91勛圖

Faculty Emergency Preparedness

Emergencies: What Is the Role of an Instructor?

Students, even in the College environment, look to the person at the front of the class for leadership, anticipating that the instructor will know what to do if an emergency occurs.

  • Provide leadership to your students if an emergency occurs; lead by example and follow emergency procedures.
  • Clearly cover basic emergency preparedness techniques during the first week – 10 minutes of pre-planning can save lives. For more guidance on what to do during an emergency, review the . The document provides comprehensive information on emergency procedures.
  • Know how to report any emergency from your classroom or lab.
  • Remind students to update their emergency contact information in SIS (Navigation Path: my91勛圖 > SIS > Profile > Emergency Contacts).
  • Encourage students to add additional devices, such as a mobile phone number or additional email account, to . Students are automatically signed up for email alerts through their official 91勛圖 email address.

  • Encourage students to download the LiveSafe Mobile App. How to get it:
    • Visit the or and download the LiveSafe app (look for the blue shield icon).
    • Choose 91勛圖 from the list of schools.
    • Fill in your name and contact information so we can reach you in case of an emergency.
  • Individuals with disabilities – who self-identify – should be able to provide information on special assistance needs if an emergency occurs. They may need help leaving the building during an evacuation.

Your leadership in the classroom is invaluable—not only during instruction, but also in times of crisis. Staying informed, calm, and prepared empowers your students and reinforces a culture of safety and resilience across the College community.

For emergencies, call 911. Remain calm – your actions influence others.

  • Tell the dispatcher your exact location (Address or Building Name and Room Number).
  • Give your full name and the telephone number from which you are calling, in case you are disconnected.
  • Describe the nature of the emergency (describe clearly and accurately).
  • Remain calm and do not hang up as additional information may be needed.
  • If possible and safe to do so, have someone meet emergency personnel outside of the building to escort them.
  • When safe to do so, contact Campus Police at 703.764.5000 to advise them of the situation.

  • A charged cell phone or other means to place an emergency phone call (i.e. laptop to place a Teams Call). Although you are not required to carry a cell phone, having one could save your life.
  • A list of important telephone numbers (i.e. 91勛圖 Police, Provost, DCO, division dean, campus facilities, lab supervisors if applicable, etc.) – these numbers could be entered into your cell phone for quick access.
  • Class roster.

  1. Provide plenty of space for the victim and emergency personnel.
  2. Call 911.
  3. If someone is available, send them to the front entrance of the building to escort emergency medical personnel to the victim.
  4. Follow the instructions of the Dispatcher. Do NOT hang up the phone.
  5. Do not move the victim, unless they are in immediate danger.
  6. If the victim is unconscious and not breathing, start CPR (if trained or instructed by a 911 dispatcher), locate an AED if available, turn it on, and follow the instructions provided by the unit. NOTE: There are AEDs located throughout 91勛圖 buildings, typically one on each floor.
  7. Provide appropriate first aid, if properly trained.

Contact Campus Police at 703.764.5000 to advise them of the situation.

Some examples of violent/threatening disruptions include: extremely angry or disorderly individuals, fights/physical altercations, people shouting or threatening you or others, individuals intentionally interfering with your ability to continue teaching.

Contact 91勛圖 Police. There are several ways you can contact them to report student disruptions or disorderly conduct:

  • Call 703.764.5000.
  • Use the LiveSafe app to text 91勛圖 Police using your cell phone. This is an option if you can’t speak or don’t want to alert anyone that you have contacted the Police. The LiveSafe app allows two-way texting directly to a 91勛圖 Police Dispatcher.
  • Push the panic button on the desk phone. A 91勛圖 Police Dispatcher will call back immediately after they receive the panic alarm. If you are able to, answer the phone and speak to the Dispatcher. NOTE: If you do not pick up the phone after the callback attempt from the Dispatcher, a Police Officer will be sent immediately to the location.

Whichever method you use to contact 91勛圖 Police, be prepared to:

  1. Provide your exact location and remember to include your building and room number, or the closest room number to where help is needed.
  2. Describe the nature of the emergency (describe clearly and accurately).
  3. Give the names and descriptions of the individual(s) causing the disturbance.
  4. Advise the Dispatcher of any weapons, if present.
  5. Advise the Dispatcher if anyone is injured – describe the injuries to the best of your ability.
  6. Remain calm and do not hang up, as additional information may be needed.

The average response time from the first 911 call to the arrival of law enforcement is approximately 3 minutes. In those crucial early moments, your actions matter. Having a plan will help you respond quickly and effectively.

AVOID

  • Your first option should always be to get away.
  • Know your exits, including alternate ones like windows or fire escapes.
  • Leave belongings behind and move to a safe location.
  • Call 911 when safe to do so.

DENY

  • If escape is not possible, secure your location.
  • Lock doors, turn off lights, silence phones, and stay out of sight.

DEFEND

  • As a last resort, be prepared to fight back.
  • Use improvised weapons, yell, and do whatever is necessary to stop the attacker.
  • Your survival may depend on it.

When Law Enforcement Arrives

When officers from 91勛圖 Police or local law enforcement respond, their immediate mission is to neutralize the threat. They will not stop to assist the injured or evacuees until the threat has been contained. Keep your hands visible, follow commands, and avoid sudden movements.

  • Remember, all fire alarms are mandatory evacuations.
  • Do NOT use elevators. Use the closest stairs.
  • Follow the instructions of authorities.
  • As your class is evacuating, encourage all persons to leave the building – do not wait for those who refuse to leave. Inform emergency personnel of the location of those that are still in the building. Try to keep your class together.
  • Move to the closest Assembly Area.
  • Account for your students. Report missing people to first responders as soon as possible.
  • Follow instructions from first responders and Campus leadership.
  • Do NOT re-enter the building unless instructed by authorities.

Pre-Planning Activities

  • Signage showing primary and secondary evacuation routes are posted in your classroom. Review and know these routes.
  • In the hallways, look for illuminated EXIT signs to determine where the exits are.
  • Know the location of the exterior Assembly Areas – the area used to assemble and account for students following an evacuation.
  • When you cover basic emergency preparedness techniques with students, be sure to communicate the evacuation routes and assembly areas to the students.
  • Be sure to develop a plan to account for students once you have evacuated and arrived at the Assembly Area.

Remain calm and remind your class to stay calm as well.

Immediately lead your class to:

  • The nearest Severe Weather Shelter Area
  • OR an appropriate area capable of providing protection from the weather event:
    • A sturdy building
    • Interior hallway or room
    • Free of windows or other glass structures
    • At the lowest level possible in the building – use stairs, do not use elevators.
  1. Do NOT lock doors behind you as others may also need to shelter-in-place.
  2. Use your arms to protect your head and neck. Protect your body from flying debris with any available furniture or sturdy equipment.
  3. Do NOT leave until the “All Clear” is received from 91勛圖 Alert or authorities.

NOTE: If you are outside, when it is necessary to shelter-in-place, you will be safest by moving inside to a building space that protects you from the danger.

Pre-Planning Activity

  • The Severe Weather Shelter Areas are designated by green and white signage noting “Severe Weather Shelter Area”. Identify the locations of the Severe Weather Shelter Areas near your classroom. You should identify at least TWO locations, since locations may be full. NOTE: your classroom may be a severe weather shelter area – look for signage.
  • Look for these signs:
    Severe Weather Shelter Area sign with a tornado graphic

Persons with access or functional needs should plan ahead for emergency situations which could involve evacuations, as they may have difficulty evacuating a building without assistance. Individuals who are unable to exit the building should proceed to an Area of Assistance to await aid from emergency response personnel. The following procedures are acceptable alternatives for employees, students, and visitors with special needs:

Evacuation Assistant – An Evacuation Assistant is a volunteer, co-worker, classmate, or friend who can assist persons with access or functional needs during an emergency. Evacuation Assistants provide instruction during an evacuation, help individuals with access or functional needs to relocate to an Area of Assistance, notify first responders or emergency personnel of those persons that are unable to evacuate a building, and provide support as necessary to ensure a safe evacuation. Evacuation Assistants are not responsible for physically evacuating an individual from a building. Carrying a person down a set of stairs or out of a building should only be done by trained emergency response personnel.

Horizontal Evacuation – Individuals with access or functional needs should use horizontal evacuation routes (a route on the floor they are occupying leads to the exterior of the building without using stairs or the elevator) or they should relocate to an Area of Assistance. Individuals using this method of evacuation and their Evacuation Assistants, if identified, are encouraged to know the Areas of Assistance for their work area and go to these locations during an evacuation when possible. The Evacuation Assistant should then self-evacuate and immediately relay the location of the person awaiting assistance to emergency response personnel. Persons occupying an Area of Assistance should call 911 and provide their exact location to the dispatcher.

Hearing Impaired – An Evacuation Assistant(s) should be designated or selected to immediately alert a person with a hearing impairment of any alarm or order to evacuate.

Visually Impaired – Individuals with visual impairment should be familiar with their immediate surroundings, frequently traveled routes, and emergency evacuation routes. However, since an evacuation route may be different from a commonly traveled route, a visually impaired person may need assistance. Evacuation Assistant(s) should be identified and aid as necessary during an evacuation.

Employees needing assistance during an emergency are encouraged to contact Human Resources to make the appropriate arrangements in developing an emergency evacuation plan.

Students with disabilities – who self-identify – should become familiar with their surroundings as soon as they visit a campus or new building. They are encouraged to identify Areas of Assistance and develop a Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan (PEEP). This PEEP should be shared with close friends and family, as well as with their instructors.

Classroom Emergency Readiness Checklist – This link will take you to information and activities that are intended to help you prepare for an emergency before it occurs. They provide you with planning and mental rehearsal tips.