WSU issues emergency notifications to the campus community pursuant to WSU Business Policies and Procedures (UPPM) 50.72. An emergency notification is an immediate notification issued to the campus community of a significant emergency or dangerous situation on campus that poses an immediate threat to the health and safety of students, employees, or other members of the campus community. Examples of situations requiring an emergency notification include, but are not limited to, an outbreak of a serious illness, a natural disaster, a wildfire, a terrorist incident, an active shooter, a hazardous chemical spill, or a significant facility failure. The following positions are designated as having primary responsibility for issuing an emergency notification:
Designated department with primary responsibility for issuing emergency notifications at WSU Vancouver:
- WSU Vancouver: Director of Public Safety and Parking Services or designee
The responsible department issues emergency notifications upon confirmation of a significant emergency or dangerous situation involving immediate threat to the health or safety of students or employees. The responsible department works in coordination with campus or local law enforcement agencies, campus security departments, WSU System Clery Coordinator, Environmental Health and Safety (EH&S), Emergency Management, or other relevant departments or agencies to assess and respond to the emergency. Confirmation of significant emergencies or dangerous situations is assessed by a department with appropriate expertise (e.g., public safety emergencies may be confirmed by campus safety or police, whereas hazardous material emergencies may be confirmed by campus EH&S).
The responsible department will determine the appropriate content of the notification, which may withhold confidential information, names, or other identifying information of victims, or withhold if disclosing information would compromise efforts to assist a victim, contain or respond to an emergency or otherwise mitigate an emergency. Notification will include a description of the emergency or dangerous situation, instructions for immediate action or protective measures, the date, time, and location of the emergency (if applicable), and contact information for obtaining additional information or assistance. In addition, notification will include information that would enable members of the university community to take actions to protect themselves. The responsible department, in consultation with other relevant departments and agencies, will also determine whether additional steps are necessary such as securing buildings, directing individuals to safe locations, modification to facility resources, or other actions.
The responsible department determines which segments of the campus community may be affected by the situation.
Additional information about WSU’s policies and procedures in place to respond to emergencies is available from Office of Emergency Management (OEM).