Campus Emergency Resources

Campus Security Officers work to provide a positive, friendly, and safe environment that encourages students, employees, and the community to attend and enjoy the campus and University events.  They patrol the walking corridors of the campus, promoting a safe environment and providing assistance to those who are in need.  Officers observe and report crimes in progress, safety hazards, and perform building security checks, provide security for major events; security escort service; and maintain a visible presence around campus.

All security officers on campus are trained professionals, however the city of Richland police and fire officials are the first responders in the event of an emergency.  Campus Security Officers are available on campus during all operating hours (Monday-Friday, 7AM-10PM, Saturday 8:30AM-4PM). Officers are available to assist with office lockouts, after-dark escorts, or to respond to emergencies by calling the security office at 509-372-7698.  During non-operating hours, including Sundays and holidays, private uniformed security patrols the WSU Tri-Cities campus.

You can help by reporting any suspicious activity or crime you may witness. It is also the responsibility of each member of the community to become educated about our emergency procedures and the steps you can take to help protect yourself and others.  The campus security office is located in Floyd 147, and can be reached at (509) 372-7698.

To report any emergency involving immediate danger to life or property (fire or smoke, medical issue, or crimes in progress), call 911. For all other incidents, call the campus emergency line at (509) 372-7234.

Because WSU Tri-Cities shares campus facilities with Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) and Department of Energy (DOE), regular patrols of campus are also conducted by PNNL and DOE security.

Periodic Police patrols, and all police services, are provided by the City of Richland Police Department.

Six emergency phones are located on campus, providing a direct connection to the campus emergency operator.
The phones are located in the “blue poles” spread across campus in the following locations:

1. Row 7 of the south parking lot
2. Center of the CIC parking lot
3. Two are located on the path from CIC to the Wine Science Center
4. Two are located in the Wine Science Center parking lot

The emergency phones can be used in two ways:

1. For a true emergency (fire, medical emergency, crime in progress): simply press the large red button on the phone panel. This will immediately dial 911, who can dispatch police, fire, or medical services.
2. For other, less urgent situations, the phones can be used to make on-campus and local telephone calls. Campus security can be contacted by dialing 2-7698, or off-campus calls can be made by first dialing 9.
   

To report an emergency on campus:

1. For any emergency posing a threat to life or property (such as fire, medical emergency, or crime in progress): CALL 911. After calling 911, call 2-7234 to notify campus responders of the incident.
2. For emergencies which do not threaten life or property, report it by dialing 2-7234. The dispatcher will then forward the information to campus responders.

When reporting an emergency, be specific about which building and room you are in so responders go to the correct location. If someone is available to help you, send them out to the building entrance to guide the emergency responders to your location.

• The Bioproducts, Sciences, and Engineering Laboratory (BSEL) address is 2720 Crimson Way
• The Consolidated Information Center (CIC) address is 2770 Crimson Way
• The East Building address is 2700 Crimson Way
• The Floyd Building address is 2710 Crimson Way
• The Innovation Center Building (ICB) address is 2842 Pauling Avenue
• The Nursing Center Building is 1266 Lee Boulevard
• The Student Union Building address is 2765 Crimson Way
• The Wine Science Center address is 359 University Drive

WSU Tri-Cities has developed multiple tools for crisis communications. The primary tools are:

1. the building public address system, mounted on all campus buildings;
2. the CougAlert Crisis Communication System, which contacts registered members of the university community directly via voice, text, and e-mail messaging with emergency warnings and notifications;
3. the WSU ALERT web site

CougAlert is an opt-in system. Students, faculty, and staff are strongly encouraged to sign up to receive emergency messages through this system. Follow these instructions to register:

1. Connect to myWSU
2. In the “WSU Tri-Cities Emergency Info” box, click on “Update Now!”
3. Enter your contact information on the registration form. Entering multiple contact methods will increase the likelihood you will receive messaging, even off campus.

Please note, any information you enter in this form will not be shared outside of WSU Emergency Management, and you will not receive spam messages as a result of registration.
A test of the CougAlert system is conducted once per semester.

During emergencies, the primary resource for information on the current status of WSU for the university community as well as the general public will be the WSU ALERT web site. The site is available to anyone with access to the internet and will be updated as conditions warrant with current information during a crisis affecting the university. Additional communications will come from the internal communications resources of the Office of University Relations

The Office of University Relations also provides communications to the public and media through the WSU News Service.

WSU Campus Safety Plan Oversight