The fall semester starts next week. As you prepare to come to campus, Austin Community College District (ACC) shares a series of new safety steps you can take in the event of an emergency on campus.
Hold: “In Your Room or Area”
During a Hold, individuals are instructed to remain in their current room or area until further notice, ensuring that hallways are free for emergency responders or to isolate a specific area.
Secure: “Get Inside. Lock Outside Doors”
The Secure protocol directs everyone to get inside and lock exterior doors to prevent potential threats from entering the building while maintaining a safe environment inside.
Lockdown: “Locks, Lights, Out of Sight”
Lockdown protocol asks occupants to lock their doors, turn off lights, and remain out of sight, making it difficult for intruders to find them.
Evacuate: “Get Out”
The Evacuate directive, which may be followed by a specified location, is used to move people from one area to another, either within the building or outside, for swift and orderly evacuation in case of fires, chemical spills, or other emergencies.
Shelter: “State the Hazard and Safety Strategy”
For situations like severe weather or hazardous material incidents, the Shelter protocol is activated. The specific hazard and corresponding safety strategy are clearly communicated to ensure appropriate protective measures are taken.
These five actions are informed by best practices and adopted from a national campus safety campaign that was developed by the “I Love You Guys” Foundation.
ACC encourages everyone to familiarize themselves with these new protocols.
“When you’re at ACC, we want you to feel safe and protected, and it’s on each of us to make that happen because in an emergency, it’s not just about reacting, but knowing exactly what steps you can take,” says Dr. Michael Garcia, ACC’s Executive Director of Regulatory Affairs. “Preparation empowers you to act swiftly, protect yourself, and help others. The steps may seem simple, but they can save lives. In a true emergency, you may not have time to think about what to do — so get familiar now so these steps become second nature.”
To learn more and to find additional resources visit the College’s Emergency Management website at austincc.edu/emergency.