Emergency notifications and timely warnings
Portland Community College (PCC) issues two primary types of safety notifications: Emergency Notifications and Timely Warnings. The decision to issue either notification, and the content of the message, is made on a case-by-case basis after considering all available information. Factors include the nature and severity of the incident, whether there is a continuing or immediate threat to the campus community, the need to promote safety, and the potential risk of compromising law enforcement efforts.
Timely Warnings
When the Department of Public Safety (DPS) becomes aware of a Clery Act reportable crime, it evaluates whether a Timely Warning is necessary. A Timely Warning may be issued if, in the judgment of the Director of Public Safety and/or the Vice President of Finance & Administration, the reported crime represents a serious or continuing threat to students or employees.
Timely Warnings are intended to provide the campus community with information needed to make informed decisions about personal safety and to prevent similar incidents.
Emergency Notifications
An Emergency Notification is issued when a significant emergency or dangerous situation occurs on campus that poses an immediate threat to the health or safety of students or employees. Emergency Notifications typically address situations such as active threats, fires, gas leaks, hazardous material releases, or other critical incidents requiring immediate action (e.g., lockdown or evacuation).
Methods of Notification
Emergency Notifications and Timely Warnings may be distributed through one or more of the following methods, depending on the circumstances:
- Printed Notices: Posted in campus buildings or provided to affected personnel when appropriate.
- Website Posting: Safety information and ongoing concerns are posted on the Public Safety website under Emergency Communication.
- Local Media: Information may be shared with local media when a threat reasonably extends beyond campus boundaries.
- Campus or District-Wide Email: Distributed by Marketing and Communications or DPS at the direction of the Vice President of Finance & Administration or the Director of Public Safety.
- On-Campus Emergency Alert Notification System (OCEANS): Used to notify individuals physically present on campus of an immediate threat. This system is commonly used during lockdowns, evacuations, or other urgent safety situations.
- PCC Alerts (Text Messaging System): Used for Emergency Notifications, including campus closures or delays, fires, gas leaks, communicable disease outbreaks, and other urgent safety matters, including Clery reportable crimes when appropriate. To sign up for PCC Alerts text messages, log into MyPCC and select “Sign up for PCC Alerts” under the Quick Links section of the Home tab.
Questions regarding PCC Alerts may be directed to: pccalerts@pcc.edu.
On-Campus Emergency Announcement System (OCEANS)
During an emergency, such as a lockout or lockdown, you may hear a message played over the speaker system. To hear what these sound like, view the following videos:
Alarm only
Lockdown/active threat on campus
When a lockdown occurs, an audible lockdown alert tone will sound, indicating an emergency. This will be followed by a message with instructions on how to proceed.
A lockdown occurs when an active threat is present on campus, or in a campus building. A lockdown is a campus-wide measure that will affect all facilities at the campus where the incident is taking place.
All external and interior doors equipped with access control will be locked from the Public Safety Dispatch Center. Doors without access control will have to be locked manually.
Lockdown ends when the “all clear” message is played.
Lockout
Lockouts are a preemptive, preventative measure taken to restrict access to one or more campus facilities. Unlike a lockdown, a lockout may only affect one, or several, buildings on campus. If a criminal incident or other condition does not pose a direct threat to a campus a lockout may be implemented. A lockout means that only exterior doors are locked and that you will be able to exit the building but you will not be able to re-enter.
When a lockout occurs, an audible alert tone will sound, followed by a message with instructions on how to proceed.
Generally, academic instruction and campus business will continue indoors during a lockout but extra caution should be used until conditions return to normal.
Lockout ends when the “all clear” message is played.