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What to do in an Emergency

Know what to do in an emergency

  • Secure in place

    For active threat situations, lock doors and windows. Barricade or block entry into facilities, classrooms or offices.

  • Shelter in place

    For severe weather emergencies, take immediate shelter where you are within a facility or structure. DO NOT lock doors behind you as others may also need to shelter in place.

  • Evacuation

    If the fire alarm is activated, calmly exit the building and alert others as you leave. Avoid elevators. Know multiple exit routes in case your primary route is blocked. Do not re-enter the building until emergency response personnel have given the all-clear.

There are three main actions that you may be required to take during an emergency.  It is highly encouraged that individuals familiarize themselves with what what to do during an emergency. 

Secure-In-Place:  Create a secure physical location where a threat may be physically prevented from entering spaces.

  • If you are outside seek cover in the nearest unlocked building. If the buildings in the area have been locked, continue to move away from the danger, seek cover, move to another building, or leave campus if it is safe to do so.
  • Once inside, find an interior room and lock or barricade doors.
  • Turn off lights, silence phones, draw blinds, and move away from windows.
  • Await further instruction from Radford Alert or emergency personnel.
  • Do Not leave until an “All Clear” is received.

Shelter-in-Place: Shelter-in-place events are usually weather related emergencies. Take immediate shelter where you are within a facility or structure to provide protection.  DO NOT lock doors behind you as others may also need to shelter-in-place.

  • Once inside, stay away from windows, glass, and unsecured objects that may fall.
  • Resist the temptation to go outside and check the weather conditions yourself.
  • Seek shelter in interior rooms and corridors. Avoid large free standing expanses such as auditoriums and gymnasiums
  • Do not use elevators
  • Await further instruction from Radford Alert and emergency personnel. 
  • Do not leave until an “All Clear” is given.

Evacuation: A building evacuation may occur during a life safety event that directly affects the normal operations of an individual building on campus.

  • Activate the fire alarm if you see smoke or fire, call RUPD/911.  Follow instructions from emergency personnel.
  • Calmly exit the building and alert others as you leave. Walk, do not run, push, or crowd.
  • If time and conditions permit, secure your workplace and take with you important personal items such as keys, purse/bag, medication, or eye glasses.
  • Avoid using the elevators in the building.
  • Assist individuals with disabilities out of the building if safe to do so or assist into an Area of Refuge.
  • Move quickly away from the building.
  • Keep roadways and walkways clear for emergency vehicles.
  • Notify first responders if individuals are still in the building.
  • Await further instruction from First Responders.
  • DO NOT go back into the building unless you have been told you can do so safely by emergency response personnel.

Remember, always use good judgement. There are exceptions to all guidance and prescribed directions.

Additional Emergency Procedures

Active Shooter

  • Determine the most reasonable way to protect your own life and call 911 when it is safe to do so.
  • RUN. Evacuate if you can (this may be your best chance for survival.) Have an escape route in mind. Leave valuables behind and keep hands visible.
  • HIDE in an area outside of the shooter's view. Block entry to your hiding place and lock doors. Turn off lights and silence electronic devices.
  • FIGHT as a last resort and only when your life is in imminent danger. Attempt to incapacitate the shooter. Act with physical aggression.

Bomb Threat

  • Call 911.
  • Do not use cellular phones or two-way radios.
  • Do NOT activate the fire alarm system to evacuate.
  • Shelter in place or evacuate the building as directed.
  • Do not re-enter the building until cleared by authorized personnel.
  • Untrained persons should not try to rescue people who are inside a collapsed building. Wait for emergency personnel.

Hazardous Materials

  • If an emergency develops or if anyone is in danger, call 911
  • Move away from the site of the hazard to a safe location (up wind if possible)
  • Follow the instructions of emergency personnel
  • Alert others to stay clear of the area
  • Notify emergency personnel if you have been exposed to the hazard or have information about its release

Fire

  • Activate the nearest fire alarm and call 911 if possible. If there are no fire alarms, knock on doors and yell "fire" as you exit the building.
  • Evacuate the building. Do not use elevators!
  • Feel closed doors with the back of your hand. Do not open if doors are hot.
  • Move well away from the building when evacuating and assemble at designated assembly areas.
  • Do not re-enter the building until cleared by authorized personnel.

Suspicious Person

  • Do not physically confront the person
  • Do not let anyone in to a locked building/office
  • Do not block the person's access to an exit
  • Call 911. Provide as much information as possible about the person and his/her direction of travel

Suspicious Package

  • Do not touch or disturb the object
  • Do not use cellular phones or two-way radios
  • Call 911
  • Notify your supervisor or instructor
  • Be prepared to evacuate and take personal belongings with you

Power Failure

  • Remain calm. Provide assistance to other if necessary.
  • Move cautiously to a lighted area. Exits may be indicated by lighted signs if the emergency power is operating.
  • If asked to evacuate the building by emergency personnel, exit as calmly and carefully as possible.
  • Do not re-enter the building until authorized by authorities. Listen for information regarding building/college closings/
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