Crisis Response

Rock Creek Bldg. 3, Rm. 223 | 971-722-7151 | FAX: 603-614-7170 | studyabroad@pcc.edu

Crisis and Emergency Protocol

PCC has protocol in place for emergency response for a study abroad student or program.  This protocol is followed in order to best help the participant on a study abroad program stay safe and have guidance during an emergency.  Emergency or crisis response is led by Office of International Education staff who are specialists in international education or Safety Committee members who have specific skills for emergency response.

Crisis Response Team

PCC has developed a crisis response protocol and has a designated emergency team of professional staff for emergency response.  This team consists of various staff from the Office of International Education, student services, public affairs, public safety and risk management.  Members of the safety committee team provide 24-hour numbers for contact during an emergency involving a study abroad student or faculty  member.  The crisis response team or specific members of this team are deployed at the discretion of Office of International Education staff or PCC public safety staff.

Response and Reporting Structure

Emergency incidents are classified as either a "health and safety incident" or an “acute health and safety incident", and are handled accordingly.  The level determination is made either by the first point of contact on the emergency team, or OIE staff.

Acute Health and Safety Incidents

Examples of acute health and safety incidents are:

  • Serious accident or injury
  • Epidemic
  • Psychiatric emergency
  • Suicide or attempted suicide
  • Sexual Assault
  • Crime committed by a student (arrest)
  • Missing person
  • Natural disaster
  • Serious political unrest near program site
  • Serious violation of institutional policy
  • Incidences involving more than one student
  • Other incidences at discretion of OIE staff

Acute health and safety incidents will be handled by OIE staff and/or safety committee members immediately.  Any acute health and safety incident is reported to the Director of International Education.  After managing immediate health or safety concerns for the participant, emergency contacts provided by participant would be notified of the incident if possible.

Other Health and Safety Incidents

Other incidents may require some response from OIE staff or safety committee members in order to support a participant.  These incidents may affect a student’s physical or mental well-being and may cause the student to need services or monitoring during the program, but are not immediate threats to student safety.

Examples of non-emergency incidents are:

  • Minor illnesses such as gastric problems
  • Minor injuries not related to violence
  • Petty theft

Students should report all incidents immediately to 971-221-0827 or to their in-country contact (program director or faculty leader) for immediate support. Ongoing support for this level of health and safety incident will be handled during regular business hours (Portland, Oregon time). Non-urgent incident reports should be sent to the Coordinator of Study Abroad, Nicole Tobin, for monitoring and reporting purposes.