Life at ECU | Campus Services

Safety + Incident Reporting

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Life at ECU | Campus Services

Safety + Incident Reporting

Emergency Preparedness

Whether facing a fire alarm, earthquake or severe weather, knowing what to do and acting quickly is key.

This page has some resources to help you respond to emergency situations with confidence.

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Emily Alert

Emily Alert is Emily Carr University’s campus emergency notification system. It sends text, phone or email messages to let you know about urgent situations, like fires, earthquakes, threats, campus closures or evacuation notices. The alerts will have instructions on what to do next and where to get more information.

Registering is quick and easy. A third-party provider with secure servers in Canada and Europe manages the system. Your information is used only for emergency notifications and is not shared.

Set up Emily Alert today so you can receive essential alerts when they matter most.

How to Set Up Emily Alert

1. Log in to MYEC.

2. In the left menu, expand My Links and click User Profile. 

3. Select Phone Numbers, then click Add New Phone. 

4. Enter your cell phone number under Phone Details. 

5. For type, select Cellular Phone. You must enter a cell number to receive Emily Alerts by text message.

6. Take a moment to review and update your other contact details. It’s a good habit to check them regularly. 

If you didn’t receive an alert, check your contact details in myEC to make sure they’re up to date. Emily Alert is tested at least once a year, usually during an emergency practice drill. You’ll be notified in advance.

Resources for Emergency Situations

Learn what to do in all kinds of emergency situations. Remember: being prepared is key!

Earthquake

Drop, Cover & Hold On! If we experience an earthquake while on campus, try to do the following:

  • Drop to the ground and take cover under a desk.
  • Hold on to the desk to stop it from moving as you’re trying to protect yourself from falling debris.
  • If you are in a hallway, try to get to an interior wall or stairwell, drop to the ground and protect your head.
  • Try to stay away from doorways and windows, to avoid breaking glass.
  • Do not try to exit the building. There may be debris falling.
  • Wait for aftershocks to pass.

ECU has portable first aid kits, food, water and emergency blankets available for emergency use, as well as emergency response kits for fire wardens. Remember to stay patient in an emergency so that supplies can be efficiently distributed.

Visit the Government of B.C.’s website for helpful resources for what to do at home, while driving, how to prepare an emergency plan and more.

Building Evacuation

Fire alarms, smoke, power loss or other emergencies may trigger evacuations.

If evacuation is necessary, head to the West Plaza on the southwest side of the building, near the Nemesis patio and parkade elevator. The Wilson Arts Plaza on the southeast side of campus is an alternate assembly location if needed.

Re-enter the building only when Facilities or Security confirms it is safe. Do not re-enter because the alarm has stopped — additional safety checks may still be underway.

Fire

If you see a fire, notify Security immediately and pull a fire alarm. Only use a fire extinguisher if you are completely confident that you can do so safely. Always stay between the fire and your exit. Never risk being trapped.

  • If you hear a single pulsing alarm, get ready to evacuate.
  • If you hear three rapid alarms, evacuate immediately. You’ll also hear voice commands over the building loudspeakers.
  • When evacuating, calmly head to an exit.

Fire Wardens will direct you to our assembly location at the South Plaza on the southwest side of the building, near the Nemesis patio and parkade elevator, or to our alternate assembly location on the Wilson Arts Plaza on the Southeast side of campus. Do not return to the building until instructed to by Facilities or Security.

Remember

  • Always treat alarms as real. Do not wait until you see flames.
  • Leave immediately. Don’t wait to finish your phone call or conversation. Close doors behind you as you evacuate.
  • If you’re in class, try to stay together as you evacuate to the designated assembly area. If you’re teaching a class, make sure all students leave.
  • If someone refuses to leave, notify a Fire Warden so they can inform the fire department.

Your safety is more important than property or equipment. Always err on the side of caution: when in doubt, get out.