Emergency Preparedness and Response
Everbridge Message
Update
6:31 p.m.:
Dear APU Community,
We are providing an update on the Eaton Fire. As of now, the fire is 33% contained and poses no immediate threat to Azusa or any APU Regional campuses. The eastern edge of the fire remains approximately 8-10 miles northwest of APU’s main campus in Azusa and about 4 miles north of the Monrovia Regional Campus, with no active hotspots. Additionally, evacuation warnings and orders have been lifted for Monrovia, Bradbury, and Duarte.
The Department of Risk, Safety, and Emergency Planning, along with the Critical Incident Response Team (CIRT) and the Department of Campus Safety, continues to monitor the situation closely in coordination with local public safety agencies, including forecasted winds beginning this evening, January 13. In the event of significant changes or an emergency evacuation, we will notify students, staff, and faculty promptly via our mass notification platform, Everbridge. These communications will include evacuation plans, rally points, and transportation arrangements as needed. Please continue to rely on official APU communications for accurate updates.
Resources
Watch Duty
LA County Joint Information Center
Los Angeles Fire Department Resource Page
Los Angeles County Fire Department Resource Page
Ready! Set! Go!
Emergency Contacts
Life Threatening Emergency: 911
Department of Campus Safety: (626) 815-5000
Department of Risk, Safety, and Emergency Management: (626) 815-2000
Facilities Management: (626) 812-3002
We know that this fire continues to impact many, including APU community members who have been dislocated and/or experienced property loss. Please pray for all who have been affected as well as all of our first responders on the frontlines.
If you have any questions, email our Critical Incident Response Team (CIRT) at [email protected].
Thank you,
CIRT and the Department of Campus Safety
Update
12:54 p.m.:
Dear APU Community,
The Eaton Brush Fire incident in the Pasadena/Altadena area, approximately 8-10 miles west of the City of Azusa and Azusa Pacific University, is showing signs of stability, although containment is 0 percent. Fortunately, there has been no significant eastward progression that would directly impact the Azusa campus. While there are no current threats to our community, local emergency agencies plan to continue operations throughout the month to ensure the affected area is fully secured.
From the onset of the Eaton Brush Fire incident, the Critical Incident Response Team (CIRT) has maintained ongoing communication with public safety agencies, emergency services, neighboring universities and school districts, the Area Emergency Operations Center, and the City of Azusa. This collaboration has ensured a well-coordinated response. Meanwhile, groundskeeping crews have been diligently removing debris, such as fallen branches and other materials, to maintain the safety and cleanliness of the campus environment. In addition, the Facilities team recently changed air filters in campus buildings to improve indoor air quality as part of the routine maintenance cycle.
In addition, CIRT leverages platforms such as Watch Duty and other tools to obtain real-time data on brush fires, evacuation warnings and orders, and any other public safety emergency information. The CIRT team will continue to actively monitor all aspects of the Eaton Brush Fire, along with any other regional fires and public safety emergencies that may impact any of APU’s six regional campuses. This includes tracking incidents, weather conditions, air quality indexes, power outages, and all facility operations.
The anticipated return of Santa Ana winds next week, which are predicted to be less severe than in recent days, presents a slight risk of reigniting hotspots or triggering new fires in the surrounding areas. If any further emergencies arise related to this incident, additional communication will be promptly issued to ensure the safety and well-being of the APU community.
Resources
Wind Tracker
ReadyLACounty
CAL FIRE
Air Quality Index Map
Public Health Guidelines for Poor Air Quality/Smoke and Ash Exposure
Wildfire Smoke: Considerations for California's Public Health Officials
Los Angeles Fire Department Resource Page
Los Angeles County Fire Department Resource Page
Ready! Set! Go!.
Emergency Contacts
Life Threatening Emergency: 911
Department of Campus Safety: (626) 815-5000
Department of Risk, Safety, and Emergency Management: (626) 815-2000
Facilities Management: (626) 812-3002
Although we are grateful to be open for classes and work today, we recognize that the challenge continues and its ongoing impact for so many, including APU Community members who have been dislocated and/or experienced property loss. Please pray for all who have been affected as well as all of our first responders on the frontlines. If you have any questions, email our Critical Incident Response Team (CIRT) at [email protected].
Thank you,
CIRT and the Department of Campus Safety
Update
6:50 p.m.:
Dear APU Community,
Given current conditions, all classes and work will resume tomorrow, Thursday, January 9, 2025, on all APU campuses. Students in clinicals or internships may connect as needed with faculty and supervisors for further instructions.
Faculty, staff, or students who may have been personally impacted by the fires should reach out to the following: chair/dean (faculty), supervisor (staff), and faculty members (students), if they need to be absent and/or request an accommodation. We are still monitoring conditions and consulting with local law enforcement. If the situation changes overnight, we will provide an update via Everbridge.
If you identify safety concerns upon your return to campus, please notify the Department of Campus Safety or Department of Risk Management. If you encounter other issues with your work location, please visit Total Access to submit a Campus Work Order, found under Everyday Links and organized by location.
For the latest updates, visit or follow:
CAL FIRE
@L.A. County Fire
Watch Duty Brush Fire Alerts
We continue to pray for any members of the APU Community affected as well as all of our first responders on the frontlines. If you have any questions, email our Critical Incident Response Team (CIRT) at [email protected].
Thank you,
CIRT and the Department of Campus Safety
Update
10:28 a.m.:
Dear APU Community,
This is an important update regarding the current weather and fire conditions in Los Angeles County and surrounding areas, including Azusa. In addition to the previously issued High Wind Warning and Extreme Fire Weather Alert, we are actively monitoring the Eaton Fire that is burning in the San Gabriel Mountains. There is currently no immediate threat or evacuation warnings or evacuation orders that affect the City of Azusa and APU.
If there is an immediate threat, a mass notification will be sent via our Everbridge application, which allows us to communicate with the entire community by text, phone call, and email. With safety as our first priority, all classes have been canceled today at all APU campuses.
Key Updates
Eaton Fire
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The Eaton Fire is currently active in Los Angeles County, affecting cities such as Altadena, Pasadena, and Monrovia, and is being closely monitored by APU’s Critical Incident Response Team.
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There are no current evacuation warnings or orders affecting the City of Azusa or Azusa Pacific University.
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Faculty, staff, and students residing in affected areas may experience road closures, poor air quality, and potential evacuation orders.
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Power Safety: Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS) may occur in high-risk fire areas. Prepare for potential power outages by having flashlights, charged devices, and emergency supplies on hand.
Wind Conditions
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Sustained winds of 45-55 mph, with isolated gusts of 65-100 mph, continue to impact Southern California. These winds exacerbate fire spread and can create hazardous conditions.
Fire Risk
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Extreme fire weather conditions persist due to strong winds and low humidity, increasing the likelihood of additional fires.
Safety Guidelines
Wildfire Preparedness
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Stay informed by monitoring updates from local authorities.
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Report smoke or fire immediately by dialing 911 and providing your exact location.
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Familiarize yourself with the Ready! Set! Go! Wildfire Action Plan, available at fire.lacounty.gov/rsg. For live brush fire information and evacuation updates, please visit the Watch Duty website. Other resources include CAL FIRE and @L.A. County Fire.
Evacuation Readiness
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Be prepared for potential evacuation orders if you live near fire-affected areas.
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Keep a “go bag” with essential items, including identification, medications, and emergency supplies.
Air Quality Awareness
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Poor air quality is expected in areas near the Eaton Fire.
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Limit outdoor activities and use N95 masks if needed.
High Wind Safety
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Avoid outdoor activities during peak wind periods.
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Secure outdoor furniture and other loose items to prevent them from becoming hazardous projectiles.
Driving Safety
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Use caution when driving in areas affected by smoke or high winds, as visibility and road conditions may be poor.
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Avoid driving near or over downed utility lines.
Resources for Students (Azusa Campus)
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Counseling Services: For emotional support related to fire or weather impacts, reach out to the University Counseling Center at https://www.apu.edu/apucares/
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Campus Safety: Report hazards such as downed power lines, fallen trees, or other safety concerns to the Campus Safety Department at (626) 815-5000.
Emergency Contacts
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Life-Threatening Emergency: 911
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Campus Safety: (626) 815-5000
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Risk, Safety, and Emergency Management: (626) 815-2000
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Facilities Management: (626) 812-3002
We will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates. Your safety is our highest priority, and we encourage everyone to remain informed and take the necessary precautions. Continue to pray for the first responders and all those impacted by these conditions.
Thank you,
CIRT and the Department of Campus Safety
Update
8:17 a.m.:
With safety as our first priority, classes are cancelled at ALL APU campus locations, and chapel is also canceled at the Azusa campus, for Wednesday, January 8, 2025, due to the extensive winds (severe warnings added for Riverside County Mountains, San Diego County Mountains, and San Diego County Valleys), number of active fires (stretching fire resources), evacuations, power outages, hazardous travel conditions, and air quality issues in many areas throughout Southern California. We continue to pray for responders and those impacted by the fires and winds.
Update
11:25 p.m.:
Dear APU Community,
Azusa Pacific University’s Critical Incident Response Team (CIRT) and the Department of Campus Safety are monitoring the various fires in Southern California for impact to our main and regional campuses.
With some of our students, faculty, and staff living in close proximity to the Eaton Fire; hazardous conditions on Southern California roads and freeways due to wind debris and closures; and on advice from the Azusa Police Department, we have cancelled classes tomorrow, Wednesday, January 8, 2025, for our Azusa and Monrovia campuses. APD has requested that all residential students stay on campus and are strongly encouraged to remain indoors out of an abundance of caution. Food service will be available on East Campus.
Essential employees are expected to report to work. Check with your supervisor if you need clarification. Nonessential employees should work remotely if possible. Those displaced or without internet access, please alert your supervisor.
The Eaton Fire burning in Altadena has prompted evacuations as high winds are driving rapid fire growth and posing significant threat to nearby communities and making containment efforts challenging. Firefighters are working to slow the spread and protect critical infrastructure under extreme conditions. The combination of low humidity, dry fuels, and shifting winds has heightened the potential for spot fires and rapid expansion.
If there is a need to evacuate any APU campuses, you will receive information from APU through the following communication channels: a text and phone call (via Everbridge, APU’s emergency communication system), an email from CIRT to your apu.edu email address, and an announcement on the APU website and social media.
For the latest updates, visit or follow:
CAL FIRE
@L.A. County Fire
We pray for the health, safety, and wellness of our APU Community and all of our first responders on the frontlines. If you have any questions, email our Critical Incident Response Team (CIRT) at [email protected].
Thank you,
CIRT and the Department of Campus Safety
10:25 p.m.:
Classes and work are cancelled tonight and all day tomorrow at the Azusa and Monrovia campuses due to surrounding wind and fire conditions and on advice of Azusa Police Department. Please exercise caution as you travel. Azusa Police Department has requested that all residential students remain on campus and are strongly encouraged to remain indoors out of an abundance of caution. Food service will remain available on East Campus.
Be Prepared
Azusa Pacific University seeks to foster a safe and secure living-learning environment for its students, faculty, and staff. In times of crisis, the university activates its Critical Incident Response Team to ensure the well-being of the campus community.
However, creating a safe environment requires the efforts of everyone on campus. It is important to know how to respond to any number of situations. Please review information about APU’s emergency procedures, notification systems, and ways you can be prepared.
About Emergency Preparedness and Response
Azusa Pacific University is committed to the safety and security of the campus community. In the event of an emergency, we ask that those at the Azusa main campus and six Regional Campuses remain calm and follow emergency procedures. For those outside the immediate community, we covet your prayers and support as the university works to respond efficiently to the situation at hand.
APU has plans in place to respond to crises which may impact the university. The following are highlights of that plan:
- Should a natural disaster, terrorist attack, or other emergency arise, the university’s Emergency Operations Center is activated. At that time, leaders of each critical operational department meet to execute operational decisions. Each member of this team is on-call around the clock.
- Residential students receive instruction regarding safe evacuation of campus housing as part of their initial orientation in September. Annual fire drills in the residence halls test plan effectiveness.
- The Richard and Vivian Felix Event Center and Upper Turner Campus Center provide alternative housing spaces for the residential population of the university.
- The university’s athletic fields serve as needed as a helicopter landing site for the greater Azusa area.
For additional information on APU’s preparedness plan, contact the safety manager at (626) 815-4525.
Preparation
Being prepared and staying calm are critical in any emergency. Panic can be the greatest hazard.
Adequate planning saves lives, reduces suffering, and preserves property by enabling individuals to respond calmly and effectively in emergency situations.
Azusa Pacific University’s Emergency Preparedness Plan depends on the cooperation of the entire campus community for its effectiveness. Stay calm and follow emergency procedures designated in your building, for your department, and across campus. Adhering to the plan will save lives and minimize damage.
Your first responsibility is to determine the closest escape route from your residence or work location. Escape routes are posted in building hallways. The university has implemented an Emergency Action Plan and designates and trains building and floor coordinators on evacuation plans and procedures. The coordinators assist in the orderly evacuation of all individuals from structures if such action is warranted.
If you have medications, always have extra medications with written instructions for emergencies. Every individual should have an emergency supply of food and water to last three days. If you have special needs, let others know in an emergency so that they can assist you.
For additional information on APU’s preparedness plan or Critical Incident Response Team, contact the safety manager at (626) 815-4525.
View additional emergency resources and information.
Emergency Notification Systems
The ability to quickly and effectively notify students, faculty, and staff of situations in progress is crucial to the safety and security of our community. In the event of a campus emergency, Azusa Pacific has systems in place to help notify the APU community about the situation and how they may need to respond.
During emergency situations on or near campus, Azusa Pacific will use a mass emergency notification system to provide students, faculty, and staff critical notification updates and instructions via text message, email, and voicemail.
This system allows APU administrators, Campus Safety, and the university’s Critical Incident Response Team to rapidly communicate with the entire campus population during a major event, providing real-time emergency alerts and instructions for the community.
Because of this, all employees and students are automatically enrolled in the system. Contact information is determined by what the university has on file.
Updating Your Information
Students, faculty, and staff are encouraged to review their contact information and keep it up to date. The university will reserve this system for emergencies only. Each year, the campus community will receive an email from the Critical Incident Response Team as a reminder to update contact information to ensure messages are sent to active phones and email addresses.
You can also update your information any time you have a phone number or email address change.
The APU public address system includes a siren and verbal instructions to help the community know how to respond in the event of an emergency. When you hear the siren, listen carefully for instructions on what to do next before reacting. For example, the message may include instructions to evacuate immediately, in the case of an earthquake or fire, or shelter-in-place, in the event of situations such as an active shooter or armed suspect on campus.
Installed in July 2009, APU’s public address system has speakers located on East Campus, West Campus, and Administration West. These speakers can be heard outdoors and in most buildings throughout the campus, and by APU’s immediate neighbors as well. The university tests the public address system on a regular basis.
After a Major Emergency
APU’s Facilities Management staff will assess buildings for re-entry. Buildings must not be re-entered until permission is given. Campus Safety and/or maintenance personnel will be dispatched to assist in evaluating damaged buildings, and to check and/or turn off water, gas, and electrical mains.
In any emergency or situation impacting the campus and its community, the university covets prayer and support for those involved. APU remains steadfast in its commitment to provide a safe and secure living, learning, and working environment for its community.
Resources
The following external resources may also offer information in the event of an emergency:Emergency Phone Numbers
Fire/Police/Paramedics Phone: 911 |
Emergency Message Hotline Phone: 1-888-451-5583 |
During normal business hours, M-F, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. PST
Spiritual Life
Phone: (626) 815-3855
apu.edu/spiritual-life/
Student Health Services
Phone: (626) 815-2100
apu.edu/healthcenter/
Counseling Center
Phone: (626) 815-2109
apu.edu/counselingcenter/
International Center
apu.edu/international/
Office of Student Affairs
Phone: (626) 815-2078
apu.edu/student-affairs/
Office of Residence Life
Phone: (626) 812-3056
apu.edu/housing/
Media Relations
Phone: (626) 815-4502
apu.edu/media/
Azusa Police Department
Phone: (626) 812-3200
azusapd.org
Azusa Fire Department — Station 32
Phone: (626) 334-0011 (non-emergency line)
Azusa Fire Department — Station 97
Phone: (626) 334-5602 (non-emergency line)
https://locator.lacounty.gov
Foothill Presbyterian Hospital
Phone: (626) 963-8411
https://www.emanatehealth.org/
Red Cross (Los Angeles)
Phone: (213) 739-5200
redcross.org
Glendora Police Department
Phone: (626) 914-8250
cityofglendora.org/departments/police/
Covina Police Department
Phone: (626) 967-6444
covinapd.org
Alcoholics Anonymous
Phone: (626) 914-1861
Al-Anon and Alateen
Phone: (213) 387-3158
Project Sister (Rape Crisis)
Phone: (909) 626-4357
Toll-free in L.A. County
Phone: (877) 727-4747
Toll-free nationwide
Phone: (800) 784-2433