Austin Community College students and employees should expect safety drills across the district from Monday, September 7 through Friday, September 11.

The college has designated the five-day period as Emergency Preparedness Week. Activities include campus drills, a system-wide emergency alert test and reminders about the steps people should take if a serious incident affects a college building.

The most important scheduled test is on Wednesday, September 9. ACC says students and employees should receive test messages by text and email through its Emergency Alert System. Campus public-address systems and electronic message boards may also be used, while test notices are expected on the college website and social channels.

What students and employees need to check

People who study or work at ACC are being asked to verify that the contact details recorded in college systems are current before Wednesday's test. Anyone who has changed a telephone number or email address should update the record used for emergency notifications.

Drills will take place at campuses during the week, although the college announcement does not give a timetable for each location. ACC advises people to check the emergency maps displayed around campuses and in classrooms before a drill begins.

Those maps identify ordinary and alternative exits, evacuation rally points, shelter locations, Areas of Rescue Assistance and automated external defibrillators. Knowing the nearest route and assembly point in advance should reduce confusion when a drill starts.

ACC's five safety actions

The college uses five named actions to make instructions consistent across different types of emergency:

  • Hold means remaining in the current room or area so hallways stay clear.
  • Secure means moving inside and locking outside doors while normal activity can continue indoors.
  • Lockdown means locking internal doors, switching off lights and remaining out of sight.
  • Evacuate directs people to leave for the appropriate rally point or safe area.
  • Shelter is used with specific instructions for a hazard such as severe weather or dangerous materials.

These are practice arrangements rather than notice of a current emergency. ACC says the exercise is held during the third week of each semester and coincides this term with National Preparedness Month.

Emergency contacts

For an immediate problem on an ACC campus, the college lists the ACC Police direct line as 512-223-1231. Life-threatening emergencies should be reported to 911.

Students and staff can read the full schedule guidance and follow the college's emergency-resources link in Austin Community College District's official announcement.