Campus Safety
Emergency Preparedness

South Texas College is committed to the safety and security of our students, employees and members of the greater community we serve. Involving all members of the college community in emergency preparedness is key in supporting this commitment. The resources on this page will help you learn how to plan, respond and get help in the event of an emergency.

If you have questions concerning a unique situation, please contact the South Texas College Department of Public Safety at 956-872-4444.

Emergency Reference Guide

• Emergency Preparedness Flyer
• COVID-19 Coronavirus
• Severe Weather/Tornado

  A tornado or other severe weather warning issued by the National Weather Service means that a tornado or severe thunderstorm has been sighted or indicated by weather radar.

  In an office building, go directly to an enclosed, windowless area in the center of the building, away from glass and on the lowest floor possible. Then, crouch down and cover your head. Interior stairwells are usually good places to take shelter, and if not crowded, allow you to get to a lower level quickly. Stay off the elevators; you could be trapped in them if the power is lost.

  In a house with no basement, a dorm or an apartment, avoid windows, go to the lowest floor, small center room (like a bathroom or closet), under a stairwell or in an interior hallway with no windows. Crouch as low as possible to the floor, facing down, and cover your head with your hands. A bathtub may offer a shell of partial protection.

  Even in an interior room, you should cover yourself with some sort of thick padding (mattress, blankets, etc.), to protect against falling debris in case the roof and ceiling fail. A helmet can offer some protection against head injury.

  If you shop frequently at certain stores, learn the location of bathrooms, storage rooms or other interior shelter areas away from windows, and the shortest ways to get there.

• Building Lockdown Procedure
  • An emergency notification will be issued through STC RAVE ALERT.
  • Remain in building, enter a room, lock and barricade the door, turn off lights, pull the shades shut, separate from others, lay on the floor, place cell phones on vibrate and call 911.
  • If gunshots are heard, lay on the floor using tables and cabinets for protection.
  • An “All-clear” will be announced through STC RAVE ALERT.
• Fire
  • If the fire is small, attempt to put it out with a fire extinguisher.
  • If the fire is large, activate the nearest fire alarm to evacuate the building.
  • Call 911 to report the fire, provide the campus, building and room number.
  • DO NOT use the elevators.
  • DO NOT stand near glass.
  • Proceed to the designated evacuation area.
  • Call STC Dispatch at 956-872-4444.
  • DO NOT re-enter the building until authorized to do so.
• Fire Extinguisher

  P - Pull... the pin. 

  A - Aim... low at the base of the fire.

  S - Squeeze... the handle.

  S - Sweep... from side to side at the base of the fire.

• Hazardous Material
  • Leave the room immediately if the spill is large.
  • Activate the fire alarm to evacuate the building.
  • CALL 911 and provide the following information:
    1. Name of material.
    2. Quantity of material.
    3. Time of incident.
    4. Location of incident.
    5. Number of persons injured or exposed to the material.
    6. Details concerning the incident.
  • DO NOT allow anyone to enter the building.
  • DO NOT re-enter the building until authorized to do so.
• Helping A Non-Responsive Person

  If a person has collapsed and is non-responsive, perform the following steps:

  1. Immediately CALL 911 or have someone else do so.
  2. If available, obtain an Automated External Defibrillator (AED), open the case and follow verbal instructions provided by the AED.
  3. Ask if any bystanders are CPR trained.

  4. If no one is CPR trained and there is no AED, perform “HANDS ONLY CPR” as follows:

     • Position yourself directly over the victim.
     • Place heel of one hand between nipples on chest.
     • Place the other hand on top of the first hand.
     • Push hard and fast into the center of the chest, 100 beats per minute.
     • Continue until First Responders arrive.
• Bomb Threats
  • If you receive a bomb threat via telephone, view the caller ID information.
  • Immediately signal a co-worker through a written note or other form of communication to contact STC Dispatch at 956-872-4444.
  • Stay on the telephone and obtain as much information as possible by asking the following questions:
    1. When is the bomb going to explode?
    2. Where is the bomb now?
    3. What does the bomb look like?
    4. What kind of bomb is it?
    5. What will cause the bomb to explode?
    6. Did you place the bomb? Why?
    7. What is your name?
    8. What is your address?
    9. Where are you now?
  • Note any accents and background noise.
  • If you spot a suspicious package, contact South Texas College Police Dispatch at 956-872-4444.
• Active Shooter

  Be Prepared - What You Do Matters

  Avoid: Evacuate if possible.

  • If safe to do so, run out of building until you reach a secure place to hide.
  • Leave your personal items behind and seek safety.
  • Call 911 when it is safe to do so.
  • Keep your hands visible to law enforcement.
  • Take others with you, but do not stay behind if others will not go.

  Active Shooter Preparation Checklist

  Deny: Hide silently in a safe place.

  • Hide in a safe location.
  • Lock the door.
  • Turn off the lights.
  • Close and cover the door window or blinds.
  • Keep quiet and silence your phones.
  • If possible, tie something around the door arm. For example, use a tie, belt, scarf, sweater, computer cords or block the door/entrance with furniture.
  • Remain hiding in a safe location until an "All Clear" alert is issued from RAVE.

  Defend: Disrupt or Incapacitate the shooter.

  • Protect your life! When you are not able to seek safety or run away, do your best to disrupt the attacker.
  • Attempt to incapacitate or disrupt the actions of the shooter with improvised weapons. For example, scissors, fire extinguishers, chairs, furniture, throw items at the shooter, etc.
  • Act with physical aggression toward the shooter.
  • Call 911 when it is safe to do so.

Evacuation Guidelines and Maps

Evacuation Guidelines

Campus Evacuation Maps

College Safety Programs and Resources

• Multi-Hazard Emergency Operations Plan

  Identifies the college plan for the mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery of crisis events.

  Multi-Hazard Emergency Operations Plan

• Automated External Defibrillators (AED's)

  The AED is a self-testing, battery-operated automated external defibrillator (AED). After applying the AED's defibrillation pads to the patient's chest, the AED automatically analyzes the patient's electrocardiogram (ECG) and advises the operator to push the button and deliver a shock if needed. The AED guides the operator through the rescue using a combination of voice prompts, audible alerts and visible indicators.

  Download AED Location List

• New Stop The Bleed

  In 2015, Stop the Bleed was a national campaign created by the White House and the Department of Homeland Security. The program encourages persons to become trained, equipped and empowered to help in a bleeding emergency before professional help arrives.

  Stop the Bleed Kits can be found within all the Automated External Defibrillators (AED) cabinets located on campus.

• Building Responder Program

  Trains employees who act as emergency coordinators for each college building, assisting in evacuations and providing CPR and First Aid when necessary.

• Campus Carry Law

  South Texas College Gun Free Zones and Campus Carry information are provided on the college website.

  Campus Carry Information

• Communicable Disease Procedures
• Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Training

  Provides training to students, faculty and staff in responding to emergencies on campus and elsewhere.

• Comprehensive Safety Program
• CPR and First Aid Training

  Provides training and a certificate from the American Heart Association in administering CPR and First Aid to full time faculty and staff.

• Crime Statistics

  In compliance with the Federal Clery Act, statistics of crimes on campus and nearby locations are maintained on the college website.

  Clery Act Crime Statistics

• Emergency Response Training

  Conducted periodically to provide individuals with knowledge to respond to threats and crisis events.

• Enhanced 911 System

  College office and hallway phones automatically provide the location of the caller to 911 operators and STC Dispatch.

• Evacuation Chairs

  Located near stairwells in college buildings to assist in evacuating disabled persons from the building.

• RAVE Alert Emergency Notification System

  A system with three features that provide you with information during a crisis or other significant event; allows you to send anonymous text messages to report incidents or suspicious activities; and permits you to enter personal information that can expedite a response to your location in an emergency.

  RAVE Alert System

• STC Crisis Management Team

  An administrative decision-making group of college leaders who respond to critical incidents.

• STC Incident Command Team

  College employees whose knowledge and experience are used in mitigating, responding to and recovering from crisis events.

• Surveillance Camera Program

  An extensive network of high definition cameras that monitor buildings, walkways, driveways and parking lots to deter crime and document incidents.