During times of emergency, students will look to faculty and staff for guidance.
Here are some resources specific for faculty and staff so that everyone is prepared in the event an emergency happens.
- You are automatically enrolled in WSUAlert to receive emergency notifications. To opt out, please go to your MyWSU portal.
- Consider classroom and workplace evacuation. Familiarize yourself with evacuation routes throughout buildings around campus.
- Become involved in your department’s emergency planning.
- Periodically review emergency procedures with your students and co-workers.
Remember, emergency preparedness begins with each one of us. Be ALERT to developing incidents, ASSESS each situation, and take ACTION to ensure your own safety!
Emergency Preparedness Checklist for Departments
☐ Encourage staff to enter cell phone numbers into the WSU Alert System by visiting
MyWSU portal. Also consider other types of emergency alerts issued by the National
Weather Service and others.
☐ Encourage personal preparedness planning for department members. See
Ready.gov and Redcross.org for ideas.
Bookmark or keep on file copies of emergency related policies, including:
☐ WSU Alert
☐ Campus Closure Policy
☐ Business Continuity Planning Policy
☐ Become familiar with building evacuation plans, as well as campus-wide evacuation plans and evacuation policy. Find more information by visiting the evacuations plan page on this web site.
☐ Maintain a list of important emergency contact numbers both physically and electronically in multiple secure locations.
☐ Maintain a current department phone list physically and electronically in multiple secure locations.
☐ Consider how to continue critical department functions remotely if possible.
☐ Develop a strategy for communicating regarding cancellations, schedule alterations, alternative work methods and/or locations.
☐ Keep copies of critical documents in a secure location.
Encourage all faculty and instructors to have a plan for:
☐ How they will contact students if class meetings are cancelled
☐ How emergency alerts will be received if cell phones are silenced during class.
☐ Discuss emergency preparedness at staff meetings periodically.
☐ Contact Environmental Health and Safety for assistance developing a continuity plan.
☐ Attend safety-related trainings as they are offered.
☐ Include a review of this checklist with new employees as they join the department