Academics

This website is the primary source of information related to emergency preparedness on campus. Please check it often for updates and new resources. The Crisis Leadership Team has taken steps to prepare for both minor and major emergencies and has your safety and security as its first priority.

Emergency Contact Information

Department of Public Safety (DPS) Communication Center

  • (202) 651-5444 (TTY)
  • (202) 651-5555 (Voice and Text)
D.C. Metropolitan Police

Guide

How to prepare for an emergency

Emergencies often happen with little or no warning. The most important thing you can do to keep yourself safe is to prepare and stay calm.

How to know if there is an emergency

What to do in an emergency

How to get help during an emergency

  • During an emergency, remember to first follow the instructions given through the University Notification System. Try to avoid using the telephone unless you are in a special emergency situation.
  • In special emergencies, call or page the Department of Public Safety (DPS) or call 911.
  • The Office of the Provost has two toll-free lines available for communication in emergencies unless the office has been evacuated.
  • During an emergency, other special numbers may be established. Such numbers will be communicated through the University Notification System.

Especially for Students

  • During an emergency, it is very important to know who is on campus and who is not. During an emergency, University officials want to be able to account for each person who is supposed to be on campus. For this reason, we encourage you to make sure someone at the University (e.g. RA, CRE, Advisor) knows where you can be located if you leave campus. This recommendation is for your safety. It is not meant to invade your privacy.During a serious emergency, your family may contact the University to find out if you are safe. If we don’t know where you are, this lack of knowledge could cause your family a great deal of fear and worry. All of us can prevent this situation by letting someone on campus know of our plans.
  • If an evacuation to the Primary Evacuation Site is necessary, a log-in system will be established at the entry point so that we know who has arrived at the site. Students should try to stay in groups by dormitory. Commuter students should stay in one group. University staff will have prepared lists of students by dormitory and commuter status. If students are in these groups, it will be easier and quicker to account for everyone.
  • If you are off campus when an emergency happens (e.g., at an internship site), please call or page DPS to let us know that you are safe.
  • Know the important telephone numbers and contact information.

Especially for Faculty, Teachers and Staff

  • For the same reasons we are encouraging students to keep us informed of their whereabouts, we also recommend that you keep someone in your department informed about changes in your normal schedule. Accounting for you and assuring your safety could be critical during an emergency.
  • Your department may want to put a system in place so that, in the event of an emergency, department members could be accounted for quickly.
  • During a serious emergency, there is no doubt that the faculty and staff will be called on to assist others in both physical and emotional ways. One of our first priorities during an emergency evacuation will be to assist children and individuals who have disabilities. It is possible that you may be called on to assist someone with a disability.
  • Check to be sure that each student with a disability in your class or residence hall has contacted the Office of Students with Disabilities to develop an individual emergency plan, if they will need assistance in an evacuation.
  • Know important telephone numbers and contact information.

Definitions and Personnel

Procedures for specific types of emergencies

Additional Information

Evacuation Options During a Fire Alarm or Other Emergency

Depending upon the nature of the emergency, choose one of the following options when evacuating a building: Vertical Evacuation - Vertical evacuation (using a stairway) is the preferred method to exit a building. All exit passageways (i.e. hallways, stairways, etc.) are marked with "Exit" signs....

Public Safety

Guideline Type: Procedures

Emergency Evacuation Procedures and Routes

The Emergency Preparedness Guide is distributed to faculty, teachers, staff and students. The Guide will be updated periodically on the Gallaudet University web site. Campus-wide email announcements will be sent when updates are published on the web site. All students and employees should be aware...

Public Safety

Guideline Type: Procedures

Bomb Threat: Procedures

All bomb threats must be taken seriously. The information the caller gives provides the information we need to evaluate the threat. If your office receives a bomb threat, the recipient of the call should: Remain calm. Do not hang up on the caller until all...

Public Safety

Guideline Type: Procedures

What to do in an Earthquake

Earthquakes are rare in this region, but they can occur. Here are some steps to follow during and immediately after an earthquake. If indoors, seek refugee in a doorway or under a desk or table. Stay away from glass windows, shelves and heavy equipment. Exit...

Public Safety

Guideline Type: Procedures

Explosions, Aircraft Crashes, or Similar Incidents

In the event of an explosion, downed aircraft (crash) on campus or similar incident, take the following action: Immediately take cover under a desk, table or other object that will protect you from falling objects and flying debris. After the initial explosion, call DPS. Evacuate...

Public Safety

Guideline Type: Procedures

Fire: Safety Procedures

If you smell smoke, see flames, or otherwise suspect that there is a fire in the building, take the following actions: Pull the building fire alarm. The Department of Public Safety (DPS) has the primary responsibility of responding to level one fire (small fire) alarm...

Public Safety

Guideline Type: Procedures

Hazardous Material Incident: Safety Procedures

The University Notification System will advise you if a hazardous material release (asbestos, chemical agents, chemical weapons or biological weapons, etc.) occurs outside or near the campus. If conditions require an immediate evacuation from the building, you will be instructed to go to the Primary...

Public Safety

Guideline Type: Procedures

Death of a Student: Procedures

A death that requires an emergency response is most likely a death that was sudden, caused by an accident, or a homicide. As a general rule one should immediately call or page DPS. Crisis Leadership Team (CLT) members will be notified. The first University person...

Public Safety

Guideline Type: Procedures

Suicidal Behavior: Procedures

Suicidal behavior can vary from a suicidal gesture to a life-threatening attempt. The incident and response begins with the initial awareness that a person may have caused harm, or is talking about causing harm, to him/herself. In situations where there is imminent danger requiring an...

Public Safety

Guideline Type: Procedures

Tornado: Safety Procedures

During a tornado warning, stay calm and quickly follow the steps outlined below: If indoors, disconnect electrical equipment and appliances. Seek shelter in the lowest level of the building. Take a flashlight with you if you have one handy. Interior hallways or rooms are preferable,...

Public Safety

Guideline Type: Procedures

Utility Failure: Procedures

In the event of a power outage in your area, remain calm and follow these steps: Remain where you are and open all available blinds/shades/curtains to receive outside light. If you are in an unlighted area without windows, go cautiously to an area that has...

Public Safety

Guideline Type: Procedures

Violent Behavior

These situations include any action that is a danger to the community, such as a hostage situation, gunfire/sniper, kidnapping, rape, murder, gang activity, or any other form of violent behavior. The following procedures are to be followed: Contact DPS immediately. You should explain the nature...

Public Safety

Guideline Type: Procedures

Definitions of Types and Levels of Emergencies

A combination of circumstances resulting in a state that calls for immediate action. Such circumstances can cause death or significant injuries to people, disrupt operations, cause physical or environmental damage, or threaten the University's reputation. Minor emergency or critical incident - Any incident, potential or...

Public Safety

Guideline Type: Policy

Emergency and First Aid Kits

flashlight and extra batteries pager batteries first aid kit non-perishable packaged food bottled water prescription medications an extra set of keys blanket family contact information paper and pencil In an emergency, you should be sure to have your wallet or purse for identification, emergency funds,...

Public Safety

Guideline Type: Procedures

Essential Emergency Personnel

An effective and efficient response to an emergency requires the response of certain University personnel. The following positions have been classified as essential emergency personnel who must remain or arrive on campus to respond to a Level One emergency: President Special Assistant to the President...

Public Safety

Guideline Type: Procedures

Training Outline for Floor/Building Captains

If you have been identified as a Floor/Building Captain by the President, Provost, and/or Vice President of Administration and Finance, your assistance is of utmost importance during a Level One Emergency. Created by authority of the President. Consists of members of senior management and representatives...

Public Safety

Guideline Type: Procedures

Four Types of Evacuations

The first type of evacuation is known as stay in place and is used during a chemical or biological attack. You should stay inside your building. Do not go outside. If a chemical agent is used, you will be advised to go to the highest...

Public Safety

Guideline Type: Procedures

Assisting People with Disabilities to Evacuate

Prior planning and practicing of emergency evacuation routes are important in assuring a safe evacuation. The following guidelines are presented to assist with the evacuation of people with physical disabilities. If you are a person (employee or student) with a disability who may need assistance...

Public Safety

Guideline Type: Procedures

General Evacuation Procedures

In some emergencies, it may be better not to leave the place where you are and go to another location. The safest action may be to stay exactly where you are. You will be notified through the University Notification System about whether or not you...

Public Safety

Guideline Type: Procedures

Campus Building Safe Areas/Evacuation Sites

In building evacuations, you will receive one of three instructions: Stay in the building and go up to the Safe Area UP or Stay in the building and go down to Safe Area DOWN or Leave the building OUT BuildingUpper Safe AreaLower Safe AreaSupplies Alumni...

Public Safety

Guideline Type: Procedures

Basic Guidelines/Be Prepared

Be aware of the surrounding area. Learn where emergency exits are. Think about how you would leave a building, subway, or busy place if there was an emergency and you had to hurry. Look around you. Be aware of heavy things that could fall or...

Public Safety

Guideline Type: Procedures

University Notification System

The University Notification System is a system that includes several methods of notification which are not based on sound. If an emergency occurs, any method or combination of methods may be used to communicate about the emergency and procedures to follow. Fire Bell/Strobe Light -...

Public Safety

Guideline Type: Procedures

Subscribe to Bb Connect Emergency Communications/Alert System

The Blackboard (Bb) Connect portal allows you to add or modify the ways in which you want Gallaudet University and Clerc Center to reach you using Blackboard Connect announcements. You will be able to add or delete phone numbers and email addresses, add text messaging,...

Public Safety

Guideline Type: Procedures

Tips for Communication

Be sure to identify a back-up person to serve as Floor Captain in case you are away from the office. Be sure to have a list of phone numbers for everyone on your contact list. Try to get to know your group of contact people;...

Public Safety

Guideline Type: Procedures

General Emergency Procedures

During any type of emergency, follow these important procedures: If you are in a building, know the exit nearest to you. In the event that this exit is blocked, be familiar with alternate exits. Avoid panic. Remain calm. Follow procedures and instructions. Stop rumors. Rumors...

Public Safety

Guideline Type: Procedures

Active Shooter Protocol

An active shooter is an individual actively engaged in killing or attempting to kill people in a confined and populated area; in most cases, active shooters use firearms(s) and there is no pattern or method to their selection of victims. Active shooter situations are unpredictable...

Public Safety

Guideline Type: Procedures

Contact Us

Public Safety

Carlin Hall Basement

(202) 651-5445

(202) 651-5555

Monday
12:00 am-12:00 am
Tuesday
12:00 am-12:00 am
Wednesday
12:00 am-12:00 am
Thursday
12:00 am-12:00 am
Friday
12:00 am-12:00 am

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