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Disaster Service Workers

Understanding Your Role During an Emergency

As a public institution, Antelope Valley College is committed to protecting the health, safety and well-being of its students, employees and campus community.

Under California Government Code Section 3100, public employees are designated as Disaster Service Workers (DSWs) and may be assigned responsibilities to support emergency response and recovery efforts.

In the event of a natural disaster, public health emergency or other significant incident, AVC employees may be asked to perform duties that differ from their regular job responsibilities. These assignments help the college maintain essential operations, protect lives and property, and support the campus community during an emergency.

Disasters and emergencies may include earthquakes, wildfires, floods, severe weather, power outages, public health emergencies and other incidents affecting college operations.

What Is a Disaster Service Worker?

A Disaster Service Worker is a public employee who may be called upon to assist with emergency response, recovery or other disaster-related activities.

California law establishes disaster service responsibilities for public employees, including employees of public community college districts.

Disaster service responsibilities may include:

  • Assisting with emergency communications and distributing information.
  • Supporting evacuation procedures and helping direct individuals to designated assembly areas.
  • Providing administrative or clerical assistance.
  • Helping organize, sort or distribute emergency supplies.
  • Supporting the coordination of food, water and other essential resources.
  • Assisting with facilities and operational support.
  • Providing logistical assistance to authorized emergency response personnel.
  • Performing other duties as assigned through the college's established emergency response procedures.

Employees should perform only those activities they are authorized, trained and able to carry out safely.

Employee Responsibilities During an Emergency

AVC employees play an important role in maintaining a safe and prepared campus environment.

During an emergency, employees should:

  • Prioritize safety. Do not enter hazardous areas or undertake specialized emergency response activities without appropriate authorization and training.
  • Follow official instructions. Comply with directions from authorized college officials, supervisors and emergency response personnel.
  • Stay informed. Monitor AVC emergency notifications, official college communications and instructions from supervisors.
  • Know emergency procedures. Before an emergency event, familiarize yourself with evacuation routes, assembly areas, shelter-in-place procedures and other campus safety protocols.
  • Be prepared to assist. Employees may receive temporary assignments that support emergency response or recovery efforts.
  • Communicate concerns. Notify your supervisor if you have circumstances that affect your ability to safely perform an assignment.


AVC's established emergency procedures and chain of command determine how disaster-related responsibilities are assigned.

What to Do When an Emergency Occurs

During Regular Working Hours

If an emergency occurs while you are working at an AVC location:

  1. Follow immediate emergency instructions, including evacuation, shelter-in-place or lockdown directions.
  2. Take appropriate steps to protect your personal safety and the safety of others.
  3. Monitor official emergency communications.
  4. Report to your designated assembly area or assigned location when directed and safe to do so.
  5. Remain available for instructions from your supervisor or authorized emergency personnel. You should not leave work until dismissed by your supervisor or an authorized college official.
  6. Do not resume normal activities or reenter a restricted building until authorized officials provide clearance.

Outside Regular Working Hours

If an emergency occurs when you are not scheduled to work:

  1. Attend to your immediate safety and the safety of your household.
  2. Monitor official AVC communications for information about campus conditions, closures and emergency operations.
  3. Follow any previously established emergency reporting instructions associated with your position.
  4. Contact your supervisor through established communication channels when appropriate.
  5. If you receive a disaster service assignment, follow the reporting instructions provided by authorized college personnel.

Employees should not independently report to an unsafe campus location or emergency scene without appropriate direction.

Frequently Asked Questions

As a public employer, all Antelope Valley College District employees have been designated as Disaster Service Workers (DSW). This is a requirement for all California public employees.

Yes. During an emergency, employees may be assigned temporary duties outside their regular responsibilities to support emergency operations.

Emergency responsibilities are assigned by authorized supervisors and college officials in accordance with AVC's emergency procedures and chain of command. Employees should follow official instructions and contact their supervisors for clarification.

Reporting requirements depend on the nature of the emergency, your assigned responsibilities and official instructions. Employees with designated emergency roles should follow their established reporting procedures. Other employees should monitor AVC communications and contact their supervisors as appropriate.

Notify your supervisor as soon as reasonably possible if you are unable to report or perform an assigned duty. Circumstances involving illness, disability, caregiving responsibilities, transportation disruptions or unsafe conditions should be addressed according to applicable District procedures, employment agreements and legal requirements.

Compensation, overtime and other employment conditions depend on applicable laws, District policies, employment classifications and collective bargaining agreements. Employees should contact People, Culture, and Talent or Payroll for guidance regarding their circumstances.

Employees injured while performing authorized work-related emergency duties should follow AVC's established workplace injury reporting procedures, located on the Employee Safety Programs webpage. Eligibility for workers' compensation benefits depends on applicable law and the circumstances of the injury.

Employees who need an accommodation or have restrictions affecting an emergency assignment should contact People, Culture, and Talent and their supervisor through established procedures.

AVC will communicate relevant updates and instructions through authorized college officials and official communication channels. Employees should not reenter restricted facilities or resume suspended activities until authorized to do so.

Stay Informed: AVC Emergency Notifications

Antelope Valley College uses the Rave Emergency Notification System to communicate important information during campus emergencies.

Rave can deliver emergency notifications through text messages, voice calls and email.

AVC employees are encouraged to review and maintain their contact information to ensure they can receive critical communications.

Faculty and staff can access their Rave notification preferences through myAVC.

Learn More About the AVC Rave Emergency Notification System

Questions or Additional Information

For questions regarding Disaster Service Worker responsibilities, employee requirements or related policies, contact:

Antelope Valley College – People, Culture and Talent (Human Resources)

Phone: 661-722-6300, extension 6311

Email: contacthr@avc.edu

For information about campus emergency procedures, employees may also consult AVC's Risk Management resources and their supervisors.

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