If smoke or fire is discovered anywhere in a building or on the campus:

• PULL THE NEAREST FIRE ALARM.
• Call 911
• If others are nearby, ask them to call Campus Security at (828) 448-3500.
• Utilize Fire Extinguisher.
• Move away from the area. Isolate the problem as well as possible by closing doors and windows.
• DO NOT use elevators. DO NOT attempt to retrieve valuables.

Never attempt to fight a fire larger than wastebasket size. A small fire can generate enough smoke to cause serious injury. Never attempt to fight a fire by yourself. Call for help. Always stay between the fire and an exit.

• If your clothes catch fire, STOP, DROP AND ROLL!

All alarms should be taken seriously. If you hear an alarm, evacuate the building immediately. Each classroom and office suite has a floor plan beside the door that indicates in red the primary exit route and staging area. The secondary routes and staging area are in blue. The blue dot indicates location of fire extinguishers and the green dot indicates location of fire pull stations. The staging areas are listed below:

• Breeden Hall – Grassy Commons South Side
• C Building (North Side) – Grass Area
• C Building (South Side) – Grassy Commons
• Carr Hall – Parking Lot
• D Building – Grass Area North Side
• E Building – Grass Area East Side & Grassy Commons Area
• F Building – Grass Area North Side
• FHEC (at Zaxby’s) – South Side Parking Lot
• FHEC (North Side) – Parking Lot
• H Building – Grass Area East Side & Grassy Commons Area
• Hildebrand Hall – Commons Area & Grassy Area South Side of Moore Hall
• J Building – Grass Area North Side
• Jim Burnett Hall – Grass Area Above Parking Lot #2
• LRC (Southwest Side) – Grass Area
• LRC (West Side) – Parking Lot
• Moore Hall (East Side) – Flagpole
• Moore Hall (South Side) – Grass Area
• Patton Hall – Handicapped Parking Area & Grassy Commons Area
• Richardson Complex (Lower) – Parking Lot B & C
• Richardson Complex (Upper) – Parking Lot A & B

If you need general locations of buildings, consult the online campus map.

Conditions such as freezing rain, snow, tornadoes, hurricane strength winds, etc. may cause hazardous and possibly life-threatening conditions. In the event of severe weather, announcements will be made via the campus main number first at (828) 438-6000. Information can also be accessed through the college website at https://www.wpcc.edu/weather. Other methods of communication include text messages through the WPCC Messaging Service, email, and media. For severe conditions arising during school hours, students, staff and faculty are to remain in their assigned area (unless outdoors) until college administrators determine the seriousness of the conditions. Information regarding appropriate procedures for the safety, health and comfort of those remaining on campus will be delivered via email and text messages through the WPCC Messaging Service and outdoor emergency notification system if applicable.

Weather Information

Winter Storm Watch

A winter storm watch is issued when there is the potential for significant and hazardous winter weather within 48 hours. It does not mean that significant and hazardous weather will occur. It only means it is possible.

Winter Storm Warning

A winter storm warning is issued when a significant combination of hazardous winter weather is occurring or imminent.

Flash Flood Watch

A flash flood watch means conditions are favorable for flooding to develop. Heavy rains may cause flooding in certain areas.

Flash Flood Warning

A flash flood warning means conditions are issued when a flooding has been detected or spotted in the area. A Flash Flood warning is roughly for six hours or less. Observe these flash flood safety rules. They could save your life

• Keep alert for signs of rain (thunder and lightning), both where you are, and upstream.
• Be especially cautious at night. It’s harder to recognize the danger then.
• Watch for rising water levels and don’t try to drive where water is over the roads. Parts of the road may already be washed out.
• Turn Around – Don’t Drown. Never drive your vehicle into water of unknown depth. Flood waters can rise rapidly and sweep a car (and its occupants) away.
• If you’re caught in the house by suddenly rising waters, move to the second floor and, if necessary, to the roof. Take warm clothing, a flashlight, and portable radio with you. Then wait for help…don’t try to swim to safety. Rescue teams will be looking for you.

Severe Thunderstorm Watch

A severe thunderstorm watch is issued when severe thunderstorms are possible. It generally covers a large area.

Severe Thunderstorm Warning

A severe thunderstorm warning is issued when a severe thunderstorm is occurring or expected to occur within a matter of minutes.

Tornado Watch

A tornado watch means conditions are right for a tornado to form. Keep apprised of weather conditions and be ready to take shelter.

Tornado Warning

A tornado warning means that a funnel cloud or tornado has been spotted in the area. Take shelter immediately in case a tornado approaches It is vital that all employees know that there is no such thing as a safe area in the event of a tornado.  However, there are safer areas within any building.  These are identified as follows.

Tornado Shelter Areas

Here are locations you should go if a tornado warning is issued:

• Breeden Hall – Conference Room
• C Building – Breeden Hall Conference Room
• Carr Hall – Room 138
• E Building – Rooms 10 or 12
• F Building – Men’s Locker Room
• Foothills Higher Education Center – Room 156 or Restrooms
• H Building – Room 22
• Hildebrand Hall – Restrooms
• J Building – Room 30
• Jim Burnett Hall – Room 160
• LRC – Rooms 92 or 99
• Moore Hall – Auditorium
• Patton Hall – Room 27
• Rostan Horticulture Center – Breeden Hall Conference Room
• Richardson Complex – Restrooms, Hallways, Room 210

If you need general locations of buildings, consult the online campus map.

Lightning

Lightning strikes may occur 5 to 15 minutes from the center of storm activity.  The general rule from the National Weather Service is, “If you can hear thunder, proceed indoors”.  If outside, the following practices can provide some protection from lightning strikes:

• Remove jewelry, coins, or other metallic objects that may attract lightning.
• Stay away from tall objects that attract lightning, such as trees or antennas.
• If in a hardtop vehicle, stay inside the vehicle.
• Before lightning strikes, hair on the head stands up. Crouch or squat close to the ground,   minimizing electrical contact.  Keep feet together.
• Treat any type of downed lines as energized, even if you think it is not an electrical line. Keep a minimum of 80 feet clearance between you and any downed line. Lightnining has caused electrical energy to travel several hundred feet through the ground.
• Call 911 if you see any lightning damage or downed power lines.

In the event of an earthquake and/or structural failure, there will be very little, if any, warning time in which to react.  Advise everyone (all building occupants) to take the following actions:

• If you feel the ground shake, take the following precautions immediately:
  1. DUCK – When the shaking first starts: DUCK or drop to the floor.
  2. COVER – Take COVER under a sturdy desk, table or other furniture. If there is nothing available to take cover under, crouch against an interior wall and protect your head and neck with your arms. Stay away from window, hanging objects, mirrors or anything that might fall.
  3. HOLD – If seeking cover under a piece of furniture, HOLD onto it and be prepared to move with it during the quake.
• Stay near an interior wall. Do not use the elevators.
• During the tremors, do not attempt to exit the building. Most fatalities occur when people fail to take cover.
• Outdoors – move to a clear area, away from trees, signs, buildings or downed electrical lines and poles.
• When tremors have stopped, evacuate immediately. Damage to the structure is likely.
• Follow the facility’s general evacuation plan.
• If the building is not to be reoccupied, follow the facility directions from the Crisis Management Team onsite.
• Do not enter a damaged building until the Director of Crisis Management gives approval to reenter the structure.

In case of serious medical emergency, CALL 911 then:

• If others are nearby, ask them to call Campus Security at (828) 448-3500. Have them give your location and a description of the problem.
• Stay with the victim and follow instructions of the 911 operator.
• Avoid contact with any visible body fluids such as blood or vomit. Report spillage of any body fluids to Campus Security at (828) 448-3500.
• Keep the victim still, comfortable and warm.
• Protect the victim from any disturbances.
• Search for any emergency identification (i.e. ID bracelet).
• Wait for emergency help to arrive. Never leave the victim alone if at all possible.
• All staff and faculty are encouraged to attend a first aid and CPR training course.
• Know the location of a first aid kit and instruction book and replenish the contents on a regular basis.

If a psychological crisis occurs (e.g. suicide attempt, disorientation, confusion, panic), CALL 911 then:

• If others are nearby, ask them to call Campus Security at (828) 448-3500. Have them give your location and a description of the problem.
• Stay with the victim unless your safety is threatened. Wait for emergency response personnel to arrive.
• Stay calm and do not incite panic in others.
• Be sensitive to the family and friends during the crisis.

Locations of First Aid Kits and First Aid Rooms:

• Emergency Services Training Center
• Laboratories and Shops
• Maintenance Shed, Buildings and Grounds Office
• Physical Education Offices
• WPCC Pick-Up Truck
• Breeden Hall
• Carr Hall – Room 139
• C Building – Room 102
• E Building – Room 7, Room 103A, Room 130A, Room 112
• Foothills Higher Education Center – Information Desk & Workforce Development
• H Building – Room 21, Room 2, Room 121, Room 122
• Hildebrand Hall – Advising Center Receptionist
• J Building – Room 30, Room 35, Room 40, Room 50
• Jim Burnett Hall – Security Office, Room 151, Room 262
• LRC – Library
• M Building – Room 10
• Moore Hall – BLET Office Room 103B, Business Office, Information Desk
• Patton Hall – Room 104, Room 10
• Richardson Complex – Learning Center Room 210, Information Desk & Room 115A

If you need general locations of buildings, consult the online campus map.

Locations of Defibrillators

• Emergency Services Training Center
• Hildebrand Hall – Fitness Room
• Foothills Higher Education Center – Information Desk
• Library
• Moore Hall – Mail Room
• Richardson Complex – Room 115A (Workroom)
• Security Office

If you need general locations of buildings, consult the online campus map.

Locations of Ambu Bags

• Security Office & Car
• Student Services
• Foothills Higher Education Center
• Maintenance Director’s Vehicle
• Moore Hall – Information Desk, Room 10 in closet by time clock with wheelchair
• Library
• Richardson Complex – Room 115A (Workroom)
• Carr Hall – Room 141
• Breeden Hall – Room 100A
• E Building – Room103A

If you need general locations of buildings, consult the online campus map.

Locations of Blankets

• Carr Hall – Room 141 supply closet
• Mailroom
• Richardson Complex – Room 115A (Workroom)
• Security’s Car