In an urgent, potentially life-threatening situation, call 911 first, then call campus security immediately to advise them of the nature, and location of the emergency on campus.
First Aid at Coquitlam and New Westminster Campuses and Douglas College Anvil Office Tower
Douglas College maintains an Occupational First Aid Program in accordance with WorkSafeBC Regulation. Contracted Security Officers are trained in Occupational First Aid (OFA) Level 1 or Level 2 and on behalf of the College, administer first aid, within the scope of their training, to Employees, Students and Users on campus. An OFA 2 trained officer is on duty at all times during regular campus hours.
A First Aid Room is available and maintained at the Coquitlam and New Westminster Campuses and the Douglas College Anvil Office Tower. First Aid kits, in addition to OFA2 required supplies, include Automated External Defibrillators (AED) and Naloxone Nasal Spray.
All first aid providers have been trained in the use of AED’s, through OFA training, and have received additional training in the use of Naloxone Nasal Spray. This training covers recognizing the signs and symptoms of an Opioid overdose and the subsequent administration of Naloxone Nasal Spray.
To summon First Aid in Douglas College:
Coquitlam Campus 1240 & 1250 Pinetree Way | New Westminster Campus 700 Royal Avenue | Anvil Office Tower 11 - 8th Street |
|---|---|---|
Call local 2400, from a College landline. This is the College’s internal emergency phone number, OR | Call local 2400, from a College landline. This is the College’s internal emergency phone number, OR | Call local 2400, from a College landline. This is the College’s internal emergency phone number, OR |
Call Coquitlam Campus Security from your cell phone: 604 777 6254, OR | Call New Westminster Security from your cell phone: 604 527 5405, OR | Call Douglas College Anvil Office Tower Security from your cell phone: 604-777-6666 OR |
| Go to the Coquitlam Campus Security kiosk at Level 1, Building A/B Atrium | Go to the New Westminster Campus Security kiosk at Level 2, Concourse | Go to the Douglas College Anvil Office Tower Security kiosk on the 6th Floor |
If you call for First Aid:
When you call for first aid, provide as much information as possible and stay on the line. An officer will be dispatched to the area and Security will call 911 emergency responders as needed.
If emergency care is required, Security will arrange for an officer to meet emergency responders and direct them to location of the emergency. Security also keeps in contact with 911 dispatchers to update them on changes to the status of the situation.
All emergency care is handed over to BC Ambulance or Fire crews as they arrive on scene.
First Aid at Training Group Locations
At Training Group locations (e.g., in Burnaby, Maple Ridge and Surrey), non-emergency first aid is provided by designated on-site employee(s) trained in basic first aid. Name and contact information of the non-emergency first aid attendant is posted on- site. A basic first aid kit is maintained at each site.
Emergency first aid is accessed by calling 911.
Medical Emergency
Overdose Prevention and Response
In 2016, the Province of British Columbia declared a public health emergency in response to a significant increase in drug-related overdoses and deaths. This toxic drug crisis, primarily driven by a highly potent unregulated supply of illicit drugs, remains a complex and evolving issue.
Signs and Symptoms of an Overdose
- Cannot be woken up or unresponsive
- Snoring sounds or coughing, gurgling, or choking sounds
- Pupils extremely small
- Discolouration of lips and nails (blue or grey)
- Cold or clammy skin
- Breathing slow or absent
Emergency Response to an Overdose
- IF YOU SUSPECT AN OVERDOSE CALL 9-1-1 IMMEDIATELY
- Follow the SAVE ME steps and administer naloxone
3. Depending on the campus/site you are at get someone to contact security or first aid for further assistance and support.
Safer Drug Use Tips
- Use drugs in the presence of others, stagger use with friends so someone can respond if needed
- If you are using substances that are unregulated, testing them can help determine if there are harmful or deadly contaminants that drugs may contain such as fentanyl
- Take a small amount, wait and see how it feels
- Mixing substances increases the risk of overdose (including alcohol and prescription drugs)
- Find local harm reduction services www.towardtheheart.com/site-finder
- Get your drugs checked www.fraserhealth.ca/drugchecking
- Carry naloxone and get trained on how to use it
Access to Naloxone
All BC residents can obtain naloxone kits, at no charge from participating local pharmacies.
The College provides nasal naloxone (Narcan) at various location around its campuses and sites. Naloxone kits were added to the publicly accessible Automated External Defibrillator (AED) cabinets in March 2024 and later that year naloxone cabinets were installed in areas with high student traffic and gathering locations,
- All first aid kits
- Automated External Defibrillator Cabinets across all campuses and sites
- Naloxone cabinets across all campuses and sites
- Naloxone kits are available for sign out with first aid kits for off campus activities and events
Naloxone kit
Each naloxone kit contains:
- A CPR face shield
- Non-latex gloves
- ‘SAVE-ME’ instructions
- 2x Naloxone nasal spray
Education and Training
The Safety, Security and Risk Management (SSRM) department along with the Joint Occupational Health and Safety Committees (JOHSCs) has partnered with the Douglas College Student Union (DSU) to provide Naloxone and Artificial External Defibrillator (AED) training at our campuses. The focus of these events is to provide the College Community with education and knowledge surrounding the dangers of using opioids, reducing the stigma of drug use as well as how to administer Naloxone and practice using an AED machine. SSRM can also deliver this education session for departments and programs across the College upon request. The College acknowledges that with more members of our community trained in the administration of naloxone the more likely they will be able to respond expediently as a bystander and save a life.
Good Samaritan Act
This Good Samaritan Drug Overdose Act provides some legal protection for individuals who seek emergency help during an overdose, whether it is the person experiencing the overdose or a witness so that they do not fear repercussions.
Douglas College Overdose Prevention and Response Plan
In May 2024, the Ministry of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills convened a Post-Secondary Overdose Prevention and Response Steering Committee to assess this evolving issue and it’s impact to British Columbia’s public post-secondary institutions. Recognizing the unique nature of post-secondary communities the steering committee produced a guideline, identifying three key objectives for the program including expanding awareness of the crisis, the emergency response and ensuring access to Naloxone, a medication that quickly reverses the affects of an overdose from opioids.
Douglas College has built its overdose prevention and response plan on existing frameworks, incorporating best practices.
Douglas College: Overdose Prevention and Response Plan