Building Marshal training consists of two components:
- General, basic Building Marshal training that covers CSUN Emergency Procedures, Incident Command Structure, CSUN General Evacuation Procedures, and equipment distribution. These training sessions are offered at least twice per semester and facilitated by the Emergency Preparedness Manager.
- The second component is a Building specific training organized by the Principal Building Marshal in coordination with the Emergency Preparedness Manager. These training sessions cover the specifics of the building evacuation routes, exits, assembly points and the specific areas of responsibility for each Building Marshal. These trainings are also a great opportunity to meet and get to know other building marshals in your building. These sessions are scheduled as needed although they should be held at least once annually. Please contact your Principal Building Marshal or Lisa Curtis, Emergency Preparedness Manager, for more information.
In the event of an emergency that necessitates building evacuation, there is an established Incident Command structure to assist in maintaining good information flow and situational awareness in order to respond to the emergency. CSUN Police will respond to the emergency situation and establish and Incident Command Post (identified by the green flag on the CSUN Police vehicle) in coordination with any other responding authorities (such as LA Fire Department and/or Hazardous Materials Team).
Principal Building Marshals serve as leaders for the Building Marshal Program in each building on campus. Principal Building Marshals will wear green vests and helmets to make them easily identifiable. The Principal Building Marshal will be the liaison with the Incident Command Post. This structure allows one point of contact between first responders and Building Marshals.
Building Marshals will report information from their areas of responsibility and/or any issues to the Principal Building Marshal. This could include the locations of trapped or injured persons, those refusing the evacuate, anything suspicious/hazardous observed. Principal Building Marshals will collect this information and report it to the Incident Command Post. Building Marshals will also receive information from the Incident Command Post through the Principal Building Marshal and can relay this information to staff, students, and faculty.
Staff, students, and faculty may have questions regarding the evacuation or have information that they would like to pass along, Building Marshals will receive any pertinent information and communicate it up to the Principal Building Marshal.
Before an Emergency/Drill:
- Attend regular meetings and training sessions.
- Maintain Building Marshal emergency supplies.
- Be familiar with escape routes, dead ends, hidden rooms, and unique hazards in your area.
Building evacuation will occur via one of the following mechanisms:
- When a building evacuation alarm is sounded; or
- Upon notification by a University Police Officer, or by a Building Marshal; or
- If you see a fire, activate the alarm.
Evacuation Procedures:
- When the alarm sounds, stop work, grab equipment and put on vest and/or helmet while evacuating.
- Announce loudly to evacuate and instruct building occupants to bring their personal belongings as they may not return for some time.
- Guide visitors and/or students to the nearest unobstructed stairwells and exterior exits. DO NOT USE ELEVATORS!
- Check each room by quickly touching the door, feeling for heat. Scan the room and announce loudly to evacuate. Take notes of the injured, disabled, or missing persons and those that refuse to evacuate.
- Proceed through your office area ensuring that all spaces have been evacuated.
- Assist persons with disabilities to the best that your training safely allows.
- Evacuate to the predetermined primary evacuation location. Should the primary location be obstructed or otherwise unsafe, proceed to the alternate location.
- Once evacuated, report all information gathered to the Principal Building Marshal and/or Police Incident Command Post at the evacuation site.
- If asked, assist the first responders and other Building Marshal in the execution of their duties, as directed, until excused.
Equipment used by the Building Marshals is issued by the Department of Police Services.
It is the responsibility of each Building Marshal to maintain the equipment they are issued and to keep it in working order and available in their work location for use in an emergency.
The Building Marshal is also responsible to ensure that all of the equipment issued is to be returned upon separation from employment or a change in responsibility in emergency response duties.
Each Building Marshal is encouraged to have personal preparedness supplies at their work place.
University issued equipment includes:
- Orange Hard Hat
- Orange Safety Vest
- Lanyard with Whistle
- Flashlight with batteries
- Building Marshal Bag
Although Building Marshals are primarily responsible for assisting with evacuation, CSUN Emergency Management encourages Building Marshals to be knowledgeable about Emergency Procedures and resources, and to communicate this knowledge to others in their worksites. Emergency procedures resources include the following:
Our Emergency Procedures posters are excellent tools for quick reference in many different hazardous situations. These posters are designed to be placed in highly visible locations throughout campus so that in the event of an emergency, building occupants can easily recall the proper response procedures. Ideal locations for posters include: offices, breakrooms, waiting areas, hallways, bulletin boards, classrooms, restrooms, computer labs, and more.
Our Emergency Desk References for staff, students, and faculty are a great resource for more detailed information on what to do in different types of hazardous situations on campus. These guides also including information about campus-wide and department level emergency planning and guidelines for personal emergency preparedness. These can be viewed electronically through our website or the CSUN mobile application, or hard copies can be requested by contacting Emergency Preparedness Manager Lisa Curtis.
It is also critical that all students, staff, and faculty know to keep emergency contact information up to date in the myNorthridge portal in order to be contacted through our mass notification systems during an emergency situation. The system will contact you by phone call and email and can also contact you via SMS text message if you select this option. You can add multiple email addresses and can add additional phone numbers for spouses, parents, roommates, family members or anyone else you would like to receive the emergency information.
CSUN Emergency Management also offers Lunchtime Preparedness Workshops throughout the academic year. For current listings please visit our Training page. Subjects include disaster kits, family emergency plans, earthquake preparedness, fire safety & wildfire preparedness, and CSUN Emergency Procedures. Presentations can also be arranged for specific groups, departments, meetings, or classes by contacting Emergency Preparedness Manager Lisa Curtis.
