FAQ about L.A. Wildfires

Questions? Please call 213-740-6291 or email campushealth@usc.edu.

  • The university is monitoring air quality in the Los Angeles region for both the University Park Campus and Health Sciences Campus. To stay updated please visit the Air Quality Index page on the USC Environmental Health and Safety website or visit the South Coast Air Quality Management District website or download their mobile app:  http://www.aqmd.gov/mobileapp.

    The direction and velocity of winds may change quickly, directly impacting air quality.

    Air quality index at 101 or higher has a higher level of impact on groups with sensitive health conditions, including COPD, asthma, heart conditions; individuals who are pregnant; older individuals; and children.

  • The Facilities Planning and Management teams have optimized buildings’ ventilation setpoints where possible so that the amount of outside air has been minimized while still meeting local building and ventilation codes.

    There may be a mild smoke odor within buildings as the airflow process filters air that comes in when people open the doors to enter and exit.

    Questions related to air quality should be directed to Environmental Health and Safety, ehs@usc.edu, and that team will engage directly with Facilities Planning and Management; laboratory managers should include their specific building and ventilation questions.

  • Yes, departments, students, faculty and staff can obtain masks by contacting ehs@usc.edu or filling out this form for voluntary use at no cost.

  • The most important thing you can do is to actively monitor the air quality and minimize your time outdoors during periods of time when the air quality index is high.

    • Wearing an N95 mask outdoors can reduce your exposure to particulate matter when the air quality index is high.
    • Limit physical exertion (refrain from outdoor exercise) when the air quality is poor or hazardous.
    • Portable air cleaners can be effective in reducing indoor pollutants, if you have one available to you.

  • Students with sensitive health conditions (asthma, COPD, heart conditions) that are affected by air quality may be temporarily relocated to an alternate environment by USC Housing, (space is limited). Fill out this form to initiate a review.

  • We have also established a Wildfire and Air Quality hotline, 213-740-6291, to help answer questions or email: campushealth@usc.edu. Please remember to check our emergency website for regular updates.

  • The university has a compiled a resource page for employees, including resources for temporary housing. Please visit this page here.

    If you are a Keck Medicine of USC employee and have been impacted by the wildfires, there is a dedicated hotline: (323) 865-9897, email: CareForTheCaregiver@med.usc.edu and website: KM-CareforCaregiver. For general HR inquiries, including time off, pay, and leave of absence, please email KM-Human-Resources@med.usc.edu.

     

  • The university is working to compile accurate information on our faculty and staff who have experienced serious disruptions, in connection with channeling support from the Campus Support and Intervention team. If you have been severely impacted, please complete the LA Wildfires Employee Impact Form.

  • The CA Dept. of Transportation has a website here updated with current information.

  • USC’s department of Fire Safety and Emergency Planning — in conjunction with the Department of Public Safety, Environmental Health & Safety, and Campus Health — regularly conducts drills and safety planning with city and county agencies. Our safety departments are in continual communication with regional safety and emergency departments during an active emergency situation.

    The university safety and health offices conduct regular drills and continually updates plans for a number of emergency situations, taking an “all hazards” approach that includes natural disasters (climate emergency plan, which is currently in effect), overall earthquake and related emergencies plan, active shooter scenarios, communicable disease prevention and response, among other related emergencies.

    • Emergency response teams Including Building Emergency and Response Teams (BERT teams) are fully staffed, trained and drilled on a regular basis. Emergency and building evacuation drills are conducted on a regular basis.
    • USC utilizes the FEMA Incident Command System (ICS), which first responders across the country use, to coordinate both internally and with external agencies, and maintain ongoing relationships with all city and county emergency services

    We encourage all members of our community to be familiar with emergency procedures, available at the following links:

    https://safety.usc.edu/ (Safety information website)

    https://fsep.usc.edu/ (Fire Safety and Emergency Planning website)

    https://safety.usc.edu/resources/emergency-preparedness/ (Emergency Preparedness website)

    During an active emergency, information will be updated on emergency.usc.edu and time-sensitive information will be sent to the community via Trojans Alert messages.

  • USC takes every precaution to prevent and mitigate the effects of fire. The Office of Fire Safety and Emergency Planning focuses on campus fire-prevention and response in a number of areas, including the following.

    Building Evacuation Drills – Fire evacuation drills are conducted periodically for all university-owned buildings, with particular focus on residence halls, high-rise structures and health-care facilities, where fire drills are conducted every semester.

    Fire Safety Training – Fire-safety training is made available to all campus staff, including instruction on fire-extinguisher use. Resident advisers in university-owned residence halls receive training every fall, and staff members and students who work in laboratories where flammable chemicals are used receive training several times a year.

    Building Emergency Response Teams (BERT) – Building Emergency Response Teams in all 225 university-owned buildings receive training in fire-emergency procedures and evacuation protocols.

    Safety Inspections – Staff conduct annual safety inspections for all university buildings to help identify and correct potential fire hazards. All buildings have Fire and Life Safety (FLS) systems, and all residential buildings have sprinklers.

    For USC employees with specific questions about fire safety in their buildings, or to request a fire inspection, send a message to firesafety@usc.edu.

  • This “Ask the Experts” page on safety.usc.edu provides educational information from our Environmental Health & Safety team, answering commonly asked questions related to wildfires and air pollution. Have a question? Submit it to campushealth@usc.edu.

  • There are many ways to support friends and family who may be have impacted, including temporary evacuation and losing homes. A friendly check-in by text message can express concern, showing that you’re connected and part of their support network.

    For members of The Trojan Family who have experienced devastating loss, USC has set up a Trojan Family L.A. Wildfire Relief Fund that will provide funds directly to a USC student, faculty or staff member in need and will be put to immediate use.

  • Our colleagues at Keck Medicine of USC’s Care for the Caregiver program has compiled a FEMA FAQ and “What to do after a wildfire” resource sheet that may be helpful to people impacted by the wildfires. These are designed to assist you with notifying your insurance carriers, how to document your loss, and where to look for additional coverages that may be available to you.

    These documents are not all-encompassing, and many new programs are coming online daily in the relief efforts. Please keep checking this FAQ and the resource page maintained by Human Resources for updated information.

    The following PDFs are available for download:

    What To Do After a Wildfire

    Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) FAQ Sheet

  • The Financial Aid office is the best resource, and they have created a financial aid emergency information page on federal loans, cost of attendance appeal process, and other related resources.

  • Students, faculty, staff, and postdocs who have been displaced by the wildfires and need support with transitional expenses, such as temporary housing, family care, and emergency supplies, are welcome to request a grant. For details, including eligibility and a list of frequently asked questions, visit the LA Wildfires Relief Grants page.

  • Students and university employees can apply for a grant through the Trojan Family L.A. Wildfire Relief Fund at this link.

  • Keck Medicine of USC/Keck School of Medicine of USC employees can apply for a grant through Keck Medicine and Care for the Caregiver team at this link.

  • Visit the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) page for the Trojan Family L.A. Wildfire Relief Fund.