Preparing for an emergency

Taking a few moments to consider what emergencies you may be exposed to and planning for those emergencies before they happen will ensure that you are better prepared to deal with the emergency if and when it occurs.

Recent disasters have demonstrated that even in the most developed countries, we must takes steps to prepare to be self sufficient for at least the first 72 hours following a disaster.

The university undertakes preparedness and prevention activities on an institutional level but encourages all staff and students to do so as well.

Following are simple ways to prepare yourself for an emergency situation:

• Take a few minutes to review established emergency procedures
• Take a first aid and/or fire prevention course
• Take the Emergencies at Concordia training on Moodle.
• Become a CERT volunteer
• Attend an Emergency Preparedness seminar
  
• Ensure your emergency contact information is up to date either on your Student Center or your HR profile.
• Ensure that you and your family have supplies to be self sufficient for 72 hours
• Ensure your first aid kit is fully stocked
• Download the Rave Guardian application for mobile devices on Google Play or the App Store. Make sure you were able to access the Concordia Branded Guardian. 
• Download the Alertus + laptop application
  
• Follow the Office of Emergency Management on social media (Facebook / Twitter)
• Watch the Emergencies at Concordia videos:
  • Campus Safety: Be Informed video 
  • Campus Safety: Get Connected video
  • Fire Alarm video
  • Shelter in place video
  • Fire Drill Training video (EN/FR)
• Pick up a copy of the Emergency Procedure Guide, or download one here. Guides are available at any of the following Protection and Prevention desks: Hall, EV, MB, GN, SP, AD.
  
• If working in isolation or after hours, subscribe to Checkmate for regular safety checks 
• If going out of province for Concordia purposes, register to the Concordia travel registry in My CU Account. 

• Update your HR profile information in the UNITY portal (To be contacted in an emergency)
• Include the Emergency Management Insert in your syllabus.
  
• Invite a member of the Emergency Management team to give an emergency response overview to your class (5-10 minutes)
• Review the What to Do When All Eyes are on You checklist
• Play the Emergencies at Concordia videos at the beginning of each course to help prepare yourself and your students.
  • Campus Safety: Be Informed video 
  • Campus Safety: Get Connected video
  • Fire Alarm video
  • Shelter in place video

• Update your HR profile information in the UNITY portal (To be contacted in an emergency)
• Familiarize yourself with your Department's Emergency Preparedness Plan (DEPP)
• Invite a member of the Emergency Management team to give a presentation to your department (Approx. 1 hour)

Department Emergency Preparedness Plan

All university units must have a Department Emergency Preparedness Plans (DEPP).The DEPP is a departmental document that outlines plans for emergency management within your department. It helps coordinate your team and ensures continuity of operations. Departments that do not have plans often find themselves left out of communications from the Campus Safety and Prevention Services and sometimes struggle to get information on recovery time & allocated resources.

The best and most immediate way to get support is to contact your DEPP coordinator for assistance. If you are usure of who this person is or if you would like support from emergency management to update your plan, please contact emergency.management@concordia.ca

If you are looking for information to plan for damages caused by an emergency incident to your department's property, you may contact risk@concordia.ca

As the semester comes to an end and many of us are prepare to spend some quality time with friends and family, Concordia’s Emergency Management Team would like to offer some safety tips before leaving your office for the holidays.

1. Make sure all exterior windows are closed.
2. Unplug your space heaters.
3. Shut off the lights if you are the last to leaving your office.
4. Unplug extension cords that are not in use.
5. Bring any valuable personal items home for the holidays.
6. Keep any items off the floor to avoid damage in case of water leaks.
7. Call Campus Safety and Prevention Services if in need of assistance at 514-848-3717 or if you simply want to wish us Happy Holidays. Our teams will be working 24/7 to help keep Concordia safe.
8. For those that will be at Concordia and working alone or in isolation during the holidays, subscribe online to Checkmate to receive safety checks by text message or phone call.

• Student Emergency Resources Guide
• Quick Guide to Emergency Procedures
• Emergencies at Concordia - What you Need to Know video
• Classroom Evacuation Signage
• Checklist - What to do when all eyes are on you 
• Learn more on what to do from the Department of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness of Canada