Safety and Security

Safe RDC App

IN CASE OF EMERGENCY, MEDICAL EMERGENCY OR INJURY, CALL: 403.343.4000 (external line), 4000 (internal line), or notify security by using the SAFE RDP App.
 

The safety and security of every student, staff member and visitor who comes to Red Deer Polytechnic is a top priority.

Campus Security are trained in emergency response, first aid, CPR and Automated External Defibrillator (AED) use and are recognized as first responders for minor medical aid. 

Campus Security is on duty 24 hours per day at the main entrance of Red Deer Polytechnic’s main campus. Security is available to support students, faculty, staff and visitors. Inquiries can be made in person, by telephone or the SAFE RDP App 24/7.

  • Phone: 403.343.4000 (Emergency)

  • 403.342.3445 (Non-Emergency)

  • Through the SAFE RDP App

  • In person at the main entrance of Red Deer Polytechnic’s main campus

Security also provides a first point of contact for a number of campus functions including:

  • Campus directions and way finding
  • Lost and found
  • Safewalk
  • Building access (key issues)
  • Personal safety & security  
  • Emergency Preparedness
  • Parking enforcement
  • After hours/working alone safety procedures
  • Investigations
  • Emergency Response

SAFE RDP App

Red Deer Polytechnic has a safety and security app, SAFE RDP, which helps everyone to stay safe and informed on our campuses. SAFE RDP provides another way for people to contact security and access relevant resources in an accessible format.

SAFE RDP is available for free. To download on an Apple device, type SAFE RDP in the app store. To download on all other devices, type in SAFERDP. 

In addition to providing emergency contact information and crisis alerts, the app includes safewalk and friend walk links, tips on reporting a crime, a safety toolbox, campus maps and more.

Safewalk Program

This program is in place to ensure the safety of our students, faculty, staff and visitors as they travel about the Red Deer Polytechnic campus, particularly during evenings and after hours.

To request a Safewalk, notify security by calling 403.342.3445 (3445 internal line) or by using the SAFE RDP app. Campus Security will meet you at your location and provide an escort for you to your office, vehicle, or other requested destination on campus.

Emergency Preparedness

Red Deer Polytechnic’s Emergency Preparedness Plan identifies strategies to best deal with any emergency and defines the roles and responsibilities of key personnel who comprise our Emergency Response Team. This plan has been developed in conjunction with off campus agencies and is designed in a manner which supports a coordinated response from the City of Red Deer, the RCMP, the fire department, or ambulance personnel if needed.

Situations Which May Result in Activating Red Deer Polytechnic's Disaster Plans include:

  • Natural Disaster: tornado, hurricane, snowstorm, high winds, heat wave, cold snap, earthquake, fire, meteor, flood etc.
  • Person induced: plane crash, terrorist activity, personal violence, water pollution (containment), utility problem (gas leak), explosion, bomb, toxic chemical spill etc.
  • Diseases: Pandemic response, Meningitis, Encephalitis, Red Measles, Hepatitis A (food handlers) etc.

Evacuating Main Campus

In the event of an emergency on Red Deer Polytechnic's main campus in which students, faculty and staff will be alerted to the situation through messages on overhead speakers in common areas, and on phones in offices or classrooms. In all emergency situations, please follow the instructions that are provided to you.

In the event that a situation requires people to evacuate, please do so safely, by proceeding to the nearest exit and then walking to the nearest muster point outside, well away from our facilities. View the Emergency Evacuation Map for details. 

Fire/Smoke Response Plan

When fire bells are activated, the following procedure should be followed:

  • Occupants of any area where the alarm bells are ringing are to immediately evacuate outside through the nearest safe exit to a designated safe area and await further direction from the Red Deer Polytechnic Emergency Response Team.
  • Once danger has passed or if no danger exists (false alarm), individuals will be notified through the global communication system or Emergency Response Team.

Medical Emergency

In the event of an emergency where immediate medical aid is required:

  • Contact the College Emergency Line at 4000 (internal line) or 403.343.4000 (external line). The personnel at the Security Centre will contact 911 and assist emergency services in attending the scene. 911 (external line) or 9.911 (internal line) may also be contacted directly.
  • Identify yourself and give exact details on your location and medical emergency.
  • Victims should not be moved by untrained personnel except in life threatening situations.

Tornado Response Plan

In the event that Red Deer Polytechnic is determined to be in the affected area of a tornado warning:

  • Global message sent advising of warning and directing people to areas of safety, as indicated on posted emergency procedures. City Emergency Services advised.
  • Once danger has passed, communication will be relayed through the emergency global communication system. The Emergency Response Team will assist in returning individuals to their work areas.

Armed Intruder / Dangerous Person Response Plan

In the event that information is known about an armed intruder or a potentially violent situation on campus:

  • Info relayed to Security, Red Deer Polytechnic's Emergency Response Team, and 911.
  • Emergency global message sent to initiate a complete lockdown. Directions for lockdown are posted in all classrooms, office clusters, meeting rooms, labs and shops (lock door, turn off lights, draw blinds, move where occupants are not visible from hallway, await further communication).
  • Upon arrival of police, the Red Deer Polytechnic Emergency Response Team will act as support.
  • Continued communication through the global communication system as directed by police.

Bomb Threat Response Plan

Upon receipt of a bomb threat at Red Deer Polytechnic:

  • Information gathered and documented as per policy and relayed to Incident Commander (Manager of Security and Emergency Response, Director of Campus Management, Campus Security, etc.) and 911 emergency services.
  • Incident Commander will review details and decide upon a course of action, as outlined in the Emergency Procedures manual. (partial or full evacuation, search only, etc.)
  • Incident Commander will activate Red Deer Polytechnic's Emergency Response Personnel as required, and work in unison with city emergency services.
  • Depending on the situation, a global message may be sent out to those affected.
  • Red Deer Polytechnic's Emergency Response Team will initiate evacuation and search as deemed necessary by Incident Commander.
  • Once danger has passed, a global message will be sent, and the College emergency response team will assist in returning occupants to state of normalcy.
  • All messages will be displayed through the Emergency Broadcast System, as well as the SAFE RDC app.

Hazardous Material Spill Response Plan

In the event of a hazardous material spill or release at Red Deer Polytechnic:

  • If required, containment and evacuation initiated.
  • Once danger has passed, global communication sent to affected areas and assistance given to return occupants to state of normalcy.

Natural Gas Leak

Upon report of a natural gas leak on campus:

  • Immediately evacuate area, leaving everything as is.
  • Do not operate switches or equipment (telephone, cell phone, radio or other power source).
  • Contact 4000 (internal line), 403.343.4000 (external line) or through the SAFE RDC app and Atco Gas (1.800.511.3447).
  • No smoking

Residence Response Plans

The Towers and Accessible Residences are physically attached to the main campus building.  Each tower has a separate alarm system, as does the disabled wing. The main corridor connecting the Tower Residences is linked to the main building alarm system. Bells ringing in the corridor indicate a possible fire in the main building and/or the corridor itself, not the Tower Residences.

Fire

  1. Alarm is activated for the Residences.
  2. Procedure is identical to the rest of the campus, i.e. immediate evacuation, contact 911, etc., other than extra assistance will be given to the occupants of the disabled wing by the Polytechnic's Emergency Response Team.
  3. Unless the incident may affect other areas of the campus, no global message will be sent out.

Tornado

  1. Information received of a tornado warning.
  2. Cell phone text messaging sent directing occupants to evacuate to a safer area as indicated on emergency procedure signage.
  3. Residence Assistants requested to initiate residence fan-out system and assist the Emergency Response Team with relocation of occupants to safe areas.
  4. Occupants to remain in safe areas until notified by the Emergency Response Team or global communication system that the danger has passed.

Description of Residence Fire Alarm System

  1. Rowhouses and Townhouses have combination smoke alarms and heat detectors. The smoke alarms sound locally in the rooms and are not tied into the central monitor system at the Security Centre. The heat portion of the detector, if activated, will sound at the Security Centre.
  2. All Tower Residences and Residence Blocks 100 – 500 have fire alarm devices that are addressable (will sound each separate alarm device location and building suite at the Security Centre).
  3. Accessible Residences have smoke alarms. These alarms are monitored at the Security Centre but smoke alarms within suites do not activate fire bell. Smoke alarms and pull stations in corridor will activate fire bell and are monitored at the Security Centre.
  4. Connector Hallway for the Towers is tied into the main building fire alarm. Fire alarm bells sounding in this corridor indicate a fire alarm in the main building.
  5. Studio Suites in Red Deer Polytechnic's newest residence

Evacuation Procedures for Persons with Disabilities

  1. A person with a disability is anyone with a permanent or temporary disability who is unable to evacuate a building via the stairwell.
  2. If unable to evacuate, contact Campus Security at 403.343.4000 on an external line or 4000 on an internal line, and advise of your exact location. You can also notify security by using the SAFE RDC app.
  3. Proceed to the nearest stairwell and wait on the landing. Ask someone to stay with you. If unable to contact Campus Security, request someone who is evacuating to inform them of your exact location.
  4. Fire rated stairwells are rated for two hours. Persons waiting in the stairwell are relatively safe until help arrives. Unless there is a life-threatening situation, do not allow yourself to be carried down the stairs by anyone other than qualified personnel.
  5. As power sources may be subject to failure, elevators are not to be used.

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