Emergency Management

The purpose of this plan is to establish clear guidelines detailing the appropriate response to disaster and crisis situations.

The goal of this plan is to limit the loss of life and property in the event of an emergency or crisis that affects the operations of Sacred Heart University. These procedures apply to all University personnel and properties owned or leased by Sacred Heart University.

To view the Emergency Management Master Plan, visit  http://sharepoint.sacredheart.edu/emergency 

Communication is Critical - When calling Public Safety, make sure you identify yourself, where you are calling from, and where the incident taking place, and what is is occurring be it: (requesting medical assistance, fire or smoke, motor vehicle accident, fight, alcohol violation or other incident). 

In any emergency situation:

  • Do not hang up until directed to by the Dispatcher. The Dispatcher may have to place you on hold. 
  • When called, Public Safety will respond to assist in any matter.  Actions taken will include, but are not limited to: documenting the incident and filing a report, taking photographs, contacting Fire, Police, or EMS; notifying Campus Operations regarding unsafe conditions.  
  • Public Safety should be called whenever a situation arises in which you do not feel comfortable in handling by
    yourself.  
  • Do not get personally involved in any situation which may jeopardize your safety or the safety of others.  Contact Public Safety to respond.  While awaiting their arrival, be sure to observe what is occurring and be prepared to pass this information on to the responding Officers.  
  • Whenever you enter a situation, always leave yourself a way out or means of egress.  You do not want to get boxed in and unable to move away from a threat.

Situation Level Definitions - This plan identifies four emergency levels; the following level definitions should be used as a guide to define the magnitude of an emergency incident and the potential impact on Sacred Heart University.


KNOW THESE SYMBOLS

When you see the Campus Alert symbol know that SHU Public Safety has activated a Level 3 or 4 emergency incident on campus and immediate action is required by you for safety and security.  Public Safety will deploy the SHU/EAS text message "Emergency Alert System" to inform you of the incident.  Follow instructions immediately.  DPS will keep you informed.
When you see the Warn Me symbol know that SHU Public Safety is informing you of important information to increase situational awareness regarding campus safety and security.  Be vigilant, prepared and responsive to these official notices.

SHU Emergency Incident Levels (1 – 4)
Notification methods are determined by the Department of Public Safety

  • Level – (1) covers a short-term internal "routine" emergency involving only university facilities and employees. Limited outside agency involvement may be required. (Notification by: No DPS general notice – communication from DPS directly to person(s), standard global email and/or IT Connector.)

  • Level – (2) includes an emergency with a predictable duration at a single site involving the university and a single outside agency such as the fire department. (Notification by: No DPS general notice – communication from DPS directly to person(s), standard global email and/or IT Connector.

  • Level – (3) involves an emergency with an unpredictable duration with a multi-agency response.
    • Notification by: = SHU web based Emergency Broadcast System
    • SHU EAS = Message One – Emergency Alert System
    • Also: IT Connector, CATV, phone tree calls, radio broadcast and/or commercial TV
  • Level – (4) relates to a widespread emergency impacting a large segment of the university with long term implications.
    • Notification by: = SHU web based Emergency Broadcast System
    • SHU EAS = Message One – Emergency Alert System
    • Also: IT Connector, CATV, phone tree calls, radio broadcast and/or commercial TV

SMS/E-MAIL/Phone/Fax - SHU EAS / Emergency Alert System. A combination of cell phone numbers and e-mail addresses will be inputted in order to send text messages to cell phones, e-mail to e-mail address, and recorded messages to cell phones or voice-mail boxes.  The message will advise University members that an emergency is occurring on campus.  Sacred Heart University is using the Alert-Find system from Message-One. Classroom phones (aka “bat phones”) will also be utilized to send messages to people in classrooms.

CATV - Emergency Alert System - All SHU channels will display an emergency announcement (similar to the Emergency Broadcast System) alerting people there is an incident occurring.

Public Address System - where applicable the public address systems in buildings will be utilized to make an emergency announcement.  Public Safety Officers will also utilize vehicle and portable PA systems.

Sacred Heart website - Emergency Broadcast System Persons logging onto the SHU website (from off campus) will be redirected to a page where emergency information will be displayed.

Global Outlook - E-mail messages sent to all employees, faculty, staff and students advising them there is an emergency on campus.

IT Connector - On the desktop of SHU computers, the blue shield logo will pop up messages alerting the Community of an emergency

The SHU Department of Information Technology & Security – Public Safety, will be monitoring developments in technology and emergency notification systems to better serve the University Community.

SHU Emergency Notification Systems & Procedures
Sacred Heart University will be utilizing the following methods for notifying the university Community and visitors that an emergency is occurring on campus: Sacred Heart University Comprehensive All-Hazard & Business Continuity Plan (CAH&BCP) is a procedural document for organizing, coordinating and directing available resources toward the control of an emergency.