John Etchemendy
BY JOHN ETCHEMENDY
As we mourn the tragic loss of life in the recent earthquake in southwestern China's Sichuan Province, our hearts go out to the thousands of victims who have lost their lives and loved ones. We particularly want to reach out to those in the Stanford community who have loved ones there or have ties to that area. We remind you that the campus offers a wide network of support, and those who find themselves troubled by these tragic events can contact the offices of the Vice Provost for Students Affairs; Religious Life; or Counseling and Psychological Services.
This also is a good time to remind ourselves about the importance of earthquake safety and preparation. Below are some guidelines to follow to keep ourselves safe. Additional information is available on the Environmental Health and Safety website.
Read the emergency information posted in buildings and published in the Stanford Directory. Think ahead about how you would exit your room, office or building. Familiarize yourself with the location of fire extinguishers.
Get to know the location of the Emergency Assembly Points (EAPs) for your residence and campus buildings. EAP signposts (with a blue triangle enclosed in a white circle) are installed in open areas near all campus buildings. A map of all campus EAPs is available.
Keep the attached wallet card with the university's emergency hotline numbers: (650) 725-5555 or (800) 89-SHAKE. Add your own emergency contact number and carry the card with you at all times. Let your emergency contacts know that (800) 89-SHAKE—(800) 897-4253—will broadcast recorded emergency bulletins. Callers from outside the United States seeking information should call 01 (602) 241-6769. Emergency updates also will be posted on the web at http://emergency.stanford.edu. Also, be sure to update your emergency contacts in Axess and StanfordYou.
During a quake, do not panic or run. If you are indoors, take cover under a table or desk, between the rows of seats in a classroom or against a hallway wall. Outdoors, move to an open area away from overhangs and arcades and other places where there are likely to be hazards such as falling brick, glass, trees or power lines. Protect your head and neck. If you are in a car, stop carefully away from structures or bridges and stay in the vehicle. After the quake, listen to your car radio for information.
John Etchemendy is provost of Stanford University.
