Generally, once or twice a semester there is training offered on various equipment usage, such as extinguishers and evacuation chairs, and on other safety measures, including triage, first aid and CPR. [Such courses are offered regularly by Environmental Health and Instructional Safety and are open to all members of the campus community.]

There’s lots of important information regarding general safety, courses and preparation for an emergency on two campus websites: http://ehs.fullerton.edu and http://www.fullerton.edu/ emergencypreparedness.

Then there are regular building marshal meetings where we get together and discuss issues – like what to do when people refuse to leave a building. We also discuss when a drill is scheduled and how to assist persons with disabilities.

We take every semester drill very seriously and meet afterwards to discuss what went right and what went wrong. Our aim is to make improvements so that things run smoother for the next drill or if a real emergency occurs.

Colleen Wilkins, health and safety officer, and Quentin Frazier, emergency preparedness coordinator, have worked very hard to upgrade the position and responsibilities of the building marshals, and to get more equipment for us.

In addition to our drills, there have been exercises held by the city, county and other agencies on campus and these have been educational for all of us. Should there ever be a disaster, we will be working closely with several public agencies to help not only campus and community members at the university but those who may come to campus for shelter and assistance.