Communications Center
Emergency: 503-977-4444 (4444 from campus phone), non-emergency: 503-977-4902
The Communications Center operates seven days a week. Monday-Friday: 6 AM-11 PM, Saturday: 6:30 AM to 10:30 PM, and Sunday 6:30 AM to 7:30 PM. The Public Safety Department observes most college holidays and is closed on those dates. In the absence of Public Safety our contract vendor, First Response, Inc., provides an armed response to any alarm activations within the college district.
DPS communications officers (dispatchers) are trained to assess the priority of reported incidents, collect necessary information and dispatch both on-campus and local public safety emergency responders. Additionally, communications officers answer general public safety questions and dispatch public safety officers in response to a variety of public safety related calls.
Reporting Guidelines
Our communications unit is usually staffed with only one employee to answer four telephone lines as well as performing other dispatch duties. Occasionally, when several incidents are occurring at the same time you may be asked to hold. If you are asked and are able to hold, please do so. Hanging up and re-dialing will only cause further delay to your call. If you are unable to hold, please indicate that to the Communications Officer immediately!!
Emergency Calls
If an emergency should occur, such as crimes or fights in progress, fires, bomb threats or medical emergencies, at the Sylvania, Cascade, Rock Creek or Southeast Campuses call x4444 from any campus telephone or 503-977-4444 from a telephone outside PCC. Some campuses have Code Blue Phones which can be used to directly connect to Public Safety in case of an Emergency.
Central Portland Workforce Training Center, Washington County Workforce Training, and the Portland Metropolitan Workforce Training Center should dial 9-1-1 directly and then notify the communications unit at x4444 regarding the incident. Other sites have emergency procedures in place which should continue to be followed.
You can also use a TDD to call in emergencies. That extension is x8887 from any campus TDD or 503-977-8887 for off campus calling.
Standard information the Communications Officer might ask for:
- The location of the incident
- Description of involved vehicles including: Make, Model, Year, Color
- Descriptions of any suspects: Sex, Race, Height, Weight, Age, Hair Color, Eye Color, Clothing
- Details of the incident:
- Any weapons?
- Direction of travel of fleeing suspects?
- Any injuries sustained?
If the incident involves a medical emergency, routine questions would include:
- What is the current status of the patient?
- Is the patient conscious?
- Is the patient breathing?
- What is the age of patient?
- Any medications involved?
- Previously known medical problems or history?
Routine or Business Calls
For general public safety information, information on lost and found items, room locks or unlocks, theft reports, escorts, assists, etc., dial x4902 from any campus phone or 503-977-4902 from a telephone outside of PCC.