including those facing the atrium.