Emergency Preparedness

As members of the Reed housing community, we each share in the responsibility of keeping our buildings safe and secure.

It is important that every student be aware of their environment and make good decisions about their own safety and the safety of their neighbors.

The department of Residence Life asks all residents to acknowledge the following responsibilities.

Know and be prepared to respond to the college’s emergency procedures

Please read Community Safety’s Emergency Procedures to prepare yourself in the case of a building fire, bomb threat, earthquake or other type of evacuation. Your area coordinator and house advisor can answer any questions you have about campus emergency responses and procedures. Please pay particular attention during Orientation Week, when your HA will cover your particular building’s evacuation plan and rally point in your first community meeting. Evacuation maps are also posted throughout your residence hall building.

We recommend each student at Reed have a personal emergency kit that is easily accessible in case of an emergency. A basic kit should contain a flashlight with batteries, water, nonperishable food (such as a trail mix bar), warm clothing or blankets, and personal medications. During an emergency or building evacuation, residence life and community safety staff will provide necessary instructions for emergency procedures. Please comply with all instructions from staff members and emergency responders.

Make a plan for communicating with family, friends, and roommates in an emergency

Local and cellular telephone systems are often overwhelmed during an emergency, making it difficult to place and receive calls. It is advised you create a phone tree with your family to relay important information and updates. We strongly encourage you to sign up for Reed’s Emergency Alert Service. Your Reed email address is automatically registered to receive campus emergency alerts but you can add other contact information, including your cell phone, in IRIS under “Personal Information.”

Follow all the guidelines in your Housing Contract

The Housing Contract outlines health and safety expectations in order to ensure safe and productive livinglearning communities. Policies concerning open flames, smoking, and tampering with fire safety equipment are particularly important in order to safeguard the facilities and community from fires.

Report any concerning issues or suspicious behavior

If you see any suspicious behavior or receive a suspicious package, please call community safety at 503-788-6666.

If you notice any maintenance needs or damages to the building (e.g. electrical issues, plumbing leaks, the smell of gas in a common room kitchen), immediately report the damages to maintenance (non-emergency) or community safety (emergency). Never assume the issue has been reported by someone else.

If you have any questions about emergency preparedness or response procedures, contact your area coordinator, the residence life office or community safety.