Emergency Articles
An active shooter is intent on killing people in a confined and populated area, usually without a method for selecting victims other than causing the most harm in a short amount of time. Because active shooter situations evolve quickly and usually end within 10-15 minutes, people must know how to act in advance. Get in the habit of being alert to your surroundings and notice potential threats as you move through your day, especially in crowded areas. Wherever you are, identify the two nearest exits. In an active shooter situation, you must quickly determine the most reasonable way to protect your life. Seconds count.
More...All the world over people dream of competing in the Olympics, but dreaming of surviving a natural disaster? Not so much. Yet, your chances of being caught in a natural disaster outweigh your Olympic prospects hundreds of thousands of times to one!
More...Winter is here, along with the potential for unexpected weather to impact the University's academic schedule. The University's Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Pat Hogan explained UVA’s decision-making process and the criteria involved in any decision to cancel classes in a recent message to the University community.
More...
The University is committed to providing information that will help members of our community take measures to protect their own safety. In a society where technology provides immediate access to information, instant communication has become an expectation for many people. As the primary source of information for students, faculty and staff, the University provides four types of safety communication, each with different criteria.
More...The Deans Working Group, charged by President Sullivan to review the events related to August 11, has presented its findings and key recommendations to the President. The full report and a timeline of events of August 11 are publicly available. President Sullivan said, "I encourage members of the University community to continue to visit the Working Group’s dedicated website, response.virginia.edu, to share your ideas."
More...Emergencies can happen unexpectedly, and everyone needs to be prepared to act in an emergency. Please TAKE 3 minutes as you begin this semester to consider these three things:
- How you will be notified in an emergency
- Where you would evacuate from class or residence
- Where you would shelter in place in class or residence
On April 16, 2007, in what was then the deadliest mass shooting in U.S. history, 32 people were killed on the campus of Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Virginia, and more than a dozen were injured. As law enforcement and government agencies learn more about mass shooters and mass-shooting events, they have identified best practices for survival. The message is simple – RUN to leave the area; HIDE if you can’t leave; and as a last resort, FIGHT. Your survival may depend on whether you are aware of your surroundings and know what to do before a gunman attacks.
More...Known by a variety of names including tornadoes, twisters, typhoons, or cyclones, these weather events devastate property and life. A powerful storm system in Virginia last year spawned at least eight tornadoes, killing four people in a single day. Because tornadoes can occur in any part of the state and at any time of year, it's important to plan and practice how to respond to a tornado warning. To encourage your awareness, the University will participate in Tornado Preparedness Day, March 21, by testing all components of its emergency notification system at 10:50 a.m.
More...Floods are among the most common hazards in the United States but not all floods are alike. Some floods develop slowly, while others – like flash floods – can develop within a few minutes or hours. Be aware of streams, drainage channels, and other areas known to flood suddenly. In direct response to so many unnecessary vehicle-related flood deaths, the National Weather Service (NWS) developed a national campaign called “Turn around Don’t Drown.” The campaign aims to educate motorists of the dangers of driving across flooded roads. To learn more about the campaign and promotional tools, please visit http://www.nws.noaa.gov/os/water/tadd/.
More...