Deputy Sheriff Sgt. Eric Hartman of campus security met with the director of staff and operational planning Tuesday for a preliminary emergency response plan orientation. This meeting was an overview of the topics that Valley officials will discuss regarding the school's need for an emergency response plan in case in case of an attack.
"The emergency response plan is essential to the well being of the college," said Lou Albert, director of staff and operational planning.
Campus security has a disaster plan in place. However, state law requires that the school have it's own plan. Tom Jacobsmeyer, the vice president of administrative services, is the emergency response coordinator. He's worked on putting the plan together to meet the school's legal requirement. The first draft is complete. Once the final draft is done, the sheriff's department and the school intend to combine the two plans.
"We need to take the framework of Tom's emergency response plan and make it real," Albert said.
"We're taking it to another level in response to Valley College President Tyree Wieder's request," Hartman said.
In case of an emergency, it will be necessary for administrators to protect Valley's 750,00 square feet of buildings, 105 acres of land and its population of eight-10 thousand people on campus during the day.
The plan includes provisions for mass casualties and all contingencies, including the threat of chemical and biological attacks. But it's evident Valley is vulnerable. The sheriff's department has designated school lots and buildings as evacuation zones, a triage center and a community service building. Lot D will be the staging area for fire and rescue equipment.The south end of the lot will be used as a helicopter pad. The gymnastic center on the south side of Ethel Avenue will be used as a temporary morgue.
Gas mask and protective suits aren't included in the plan, nor is the famed duct tape.
"The only people who'll have any type of respirator will be the sheriff's personnel," Hartman said. "There has to be training with that. We don't want to put students and staff in a situation where there's gas -- that's a danger to them."
"We've considered all possibilities in our emergency response plan," Jacobsmeyer said. "We have an overall response to all emergencies. These are professional plans, not home solutions."
The emergency response plan orientation will take place in the media arts bldg conference room April 7, at 1p.m. Faculty, staff, student government and administrators are expected to come. The nursing department and staff with military training will be invited.
"Everyone with even the simplest of skills are encouraged to come" Albert said. "They may be able to contribute something we might need."
Mark Drummond, the chancellor of the Los Angeles Community College District, has requested Valley administrators send him an updated revision of the school's emergency response plan.
Administrative services is organizing plans for an emergency preparedness drill, tentatively scheduled for late April or early May. All students, faculty and staff are expected to participate.
"If something happens, we'll be ready," Jacobsmeyer said.
Hartman recently received a memorandum regarding a threat of terrorism nationwide. There was no specific information regarding a threat to Valley.
"Sept. 11 put a whole lot of pressure on us to get that done," Jacobsmeyer said. "Our ability to respond to emergencies has dramatically improved since 9-11."
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