Central Piedmont Community College prioritizes a safe and secure environment for all students, faculty, staff and visitors. The Central Piedmont Safety and Security Division oversees comprehensive programs to protect the college community.
Essential information
- See something, say something: If you observe suspicious behavior or items, report them immediately to security at 704-330-6911.
- Severe weather: If a "Tornado Warning” is issued, move to the lowest levels of the building and find an interior room. Stay away from windows.
- Medical emergencies: Call 704-330-6911 (or 6911 from any college phone). Provide the building name and room number clearly.
- Evacuation assembly: Familiarize yourself with the evacuation routes posted in every building. In an evacuation, do not use elevators. Proceed to the nearest exit and then to designated rally points.
How to reach out
No matter what kind of situation arises at the college, Central Piedmont's 24-hour central dispatch on Central Campus is the first step toward resolving problems. You can expect a response within three minutes for an emergency or within 15 minutes for a non-emergency.
In the event of an immediate threat or emergency, call 704-330-6911. To request an escort, report vandalism or for other non-emergency situations, call 704-330-6632.
You can also download Rave Guardian, a free safety app that enables users to connect directly with College Security Dispatch through the app. Use your Central Piedmont email address to create an account after downloading Rave from the Apple App Store or Google Play.
Emergency communications
During a crisis, Central Piedmont utilizes a multilayered notification system to provide real-time updates:
- Critical alert emergency notifications: This includes emergency text messages and phone calls (ensure your contact information is current in MyCollege).
- Desktop notifications: Alerts will appear on college computers.
- Central Piedmont website: The college homepage will provide status updates and closure information.
Emergency preparedness: run, lock/barricade, fight
Because awareness and quick decision-making are vital, Central Piedmont adopts the “run, lock/barricade, fight” protocol for active violence (i.e., active shooter) scenarios:
Run
Have an escape route and plan in mind. Move away from the threat as quickly as possible.
Lock/Barricade
If you cannot safely get out of the building, lock and barricade doors.
Fight
Be prepared to act as aggressively as possible to disrupt and/or incapacitate the shooter to save your life and the lives of those around you.
Key security services
Central Piedmont takes proactive measures to maintain a high standard of safety:
- Campus patrols: Uniformed unarmed security officers and uniformed sworn police officers patrol campus grounds, buildings and parking decks 24/7.
- Safety/security escorts: Security personnel are available to escort you to your vehicle or other campus locations upon request.
- Critical incident management: Standardized protocols are in place to respond to various emergencies, including severe weather, medical incidents, or security threats.
- Central Piedmont Care Team: From hostile behavior to suicidal expressions, a cross-unit group called the Care Team is ready to respond. Report a concern to the Care Team
- Public safety reports: The college maintains transparency through annual Clery Act reports, documenting campus crime statistics and safety policies.
Featured information
Environmental Health and Safety
Central Piedmont's Environmental Health and Safety team works behind the scenes every day across all eight campuses to keep the college healthy, compliant, and operating safely.
Environmental Health and Safety provides:
- Hazardous materials and chemical safety services: Oversight of chemical inventories, safe storage and handling practices, and proper disposal of hazardous and universal waste in compliance with state and federal regulations.
- Fire and life safety: Oversight of fire and life safety compliance across all campuses, including fire drill coordination, inspection and testing verification for fire suppression and alarm systems, and evacuation readiness.
- Occupational safety: Development of the college's communicable disease policy and protocols; workplace safety programs, training, and assessments for faculty and staff.
- Environmental compliance: Management of environmental permits and programs that protect our surrounding community and meet local, state, and federal requirements.
Have a safety concern? Contact the EHS office directly via email.
Safety and security directory
Emergencies and suspicious behavior: 704-330-6911
Escort, vandalism or non-emergencies: 704-330-6632
General information about safety and security: 704-330-6078