778 - Policy on Emergency Notification

  • Policy Number: 776
  • Policy Title: Interim Olympic College Policy on Emergency Notification
  • Policy Owner: Facilities and Safety Council
  • Date Approved: Mar. 23, 2026
  • Date Revised: NA
  • Date Reviewed: NA 

Scope

This policy applies to all members of the Olympic College community and visitors at any college-operated location. It governs the use of emergency communication tools and outlines procedures for issuing alerts in the event of an imminent or ongoing threat.

Purpose & Background

The purpose of this policy is to ensure Olympic College delivers timely, accurate, and effective emergency notifications to students, faculty, staff, and visitors. These communications support the safety and preparedness of the campus community across all campuses.

Definitions

  1. Emergency Notification: A communication issued by the College to warn of an immediate or ongoing threat to campus safety.
  2. Immediate Threat: A serious or continuing danger to health or safety, including natural disasters, active assailant situations, hazardous materials, or fire.
  3. All Clear: A notification that the threat has passed, and normal operations may resume.

Policy

  1. Notification
    1. Olympic College will activate its emergency notification system in response to any incident posing a significant risk to health or safety. These may include:
      • Severe weather or natural disasters
      • Fires, chemical spills, or gas leaks
      • Active shooter or violent intruder events
      • Campus closures or evacuations
      • Other events deemed an immediate threat
    2. Notifications will be distributed using the college’s designated Emergency Notification System (ENS) via website banners, text message, email and on campus TV screens. Messages will also be published to local media outlets, on social media, Teams and Messages, and the campus emergency broadcast systems.
    3. Campus Safety and Security confirms qualifying incidents and coordinates with the Office of
      Communications for content approval. Updates will follow until an All Clear is issued.
  2. Enforcement
    Failure by employees to comply with this policy may result in disciplinary action. Misuse or false activation of the emergency notification system is strictly prohibited and will be subject to investigation by the Executive Director of Facilities and Safety and the Chief Communications Officer. Emergency notifications may not be used to impede or obstruct legitimate law enforcement activities.
  3. Responsibilities
    1. Chief Communications Officer: Approves and issues messages. Investigates any misuse or false activations.
    2. Executive Director of Facilities and Safety: Approves and issues messages. Investigates any misuse or false activations. Confirms incidents and initiates notifications.
    3. Director of Emergency Management: Confirms incidents and initiates notifications.
    4. Chief Operations Officer: Primary enforcement oversight.
    5. IT Services: Supports system functionality and message delivery

Related Information

  1. ANY applicable federal and state emergency communication regulations
  2. State
    1. RCW 43.10.310
  3. Local
    1. OCP 200-14: Suspended Operation Policy
    2. OCP 300-01: Student Conduct Code
    3. OCP 400-12: Workplace Violence Prevention