EMERGENCY:
Fire and Crime in Progress: 911
Helpful NON-EMERGENCY Phone Numbers:
Police Non-Emergency: 981-5900
Mental Health Assistance: 981-5254
Animal Services: 981-6600
Anonymous Tip Line: 843-2677
It is always a good idea for residents to become familiar with their building by identifying the locations of staircases and fire extinguishers soon after moving in. Identifying the nearest of these to your unit BEFORE an emergency could save precious seconds. Also, please review posted emergency evacuation plans, usually located near the elevator.
The following is some general information regarding emergency preparedness and some useful links to web sites.
Fires
What to do if an alarm sounds:
- If an individual alarm sounds due to cooking, carefully remove the overcooked item from the oven, toaster, or stovetop, fan away the smoke, and the alarm should stop.
- If there is a fire, find the nearest extinguisher and use it.
- If you observe a fire, pull the nearest fire alarm to alert all occupants and exit the building.
- Fire sprinklers are triggered either by excessive heat or by contact. Please be certain to avoid contact with these, as large quantities of water will spray into the unit if they are triggered.
- If the building-wide alarm has been activated, Sentry Alert will be notified and the Fire Department will be sent. EVACUATE the building using the nearest staircase. When the alarms are activated, the fire safety doors in lobbies and at entrances to elevators will automatically close. These will be reopened when it is determined that there is no longer any threat to the building or occupants.
Evacuation Procedures
- While evacuating, close as many doors as possible to keep the fire from spreading. Try to lock your front door, but the first priority should be to exit the building as quickly and safely as possible.
- Stay low to the floor, as smoke rises and clean air is nearest to the floor.
- DO NOT take the elevator down. Calmly descend the staircase closest to you.
- GET AWAY from the building.
- Wait until the Fire Department gives clearance to re-enter building.
Some fire prevention tips to keep in mind:
- Know where the nearest fire extinguisher is in the building.
- Familiarize yourself with ALL stairwells and use the one nearest to your apartment to exit in an emergency.
- Be sure to test smoke detectors periodically and change the 9-volt batteries when needed (when they start making an intermittent beeping sound). Inform management immediately if you suspect they may not be functioning properly. Never tamper with or disable smoke detectors, as this is illegal and dangerous.
- Keep your oven, broiler, and stovetop free of unnecessary items and clean food build-up periodically.
The fire department says that cooking is the #1 cause of fire in the home.
They advise:
- Never throw water on a grease fire - use baking soda, a fire extinguisher, or a lid for the pan to extinguish the fire.
- Never leave stove unattended when cooking.
- Use timers for reminders.
- Never cook with loose-fitting sleeves.
- Keep all combustibles clear of burners.
- Always turn pot handles away from the edge of the stove to avoid burn injury.
Earthquakes
What to do DURING the earthquake if you are...
- Indoors
- Move away from glass or windows, which may shatter. Avoid heavy standing objects such as bookcases.
- Duck, Cover and Hold. Try to get underneath a sturdy object such as a kitchen table or a desk. Crouch under the table or desk, tucking your head to your knees and protecting your head with your arms.
- If standing in a doorway, avoid swinging doors.
- In an Elevator
- Remain calm.
- Press the call button located inside the cab to notify the emergency monitoring service.
- Be prepared for the elevator's power to shut down and the lights to go off and for the possibility that the elevator may become jammed. If it does become jammed, the shaft should be safe from falling objects. Wait for an emergency team to assist when the quake is over. Be patient - it may take some time for help to arrive.
- Outdoors
- Try to move away from buildings.
- If you cannot move to an open area, position yourself in a building doorway.
- Watch for falling power lines, walls, and other falling objects.
What to do AFTER the earthquake
- If you smell gas refer to the Maintenance FAQ page. For a general building gas leak, call PG&E at 1-800-PGE-5000.
- Be prepared for aftershocks.
Useful Websites on Emergency Preparedness:
The following public safety web sites provide more detailed information and additional suggestions for how to prepare yourself and your apartment for emergencies.
