Emergency Management

The safety of our students, faculty and staff is our top priority at Sacred Heart. In the event of an emergency, we are committed to providing clear, timely and actionable information to protect our campus community.  

SHU requires that all University employees receive training in emergency response procedures. Below are training videos that outline SHU's emergency procedures for an active shooter incident and other emergencies (weather, fire, natural disaster, etc.).

(18 minutes)

(38 minutes)

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. 

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. 

Communication is critical

When calling the Department of Public Safety (DPS), make sure you identify yourself, where you are calling from, where the incident is taking place and what 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 to notify officers, please stay on the line. 
  • When called, public safety will respond to assist. Actions taken will include, but are not limited to: documenting the incident and filing a report, taking photographs, contacting fire, police or EMS; notifying facilities & construction regarding unsafe conditions. 
  • Public safety should be called whenever a situation arises that you do not feel comfortable handling by yourself. 
  • Do not get personally involved in any situation that 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. 

Campus Alert

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.

Campus Alert logo

Warn Me

When you see the Warn Me symbol know that DPS is informing you of important information to increase your situational awareness regarding campus safety and security. Be vigilant, prepared and responsive to these official notices. 

Warn Me logo

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 to the University. (Notification methods are determined by the Department of Public Safety). 

  • Level 1 - covers a short-term, internal or "routine" emergency involving only University facilities and employees. Limited outside agency involvement may be required. No campus-wide notice—communication from DPS directly to person(s) affected and standard global email. 
  • 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. No campus wide notice— communication from DPS directly to person(s) affected and standard global email. 
  • Level 3 - involves an emergency with an unpredictable duration with a multi-agency response.
    • Notification by campus alert  = SHU EAS
    • SHU EAS - Blackboard Connect Mass Notification System
    • Also: Posting to website, Facebook/X, video display monitors and internal/portable public address systems 
  • Level 4 - relates to a widespread emergency impacting a large segment of the university with long term implications.
    • Notification by campus alert = SHU EAS
    • SHU EAS - Blackboard Connect 
    • Also: Posting to website, Facebook/X, video display monitors and internal/portable public address systems 

Blackboard Connect – Emergency Alert System (SHU EAS) sends messages formatted as SMS/email/phone; we also deploy on the SHU website home page and under  along and social media platforms (X and Facebook).

Public Safety, along with , continually monitors the latest developments in emergency notification systems to better serve the University Community.