Emergency Preparedness

AlertSU will be used to notify SRWC employees of time-sensitive campus safety issues and provide updates in the event of an emergency affecting the SRWC community. These alerts will also be posted to the Redwood City alerts page. SRWC Operations also maintains an emergency information hotline (650-497-1111), which provides a recorded campus status message when activated.

Maintaining your profile in the StanfordYou directory is critical for emergency communications. The AlertSU system sends alerts via SMS text and email using contact information from StanfordYou.

Below are step-by-step directions on how to maintain your directory profile.

Step 1: Visit StanfordYou. Click on 'Maintain your directory and AlertSU emergency contact information.'

Step 2: Update your work address under ‘Stanford Affiliation.’

• Building: Start by typing your building name (example: Cardinal Hall)
• Address - line one: Once your building name is entered, this field will self-populate (example: 505 Broadway)
• Address - line two: Manually enter your floor number and mail code (example: 5th floor, mail code 8809)
• Address - line three: Manually enter other details as needed
• City, State, Zip/Postal Code and Country: These fields will self-populate

Step 3: Return to the 'Maintain your directory and AlertSU emergency contact information' page. Update your mobile number under 'Mobile Contact Info' and ensure the "OK to use for AlertSU" box is checked.

For StanfordYou directory questions, contact University IT.

Log in to StanfordYou

Where can SRWC employees take safety training courses?

• Option #1: Classes presented on the main Stanford campus
• Option #2: Online Stanford safety classes

Recommended training:The recommended safety courses for all employees are: 

• AED/CPR (EHS-1305)
• Ergonomics – Computer workstation (EHS-3400)
• Personal Emergency Preparedness (EHS-5090)
• Fire Extinguisher Use (EHS-3700)
• Back Care/Safe Lifting (EHS-1400)

View other safety courses

SRWC building evacuation procedures are consistent with those on the Stanford campus. In the event of an emergency (e.g., fire alarm):

• Do not assume it is a false alarm or a fire drill
• Do not use the elevators. Know where the emergency exits are in your building.
• Proceed promptly to the nearest emergency exit stairwell; stay to the right as you proceed down the stairwell
• Once outside, proceed to your building Emergency Assembly Point (EAP). View EAP map
• Await further direction
• Do not re-enter the building until the ‘All Clear’ directive is given from either the fire department and/or police department

Elements that are under development as part of a comprehensive emergency preparedness program include:

• An SRWC emergency operations center
• Robust communication and coordination with the main campus, including implementation of SU Alerts
• An executive policy management group
• Building occupant emergency action plans
• Building life safety teams and floor coordinators

If you have any questions, please contact srwc-operations@stanford.edu.

1. Keep your emergency information updated at StanfordYou so you can receive AlertSU messages.
2. Keep an emergency supply kit at your office desk, in your car and at home.
3. Make sure your emergency supplies include prescription medicines, extra eyeglasses or contacts and access to any other equipment necessary for your health and safety.
4. Keep your cell phone charged, your car charged or your gas tank at least ½ full and be able to access cash if ATMs are not operable.
5. Make a plan to meet up with family members in an emergency.

The Stanford Administrative Guide, Chapter 7.2.1 Emergency/Accident Procedures  includes guidelines for Managers and Supervisors:

1. Supervisors have the specific responsibility to see that individuals for whom they are responsible are trained in proper emergency response procedures and that the work areas for which they are responsible are properly posted with emergency response procedures.
2. Department administrators or building managers should prepare disaster plans for their department or building. This includes posting evacuation maps, knowing the location of the Emergency Assembly Point (EAP), securing building contents, distributing emergency contact information, purchasing or preparing emergency kits, and creating a plan for emergency recovery. 

Prepare for any emergency

If an active threat is outside your building

• If you are reasonably sure you can escape without being harmed, do so
• Proceed to a room that can be locked
• Shut off lights and lock all windows and doors and stay out of sight
• One person in the room should call the police at 9-911 (911 from non-campus or cell phones
• Wait to leave until given instructions to do so by law enforcement via phone or another contact

• If the room that you are in can be locked, follow the same procedures listed above. If your room cannot be locked, determine whether you can safely exit the building or safely reach a nearby location that is able to be locked.
• If you can not reach a safer location, barricade yourself in your room by placing heavy furniture or other items in front of the door
• If you decide to move from your current location, call 9-911 (911 from non-campus or cell phones) if possible. Give your name and location. If you cannot speak, leave the line open so law enforcement can listen to what is taking place.

• If you cannot escape, make every attempt to conceal yourself and/or take cover behind the most solid object you can find (i.e., desk, cabinet or row of seats/chairs)
• As a last resort, you may decide that your survival depends on overpowering the threatening individual with whatever means available. Throwing or tossing readily accessible items at the individual may momentarily distract him/her and may allow you an opening to overpower him/her.
• If you decide to charge an individual armed with a gun to overpower or disarm him/her, running in a zigzag fashion will diminish the shooter’s accuracy. Your chances for survival increase since the individual is not expecting this sudden reaction.
• Dial 9-911 (911 from non-campus or cell phones) if possible and give your name and location. If you cannot speak, leave the line open so the police can listen to what is taking place.
• If the threatening individual leaves the area, proceed immediately to a safer place and call 9-911 (911 from non-campus or cell phones) to provide information to law enforcement:
  • Lock and barricade the door or:
  • Proceed immediately to a safer place

• Lock and barricade doors
• Turn off lights (to make the area appear unoccupied)
• Close blinds
• Silence cell phones but do not turn them completely off
• Block windows
• Turn off radios and computer monitors
• Keep occupants calm, quiet, and out of sight
• Seek cover and barricade yourself (with others if possible) by placing as much material as possible between you and the threat
• As soon as it is safe to do so, notify law enforcement by calling 9-911 (911 from non-campus or cell phones)
• Do not approach emergency responders, let them come to you
• Raise both your hands over your head when approached or confronted by emergency responders. This is the universal surrender signal. Otherwise, emergency responders may not know the difference between you and the threat.
• Remain under cover until the threat has passed or you have been advised by law enforcement that it is safe to exit
• Activate registered cell phones** (in silent mode) to receive campus emergency notifications that may be sent through the AlertSU system
• Do not sound the fire alarms unless there is a fire. Fire alarms alert people to evacuate a building. Evacuation during an active threat event could place people in harm’s way.

**The university emergency alert system, AlertSU, will be used to notify you of critical life safety issues on campus. Go to https://stanfordyou.stanford.edu (students use https://axess.stanford.edu/) and make sure your personal contact information is registered with AlertSU. For more information about the AlertSU system, please visit http://alertsu.stanford.edu.

*This information can be found on Stanford's Cardinal Ready page.

• For the latest weather in Redwood City and Palo Alto, check the Stanford Weather Station. For overall weather, visit the National Weather Service.
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• In case you're worried about an impending power outage or are experiencing one already, go here for updates

• Weather Conditions: Less than 0.5 inches of rain or light rainfall, normal tides, wind below 20 mph, and temperatures below 80°F.
• Status: No immediate flood or heat-related threat.

• Weather Conditions: 0.5 - 1 inch of rain over 24 hours, tides less than 1 ft, winds 20-30 mph, and temperatures 80-90°F.
• Status: Increased risk of minor flooding and heat-related issues.

• Weather Conditions: 1-3 inches of rain over 24 hours, tides exceeding 1 ft, winds 30-40 mph, gusts up to 40 mph, and temperatures above 100°F.
• Status: Increased risk of flooding and heat-related emergencies.

• Weather Conditions: 1-3 inches of rain over 24 hours or potential flash flooding, high tides or potential storm surge, winds 40-50 mph, gusts up to 60 mph, and temperatures exceeding 105°F.
• Status: Very high risk of flooding and heat-related emergencies.

• Weather Conditions: 3-6 inches of rain, potential flash flooding, tides with potential storm surge, winds over 50 mph, and sustained temperatures above 110°F.
• Status: Floodwaters may enter buildings, and heat-related illnesses are likely.

• Weather Conditions: More than 6 inches of rain, tides with storm surge, winds over 50 mph, and sustained temperatures exceeding 115°F.
• Status: Extreme flooding and heat posing significant risk to life and property.