Preparing for the unexpected.
Emergency? Dial
250–370–3075
for help in any emergency or
3075
from any campus phone.
For non-emergency access to Campus Safety, please call 250-370-4567.
Building flood
- Do not walk through flood water – it may be electrically charged.
- If possible, shut off power to the affected areas.
- Move hazardous chemicals and vulnerable equipment away.
- Call 250-370-3075.
Hazardous spill
- Do not attempt to clean up the spill unless you have received training in chemical spill procedures.
- Secure the area and warn others.
- If toxic materials have spread, evacuate the building.
- Call 250-370-3075.
If the release of a hazardous chemical or gas is affecting people in your area, immediately:
- Evacuate
- Prevent others from entering the area. If anyone is contaminated, set up an isolation area. If available and only if it is safe to do so, put on personal protective equipment, observe and support affected people until emergency services arrive. Do not put yourself at risk.
- Isolate
- Isolate the hazardous material by clearing the area, close the doors. If safe to do so, turn off isolator switches, ventilation and machinery. Do not touch suspect material.
- Activate
- Shout a warning and pass the alarm by word of mouth. When you are safe and away from the spill or gas, call 250-370-3075 and give the exact location and type of material involved.
- Contain
- Don’t risk contact with material or allow spread.
- Do not smell, touch or taste.
- Close doors between you and the hazardous material.
Information about the management of minor chemical/hazardous material spills or releases can be found on Material Data Safety sheets contained in the department.
Power outage
- Back-up generators will provide emergency lighting in most areas.
- Turn off and unplug computers and other sensitive equipment.
- If safety is a concern, evacuate the building and go to the Emergency Assembly Point for your building.
- Remain calm and provide assistance to others if necessary.
- Ensure someone remains with people with a disability who are waiting for assistance in areas of refuge.
- Call 250-370-3075.
Gas leak
Common signs of a natural gas leak:
Indoors
- A gas odour
- A blowing or hissing sound
- Dirt being blown or thrown into the air
If you suspect a leak indoors:
- Shut off all sources of ignition such as motors and heaters.
- Do not use switches to turn on or off any electrical devices as they may cause sparks.
- Do not use the fire alarm as it may cause electrical arcs.
- Prevent the fumes from travelling to other parts of the building by closing the doors to the room and opening windows if it is safe to do so.
- Go to an area not affected by the gas, and call 250-370-3075.
- Do not use elevators.
- Once outside move away from the building at least 200 feet, keeping driveways and sidewalks clear for emergency responders.
- Do not return to the evacuated building until authorized by emergency personnel.
Outdoors
- A gas odour
- A blowing or hissing sound
- Dirt being blown or thrown into the air
- Water being blown or thrown into the air
- Fire coming from the ground
- Brown patches in vegetation
- A dry spot in a moist lawn or field
If you suspect a leak outdoors:
- Shut off all sources of ignition such as motors and heaters.
- Do not use switches to turn on or off any electrical devices as they may cause sparks.
- Do not use the fire alarm as it may cause electrical arcs.
- If it is close to a building, emergency wardens will advise occupants to evacuate the building.
- Try to prevent the fumes from travelling into any buildings by closing the doors and windows.
- Go to an area not affected by the gas, and call 250-370-3075.
- Do not use elevators.
- Once outside, move away from the building at least 200 feet, keeping driveways and sidewalks clear for emergency responders.
- Do not return to the evacuated building until authorized by emergency personnel.