Emergency Management

Emergency Management

The Emergency Management Program is the framework through which CMC reduces hazards and responds to emergencies. This framework protects the CMC community by coordinating and integrating all activities necessary to build, sustain, and improve the capability to prevent, mitigate, protect, respond, and recover from all threats to life, safety, and normal business operations.

The CMC Emergency Management Program is based on the functions and principles of the Standardized Emergency Management System (SEMS), the National Incident Management System (NIMS), the National Fire Protection Association Standard 1600, the National Response Framework, Department of Education Guidelines, FEMA’s Comprehensive Planning Guide 101, and the requirements of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

Emergency Notification System

CMC’s emergency alert system, Everbridge, relays urgent information as quickly as possible. When you receive an emergency alert, read it and follow any instructions it contains. Be sure to follow updates and directions as information becomes available through ongoing communications, which may be distributed via email, telephone, social media, and emergency websites.

Enrollment in the Everbridge system for CMC students is automatic based on existing student information, including cell phone numbers, personal email and CMC email addresses. The Everbridge system receives updated contact information for students on a nightly basis. Enrollment in the Everbridge system for faculty and staff occurs during the onboarding process through the Human Resources department. Verification of this contact information is conducted every semester.

CMC is committed to ensuring the availability of timely, accurate, and useful information in the event of an emergency. The emergency notification system is managed by The Claremont Colleges Services and incorporates technology consisting of email, text messaging, and telephone notifications through Everbridge, a cloud-based platform.

There are 3 types of notifications:

• Emergency Notifications – Notices regarding a significant emergency or dangerous situation at or near the Claremont Colleges that affects the health and/or safety of the community
• Advisories – Notices that require increased attention or awareness, such as road closures, civil disturbances, utility interruptions that may directly or indirectly affect the Claremont Colleges.
• Timely Warnings – Notices delivering important information about public safety or criminal activity that must be distributed within a certain timeframe in compliance with the Clery Act.

These types of notifications may contain information that is directive in nature, such as taking the following actions:

• Lockdown: A response strategy where doors are locked — automatically if available — and community members should stay secure and concealed in their space until first responders make contact or provide additional guidance
• Shelter in Place: A response strategy where community members should stay in one place, possibly for extended periods of time, as it may be considered unsafe to move about the campus. This response is typically associated with inclement weather or other environmental threats.
• Evacuation: A response strategy requiring community members to leave the area and report to Evacuation Assembly Areas as posted within each building. College response teams would then provide aid, allocate resources, and provide additional guidance.