Menu

Emergency Plan

This quick reference is produced by Sacred Heart University’s Department of Public Safety. It covers potential emergencies on campus and what you can do to respond. Download a detailed Emergency Plan Handbook.

Initial Actions

The individual discovering or receiving information about an incident will take the following steps:

1. Call Public Safety ext. 7911 or Emergency 911 (Off-campus - 203-371-7911)

2. Provide the following information:

  • Your name
  • Nature of incident
  • Location of incident
  • Severity of injuries or property damage
  • Telephone number (for a call back)

3. Take action to protect students, faculty, staff and property. This might include:

  • Moving people away
  • Isolating and securing the area
  • Providing assistance as needed to students and personnel
  • Directing Public Safety responders to the scene

4. Await instructions from Public Safety, police, fire or University officials. These instructions will be given by alarm, text message and/or email.

For Incident Instructions and Updates

Email, Text Messaging, Voice Command, Sirens

  • Website - www.sacredheart.edu
  • Phone - 203-371-7911
  • Radio - 91.1 FM WSHU, 600 AM WICC,108 FM WEBE, 99.9 FM WEZN

Response Options

Please take the following steps in response to the specific directions issued by Public Safety

Seek Shelter

If inside:

  • Use a desk or other piece of furniture as a shield
  • Move away from windows
  • Make body as small as possible and stay low
  • Remain quiet, still and be prepared to move quickly

If outside:

  • Try to get behind any solid object
  • Lie flat, with face away from source of event
  • Cover your head and face
  • Remain quiet, still and be prepared to move quickly

Evacuation

  • Instructions to evacuate will be issued by Public Safety, police or University officials
  • Evacuate students and staff quickly, but in an orderly fashion to a safe area
  • Calm students and remain quiet
  • Assist handicapped persons or those in need
  • Do not turn off lights or equipment
  • Close all doors behind you - do not lock doors
  • If you observe something unusual or suspicious, do not touch it
  • Remain in a safe area until receiving notification to return to the facility

Lockdown

  • No one will be allowed to enter the Campus
  • Faculty will oversee the lockdown by drawing blinds, where possible, locking doors and windows, and turning off lights
  • Disregard any knocks on the door and be alert  
  • All students and personnel should move into isolated sections of building and remain quiet  
  • Faculty will be notified when it is safe to resume normal operations

Evacuation / Relocation Sites

Emergency Shuttle Bus Locations
Based on the emergency, this will be determined and announced. You will be dropped off at these locations:

  • Pitt Center
  • Edgerton Center
  • Cambridge Campus
  • 101 Oakview Drive

Types of Incidents

In response to the following incidents, please take the recommended actions:

Hostage Situation

  • Avoid reckless actions or quick moves
  • Do everything your captor says to do
  • Speak only when spoken to
  • Stay calm, try not to show emotion openly
  • Sit, if possible, to avoid appearing aggressive
  • Don’t turn away from captor unless ordered to
  • Model the appropriate behavior that you would expect of your students

Fire/explosion
Activate the fire alarm system by pulling the alarm
Evacuate the building immediately in a safe and orderly manner
If a heavy smoke condition exists, get low to the ground and crawl to the safest exit
Alert authorities with any information once you have reached a designated "safe area"
Know your building - have a primary and secondary escape route in mind

Hazardous Material Release/Gas Leak

  • Avoid contact with the material spilled
  • Do not turn any electrical devices on or off
  • Do not use cell phones
  • Be prepared to evacuate the building

Bomb Threat
If you receive a call indicating there is a bomb in the building:

  • Remain calm, do not hang up
  • Record time of call
  • Attempt to keep the caller on the phone as long as possible
  • Document and report everything the caller says: ask questions about type and location of device, time of detonation, and reason for planting the device
  • Document characteristics of the caller's voice (loud, muffled, accented, intoxicated, etc.)
  • Listen to any background noise that may be present (television, traffic, music, etc.)

Violent Intruder/Active Shooter

  • Do not confront the intruder
  • Calm students and remain quiet
  • Draw blinds to windows and secure doors; turn off lights and equipment
  • Disregard any knock on the door or unfamiliar voices
  • Be alert for students who may still be in the hallway
  • All students should move into an isolated corner of the room or building, reducing their exposure to windows and doors
  • If shots are heard, have everyone get low to the ground and seek shelter (if possible)

IF INSIDE:

  • Use a desk or other piece of furniture as a shield
  • Move away from windows
  • Make body as small as possible and stay low
  • Remain quiet, still and be prepared to move quickly

IF OUTSIDE:

  • Try to get behind any solid object
  • Lie flat, with face away from source of event
  • Cover your head and face
  • Remain quiet, still and be prepared to move quickly

Weather Emergencies

  • All outdoor activities will be suspended when thunder is heard
  • Shelter should be sought indoors by all members of the community until the severe weather is no longer a threat
  • Occupants of temporary or portable facilities (trailers) should move into a building
  • Depending on the severity of the storm, all occupants should be brought into the interior corridors away from outside windows. Close all doors.
  • Do not take time to collect personal belongings
  • Protect yourself from falling objects by taking shelter beneath a desk, table or bench
  • Stay way from outside walls and windows

KEY WEATHER TERMS

  • Watch -  Threatening weather is likely. Remain alert and prepared to implement a plan for action
  • Warning - Severe weather is occurring or has been indicated by radar. Take immediate action.

Fall - Hurricane Season
Winter - Snow and Ice Season
Spring - Thunderstorm Season
Earthquakes occur anytime without warning