Where we foster excellence in education that challenges students of every background to develop their intellect, character, and abilities; to assist students in achieving their educational and career goals; and to be responsive to the greater community.
Remain calm and answer the dispatcher's questions. The dispatcher is trained to obtain the necessary and required information for an appropriate emergency response.
If safe to do so, stop and take time to get a good description of the shooter. Note height, weight, sex, race, approximate age, clothing, method and direction of travel, and his/her name, if known.
If the suspect is entering a vehicle, note the license plate number, make and model, color, and outstanding characteristics. All of this takes only a few seconds and is of the utmost help to the responding officers.
NOTE: An individual must use his/her own discretion during an active shooter event as to whether he/she chooses to run to safety or remain in place. However, best practices for an active shooter event are listed below.
Drop to the ground immediately, face down as flat as possible. If within 15-20 feet of a safe place or cover, duck and run to it. Move or crawl away from gunfire, trying to utilize any obstructions between you and the gunfire.
When you reach a place of relative safety, stay down and do not move.
Wait and listen for directions from College Safety and/or public agency personnel.
Stay inside the classroom/office.
If possible, close and lock the outside door to the room.
Close the blinds, turn off the lights, remain quiet and move behind an available cover. Stay on the floor, away from doors or windows, and do not peek out to see what may be happening.
If possible and safe to do so, report the location of the assailant.
If Suspect Is In Close Proximity
Lie motionless and pretend to be unconscious.
Do not attempt to apprehend or interfere with the shooter except for self-protection.
An individual must use his/her own discretion about when he or she must engage a shooter for survival.
While shootings in schools are rare episodes, when they occur, they are often devastating. As an institution of higher learning, it is important for Imperial Community College to view these types of incidents with the appropriate perspective. Since 1966, there have been 89 shooting deaths at U.S. universities and college campuses; Virginia Tech was the largest. Compare that to the approximately 1,100 that commit suicide on college and university campuses every year, or the 1,400 to 1,700 alcohol related deaths on college and university campuses each year.
Despite shootings on campuses being rare, we as a community must be vigilant and prepared. It is important to note a few facts about these types of shootings. The Secret Service has studied the 30 major shooting incidents that have taken place at schools (elementary through college) since 1974. They found remarkable similarity in them. First, almost all the individuals who have committed these crimes have been male and were known for being isolated socially.
Almost all of them planned out their actions in advance, and over three quarters of them shared their plans with others before putting them into effect. Unfortunately, in only two cases did anyone report the plan to authorities before the attack. With these facts in mind, it is critically important that members of our community report threats and potential threats in a timely manner.
If you believe an individual poses an imminent threat to a member or members of the college community, please contact the Department of College Safety immediately. If you are located at an off-campus site, and believe imminent danger is likely, please contact 911 immediately and then contact the Department of College Safety.
If you do not believe that harm is imminent, but an individual's behavior seems threatening or seems like it could lead to harm to the individual or to the community, you should report the concern.
If you are a student or a faculty member, contact the Department of College Safety or your Dean's office. If you are a staff member or another member of the community, contact College Safety or the local police. It is better to err on the side of notifying the appropriate individuals than to remain silent; the institution has resources with which to assess these situations and the individual of concern. If you have any questions, please contact the Campus Safety office at (760) 483-7411.
As the number of school shootings increases, it has become more apparent that students, faculty, and staff need to be prepared to respond to a threat. Imperial Community College takes the safety of everyone on our campus seriously. It is important for each member of our community to know what to do in the event of an active shooter.
From any phone call 911 to be connected to a Sheriff's Office emergency dispatcher. To reach a Campus Deputy Sheriff or a Campus Safety Officer call extension 1111 from any campus telephone or call the Campus Safety cell phone at 760-483-7411. The Campus Safety and Parking Control Department can be reached by calling 760-355-6308 /6307 and is in Room 902.
When calling the Campus Safety Officer cell phone, do not leave a voice mail message. If your call is not answered call the Campus Safety and Parking Control Department directly.
To contact a Campus Deputy Sheriff or a Campus Safety Officer or to report a campus crime please call the Campus Safety cell phone (760-483-7411) or Campus Safety Department at (760) 355-6308 / 6307 (Monday through Thursday 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. and Friday's until 7:30 p.m.). Or you can make the report in person by coming to the Campus Safety and Parking Control Department at Room 902.