Emergency Plan

Threat Assessment & Planned Response 1 - Civil Disorder

Threat Assessment: A riot or civil disturbance that threatens the safety of persons or destruction of property will immediately require a law enforcement mutual aid response because of the current staffing available in the University Police Department.

Planned Response: The incident will be assessed for an appropriate response and activation of the EOC. If time is available, immediate requests for mutual aid will be made through approved channels. Attempts will be made to identify and meet with organizers of the event. If the riot or major civil disturbance is an instantaneous reaction, all efforts will be made to protect lives and property until resources arrive to more effectively manage the emergency. [back to top]

Threat Assessment & Planned Response 2- Earthquake

Threat Assessment: SDSU is within the probable area of strong ground motion and is likely at some point to experience a major earthquake involving possible landslides, ground rupture and damage to bridges, overpasses and/or trolley line, which may affect transportation and communication routes. One of the three active fault zones in San Diego County is the Rose Canyon Fault Zone which starts in the ocean and comes ashore in La Jolla, running east to Interstate 5 and then south through Rose Canyon, Old Town, into the Bay and across the Silver Strand. It is capable of producing a magnitude 6.9 earthquake. The second fault zone is the Elsinore Fault Zone which runs from Lake Elsinore in Riverside County in a southeasterly direction through Warner Springs, east to Julian and then down to the Mexican border. It is capable of producing a magnitude 7.2 earthquake. A third fault zone, called the San Jacinto Fault Zone, is in the northeast corner of the County near Borrego. This fault is shared by Riverside, San Diego and Imperial Counties, and is capable of producing a magnitude 7.4 earthquake. The San Andreas Fault is less than 100 miles away and is capable of producing a magnitude 8.3 or larger earthquake. It is also one of the most likely faults to rupture. There are also offshore faults that we don't currently know much about. According to geologists, the largest magnitude earthquake expected from faults in San Diego County would be a 7.4 on the San Jacinto Fault, a magnitude 6.9 on the Rose Canyon Fault and a magnitude 7.2 on the Elsinore Fault. While we have had only one significant earthquake (over magnitude 5) occur in San Diego County in the last 50 or 60 years, there is an almost 100 percent chance of a future earthquake damaging San Diego County. The Rose Canyon fault, since it is the closest to major populated areas in San Diego County, would most likely create the greatest problem. (Information provided and approved by Dr. L. Abbott, SDSU Geology Department.)

Planned Response: The following summarizes the major operations in response to an earthquake. When a major earthquake occurs, the campus notification system will be initiated by the university Chief of Police or a designee. Full or partial activation of the SDSU Emergency Operations Center (EOC) will depend upon damage to the university and potential hazards. When the EOC is activated, a direct line to the county- or city-wide EOC will be maintained.

Damage assessment teams will be sent to survey the campus for injured people, building damage, chemical and electrical hazards and resource requirements. Assessment teams will continue until all campus buildings are identified as safe before re-entry.

Rescue operations may be required to assist trapped and injured persons. Emergency medical care will be provided to injured persons. Food and temporary shelter may be provided until the campus is restored to normal operations.

In the event of major damage and injuries, classes may be canceled and protective measures will be taken. Extensive damage or threats from secondary hazards (e.g., hazardous materials) may require the campus to be evacuated. Students, faculty and staff will be notified of the necessity to evacuate. Any evacuation will be coordinated with the San Diego County and/or San Diego City Emergency Operations Centers.

If evacuation is not possible, shelter facilities will be announced and staffed. Assistance will be provided for disabled persons and children.

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Threat Assessment & Planned Response 3 - Fire                                                   

Threat Assessment: Moderate vegetation (adjacent canyons) and structure fires are a significant hazard and concern for the campus. The main campus is bounded by natural vegetation on the north, east and west sides. The southern side of campus is residential and the northern side is a major highway. An uncontrolled vegetation fire could quickly spread to perimeter and even main campus buildings.

Planned Response: The campus relies on the San Diego Fire Department (SDFD) for primary fire services. In the event that a fire is reported on campus or in the immediate surrounding area, a University Police officer will be dispatched to the scene to confirm the report. If fire is confirmed, University Police Dispatch will initiate SDFD call-out. The police officer on the scene will establish an Incident Command Post and begin the process of managing the incident until relieved by SDFD command. If the fire is an imminent threat to life or structure, the EOC may be activated in a Level II emergency mode. [back to top]

Threat Assessment & Planned Response 4 - Flood                                   

Threat Assessment: Flooding in the university area will typically be the result of torrential rains. Water damage will probably be confined to basement and ground floor areas and for short periods of time. However, flooding of parking areas and public streets may isolate areas of the university for longer periods of time. Usually there will be advance warning as water rises. Close coordination with local authorities and constant vigilance of areas will be necessary to minimize danger to persons, damage to property or loss of equipment. One of the greatest hazards will be electrical grounding of equipment and power lines. Explosions could occur from extinguished gas flames or weakened boilers.

Planned Response: The following summarizes the major operations in response to flooding. Since advance warning of flooding conditions can usually be anticipated, the EOC will be activated if conditions warrant to determine the necessary action to be taken. When required, all faculty, staff and students except those necessary to assist in the emergency will be evacuated if time permits. Prior to this evacuation, freeway and street conditions will be ascertained and announced by campus and local radio stations. Shutdown procedures of the areas that may be affected by flooding are of primary consideration to prevent fire, explosion and electrical hazards. Pumping will begin as soon as water levels threaten. Any area flooded or evacuated will be sealed off by barricades or Public Safety personnel to prevent injury to persons, pilferage and interference with emergency operations.

Injured or ill persons will be treated at the Student Health Center or, if necessary, taken to hospitals. Under more severe conditions, outside ambulance service may be impossible to request; therefore, other means of evacuating serious cases will be considered.

Once the dangerous conditions have been reduced, immediate attention will be turned to minimizing damage or loss to property and equipment by water. Protective sand bags will be used where feasible. Teams will be organized to remove material and equipment to safety. Other personnel will be assigned to provide early warning of rising water in various areas of the university. Damage assessment will be continually reported to the EOC.

In extreme cases of flooding where outside areas are affected and travel disrupted, it may be necessary for some persons to remain at the university for an unusual length of time. Lodging, food service, and lighting will be required.

When the water has subsided and the threat of further flooding diminishes, repair operations will receive primary consideration. Priorities of work will be assigned to restore university generators at the earliest practicable time. Completion of this work may involve restoration of public utilities, electrical and machinery areas, specialized areas such as the computer areas, the switchboard area and other support facilities. Material and equipment removed must be returned to its original location. In addition to an increase in manpower, assistance required at this time may include food services, emergency procurement and provisions for emergency expenditure of funds. [back to top]

Threat Assessment & Planned Response 5 - Hazardous Materials Incident

Threat Assessment: San Diego County is considered to be an urban area with multiple risks of hazardous materials emergencies. The county has large industrial complexes normally associated with a high incidence of hazardous materials emergencies. When a hazardous material emergency occurs, multiple HazMat resources will be drawn upon.

Hazardous materials are also found on campus but generally in small quantities. An accidental release of such materials would pose a threat to individuals only in the immediate vicinity. Such a release could occur because of fire, explosion, earthquake, aircraft accident or flood. Petroleum fuel used for campus vehicles and heating are the only large quantities of a hazardous material on or transported through the campus.

Planned Response: Off-Campus Incident

A major hazardous materials release in close proximity to the university could require sheltering or evacuation of all or part of the campus. A sudden release of hazardous materials may allow little time for an organized response. The appropriate reaction may be advising people to go indoors; close doors and windows; shut down heating, air conditioning and exhaust systems; and seal any openings, as feasible. If circumstances permit, the campus population may be directed to designated shelters. Assistance will be provided for disabled persons and children.

If time permits, evacuation may be the most appropriate protective action to take. Evacuation would most likely occur on notification from county or city officials responsible for managing the incident. The implementation of this protective action at SDSU will be closely coordinated with the county or city EOC to ensure the timely integration of the traffic flow from the university campus into the routing designated by the county / city.

The SDSU EOC Commander will instruct the community to leave campus through specific routes. One or more egress routes may be considered unsafe because of proximity to the incident. Traffic will be controlled and monitored within the campus and at the access/egress control points. An estimate will be made of the number of people/cars leaving the campus. This estimate will be reported to the county / city EOC.

Priority use of available campus transportation resources will be allocated first to the disabled and children and then, to the extent available, to other persons in need. If additional transportation resources are needed, they will be requested through the county / city EOC. The SDSU EOC Commander will confirm campus evacuation with the county / city during the evacuation for the purpose of judging the progress and at the end to ensure completion. Perimeter and security control of SDSU will be established. The area will be checked to ensure that everyone is evacuated.

Planned Response: On-Campus Incident

An on-campus incident is unlikely to require the evacuation of more than a small area of the campus. Individuals in the hazardous area will be warned and directed to leave the area. Public Safety personnel will establish an appropriate perimeter around the incident. The SDSU Environmental Health and Safety Director will be notified and will be responsible for advising on further actions. Any injured, exposed, or ill persons will be treated at the Student Health Center or transported to a hospital. [back to top]

Threat Assessment & Planned Response 6 - Utility Failure (Electrical, Water or Gas)               

Threat Assessment: Electrical utility failure most often occurs during major storms and is generally a result of problems unrelated to events on campus. Electrical utility failure can have a significant impact on valuable research projects and the conduct of class schedules. If the utility failure is water, the effect on the campus could become very significant in a short period of time. A water failure could present a health problem that would require activation of the EOC and coordination with County Public Health. Disruption of natural gas utilities could have significant impacts on campus functions. Utility failures can shut down electricity around campus, water in the bathrooms and food services. Any and all these could result in suspending classes and campus closure.

Planned Response: In the event of an electrical utility failure, the EOC will be activated to an appropriate level to restore electricity. Backup generators located around campus would temporarily provide power. If the electrical failure will influence class scheduling, the university EOC may activate to manage the emergency. In the event of a water utility failure, the first step in the campus response will be assessment of the extent of water failure and period of time the campus will be without water. If it is determined that the campus will be without water for 12 hours or more, the university EOC may activate. An immediate action plan will include notifications to the campus community and surrounding communities to minimize health hazards until water utilities are restored. In the event of a gas utility failure the type of disruption, planned or unplanned, will dictate the type of response. In an unplanned disruption that creates an immediate threat to life, structure or other property, the University Police Department and San Diego Fire Department will be dispatched to manage the threat. An EOC activation will manage the process of restoring gas utilities to their normal state. [back to top]

Threat Assessment & Planned Response 7 -Terrorism

Threat Assessment: Terrorism continues to present a threat at the federal, state and local levels. San Diego, with its large military presence, is a potential target. However, terrorists do not distinguish between official and civilian targets, so the potential danger to San Diego State University has increased. Terrorism could potentially result not only in a disruption and/or temporary suspension of classes but could also affect services, infrastructure and life at San Diego State University.

Planned Response: The campus relies on the Homeland Security Threat Advisory to assess the threat level and response during normal circumstances. An initial response to a specific and credible threat could include (but is not limited to) cancellation of classes, suspension of services and temporary restriction of access to campus or facilities. Additionally, all faculty staff and students and may be asked to show an ID to get into buildings, living residences or access points and may be required to carry ID at all times. In the event of a terrorist incident, campus officials will coordinate with city, state and federal authorities and follow Homeland Security guidelines and response measures. [back to top]

Threat Assessment & Planned Response 8 - Aircraft Incident

Threat Assessment: San Diego State University is located in the proximity of three airports: Gillespie Field (10 miles northeast), Montgomery Field (7 miles northwest) and San Diego International Airport (12.5 miles west). While SDSU does lie within the flight paths of some aircraft, this is not a primary path of air transit and therefore does not present an overall high level of danger to the university. Still, an aircraft crash could occur on campus without notice. The extent of the incident would dictate the level of response.

Planned Response: If the crash site involves major injuries or death on campus, the EOC will activate to manage the incident. Fire and rescue units will be activated and a Field Command Post will be established.