All University of Michigan faculty, staff and students should familiarize themselves with emergency protocols in the event of an emergency or natural disaster. Please review the university’s guidelines for fire safety, severe weather, active attacker and medical emergencies included below. You can find additional information on the DPSS Emergency Management website.
Fire Safety
The top priority is your own personal safety. Take action to ensure your own safety before considering assisting others. Assisting others is your decision and you are never required to do so. Be sure not to obstruct others as they evacuate the building.
- If you see or smell fire
- Activate the fire alarm
- Evacuate the building
- Call 911 from a safe location
- Notify Facilities Supervisor Andy Christenson at (248) 974-7316
- Familiarize yourself with locations of fire alarm pull stations, fire extinguishers, stairways and emergency exits.
- If the building fire alarm sounds, immediately evacuate at the nearest exit and move away from the building.
- Do not use the elevators.
- Although not required, assist those with disabilities or special needs if you are willing, able and can do so safely.
- Stay clear of all building exits and fire lanes to make room for emergency personnel and others exiting the building.
- Do not re-enter the building until directed by the authorities.
Tornado
The top priority is your own personal safety. Take action to ensure your own safety before considering assisting others. Assisting others is your decision and you are never required to do so. Be sure not to obstruct others as they seek shelter.
- Do not pull the fire alarm as it will encourage individuals to evacuate the building.
- Close all doors, including main corridors.
- Relocate to the lowest interior space of the building
- Stay away from windows, glass or objects that could become projectiles.
- Stay near the door or under heavy, well supported objects such as desks and keep the back of your head covered.
- Monitor local media outlets or communications from the emergency alert system for an all clear.
Active Attacker
The top priority is your own personal safety. Take action to ensure your own safety before considering assisting others. Assisting others is your decision and you are never required to do so. Be sure not to obstruct others as they seek safety.
Remember these three words – RUN, HIDE, FIGHT
- Call 911 if you can do so without being overheard by the attacker.
- Run – If there is an accessible escape path, use it.
- Move away from the threat as quickly as possible.
- Evacuate regardless if others agree
- Leave belongings behind
- Hide – If evacuation is not possible, find a secure place to hide and barricade your space.
- Lock and secure the doors
- Create barriers to prevent or slow down the threat from getting to you
- Remain out of sight and quiet – silence your phone
- Fight – As a last resort – and only when your life is in imminent danger – attempt to disrupt and/or incapacitate the active shooter
- Incorporate a distraction – throw items and yell loudly
- Commit to your actions – be aggressive and use improvised weapons (fire extinguisher, laptop, water bottles, books, etc.)
- Disarm the shooter – solicit help, there is strength in numbers
View additional Active Attacker resources.
Medical Emergencies
- Call 911
- Notify Facilities Supervisor Andy Christenson at (248) 974-7316
- Trained individuals should administer first aid/CPR/automated external defibrillator (AED) Device as appropriate
- Keep individuals clear of the area
- Meet the first responders and direct them to the incident location
- Stay out of the way of emergency responders