Emergency Procedures

Emergency Procedures Guide (EPG)

The Emergency Procedures Guide (EPG), based at the department levels, provides immediate action planning for life safety during an incident on Grounds.  >> View the Emergency Procedures Guide (EPG)

Emergency Procedures Poster

Please feel free to post the following Emergency Procedures poster in your department offices and on public display boards. Always follow instructions of authorities and use good judgment in the absence of instruction.  >> View the Emergency Procedures Poster

Emergency Procedures

Bomb Threat
  • Remain calm and attempt to keep the caller on the line as long as possible to gather as much information as possible.
  • Write down the caller's phone number; note any distinctive qualities about the caller's voice or background noise.
  • Attempt to obtain information on the description, location, and time/method of detonation of the device.
  • Call 911 as soon as the call has ended.
Earthquake
  • If inside, stay there. Shelter in place - drop, cover, and hold on.
  • If there is nothing to hide under, crouch near an interior wall and cover head.
  • If outside, stay outside and move away from buildings, street lights, and utility wires.
  • Only evacuate if additional hazards threaten your safety.
  • Call 911 to report injuries, fire, gas leaks, debris, etc.
Fire/Explosion
  • Activate nearest fire alarm.
  • Evacuate; if smoke is present, stay low to the floor.
  • Watch out for falling debris; take cover and protect head.
  • If you become trapped, tap on a wall or pipe to alert rescuers.
  • Call 911 when safe to do so.
Hazardous Materials Release
  • Move away from the site of the hazard to a safe location.
  • Call 911.
  • Call Environmental Health & Safety at 434-982-4911.
  • Alert others to stay clear of the area.
  • Notify emergency personnel if you have been exposed or have information about the release.
Infrastructure Outage Contacts
  • Voice Communications: 434-924-8600.
  • Computer Systems: 434-924-4357.
  • Water, power, heating, or cooling: 434-924-1777.
Medical Emergency
  • If illness or injury is serious, do not move the person.
  • Call 911.
  • If appropriate and available, get someone trained in CPR to help and get an AED.
  • Send someone to meet emergency personnel outside and direct them to the person's location.
Severe Weather
  • A WATCH means weather conditions are favorable for the development of hazardous weather.
  • A WARNING means hazardous weather is happening or imminent.
  • Seek shelter immediately; go to internal, lowest area of safety away from windows.
  • If instructed to evacuate, follow evacuation procedures.
Suspicious Object
  • Do not touch or disturb object.
  • Call 911.
  • Prepare to evacuate if instructed.
Suspicious Odor

Smell of Smoke or Gas

  • Activate the nearest fire pull station.
  • Evacuate the immediate area and dial 911.
  • Report type of odor and location to first responders. Prepare to evacuate if instructed.

Any Other Odor

  • Investigate, if possible and safe to do so.
  • If you do not know which utility service to contact, dial UVA Police at 924-7166 (for non-emergency situations).
Suspicious Person
  • Do not confront, stop, or apprehend the person.
  • Note the person's description and suspicious activity.
  • Call 911.
  • Provide details on the person and his/her direction of travel.
Tornado
  • Seek shelter immediately; go to internal, lowest area of safety away from windows.
  • Close all doors, including main corridors.
  • Crouch near the floor or under heavy, well-supported objects and cover head.
  • If outside, move inside a sturdy structure or lie down in a low area such as a ditch and cover your head.
  • Call 911 to report injuries, fire, gas leaks, debris, etc.
Violent Incident
  • RUN: Evacuate if a safe route is available.
    • Call 911 when safe to do so.
  • HIDE: If it is unsafe to escape, hide in an area out of view.
    • Lock the door and block entry; stay behind solid objects away from door.
    • Turn off lights and computers; silence cell phones.
  • FIGHT: Prepare to defend yourself if necessary.

Evacuation Guidelines

  • Leave using the nearest exit, or alternative if nearest exit is blocked.
  • Never use an elevator.
  • Take personal belongings (go-bag, keys, purse, wallet, cell phone, coat), but do not delay your exit to retrieve items.
  • Follow procedures to secure hazardous materials or equipment before leaving. 
  • If unable to exit, move to designated areas of refuge.
  • Once outside, go to the designated assembly area.
  • Do not reenter until instructed by authorities.
  • View evacuation and fire safety tips
  • View Building and Classroom Evacuation Sites

Shelter in Place Guidelines

  • Evaluate the situation and choose the most appropriate shelter location, for example:
    • Severe weather: go to internal, lowest area of safety away from windows.
    • Violence: lock the door and block entry; stay behind solid objects away from door.
  • Follow procedures to secure hazardous materials or equipment before leaving.
  • Move to the shelter, taking your go-bag.
  • Remain sheltered until instructed it is safe to leave.
  • Monitor media and the UVA Emergency Page for the latest information.