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Emergency Safety Procedures

Important Phone Numbers

GRCC Police (Emergency)

4911 (college phones)
(616) 234-4911 (other phones)

GRCC Police (non-emergency)

4010 (college phones)
(616) 234-4010 (other phones)

Local Fire or Police Department

911

Ottawa County Sheriff (non-emergency)

(800) 249-0911

Ottawa County Sheriff (Emergency)

911 (GRCC Lakeshore Campus phones)

Poison Control Center

(800) 222-1222

Medical Emergencies

  • Call GRCC Police (616) 234-4911 or push the GRCC Police button on any campus hardphone.
  • Call 911 from a GRCC Lakeshore Campus phone or other phone.
  • Provide location, nature of the emergency and known medical conditions.
  • Remain with the person.

Suspicious Person

  • Do not physically confront the person.
  • Do not let anyone into a locked or card access building or room.
  • Call GRCC Police at (616) 234-4911 (GRCC Lakeshore Campus call 911), provide the following:
    • Your name.
    • What is the problem?
    • Where is the problem?
    • Description of person.
    • Type of weapon, if any.
    • Your current location.
  • Stay on the line until told to hang up.

Active Assailant

  • Remember: RUN, HIDE, FIGHT.
  • Get Out/Evacuate if at all possible.
  • Shelter in Place - Lock/Barricade doors.
  • Take Aggressive Action as last resort.
  • Call GRCC Police at (616) 234-4911 (GRCC Lakeshore Campus call 911) when safe to do so.

Bomb Threat

  • Document date and time.
  • Document where the call originated (displayed on caller ID where available).
  • Write down exactly what was said, be specific.
  • Note the age of the caller (sound of caller, young, very young, old, etc.).
  • Listen for background noises, or sounds, such as music, children, etc.
  • Call GRCC Police at (616) 234-4911 (GRCC Lakeshore Campus call 911), immediately.         

Weather Emergency

  • For up-to-date weather information, review the NOAA Weather Forecast
  • Emergency announcements may come through:
    • Classroom/office phone speakers.
    • Email announcements.
    • Text message via the Rave Alert system.
    • Automated phone calls.

Tornado Warnings

  • Upon notification proceed to posted shelter area.
  • Use the stairs in case of power outage.
  • Stay away from windows and glass.

Tornado Watches

  • Remain alert and be prepared to evacuate to shelter area.

Building Evacuation Procedures

When evacuation is necessary:

  • Follow evacuation routes to nearest exit or stairwell.
  • DO NOT use elevators.
  • Take personal belongings.
  • Assist people with disabilities.
  • Proceed at least 300 feet from the building or as far as necessary for safety.

If you are unable to evacuate: 

  • Proceed to the nearest "Rescue Assistance Area"
  • Call 911 or GRCC Police at (616) 234-4911 to report your location
  • Remain there until emergency personnel arrive

Power Outages

  • Immediately notify GRCC Police at (616) 234-4911.
  • Emergency lighting will come on.
  • If in a lab turn off gas burners and equipment.
  • Wait for instructions via a phone message through the Rave Alert system.

Fire or Smoke

  • Never assume a fire alarm is false. If alarm is activated, you must evacuate.
  • If necessary activate the nearest fire alarm pull station.
  • Alert others of the danger and need to evacuate.
  • Shut down all hazardous equipment and gas valves in the area.
  • Immediately exit the building, closing doors between you and the fire.
  • When safe call GRCC Police at (616) 234-4911 (GRCC Lakeshore Campus call 911) with location and nature of the fire.
  • Notify emergency personnel if you know of people who are still in the building.
  • Remain outside until notified by Authorities.

If Caught In Smoke

  • Drop and crawl toward an exit if possible.
  • Breathe slowly using a towel or shirt as a filter.
  • If trapped, close doors and wedge cloth material under doors to keep smoke out.
  • Use windows to notify responders.
  • Break windows as a last resort as they cannot be closed if necessary.

When To Use An Extinguisher

Only use an extinguisher if:

  • You have been trained.
  • The fire is small.
  • You are not alone.
  • You have an escape route.
  • If not, close the door and evacuate.

An extinguisher can be used to suppress a fire that blocks your exit from the building.

Remember PASS; Pull the pin, Aim the extinguisher hose at the base of the fire, Squeeze the lever, Sweep from side to side.

Rave Alert

Rave Alert Mass Notification System (Rave Alert) is Grand Rapids Community College's mass communication system. Sign up for alerts or update your information.

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